Let's revisit drum sanders

[mgbgt]

I am looking to purchase a drum sander in the next few weeks and had my eye on the SuperMax 19-38 until I found the General International 24" dual drum sander that is not a cantilever arm type sander. The Super Max is currently on sale for $1400.00 but the General is also on sale but for $1900.00. What are the pro's and con's of each sander and is the general worth the spending the extra $500.00 for? Electrical I know is 110 vs 220 and neither is a problem, space for the General would be tight but if it's a much better sander I can work with the space issue. I want a sander that I wouldn't have to fight with each time I use and one that will last as long as I need it.

[Curlycherry]

Dual drum sander all the way! I had an open sided sander (Delta 16/32) and my friend had a big Performax. Both were no where near as good and solid at the General dual drum is. I bought one when they first came out and even though I have a 16" widebelt sander, I still will not part with my General dual drum. It is rare that I need 24" capacity, so my 16" widebelt is better because of the belt ossicalation, but when I need the 24", the General delivers.

[meackerman]

the SuperMax is going to handle wider boards...but do you need that extra width?

[Robert Adams]

I would never go with an open ended sander again. Too much flex in them. I can flex the end with my fingers alone on the delta 18 or the smaller performax.

Like said double drum is the only way to go.

[Steve N]

I'll start with this it's a review from an brand new owner.

Ok with that out of the way I took the same journey you are now on a little over a year ago, and I ended up with the SuperMax 19/38. Like you I saw that for not much more I could get "DUAL DRUM" sounded good, sign me up. Went to the local real McCoy woodworking tool dealer down in Cinci. Edward B Mueller They had/have been a General dealer in the past. I went there to see the General "International" It is evidently the International part that has Mueller no longer a dealer. They referred me to these guys I had never heard of them before all my life in SW Ohio. Anyhow, nope they wouldn't sell one of those *(&%&&%&** )(&&*( )()&*^^, but if you would like to look at a SuperMax, or a ....., or a .........

Basically what I ran into locally was since General went "International" all the dealers here lost interest. It was strong enough that I made up my mind I wouldn't buy one until I could see, and hopefully run one. Didn't happen. I could see or run a SuperMax on almost every street corner, and in comparison to Jet I was left thinking I understood some peoples reluctance with the open units. All I can say is I am very satisfied with my SuperMax, and after having looked at them versus Jet, Griz (was lucky and a guy I knew, knew a guy, who's cousin), anyhow I got to play with a G1066R I really looked around, and I think I got a lot of bang for my $$$$

Good Luck on your search

[mgbgt]

While I think the Super Max is a great machine, Both machines have great reviews and have found very little negative as long as the time is spent up front doing the proper set up. I have watched all you tube videos and again all positive. so I'm struggling with this one. I am trying to avoid buyers remorse down the road. I can't think of any time in the last few years where I needed something sanded over 24" but who knows what will happen tomorrow. Normally for tool purchases with enough research, I find one model that has the "something extra" to sway me one way or the other and at this point I'm finding them very similar.

[Curlycherry]

FTR, Supermax is made right here in the Twin Cities and I have been to their "factory." It is a front office with no one at the desk and about 2-4 guys in offices doing sales. Out back is a warehouse stacked full of boxes of parts from all over the world. There is a guy (Jack is his name????) that looks just like Grizzly Adams and he is the sole guy that puts these things together. They have 1-2 of each model assembled or semi assembled (if being shipped) ready to go. One get sold and he ships it out and then he builds another one as backup.

http://www.supermaxtools.com/contact-us/

[fall]

Supermax has dual drum sanders that look pretty nice...

[fasteddie]

I have the Supermax 19-38 and it is a nice sander for the price range. Yes the general is worth the $1900 with extra width, supported both ends, dual drums. I hand a similar brand and it was a workhorse. Of course dust colection is a must.

[ken in fallbrook]

I've used the 16-32 for a very long time (15-20 years?) I love it. I finally replaced it with the 19-38. Wow what a difference! Hard for me to believe any drum sander performing better. No hassles no problems, just flat sanding. Plus I can go up to 38" wide when I need to.