I'm a hobby woodworker with a SuperMax 19-38 drum sander that I initially bought for making end grain cutting boards. It was a game changer for flattening, but now that I'm not making those anymore, I hardly use it. I struggle with wide panels over 19 inches; even with the extra tables and stands, it's awkward to feed and balance them, leading to what feels like wasted time. For occasional large panels like tabletops, I just have them sanded at a lumber store. For my general furniture projects, I find my random orbit sander and hand sanding more effective. I get drum lines when using it and only use 80 grit, so I'm wondering if it's worth keeping this machine or if I should sell it to invest in a lathe instead and reclaim some shop space. What do you all think?
4 Answers
Honestly, it sounds like you know what to do. Selling it and getting more tools like a lathe could really expand your shop and your projects. Good luck!
I use mine for super precise jobs, like sanding guitar tops or any tiny piece that needs that perfect thickness. If you’re not doing that kind of work, it might be worth selling.
Drum sanders are great for sanding super thin pieces like veneers or marquetry. I had a similar model, but it became too bulky for my shop, so I ended up selling it. If you don’t need it often, that might be the way to go!
I have a drum sander for my stereo cabinets. It’s ideal for producing nice custom pieces. If you’re not needing it for thin laminations, consider selling it!
Definitely! I've used mine for delicate, re-sawn panels. It's perfect for those fragile pieces that a planer can destroy!