DIY Drum Sander Pick
Grizzly 18-36 Drum Sander
TOP PICK: GRIZZLY 36-INCH
IN THIS GUIDE:
› BENCH TOP: JET 10-20 DRUM SANDER
› SMALL SHOP: JET 16-32 DRUM SANDER
› WIDE CAPACITY: SUPERMAX 25-50
The best drum sanders for woodworking meet your project’s needs, speed, and budget. With sanders ranging from $1000 to $10000, finding a suitable sander for your shop can be difficult. In this article, learn what features to look for in benchtops, small shops, and industrial-grade sanders.
Key features:
- Closed drum vs. open drum
- Conveyor speed with automatic motor load adjustment
- Infeed / outfeed extensions
- Single or dual drum
- Combination brush and drum sanders
- Warranty
- And lastly, mobile bases to move your sander around the shop
While these sanders aren’t cheap, they have a return on investment if you build work by the unit price. And drum sanders will produce a higher quality finish than manual sanding.
Our Experience
In this review, we evaluated over 35 sanders from top manufacturers, tested a JET machine, read reviews, and compared features to provide our top picks. While JET features the #1 must-have feature of intelligent load control at the entry-level, other brands have critical innovations in the professional and industrial grade class.
Expect to start at $1200 for a bench-top drum sander and around $2500 for a professional-grade single drum.
Lastly, if you have the shop space opt for at least a 16″ open drum model with intelligent load control; bench-top sanders work but could be faster in how they perform and are just a few hundred less than more capable floor units.
Page Contents
What’s in My Woodworking shop?
My experience with drum sanders spans thirty years of woodworking in which I’ve used everything from a 37″ wide belt sander, various drum sanders, and almost every type of hand-held sander on the market. And my home workshop currently features a Jet JWDS-2244 drum sander that I purchased in 2009 and is still going strong.
While a Jet 16-32 sander worked fine for a few years, the capacity and horsepower were underwhelming for larger projects. So I upgraded to the 22″ model. Something worth keeping in mind as you make a decision.
What Matters When Buying a Drum Sander?
Seven criteria matter when buying a drum sander:
- Capacity of the sander to handle the most comprehensive stock possible. For example, a 16″ drum can sand up to 32″ by reversing the piece.
- Adjustability of the conveyor belt. Anyone who’s used a drum sander knows the conveyor needs constant adjustment.
- Feed rate control is standard on the best drum sanders and will vary the speed of the conveyor based on the load placed on the motor.
- Drums are the center of these sanders and come in single, dual, and even oscillating models. While most are open drums allowing broader stock to be reversed, some are closed drums like a planer. And some brands offer “brush sanding drums” that enable unique finishing.
- Motor and power requirements can be tricky when moving past entry-level machines, as you’ll need to consider 220V or 3-phase for broader capacity or dual drum sanders.
- Warranty and brand reputation of the machine matter as these are expensive machines, and you’ll want time to be protected against manufacturing defects.
- Price is the deciding factor for many as these sanders start around $1,000 and go upwards of $10,000.
Other features like dust collection, ease of sandpaper change, closed or open stands, and availability of sandpaper all matter but are nuances of how each brand or machine.
Do I Really Need a Drum Sander?
If you’re like me, I must think long and hard about any woodworking tool purchase over $1,000. And with these sanders in that range, that means justifying the investment.
But there’s a bit of a secret regarding these machines: once you send a board through the sander, you’ll never regret the investment.
All the hours you used to stand with a belt sander and random orbit sander go away. In just a few minutes, these machines will sand a pile of drawer sides down to a finish-ready
So, when looking at your return on investment, consider the following:
- Time saved is money earned. Any professional woodworker uses a drum or wide belt sander to make projects profitable.
- Project quality. While belt-sanding a pile of shaker cabinet doors is possible, the finished rate will always differ from the perfectly flat finish of these sanders.
- Larger projects. I upgraded to a 44″ drum sander when I built a massive walnut kitchen that required extra drum capacity.
- Fatigue. Sanding wood for hours is fine if you’re twenty, but with age holding a heavy belt sander for an afternoon isn’t fun.
If your woodworking pursuit is to make money, this time-saving machine will increase your output. However, if woodworking is just a hobby, look for quality and project capability.
Top Manufacturers
While there are dozens of popular woodworking brands, only a handful make drum sanders. And even though some woodworkers stick to a preferred brand, with drum sanders, there are a few niche manufacturers that make looking around worthwhile:
While you may know Jet, Powermatic, and Grizzly, the innovative SuperMax and Woodmaster brands specialize in standard and specialty sanders. And, worth knowing, Grizzly owns the popular Shop Fox and South Bend brands.
Jet Tools Models
Jet Tools offers five sizes of open drum sanders that range from a bench top model up to 50″ total capacity. Most sanders are standard with an empty stand, but some are available with a closed base.
