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Hi guys,
I need a small (and not too expensive!)drum sander for my shop. I don't have a lot of space and the bench top PerformaX 10-20 looks great to me. I would be using it for tops, backs and sides. Can anyone give their input or an alternative?
Thanks in advance!

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Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

You could go real cheap like me and do it with A Wagner Safety Planer and and orbital sander. Acctualy I get Bob or Steve to Thickness thickness sand for me when I buy frome them or else I use my Wagner.

I've got the 10-20 and for my planned build rate (3 to 4 per year) it works fine. You can't try to hog off too much material at one pass or the breaker trips which can be annoying. I have not tried to use it with a back or a side already joined so I don't know how that will work. Again, for my needs, it works very well.

I have had a 16-32 Performax for several years and it has held up well. Just bought a wide belt sander and there is NO comparrison but seeing you are cramped for space go with a 16-32. 10-20 will probably leave a ridge down the middle of the wood unless it is set up perfect (which is very hard, but not impossible, to do).

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tim...
http://www.mcknightguitars.com

I know this isn't very helpful to you at this point but, I bought a used Woodmaster 38" drum sander(came with $150 worth of sandpaper)for less than a small Performax. It is a BIG machine but it rocks!

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Gwaltney Guitars

The problem I have found with the smaller machines is trying to sand a glued up back or side that overhangs the outboard side. Getting that drum to sand perfectly flat from end to end is nearly impossible. You wind up with a ridge that moves from one side to the other if you rotate the piece 180 deg. It will sand out with an orbital sanding but still annoying. As for the wide belt sanders they are the best but not very practical for the hobbyist or occasional builder. Too big and too cost prohibitive. If you can afford a bit more I would go for either the Delta 18" or the Perfomax 16-32.

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Beautiful and unusual tone woods at a reasonable price.
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The Zootman
1109 Military Rd.
Kenmore, NY 14217
(716) 874-1498

I have the Performax 10-20. I like it, but it definitely has it's limitations. I figured out that the space savings aren't that significant compared to a 16-32, even in my small bedroom shop. Looking back, I wish I would have just gotten the 16-32.

The 10-20's a nice machine, though, and Performax's service is top notch in my experience. I've got it set up so the open side is just slightly higher, which technically leaves a high spot, but it's close enough for me for backs and tops.

Make sure and figure dust collection into your price.

I have a saf-T-planer but I found it kind of nerve wracking to use, to get the table set perfectly flat, and to adjust height accurately. It sprays chips everywhere, too. I know some people love it, that's just my limited experience with it.

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Jonathan Kendall, Siloam Springs AR

I have the 16-32. If you are doing a wide piece you may end up with a slight ridge but it usually isn't bad (if you sander is set up properly). I give it a quick buzz with the hand sander and it cleans up nicely. I think you will be happier if you go with the 16-32 over the 10-20.

Josh

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Josh House

Canadian Luthier Supply
http://www.canadianluthiersupply.com
https://www.facebook.com/canadianluthiersupply?ref=hl
House Guitars - Custom Built Acoustic Instruments.
http://www.houseguitars.com

I have the 16-32 and it is the most underused tool in my shop, I only ever use it for a final clean up pass after thinning with the SafeT planer and hand plane. Even then I usually finish up with a scraper anyway. If space became a problem, which it could do soon for a binding jig, then the 16-32 would be the first thing on eBay. I like to be more in-touch with the wood. I can see their merit in a production shop, but for the hobbyist I think the money can be better spent elsewhere, a couple of LN or vintage Stanley planes would always get my vote.

Just a diferent view

Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

Hey Colin, when you squeeze yourself outta your shop with that binding jig, I'll trade you my LN Low-angle Jack plane for that 16-32...and, NO EBAY FEES!

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http://www.presnallguitars.com

Another Performax 16-32 user here. I was about to buy a 10-20 when I fell into a great deal on a used 16-32. I'm glad I didn't buy the 10-20, for the exact reasons that Bob C and Tim mention. Really, if you're on a budget and you have limited space, I would go with a Wagner Safe-T planer mounted to a drill press over a 10-20. The Wagner works very well. The only thing you have to watch out for is the stock tends to chatter, so some sort of device rigged up to keep some pressure on the pieces as you pass it under the planer would probably be a good idea.

Best,

Michael

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Live to Play, Play to Live

I think Tracy Leveque had a neat setup for hold down wheels he posted a few months back..