Best Drum Sander: Well, in this post, we would be reviewing some of the best drum sanders available on the market with a motive to help you make an informed buying decision.
Secondly, we would also be throwing some light on the important parameters that you shouldn’t ignore when it comes to buying a drum sander.
Lastly, we would be responding to the queries related to jet drum sander, Powermatic drum sander, etc asked by our clients as well as readers of this blog.
To be honest, there are many other good drum sanders available on the market, and I would never deny this fact.
However, depending on the calculation which is based on the parameters that we’ll discuss in the buying guide section, and also the feedback that we’ve received from our clients, we’ve prepared the list of the best top 5 drum sanders for the money.
So, without any further ado, let’s begin…
Best Drum Sander To Buy…
*check the current price on Amazon by clicking the product link.
Pros
Cons
Powermatic
(Editor's Pick)
- User-Friendly setup
- Temporarily work as a planer
- Good at handling small and thin woods as well as large and thick woods
- Digital readouts
- Not for someone who is on a shoestring budget
JET 628900
- Affordable
- Portable
- Good for woodworking projects that demand high-precision
- Sandpaper changing can be tedious and time-consuming
- Doesn't accommodate user error
- Prone to auto shut-off
SUPERMAX
- Digital depth indicator
- Affordable
- Setup is not newbie friendly
- Bulky with no wheels
- Prone to auto slowing
Grizzly
- Affordable
- Sandpaper changing is tedious and time-consuming
- Minimum thickness of 1/4"
JET 723520K
- Variable speed
- Large conveyor belt
- Separate drum and conveyor motors
- The motor isn't powerful
Top 5 Drum Sander Reviews
Are you charged up for a comprehensive top 5 drum sanders review?
All the products that we’re gonna review have been tested by NOT ONLY our team but also by our clients to whom we’ve recommended these products.
And, after getting a good number of POSITIVE FEEDBACK I decided to review my favorite drum sanders on YardMonkPro.com.
Powermatic PM2244 | Best Drum Sander For Home Shop
Well, to be honest, the Powermatic PM2244 is perhaps one of the best drum sanders available on the market, if NOT THE BEST.
This is an idiosyncratic machine with mind-boggling features that will definitely grab your eyeballs.
The PM2244 comprises of 1.75 HP motor and a 22″ drum, and most importantly, it comes with a digital display that is capable of measuring up to one-thousandth of an inch.
In short, it provides you a great precision, and thus, is a great instrument for critical projects.
Definitely, PM2244 is a beast in the real sense.
You would be astonished to know that this little beast allows you to put pieces up to 44″, and the good part is, they can be up to 4″ thick to start.
Just forget to mention, it also works all the way down to 1/32″.
This 400 lb measures roughly 4’x2’.
The manufacturer has made this machine quite user-friendly, and even the first-time user can easily operate it.
The machine comprises wheels and mostly comes assembled.
Trust me, once you’ve received the drum sander, in less than half an hour, you would be sanding.
I highly recommend this drum sander to those whose livelihood is a large-scale woodworking business.
Definitely, the investment is huge, but you’ll never REGRET it, I can affirm that.
To be honest, Powermatic is a great product and would match the expectation of professional woodworkers for sure.
Without any doubt, the PM2244 Drum Sander possesses a world-class design, and the user interface is one of the best.
The built-in control panel is one of a kind.
It displays four-parameter in the simplest way, that is, power, belt, speed, and DRO.
On top of it, you can easily adjust the drum height with the help of a chrome handwheel.
Lastly, the machine also helps you in keeping your surroundings clean by providing adequate storage that helps you in keeping abrasively organized.
Trust me, you don’t have to worry at all about the dust collector as the Powermatic comes with four dust ports.
Personally, I like the FEED LOGIC feature of this beast as it NOT ONLY helps me in achieving a superlative finish but also, prevents machine overload.
Well, the POWERMATIC PM2244 is so enticing that I can keep talking about it for hours.
Anyways, if you’re still NOT CONVINCED about the quality and usability of the machine, then I request you to go through what the users say about this beast on Amazon.
Check Powermatic PM2244 Current Price On AmazonJET 628900 | Best Benchtop Drum Sander
As the name suggests, the JET 628900 Mini Benchtop Drum Sander is definitely a mini beast that will match your expectation to a large extent.
