Ordered one.... came today. Just unpacked it but haven't run it as yet. Looks like a nice machine! Thanks for pointer on that again. CWI folks were easy to work with as well.
On Thu, Sep 12, 2024 at 3:42?PM Bob Wise <bob@...> wrote:
Thanks for the pointer to the CWI/sandx brand. The 26" wide version of the dual drum looks decent at a price quite a bit below the powermatic.
On Thu, Sep 12, 2024 at 12:24?PM PK via <pk=[email protected]> wrote:
Mariusz,
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I have had all three that people are talking about and my brother has the open end wide belt from Powermatic.
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I started with a Performax 22-44.? It worked well.? It is slow and the electronics to modulate the belt speed failed once.? We decided to re-engineer the controller, as it seemed pretty fragile electrically.
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I then bought a Sand-X 37" dual drum sander from CWI in Canada.? This is sold under many brands with slight differences.? Powermatic sells it, but decided to put the drive belts in the sanding envelope, CWI puts the belts in an enclosure outside the sanding envelope.? This machine has far more power and is significantly faster than the open end drum sanders.? These models come with rubber drums to manage heat better, offer better sandpaper connection and solid dust collection.? They also do not have an electronic system to slow the infeed roller motor.? There is no circuit board to fry, but if you are not careful, you can burn a belt pretty badly.? I really liked it, shipping was cheap and the support was good.? Powermatic also sells it in the version Bob is looking at, a dual drum 25".? It is the same machine with less width to the sander.? The scratch pattern is the same as a Performax or any other open end drum sander that does not oscillate.
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My brother found the open ended Powermatic 16" sander used and in great condition.? It is the same as the NorthState that David was talking about earlier.? He too likes it and uses it in a production fashion.? The scratch pattern is better because the belt oscillates.
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I then found a great deal on a used? 37" wide belt.? I realize that there are huge upgrades to dust collection and power to accommodate them, but a wide belt is just next level with finish quality and precision.
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For you, I would find a Powermatic clone open end wide belt (used, they do come up) or a double drum like Bob is talking about.
