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Are you interested in purchasing for your workshop the best drum sanders? If yes, you should go through this guide, as we would be x-raying the best drum sanders money can buy.
whether you are DIYer, woodworker, or hobbyists, a reliable and efficient sander such as the drum sander is a must-have for finishing your projects.
As the name suggests, these sanders are the kind that comes with a drum/spinning cylinder covered with replaceable sandpaper. These sanders also have a conveyor belt for feeding the workpiece to the sander head.
Drum sanders are the easiest way to get to a fine-tuned wood for the woodworkers. All you need is a well-defined easy to maintain an overall effective drum sander to enjoy its full benefits.
This is why today we are going to review some of the most effective drum sanders in the market so that you can find out the best drum sander for you to facilitate your woodwork.
Drum sanders come in open and closed design, and single or dual drum and they are best for finish sanding and when working with large boards.
Unlike other sanders, the drum sanders are completely self-sufficient. It means you do not need to target and work on a specific area of the wood. You can do it all together and faster than any other sander.
These are usually built to tackle larger workloads. This means you have increased power and speed on your hands when you are using the drum sander.
DRUM SANDER’S BUYER’S GUIDE
Quality
They might not be the priciest power tool but they are still quite an expensive investment. And so you need to make sure that you get the best quality possible.
When it comes to the quality you need to check the construction of everything from the housing to the drums, pressure rollers, and even the feed belts.
Budget
How much you are willing to spend should be one of the things in your mind when shopping for one.
While it is possible to get one for a few hundred dollars, some of the more powerful ones with some amazing features and capabilities and from reputable brands will cost well over $1,000.
Go for something that is within your budget or at least at a reasonable price tag but makes sure that you never compromise on the quality and features just to save a few bucks.
Power
The motor power is always a crucial factor to consider when buying any power tool. Hence, it is also one of the essential things to watch out for when choosing one.
Most will have a motor power of between 1 and 5 HP, but the more powerful the sander the more money you will have to pay to own it.
Also, check on the voltage limits in your home before buying a drum sander as it can be unfortunate to end up with a 240-Volt machine when you are limited to 120 Volts.
Capacity
Capacity determines the size of material that your device can handle and it is a crucial factor to consider. And open-end drum sander provides a large capacity and it will be great for woodworkers that deal with the large board.
However, the large capacity comes at a cost as these machines are less stable than the closed-end ones. Hence, it is important to determine what matters most to you between large capacity and stable, uniform sanding.
Speed
Speed is another vital point to keep in mind. And the best ones are those that provide variable speed and feed rate.
Being able to adjust the feed rate is a great advantage as it will allow for a variety of uses. While some tasks require slow speeds other will require fast passes to produce the results you desire.
Vibration
Large drum sanders are prone to vibrate as they generate a lot of power. This vibration will make your hands fatigue as you need to work hard to keep the workpiece in place and also the tool will leave spots on the woods for its vibration.
But nowadays, some high end, updated drum sanders have included anti-vibration technology that can minimize the problem.
Dust Collection
Sanding is quite a messy job, this creates a lot of dust and dirt during the whole time all over your workplace. The best solution to avoid this mess is to buy a sander with a nice dust collection system.
This will help you to keep your workspace clean and less messy and also make sure that you won’t cover with wood chips at the end of the day.
Durability
As you have work on different types of material with the sander, make sure that the model you’re going to buy is good enough to handle the workload. Also, check the material that the sander is made with.
Because lightweight sanders are made of aluminum, so they are portable and tend to wear and tear out easily. But heavy drum sander is made with stainless steel or other heavy metal, so they last for a long time than the lighter one.
Likewise, when buying wood splitters and soldering mats, you should look out for durability of the tool.