It goes without saying that this benchtop drum sander is relatively small, lightweight, portable, and most importantly cheaper.
I’ve seen quite a few friends of mine having JET 628900 whose hobby is woodworking.
I’ll request professionals to keep away from this little beast as it may not have all the functionality and features they would be expecting.
Definitely, similar to the aforementioned model, it can also work down the wood to as thin as 1/32″.
However, when it comes to handling wood, it can handle up to 20” wide and 3” thick which is NOT bad if your project doesn’t demand very high precision.
To be honest, the machine performs really well in the hands of experts and experienced professionals.
First-time users and newbies need to be careful while operating this little beast.
By no means, the machine is designed for significant sanding jobs, and you need to be very clear about it in case you’re planning to bring this baby to your home.
On top of it, first-time users may find it difficult to change the sandpaper, and not only that conveyer belt is a bit quirky, and chances are quite high that it will shut down if your demands are too high.
I know many of you would be inquisitive to know who should buy this little beast, right?
I highly recommend the JET 628900 Mini to those who want to use it for small projects for their basement, garage, backyards, etc.
Just a word of caution: Stay away if your expectations are too HIGH.
WAIT…
I’m NOT done yet, let’s dive deep into the machine and try to figure out what all does it have for the end-users?
The 1 HP Benchtop Drum Sander comes with a patented conveyor belt that is great in the sense it takes away the load from you for manual belt adjustments.
Furthermore, it would be wrong if I don’t highlight its precision capability, right?
The manufacturer has come up with the cast-iron handle and adjustable drum height to help you adjust the height to 1/16th per turn for sanding thickness control and also, precise stock removal.
So, what’s your take on this little beast? Do let us know in the comment section.
Check JET 628900 Mini Current Price On AmazonSUPERMAX TOOLS Drum Sander | Best Drum Sander For Hardwood Floors
So, here comes the SUPERMAX 19-38 Drum Sander a monster that you’ll definitely love to take to your home for many reasons.
Even before, I start highlighting the superlative features, and capabilities of this machine, let me tell you frankly, the SUPERMAX 19-38 MODEL doesn’t need any introduction.
To be honest, you may not find this machine highly portable as this 300 lb doesn’t come with embedded wheels.
Secondly, the setup would take time, and my suggestion would be to have someone at your side to help you in the entire process.
The digital depth indicator is something you’re gonna love for sure, and most importantly, you don’t have to worry at all about the snipe as it comprises tension rollers that are NOT only adjustable in height but also hold down pressure.
Furthermore, when it comes to dust extraction, I would definitely rate this machine quite higher as compared to its close competitors.
The machine comprises heavy-duty cast iron that adds to the durability, and rigidity, and also helps in reducing vibration.
The design of this machine is unique and comprises of extra-wide conveyor, and the good thing is that whatever the circumstances the drum will NEVER go “out of alignment”.
I highly recommend SUPERMAX TOOLS Drum Sander to those who are looking for a machine that can help them to achieve flatness and a consistent finish even though the density and grain patterns aren’t constant.
Intellisand Technology and Patented Abrasive Attachment System are the USPs of this machine and keep it in a different league.
I’ve tried to the best of my capabilities to convince you to buy Supermax, rest is your call 🙂
Check SUPERMAX TOOLS Current Price On AmazonGrizzly Industrial G0716 Drum Sander | Best Budget Drum Sander
Well, the Grizzly G0716 is one of the most highly affordable drum sanders that I’ve for you.
Furthermore, it comprises a motor with decent horsepower of 1.5.
On top of it, the machine is capable of handling boards up to 9.5” wide and 3” thick.
To be honest, Grizzly G0716 may not be the perfect choice for veneer or instrument projects because it is capable of only working down to 1/4″.
The operation is simple and manual. So, to control the speed of the conveyor belt you’ll have to perform manual action.
Definitely, the machine is heavy if we consider its size (2×2.5’).
To make things easy going for the users the machine weighing 200 lbs comes with a stand as well.
All in all, a good option for those who are on a shoestring budget.
In case, you’re planning to buy this drum sander for woodworking projects then it is highly advisable that you’ve got a dust collector system in place.
If you’re a first-time user then you may find it a bit tedious and challenging when it comes to changing the paper.
