Drum Sanders -- Performax vs Steel City

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Date: 23 Nov 2006 23:16:01
From: PapaChuck
Subject: Drum Sanders -- Performax vs Steel City

Thanks for the input on the Grizzly drum sander ... I have decided
against it. And have moved on.

The Performax appears to be solid with no huge pitfalls. But I am
wondering about the Steel City option. I have downloaded their manual
and the machine seems to be very solid and have some improvements overe
the Performax: better drum movement control; optional 220v motor (via
re-wire).

What's the groups experience/wisdom???

-- Chuck

Date: 24 Nov 2006 14:10:07
From: Leon
Subject: Re: Drum Sanders -- Performax vs Steel City

"PapaChuck" <chuckharlowe@comcast.net > wrote in message
news:1164352561.239121.130390@l12g2000cwl.googlegroups.com...
> Thanks for the input on the Grizzly drum sander ... I have decided
> against it. And have moved on.
>
> The Performax appears to be solid with no huge pitfalls. But I am
> wondering about the Steel City option. I have downloaded their manual
> and the machine seems to be very solid and have some improvements overe
> the Performax: better drum movement control; optional 220v motor (via
> re-wire).
>
> What's the groups experience/wisdom???
>
> -- Chuck
>

I was looking at both however Steel City can only sand to a thickness of
1/8" thick. Performax will sand to 1/32" If you are cutting and sanding
veneer the 1/8" may be too thick unless you use a sled.
Alternatively, the Steel City will sand up to 5" in thickness although I
cannot remember in the last 30 years needing to sand something that was 5"
thick.
IMHO the Performax is a safer bet as they have been around for a relatively
long time when compared to Steel City.
I e-mailed Steel City for the location of a local dealer and got a "quick
response". My local dealer happens to be a Performax dealer also. I sent
another e-mail asking why the Steel City sander would be a better value than
the Performax considering that they are the same price and have received "no
reply".

Date: 24 Nov 2006 08:43:58
From: HotRod
Subject: Re: Drum Sanders -- Performax vs Steel City

What models are you looking at? Is this for ocassional use or "hard work". I
just went through this process myself and stayed away from the Performax
units that were only attached on one side e.g. 18-36 No mater how hard the
attachment is it's going to twist a little on the one end.

"PapaChuck" <chuckharlowe@comcast.net > wrote in message
news:1164352561.239121.130390@l12g2000cwl.googlegroups.com...
> Thanks for the input on the Grizzly drum sander ... I have decided
> against it. And have moved on.
>
> The Performax appears to be solid with no huge pitfalls. But I am
> wondering about the Steel City option. I have downloaded their manual
> and the machine seems to be very solid and have some improvements overe
> the Performax: better drum movement control; optional 220v motor (via
> re-wire).
>
> What's the groups experience/wisdom???
>
> -- Chuck
>

Date: 24 Nov 2006 08:46:18
From: Larry Blanchard
Subject: Re: Drum Sanders -- Performax vs Steel City

HotRod wrote:

> What models are you looking at? Is this for ocassional use or "hard work". I
> just went through this process myself and stayed away from the Performax
> units that were only attached on one side e.g. 18-36 No mater how hard the
> attachment is it's going to twist a little on the one end.

Apparently, according to a recent thread in this group, the Performax has the
ability to set the head angle slightly off level to compensate for any
deflection (or sag, depending on who your talking to).

I did ask a long time owner and he has his Performax set perfectly level. He
says the most flex he ever measured was a few thousandths so he quit worrying
about it.

--
It's turtles, all the way down

Date: 25 Nov 2006 02:24:06
From: Leon
Subject: Re: Drum Sanders -- Performax vs Steel City

"PapaChuck" <chuckharlowe@comcast.net > wrote in message
news:1164352561.239121.130390@l12g2000cwl.googlegroups.com...
> Thanks for the input on the Grizzly drum sander ... I have decided
> against it. And have moved on.
>
> The Performax appears to be solid with no huge pitfalls. But I am
> wondering about the Steel City option. I have downloaded their manual
> and the machine seems to be very solid and have some improvements overe
> the Performax: better drum movement control; optional 220v motor (via
> re-wire).
>
> What's the groups experience/wisdom???
>
> -- Chuck
>

Some observations that I made while looking at the Performax sanders and my
local dealer today. My dealer is also a Steel City dealer but is not going
to stock their single drum sander.