Drum sanders:
- 10″ – JWDS-1020 Open Drum (bench top)
- 16″ – JWDS-1632 Open Drum
- 18″ – JWDS-1836 Open Drum
- 22″ – JWDS-2244 Open Drum
- 22″ – JWDS-2244 Open Drum (oscillating drum)
- 25″ – JWDS-2550 Open Drum
Why choose Jet? While often considered entry-grade, their sanders have all the basic features and are designed for small woodworking shops. Plus a 2-year or 5-year warranty based on your use and machine.
SuperMax Drum and Brush Sanders (Laguna)
SuperMax is easily the most innovative drum sander manufacturer as they offer both drum sanders and combination drum/brush sanders. And on top of that, they offer dual drum sanders with optional 3-phase power for larger shops.
Brush sanders:
- 24″, 36″ and 49″ closed drum single brush
- 24″, 36″ and 49″ closed drum dual brush
Drum sanders:
- 16″ – 16-32 (model 71632) open drum
- 19″ – 19-38 (model 71938-D) open drum
- 25″ – 25-50 (model 72550) open drum
- 25″ – Dual closed drum (model 913002)
- 37″ – Dual closed drum (model 937003)
Combination drum and brush sanders:
- 13″ – Closed drum, combination drum, or brush (model 91067)
- 19″ – Open drum, combination drum, or brush (model 219383)
Why choose SuperMax? If you need a brush sander for moldings or making grain relief, or you want a mid-grade dual drum sander, they have unique machines with a 2-year warranty.
Powermatic Models
While other manufacturers have a span of sanders from entry-level to professional grade, Powermatic is slightly different. Instead of focusing on low-end machines, the engineers at Powermatic have four sanders targeted for serious professional or industrial use:
- 22″ – 22-44 Open drum 1.75HP (model PM2244)
- 25″ – Closed drum 5HP (model DDS225)
- 37″ – Closed drum 7.5HP (model D-237)
- 37″ – Closed drum 10HP 3 Phase (model DDS-237)
Why choose Powermatic? Most woodworkers will stick to brand preference and opt for Powermatic on brand. Their warranty is machine and use specific and ranges from 2 years to 5 years.
Grizzly Drum Sanders
Most woodworkers know that Grizzly is a famous woodworking brand that competes with Jet, Powermatic, and a few other US-based brands for woodworking tools. But only some know they own ShopFox, South Bend, Steelex, and other high-quality woodworking tool brands.
All of which makes Grizzly both a leader in woodworking machinery and able to offer the widest variety of sanding tools on the market:
- 10″ open drum 1HP (model G0716)
- 12″ closed drum, bench top, 1.5HP (model W1740)
- 12″ closed drum 1.5HP (model G0459)
- 16″ closed drum 2HP (model G1079R)
- 18″ open drum, 1.5HP (model W1854, G0458Z)
- 22″ open drum 2HP (model G0920)
- 24″ closed drum 5HP (models G1066Z, G1066R)
- 26″ closed drum 5HP (model W1678, SB1102)
- 37″ closed drum 10HP (model W1772, G0449)
Note: In regards to models, the prefixes indicate brand: “G” is Grizzly, “W” is ShopFox, and “SB” is South Bend.
Are they, lastly, looking for the latest generation of sanders? Their 26″ closed drum South Bend SB1102 model is the newest product.
Why choose Grizzly? This US-based manufacturer has ISO9001 factories, the best selection of small shop closed drum sanders, and a 2-year warranty on most machines.
Woodmaster Models
With most woodworking brands, you’ll find a range of machines from 10″ up to 50″ capacity. But with Woodmaster, their devices start at 26″ and range to 50″, but all in closed-end models. And with motors starting at 5HP:
- 26″ closed single drum 5HP
- 38″ closed single drum 5HP
- 38″ closed dual drum 7.5HP
- 50″ closed single drum 5HP
- 50″ closed dual drum 7.5HP
Why choose Woodmaster? While DIY-grade machines focus on variable speed with load monitoring features, Woodmaster has innovations like bottom-draw dust collection, conveyor reversing switch, and the ability to run a dual-drum machine with only one drum.
Classifying Sanders By Type of Use
Rather than compare a 10″ bench top sander with the innovative, industrial-grade Woodmaster, the best way to distinguish these sanders is by four categories:
- Bench top drum
- Small shop drum
- Professional single drum
- Industrial dual drum
And, to draw a line between small shop and industrial sanders, small shop sanders are generally up to 19″ in drum width, run on single phase power, and have a price point under $1900.
Best Bench Top Sander
From cutting boards to small furniture and cabinet projects, a bench-top drum sander will improve the quality and speed of projects. And, for many woodworkers, at a price point that allows them to step up to a drum-enabled sander.