Though the drum sander comes with a manual still I would recommend you download the pdf form of the manual from the Grizzly website.
Check Grizzly Industrial Current Price On AmazonJet 723520K JWDS-1632 | Best Drum Sander For Woodworking
Well, JET 723520K is perhaps one of the best drum sanders for those who are in the woodworking space and looking for a cost-effective model.
Until and unless your sanding project is very specific and requires huge power, the JET 723520K will suffice your project requirements.
However, you need to be well aware of the fact that the motor is REALLY small.
Depending upon your project requirement, you can select an optimum feed rate with the help of variable speed control.
It comprises a drum that measures 16 inches.
To be honest, this is one of the lightest and most highly portable drum sanders that I’ve for you.
Trust me, you don’t have to worry at all about the movement of the machine between job sites.
Keeping in mind, the end-user needs of clearing the dust quickly, it provides a handy dust wood.
Not only that but there is also a 4-inch dust port on this drum sander which is definitely something to boast about.
Personally, I love the machine’s focus on dust management which is something many of the drum sanders overlook, isn’t it?
The drum sander gives you the feasibility to reset and measure the sanding depth of every project.
Do you know that the conveyor belt is uniquely designed to increase the efficiency of the machine?
What it actually does is, pulls the workpiece through the sander instead of pushing it.
Lastly, the device comes with a 43-inches long conveyor table that is supported by an adjustable dial to return the conveyor belt to a flat position quickly.
So, what’s your take on this drum sander?
Check Jet 723520K Current Price On AmazonThe Beginner’s Guide To Best Drum Sander
Moving further, we would be discussing the nuts and bolts of the best drum sander in order to help you make an informed purchase decision.
Whether you’re an experienced professional or a first-time buyer, the information that we’re gonna share in a while will definitely provide you with an adequate piece of information so that you can make a buying decision with confidence.
Orbital Vs Drum Sanding: Which Is Better For Hardwood Floors?
When it comes to refinishing your hardwood floors, I’ve seen many house owners struggling on narrowing down to the right set of tools, trust me, at times, it becomes quite puzzling on selecting the perfect tool.
Fortunately, you’ve only two options when it comes to sanding the floor, that is, drum sanding, and orbital sanding.
To be honest, the selection of the sander to a great extent depends on the condition of your floor, the level of refinishing, and most importantly, your experience with the entire process.
To make things simple for you, I’ve prepared a comparison chart. I hope it helps you in finding a solution to your query.
Orbital
Drum
Sanding Action
- Use a grinding action
- Sanding pad oscillates back and forth in an orbital motion
- Expect slower, lighter sanding action
- Uses sleeve of sanding paper that slides onto a square drum
- A small portion of paper and drum are in contact with the floor
- Expects an aggressive cutting
Time and Labor
- Requires less physical exertion
- Take longer to remove heavy finishes
- A preferred option for sanding across the wood grain
- Consumes less time
- Best for a large room or several layers of finish
- Aggressive cutting action
Difficulty
- User-friendly
- Moderate difficult
Which One To Use
- Preferred for sanding across the wood grain
- Highly suitable for narrow hallways, closets, and entryways
- Preferred for hardwood floors that are cupped, damaged or covered with several layers of finish
Things To Look For When It Comes To Choosing A Drum Sander
I’ve seen many first-time buyers confusing a drum sander with a drum floor sander.
Just for your information, a drum sander has lots of similarities in the context of design with a planer.
These large tools are aggressively used to sand items in an epigrammatic span of time.
Be it cutting boards, tabletops, or cabinet doors, a drum sander would do wonders for you, without any doubt.
Not only that but at times, these machines are used for making guitars and other stringed instruments.
I hope you’ll agree with me that hand sanding is a tedious and time-consuming job, so with the help of a drum sander, you can be more productive.
Nevertheless, I recommend it to individuals who are willing to take woodworking seriously else I don’t find investing a good amount of money in a drum sander.
Already, I’ve discussed earlier, when you should use an orbital drum and when you should rely ONLY on a drum sander.
So, let’s discuss in detail some of the parameters that you shouldn’t ignore if you’re planning to buy a value-for-money drum sander, sounds good?
Wood Sizes
First and foremost, I would like to highlight the wood sizes that you need to keep in mind when it comes to buying a wood sander.
