Official Luthiers Forum!

As folks occasionally ask about drum sanders I thought would post on one just bought. After much thought, looking and deliberation, I went with the 18" Grizzly open end. For the cost of $850.00, it is much less in cost than other brands of the same size. I won't say cheaper built as it is heavy and stouter than the other brands (over the years have used most of them)

What I have to say should be tempered with it is new and hasn't yet stood the test of time and use.

I have done about 10 guitar top, backs and rim sets, braces, binding etc. Here is what found. It was very easy to setup and pretty much ready to go out of the box, except one heavy mother to unload and then get on stand and up (I did it by myself though) the shipping weight is about 350lbs. and unpacked and assembled ready to use about 200lbs. I did do a little adjustment to the variable speed table and once set no burn or clogging on the wood. I do however tend to go slow and not hog much off on passes. Tracking was easy as setup to get even. The final sand thickness at 180 grit was within a thou or two. Not as easy to get to as a digital widebelt, but easier than anything else I have used. The table rather than the drum is what raises and lowers to do the work which keeps thing I think very stable and the work very even thickness.

It has an abrasive table unlike the other Griz units which have rubber table which I like better. Hope they will convert that at a later time. Unlike the other Griz units which as a feeble clip on one end and taped on other end of drums, this unit has the abrasive secured with bolts. Very easy to change, unlike the others. To me the clip and tape thing is a suck design and not worth a crap and don't know why they haven't changed it. The built in dust collection so far is great and have had very little if any dust flying around or clogging machine. I do like this feature so far and see no reason it won't continue. Saves having to hook up the bigger dc unit or have tubing all over or make a vent for it. I think this and stoutness of unit is what sold. Well and the price is a whole lot less and get just as good of unit as the one costing way over a grand.

As folks ask questions on units to look at, I will post my thoughts on this particular unit GOOD OR BA. I won't say it is better than the other makes, but I sure am at this point convienced it is as good as those and again. much less in cost.

Congrats, Stan. This looks like a well build unit. Do you have any pics of your unit in operation? I'm also interested in what type of DC you use.

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

Yes congrats Stan on the great sander! It sounds like a great choice and the price is excellent too.

JJ I will try get some pic's and then figure out how to post them. The dust collection is built into the system. 2.5 port and pretty large bag. So far so good. It is in the Griz catalog. Craftsman has similar model (wouldn't be surprised if didn't do it first) The Griz though is a little heavier and stouter than the Craftsman and has some other different design features.

Thanks Hesh. Your new shop and home sound great.

I am looking at a different home also. A friend has her home for sale and the basement is a 1900 sq ft shop. She and her recently deceased husband made custom exterior doors (very ornate) fireplace mantels and other expensive items in it so it is set up with many outlets inlcluding areas or 220 and 3 phase machines. Seperate big box and heat/ac and humidity control built in, including very climate controled wood storage area. It is on Tablerock Lake with great view out of the shop. Her husband was recently killed in an auto accident so she moved into a "patio" home near us in our little golf resort here in Branson where she is a realtor. I though am torn as much as I would love the home and shop. I wouldn't like now live on the prime trout lake/river and golf course. I may buy it and keep the place I have now for visitors like all 6 kids and the 16 grandkids have to make visits (at different times hope) Had them all here for a week last year and no place to hide. That way they can be here and visit, but I can retreat and get away for some peace when needed.