I was going for the 16-32 but have decided on the 22-44 after comparing the
two. The difference is like comparing a contractors saw to a cabinet saw.
The 22-44 has a cast iron base, thicker drum housing and drum housing
support which also have the appearance of cast iron. The 16-32 has a
stamped steel base and lots of aluminum. The 22-44 is about twice the
weight of the 16-32 at about 280 lbs. vs. 145 lbs. The 22-44 comes with a
sensor on the conveyor motor that automatically slows the feed rate if there
is too much drag when sanding. About $200 more for the 22-44 over the
16-32.

Date: 25 Nov 2006 08:12:02
From:
Subject: Re: Drum Sanders -- Performax vs Steel City

1- Which model 22-44 was you comparing to the 16-32? I have not been able to
even find the 22-44 locally in North Georgia. I see on there website that
Redmonds and Sons in Atlanta carry the Steel City stuff. But no hands on yet
to compare.
2- What store did you find the price only being $200- over the 16-32? I am
looking to purchase one of these soon myself.
Thanks
Jerry
"Leon" <removespamlcb11211@swbell.net > wrote in message
news:aPN9h.15537$9v5.9267@newssvr29.news.prodigy.net...
>
> "PapaChuck" <chuckharlowe@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:1164352561.239121.130390@l12g2000cwl.googlegroups.com...
> > Thanks for the input on the Grizzly drum sander ... I have decided
> > against it. And have moved on.
> >
> > The Performax appears to be solid with no huge pitfalls. But I am
> > wondering about the Steel City option. I have downloaded their manual
> > and the machine seems to be very solid and have some improvements overe
> > the Performax: better drum movement control; optional 220v motor (via
> > re-wire).
> >
> > What's the groups experience/wisdom???
> >
> > -- Chuck
> >
>
> Some observations that I made while looking at the Performax sanders and
my
> local dealer today. My dealer is also a Steel City dealer but is not
going
> to stock their single drum sander.
>
> I was going for the 16-32 but have decided on the 22-44 after comparing
the
> two. The difference is like comparing a contractors saw to a cabinet saw.
> The 22-44 has a cast iron base, thicker drum housing and drum housing
> support which also have the appearance of cast iron. The 16-32 has a
> stamped steel base and lots of aluminum. The 22-44 is about twice the
> weight of the 16-32 at about 280 lbs. vs. 145 lbs. The 22-44 comes with a
> sensor on the conveyor motor that automatically slows the feed rate if
there
> is too much drag when sanding. About $200 more for the 22-44 over the
> 16-32.
>
>

Date: 25 Nov 2006 14:20:11
From: Leon
Subject: Re: Drum Sanders -- Performax vs Steel City

<woodman1@alltel.net > wrote in message
news:359bb$45684127$45281901$27264@ALLTEL.NET...
> 1- Which model 22-44 was you comparing to the 16-32? I have not been able
> to
> even find the 22-44 locally in North Georgia. I see on there website that
> Redmonds and Sons in Atlanta carry the Steel City stuff. But no hands on
> yet
> to compare.

Sorry for the confusion. I was comparing the 16-32 Performax 629004K to the
22-44 Performax 649003K.
There is a big difference in the way these are built as far as how heavy and
thick the parts are.
My local dealer is not going to stock the similar 16-32 Steel City model.

> 2- What store did you find the price only being $200- over the 16-32? I am
> looking to purchase one of these soon myself.
> Thanks

Rockler.
Look here,

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=2107&SearchHandle=DADBDADHDADADDDGDCGBDDGDGCDGDEDDCNGDDIDAGCCNDEGBDJDECNGBGBGGDJCNDHDEGBDIDAGDGEDDGBDGDIDHDADADADBDADADADADJHAGFHCGGGPHCGNGBHIDADADADEDADADADADADADADBDFDADADADBDADADADADADADADADADADADADBDADADADADJHAGFHCGGGPHCGNGBHIDADADADBDB&filter=performax

and

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=17141&SearchHandle=DADBDADHDADADDDGDCGBDDGDGCDGDEDDCNGDDIDAGCCNDEGBDJDECNGBGBGGDJCNDHDEGBDIDAGDGEDDGBDGDIDHDADADADBDADADADADJHAGFHCGGGPHCGNGBHIDADADADEDADADADADADADADBDFDADADADBDADADADADADADADADADADADADBDADADADADJHAGFHCGGGPHCGNGBHIDADADADBDB&filter=performax

> Jerry

Date: 24 Nov 2006 19:24:37
From: JimL
Subject: Re: Drum Sanders -- Performax vs Steel City