Trust me, you need to be well aware of the fact that why you want a drum sander, and what projects you want to accomplish with its help.
Width
Well, knowing about the projects in advance would help you in selecting the correct drum sander.
Let’s understand it with the help of an example.
So, suppose you’re planning to work on a project that involves cabinet doors, then by no means, do you need a sander that would let us feed in the largest slabs of wood.
In fact, in the case of cabinet doors, the widest slab of wood that you could send through would be double the width of the roller, that is, with a 22″ drum roller you can sand a 44″ piece of wood, right?
Correct me, if I’m wrong.
At the same time, I would recommend you read the specification carefully because it will give you a fair bit of an idea of what you should expect from a drum sander.
Thickness
There are some specific projects in woodworking where you need to keep an eye on the thickness of the wood that a sander can accommodate.
For example, if you want to make a guitar then the sander that is capable of sanding down to ONLY 1/4″ may not be suitable for your project.
If you’re a professional woodworker and work on thin projects then you must be looking out for the drum sanders that are capable of sanding down to 1/32″, right?
So, I would suggest, you should jot down your requirements on a piece of paper so that you don’t miss any important points.
Adjustment
Well, if you’re a first-time user then definitely, you would be inquisitive about the best ways to adjust the drum sander, isn’t it?
Mostly, you’ll find two variants of a drum sander, that is, old school, and high-tech.
As the name suggests, old-school machines depend to a large extent on manual knobs and levers for the most part of measurements as well as adjustments.
On the other hand, that is not the case with the high-tech model, you’ll be astonished to know that you can do adjustments to the thousandth of an inch with the help of little onboard computers.
Not only that, it also offers self-regulating feed tables.
If your project demands a high level of precision then definitely go for the high-tech variant else go for the old-school variant as it will get your job done at a lesser cost.
Sandpaper Installation
To a large extent, the sandpaper installation for most of the drum sanders is the same.
Don’t worry, you don’t need to possess any special skill set for this process.
All you need to do is to wrap a ribbon of sandpaper around the rotating drum and don’t forget to secure it at both ends.
Depending upon the type of drum sander model, the process can take time between 60 seconds and 60 minutes.
Even you may have to gather some tools for the installation of the sandpapers in the case of some models.
I highly recommend buying a drum sander that comes with a user-friendly sandpaper installation process to stay away from hassle and waste of time.
Motor Capabilities
As we all know motors are the heart of the machines, and the same holds true for the drum sanders as well.
The higher the horsepower of the motor the more the capabilities it will possess.
To be honest, some of the high-end drum sanders are even capable of performing some of the tasks that are better suited for the planer.
In case, you’re not very sure what a planer is, then keep reading as we’ll also talk about drum sander vs planer in a while.If the motor doesn’t have a good strength then the probability is very high that it will shut down if you’ll ask it to shave off thick layers in one pass.
However, there are some sophisticated high-end drum sanders that are capable of self-regulating the feed rate, and in case, the drum motor is finding it difficult to eat through the board then it will slow down the speed, and thus, prevent the shutdown.
Wait, whatever I’ve talked about till now, holds good for only high-tech models.
If we talk about the old-school models then things are really different.
In fact, the old school models want the operator to prevent cases of overloading, and by chance, it happens, then it is expected that the user will turn off the machine to prevent any damage that may occur due to overloading.
Lastly, if you want your drum sander to work sometimes like a planer, and you don’t have a good amount of time to invest in changing sandpapers and operating the machine then I would suggest, you should go for a high-tech drum sander that comes with an option of automatically controlling the feed rate.
Bench or Stand
Well, it is really important for you to understand what you want in your drum sander – a bench or a stand.
To be honest, there are models that are great in the REAL SENSE but don’t come with a stand.
In fact, if I’m not wrong then definitely, some of the models that we’ve reviewed don’t come with a stand.
However, if you don’t want to operate your newly bought drum sander sitting on the floor then I highly recommend you buy a stand if it doesn’t come with the package.
Snipe
I know many of you would be using a planner on a regular basis, so they must be aware of the importance of a snipe, right?
Well, even in the case of a drum sander, you must keep an eye on the snipe.
However, I know quite a few of you may be hearing the word snipe for the first time, right?