BEST DRUM SANDERS
| NAMES | FEATURES | WHERE TO BUY |
| SHOP FOX 5 HP 26-Inch Drum Sander W1678
|
Conveyor motor: 1/3 HP, 60V DC, 2A
Drum surface speed: 2300 FPM stock dimensions: 26″W x 4-1/4″H Feed rates: variable (0–20 FPM) Conveyor table size: 26-1/8″ x 30-1/4″ |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| JET Mini 10-Inch 1-Horsepower Benchtop Drum Sander 628900
|
Motor: 1 HP, single-phase, 14 amp;
Conveyor motor: 3/4 HP; Table elevation motor: 1/4 HP; Rotation: 1720 Maximum board width: 20-inches; |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| SHOP FOX 10 HP 37-Inch Drum Sander W1772
|
Motor: 10 HP, single-phase;
Conveyor motor: 3/4 HP; Table elevation motor: 1/4 HP; Rotation: 1725 Maximum board width: 36-inches; |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| Jet JWDS-1632 16-32 Plus 20 Amp Service Drum Sanders 723520K
|
Integrated on/off switch and variable speed control knob are conveniently located
The stand features a 20″ x 37″ footprint to increase stability and has a storage shelf and pre-drilled holes for casters The drum is easily removable Drum utilizes sealed and permanently lubricated ball bearings for longer life |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| Powermatic 1-¾ hp Drum Sander PM2244
|
Conveyor feed rate: Variable, 0 – 10 FPM.
Drum length: 22-inch; Drum diameter: 5 inh; Sandpaper width: 6-inch. |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| Grizzly G0716 Drum Sander
|
Quick-disconnect smooth-sweep 90° 4″ dust port
Variable speed conveyor Wheels and handles for mobility |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| SuperMax 19-38 Drum Sander Tool
|
The electric motor power rating of 1 ¾ HP
2-year long warranty Steel construction with a compact design |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| Grizzly Drum Sander G8749
|
Motor 1 HP, 110V, single-phase, 1725 RPM
Toggle ON/OFF safety switch with locking tab Flap sander supplied with 120 grit paper Inflatable drum sizes are 4-3/4″ x 7-7/8″ and 3-1/4″ x 7-7/8″ |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| Grizzly G1066Z Drum Sander
|
Product Dimensions 41 x 38 x 43 inches
Item model number G1066Z Item Weight 489 pounds Material steel |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| Shop Fox W1740
|
Rubber intake and steel output drums
Precise adjustment crank 12-inch-wide roller |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
SHOP FOX 5 HP 26-Inch Drum Sander W1678
Whether quickly sanding large quantities of panel assemblies or achieving “tear-out” free finishes on figured wood, the Model W1678 performs like a champ in even the most demanding shops. At a full 26″ wide, this Dual Drum Sander can be fitted with two different grits, allowing both rough and finish sanding in one pass. Push aside those old handheld sanders and make room for this one!
| PROS | CONS |
| High capacity. | Caution needs to taken to align. |
| Perfect for large production wood shops; | |
| Powerful motor; |
JET Mini 10-Inch 1-Horsepower Benchtop Drum Sander 628900
The JET 628900 Mini is mini in many senses of the word. This benchtop model is significantly smaller, lighter, and cheaper than our leading drum sanders, but still delivers for the hobby woodworker. It can handle wood up to 20” wide and 3” thick but can work down to as thin as 1/32”.
Not designed to handle significant sanding jobs, it holds up well under moderate use by a skilled operator but is not idiot-proof like its more expensive cousins: the sandpaper can be difficult to change, the conveyor belt is a little quirky, and it shuts off if you ask too much of it.
But for anyone undertaking smaller projects in their garage or basement, this is a handy little drum sander and a bargain to boot.
| PROS | CONS |
| Smaller, lighter, more portable – only 100 lbs. | Prone to auto shut-off |
| Can handle thin sheets down to 1/32” | Sandpaper changing is a challenge |
| Affordable | Conveyor belt might demand extra TLC |
SHOP FOX 10 HP 37-Inch Drum Sander W1772
The SHOP FOX W1772 is another amazing sander that meets the needs of those looking for high quality, and don’t mind paying for it, the W1772 drum sander won’t be for those looking for a weekend hobby, but will be perfect for professionals within the woodworking industry.
| PROS | CONS |
| Accurate setting changes. | Expensive. |
| Time-saving performance; | |
| Suitable for sanding larger pieces in a single-phase power source; |
Jet JWDS-1632 16-32 Plus 20 Amp Service Drum Sanders 723520K
Introducing the newly redesigned JET JWDS-1632 Drum Sander from JET. The innovative tool-less parallelism system keeps adjustments simple. The worktable is easily positioned by a turn of the parallelism dial. The variable-speed rate permits you to choose the optimal feed rate for a full range of projects, while the Sandsmart™ feature continuously monitors the load on the drum motor to prevent an overload situation. The mirrored design of the dust hood optimizes dust collection preventing chips and dust from getting between your work-piece and the finish. The JWDS-1632 Drum Sander delivers everything you need for an effortless finish.
