How many Hobbyists have a Drum Sander?

[Chris Tsutsui]

I see them in shops and being used all the time, but as a hobbyist I don't think I would get enough use out of one.

I was curious how many people had them and what they come in handy for.

[Eric DeSilva]

Do you count the open frame sanders as "drum sanders"? If so, I've got one... Comes in handy for sanding down end grain cutting blocks and other glue-ups that I don't want to run through my planer...

[kazek supinski]

i use my all the time every broad comes off the planner goes threw the drum sander at 120 grit then finish with 220 by hand

[Chris Tsutsui]

Yeah, open frame ones count. Any sander with a drum that flattens wood similar to a Planer, but results are smooth.

The ones i would buy would be anything I see on craigslist from time to time. There's no way I would get one of those big ones that could fit a door of course...

I'm thinking that one thing to do is you could resaw a veneer or inlay piece on the band saw, then drum sand it smooth and to the right thickness. Correct?

I'm not quite sure how thin a piece of wood can go into a drum sander though...

[Bill Wyko]

22-44 DS. I use it more than my table saw. Necessity sums it up.

[Mike Heidrick]

I have one. I use it whenever I need it. Just ran a glued up top for a book case through it Sunday night.

[Don Morris]

I classify myself as a serious hobbyist, and space in my small basement shop doesn't allow for another major piece of equipment. So no drum sander here. Would be nice though, like a 12" jointer vs my 8" jointer, etc. At some point, it's just a hobby.

Don M

[CPeter James]

I have a General 15-250 double drum sander and find it very handy. While it may not be the most used tool in the shop, there are some things that it will do that nothing else will do as well. For panels, it is hard to beat. They come out flat as a piece of plate glass.

CPeter

[Brian Kent]

Almost 2 years ago a woodworking friend sold (almost gave) me a Delta 18-36 drum sander and a Grizzly 8" jointer. I confess that I have never used the jointer (someday I will, but my lumber supplier sells really flat wood). I use the sander at least weekly. I have no planer, so I sometimes make multiple passes in place of a planer. It is one of my favorite tools.

Brian

[frank shic]

i love using my performax for flattening raised panels.

[Aaron Berk]

I'm a SERIOUS hobbyist who's car has never been in the garage of any house I've owned and I've even got lumber stored out in the garden shed, under my back porch, and some in the house. I eat sleep and breath sawbust (which maybe isn't a good thing)
So like I said I don't have a drum sander, but that's only because I haven't found a good deal on one yet. I'll buy one the moment I find one that meets my budget and quality standards. And a nice wide belt edge sander too, a woodworker can't have to many sanding machines, there like clamps never to many

[Peter Scoma]

Ive been eyeing the Grizzly baby drum sander for a while, however, even with such a small unit I can barely fit it in my shop. My supplier has a drum sander that they charge a small fee for using.

PS

[Paul Johnstone]

I see them in shops and being used all the time, but as a hobbyist I don't think I would get enough use out of one.

I was curious how many people had them and what they come in handy for.

I have one, and just about every piece of hardwood goes through it.

It's a big time saver, and honestly does a better job than if I went through the ROS on every grit.

[Jim Becker]

I did have one; found I wasn't using it that much; sold it to free up the space. It was a very nice machine (Performax 22-44 Plus) and is now in another 'Creeker's shop getting a lot of use.

[Bob Luciano]

I picked up a 22-44 for $200 on a fluke. Can't tell you how much time I have wasted without out it Makes sanding almost pleasurable. Dust collection is required not optional.