So, snipes are the trailing or the leading end of your board where the machine grabs as well as releases.
Furthermore, some models of drum sanders do have evidence of snipes in the middle of the board.
Feed Rate
Most of you may not be aware of the fact that the feed rate is dependent on the depth of the cut that you want your machine to make.
On the other hand, there exist some old-fashioned models where you need to control the feed rate manually which may be something you wouldn’t prefer to do.
Nonetheless, it’s an individual preference.
In case, you’re using a drum sander wherein you need to control the feed rate manually then it is important for you to make sure that you’re NOT overtaxing the drum roller.
I personally use a modern drum roller so the machine automatically controls the feed rate for me, and speed up or slows down depending upon how hard the drum roller is working.
In case, you’ve any doubts or confusion regarding the feed rate, then don’t hesitate in asking in the comment section.
Portability
Again, portability is something that may or may not be your preference when it comes to buying a drum sander.
On a personal note, most of the drum sanders weigh a few pounds so saying they are highly portable would be wrong.
At the same time, if the drum sander is too heavy them moving it between various job sites would be tedious as well as a time-consuming affair.
So, if you’re looking for a portable drum sander then buy a model that has a wheel attached to it or comes with an option that allows it to attach the wheel to the base of the machine.
Before buying a drum sander, ask yourself where you want to place the machine in your shop or garage.
If you don’t have enough space then do the measurement carefully and create space in your garage or shop.
Customer Service
Well, I’ve been using Powermatic quite a few times now so I can definitely affirm that they come with great customer service.
So, I highly request you to do some homework about the customer service that you’ll get from the brand that you’re planning to buy.
To be honest, I know at least two or three manufacturers whose customer service is pathetic so I’m warning you to be careful.
As we know, buying a drum sander involves a good amount of investment so most of us do have high expectations from the customer service, right?
Price
Does price matter to you?
Well, I’m a very price-sensitive person, and it goes without saying that I’m always in search of value-for-money products for myself as well as my clients.
At the same time, if you’re NOT on a shoestring budget, and can afford some extra bucks then definitely go for some high-end drum sander because it will definitely pay you in the long run.
To be honest, our high-end model is quite costly compared to the cheapest one that we’ve reviewed.
Just for your information, affordable and less costly drum sanders are mostly old-fashioned and may lack some of the digital and other features that modern drum sanders possess.
At the same time, I’m not saying you to go for the costliest one rather buy the drum sander that suffices your need, even though you may need to spend some extra time to understand its functionality and let it work for you.
Drum Sander Vs Planer
Even though you’re hearing the word Drum Sander and Planer for the very first time, you can easily distinguish between them just by figuring out the amount of material that both can remove.
Fine surfing and finish sanding is something a drum sander would be able to do in a better way.
On the other hand, a planer is perfect for projects that involve leveling glued wood or surfacing stock.
On the other hand, every pass of a planer involves the removal of materials between 0.125 and 0.250 inches.
In short, a single pass of a planer is equivalent to 25 passes of a sander.
However, when it comes to dealing with very thin stocks such as veneers, a sander performs really well as compared to a planer.
Lastly, a planer is not only portable, and small, but also, affordable as compared to a sander.
Benefits of a Drum Sander
Definitely, a drum sander would be a great addition to your power tool collection, and of course, for a good reason.
However, it is REALLY important for you to understand that the main benefits of a drum sander are well in sync with your requirement else you may feel as if you’ve invested a good amount of money in the wrong place.
Efficiency
Looking for a professional and consistent result?
Well, if that is the case then definitely a drum sander is something you should go for.
The good thing about a drum sander is that it comes with a conveyer belt that is known for moving the workpiece fast through the sander to ensure that you always get the best out of it.
Convenience
Are you willing to pay a good amount of money for convenience?
It goes without saying that modern sanders are one of the most convenient sanding tools available on the market today.
To take the convenience to the next level, some of the high-end drum sanders do come with features such as a stand for protecting your back, an auto-adjusting conveyor belt, varying feed rates, and different stock types.
Sanding Capacity
Needless to say, the machine has a huge sanding capacity.
In order to accommodate huge workpieces, most of the drum sanders are gigantic with big tables.
Types of Drum Sanders
It is really next to impossible to select the best drum sander for the money if you’re not well aware of the type of drum sanders.