| PROS | CONS |
| Budget-friendly. | Limited capacity. |
| Comes with a stand; | |
| Lightweight; | |
| Automatically sets feed rate for different stocks; |
Powermatic 1-¾ hp Drum Sander PM2244
Powermatic has a drum sander that mixes performance with technology while sporting all the bells and whistles that woodworking enthusiasts are looking for. The Powermatic PM2244 1 ¾HP Drum Sander is a high-end power tool but doesn’t sport that high-end price. Affordable, and meant to be the perfect power sander for both DIY enthusiasts and woodworking professionals alike.
| PROS | CONS |
| Preassembled. | Pricey. |
| The long warranty offered; | |
| Comes with stand with storage; |
Grizzly G0716 Drum Sander
With a 1 HP 110V motor, this sander has plenty of power to handle lumber up to 9-1/2″ wide, and the variable speed conveyor lets you dial in the perfect feed rate. Includes adjustable spring-loaded pressure rollers and 4″ dust port. Accepts easily to install 3″ wide sanding rolls.
| PROS | CONS |
| Affordable | Minimum thickness of ¼” |
| Easy to use | |
| Sturdy |
SuperMax 19-38 Drum Sander Tool
Perfect for the small shop or woodworking hobbyist, the SuperMax 19-38 churns out flat, smooth surfaces with unwavering consistency, giving you the benefits of a wide belt sander at a price that won’t break the bank. Gone are the dips, gouges, and sore arms of the hand sanding process. The 19-38 Drum Sander offers 19″ width sanding in a single pass and 38″ in a double pass, perfect for flattening and smoothing raised panel doors and drawer fronts, tabletops, cabinet parts, and much more. The 19-38 Drum Sander comes standard on the Open Stand. The drum is pre-wrapped with 80 grit sandpaper.
| PROS | CONS |
| Small and compact drum sander for ease of use | Build quality could have been slightly better |
| Decent electric motor with 1 ¾ HP power output | |
| The justified price tag for given performance numbers and features |
Grizzly Drum Sander G8749
This sander is a great addition to any shop needing to shape and finish contours. On one side, choose between the included 3-1/4″ diameter or 4-3/4″ diameter inflatable sanding drums. On the other is a 10-1/2″ diameter by 7-3/4″ long flap sander with twelve abrasive flaps backed up by flexible bristle brushes. Order replacement flap sandpaper in 6″ wide rolls in the grit of your choice.
| PROS | CONS |
| Decent 1-year long warranty | Average build quality |
| Great performance out of 1 HP motor | |
| The affordable price tag for high value for money |
Grizzly G1066Z Drum Sander
Grizzly G1066Z Drum Sander can sand the stock of 24 inches in width and 4 inches in thickness. This means, if you need a drum sander for a lot of medium-sized projects, this drum sander can be a perfect option. Moreover, this drum sander has got dust ports of 2-4 Inch diameter which enables easy hook up to a collection system.
| PROS | CONS |
| Powerful five horsepower drum motor | Some components may not be as durable as others |
| Handles stock up to 23.5 x 4.25 inches | Can be loud |
| Robust ⅓ horsepower conveyor motor | |
| Operates two aluminum sanding drums |
Shop Fox W1740
This model features an easy-to-install low-cost hook-and-loop sanding belt and a tacky rubber feed belt that grips workpieces securely without scratching. It thicknesses stock up to 12″ wide accurately and shouldn’t need adjustment. Fine threads on the height-adjustment handwheels deliver great micro-adjustability, but it takes twice as many turns to equal other drum sanders when making coarse adjustments. The 2-1/2″ dust port chokes down dust collection.
| PROS | CONS |
| Sturdiness | Limited Stock Length |
| Perfect Finishing | Limited Stock Width |
| Compact Size | |
| Easy Set-Up |
CONCLUSION
We hope that you are happy with the analysis that we have provided in this overview. The products we have presented here are currently the best sets of drum sanders that the market has to offer. If you still can’t pick a drum sander, you should go through the buyer’s guide to aid you in selecting the best drum sander for you.
Take a look at these tools; wood-burning tools, hammer drills, and impact drivers, you will be fascinated with what they can do.