Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi All.

I've been looking to get a used Performax 16-32 for a while. I'm out of town on vacation, and found a Delta 18-36 drum sander. Some problems reportedly on older models. This one's 3-4 yrs old.

What problems/how pronounced were they?

How can I detect them? I need this info before making a final decision...

One thing I noticed, its a belt (NOT a chain) to raise or lower the sanding platen. Owner's offering it at $425 with some sandpaper.

I'm paying for internet cafe :(, I'll check responses in a couple days. I must purchase before leaving here on Thursday July 6.

Man I miss you guys!

Thanks!

Terry, I have an early one and it has been fine. I could never get the belt to track perfectly, but it only needs a nudge every 30 minutes of run time or so. I replaced the belt recently and it is much better. Other than that, I've liked it.

And yes, it uses a belt to adjust the platen, but that has not been a problem for me.

Anyone have advise, please chime in. I will need to decide shortly. How bout SKG Dave? Any ideas?

Hi Terry,
Well as you know I have one that is similar if not identical. The only problem I ever had is the feed belt tracking a little to one side but all you do is give the adjustment screw a turn with the included hex key and it was right back on. Mine also came with an extension sanding drum but I never attached it or used it. It's basically a good sander. I just want one of those hydrolic belt sanders like Somogyi and Sylvan have. Once you use one of those...everthing else is a toy. If you can transport it home I'd say buy it. It's a great price and all parts are replacable so even if you have to spend some money you still hae a great sander. But I think you shoukd buy mine, because mine is newer and much nicer and works better and just because...

_________________
Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

[QUOTE=Dave-SKG] I just want one of those hydrolic belt sanders like Somogyi and Sylvan have. [/QUOTE]

Dave, which sander are you going to buy?

Terry, my Delta sander is still hanging in there. Seems like a pretty good machine to me. It is a little slow, you have to take shallow passes or it will stall.
And I also had a problem with the feed belt tracking a little off, like Dave said you can adjust that.

All in all it's a good tool for the money.

_________________
Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

Terry, when I was in the market about 5-6 years ago, I had it down between the Delta and Performax. I wasn't on a forum like this at that time so I didn't really have a source of good reliable info. I heard NOTHING but bad about the Delta and NOTHING but good about the Performax. So I went with the 16-32. Man was I sorry. From day one it gave me nothing but troubles. I replaced 8, count 'em 8, drive belts and it never tracked right until I shimmed the table. Man I wish I went with the Delta because shy of a few little ticks everyone that has one seams to love them.
One good thing is that it has an iron table that can be ground perfectly flat in refrence to the bottom of it. Mine had a stamped steel table that had a twist which is why it tracked so badly.
Since then I've replaced my 16-32 with the General 25" dual drum. It's got tons of power but I think it was made on a Friday at 3:00 because there are lots of things that are sloppy and don't fit right.
I'd pick up the Delta if you still can.

hi guys

thanks for the input. About what I thought. Dave, did you ever find a reasonable price for a shipper? Hope so...

I will be giving it a test run tomorrow before I leave. Paul-UNBELIEVABLE. I'll say it again UNBELIEVABLE!!! It's stories like that that really make ya wanna pull your hair out. Or someone else's!

Anyway, thanks again guys. Y'all mean a lot to my progress. More later.

Hi Eric,

I think I will probably go with the Grizzly. Ervin's isn't a Grizzly but it is very very similar. Sylvan's is a Grizzly, it looks and functions just like Ervin's. He loves it. The difference between those sanders and the Delta/performax is Night and Day. You just have to try one to see what I mean.

Hi Terry,
No I never found a reasonable shipper. I think I will just keep the sander and dedicate it to small jobs or maybe specific tasks ( don't know what yet).

_________________
Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"