Based on the structure, you can easily classify drum sanders into two wide categories, that is, closed, and an open-end.
Diving deep, you can further classify them into two subtypes, that is, single, and double sanders.
Closed-End Drum Sander Vs. Open End Drum Sander
As a first-type buyer, you may get confused a little bit with the names such as closed-end, open-end, single, etc.
However, the names are self-explanatory so you don’t have to worry at all, right?
So, let’s discuss each one of them in detail.
Closed-End Drum Sander
A closed-end drum sander is one that has a closed structure that supports the sanding drum, feed belt, and pressure roller.
The problem with this sort of closed structure is that it doesn’t support by any means the sand boards that are wider than the length of the drum.
Still, CONFUSED?
Let’s understand it with the help of an example.
If you’ve bought a 15-inches closed drum sander then you can use it to sandboard with a maximum width of 15 inches.
Though the limitation is on width still you can sand two pieces separately and then glue them together.
On the other, the good thing about these closed-end drum sanders is that they are more stable than the open-ended types, and the reason is quite simple, that is, the roller will NOT flex open or apart.
In short, the closed-end drum sanders have a limitation on the width but at the same time, they are more stable.
So, if your preference is STABILITY, then definitely, you can go for a closed-end drum sander.
Open End Drum Sander
So, if you’re not happy with the limitation of the closed-end drum sander then definitely, you would be interested in knowing about the open-end drum sander, right?
Furthermore, you would be inquisitive to know for whom an open-end drum sander is good, isn’t it?
It’s very simple, if the majority of your woodworking and other related projects involve the use of large boards then you don’t have any option but to use an open-end drum sander.
Unlike the aforementioned sand drum, the structure that supports the conveyor belts, sanding drums, and pressure rollers is OPEN at one end.
Since it is open at one end so you can easily use a sandboard that is wider than the length of the drum.
In layman’s language, if you’ve got a 15-inches open-end drum sander you can definitely sand stock up to 30 inches wide.
On the downside, the open-ended drum sanders are more prone to flex under pressure and thus, can cause uneven sanding.
Single Vs. Double Drum Sander
Well, the other way, you can differentiate between the drum sanders is by finding whether they are single or double.
Needless to say, the single drum sanders are more popular as compared to the double drum sander.
Single Drum Sander
As the name suggests, a single drum sander comprises only one sanding drum.
Personally, I face some problems with a single drum sander as my woodworking projects involve multiple sandpaper grits, so I’ve no other option, but to keep changing the strip which sometimes becomes tedious as well as time-consuming for me.
At the same time, a single drum sander has its own advantage that I can’t deny at all, first and foremost, it’s easy to use, the designs are basic so you’ll not find any complexity, and also, comes at an affordable price.
Double Drum Sander
As the name suggests, two drum sanders would come with two standing drums, and the drums are aligned in such a way that one is behind the other.
Personally, I prefer double drum sand over single, as it allows me to run two sanding strips with different grits which is the need for most of my woodworking projects.
For speeding up the process, you must have a rougher grip on the first drum and a finer one on the other.
The aforementioned hack will also help you in expediting the sanding in a more efficient way.
On the downside, it’s a bit costlier as compared to a single drum sander.
2. Don’t be in a HURRY, take your time, indeed, I highly suggest that you shouldn’t remove a lot of materials with every pass like planers. My honest advice would be to set the belt at optimum speed and take light passes.
3. I highly recommend you get a dust collector as sanding produces a tremendous amount of dust. The good thing about the dust collector is that it will help you in cleaning the work surface as well as improve the performance of the power tool.
FAQs
Please find below my response to some of the most frequently asked questions from our clientele.
In case, you want me to respond to your queries then share them via the contact form.
It’s A Wrap
Which is your favorite drum sander for the money?
What is your budget for a drum sander?
I hope you would have thoroughly enjoyed the comprehensive guide on the best drum sander.
To be honest, we’ve put a lot of effort into doing the research and coming out with the best possible buying guide on drum sanders.
In case, you STILL have a query related to the drum sanders that we have reviewed, feel free to mail us, trust me, we would be more than happy to reply to your queries.
Last but not least, please share this piece of information with the ones who are in need of it.
After all, sharing is caring, isn’t it?
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