Features to Look For
As you would expect, a bench-top sander may have only some of the bells and whistles of industrial-grade sanders. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have the following:
- Adjustable feed rate
- Dust collection
- Single pass width up to 12″
- Double pass width up to 20″
- Stock thickness up to 3″
While these entry-model sanders are generally not designed for continuous all-day duty, many models have built-in motor overload protection.
Bench Top Models Considered
Fortunately, the bench-top drum sander market is open to dozens of sanders as the manufacturers generally have one or two entrants in this class of sander.
Manufacturer models to choose from include:
- Jet JWDS-1020 10″ open drum
- Grizzly G0459 12″ closed drum
- Shop Fox W1740 12″ closed drum
While Grizzly offers the G0716 10″ open drum model, it includes a stand and isn’t technically a benchtop model. It is, however, our overall pick for the best budget drum sander with its $695 MSRP (plus shipping).
And while a closed drum sander might fit some woodworker’s needs, the two 12″ models on the market cut a whopping 8″ of total board width from a woodworker’s capacity. It makes the JET JWDS-1020 the clear choice in the bench-top drum sander category, as it has the most power.
Sanders to Avoid
Unless your projects are all under 12″ and that limitation is ok with you, the closed drum sanders from Grizzly and Shop Fox are nice to own. But, like benchtop planers, they are limited in their use for any larger project.
Bench Top Pick: Jet JWDS-1020 Sander
Jet JWDS-1020
Our rating: 3.9 of 5
With the most capacity of any bench top sander, the JET JWDS-1020 will sand panels up to 20″ in width and improve finished quality while reducing time spent sanding. But, this unit needs the automatic load sensing of larger sanders.
Product Details
- Drum diameter: 5 inches
- Dust collector port: 4 inches
- Maximum stock thickness: 3 inches
- Minimum board thickness: 1/8 inch
- Maximum board width: 20 inches
- Motor horsepower: 1HP, 115V single phase
- Weight: 73 pounds
Notable Features
- Self-cooling aluminum drum
- Motor over-heating prevention with integrated circuit controls
- Fast abrasive changes with quick release fasteners
- Infinitely variable speed conveyor
- Open ended drum
Pros: What We Like About this Sander
First and foremost, an open drum allows for wider widths of boards, and JET, fortunately, understands this need. While a 10-inch sander seems to limit, reversing the board for a second pass will give you up to 20 inches of capacity through this benchtop model.
When using this sander, you’ll discover that the fundamental capability of a self-feeding, adjustable rate sanding is much the same as larger units. Dust collection is integrated into the hood, and height adjustments are as easy as a turn of the top handle.
Versus using a belt sander, this unit, with patience, will turn a pile of panels into a smoothly finished, stain-ready project.
Cons: What Could Be Better
- This model doesn’t have load sensing to slow the conveyor speed rate, which is disappointing for a sander over $1000
- If the manufacturer moves to a 12″ capacity, would add 4″ of total sanding width
- Many buyers complain of poor packaging and dented fans that prevent the machine from working out of the box
- Increasing to a 1-1/2HP motor would improve the sanding speed
- Outfeed tables are not available for this sander
Best Small Shop Drum Sander
For any woodworker or hobbyist looking to start woodworking, this class of sander is the best place to start. While they require some floor space, the trade-off in features and capability versus a less-equipped bench-top model is worth the price.
Sanders considered included:
- Grizzly 16″ closed and 18″ open drum
- Shop Fox 18″ open drum
- SuperMax 16″ and 18″ open drum
- Jet 16″ and 18″ open drum
Small Shop Drum Sander Pick: Jet JWDS-1632 Sander
Our rating: 4.2 of 5
JET realizes sanding with a drum sander requires constant cut depth and rate adjustment. And that making the user keep a motor from over-heating isn’t possible. Which is the reason this model is our favorite small shop sander as it features “SmartSand” that slows the conveyor to avoid tripping breakers or ruining the motor. Other models in this class lack this must-have feature.
Upgrade pick: If budget isn’t a concern, the Performax 19-38 is larger and has the same (and more) features. But is almost 50% more than a JET 16-32.
Product Details
- Drum diameter: 5 inches
- Dust collector port: 4 inches
- Maximum stock thickness: 3 inches
- Minimum board thickness: 1/8 inch
- Maximum board width: 36 inches
- Motor horsepower: 1.5HP, 115V single phase
- Weight: 156 pounds
Notable Features
- Self-cooling aluminum drum
- SmartSand load control to prevent drum motor overload
- Fast abrasive changes with quick release fasteners
- Infinitely variable speed conveyor
- Open ended drum
- Permanently sealed motor bearings
- Relative depth scale
Pros: What We Like About this Sander
Stepping up from the bench top models, this JET adds in a base, a larger motor and what we consider a must have feature: SmartSand.
- The JET model has been around for 20 years (I purchased an early version back in 2002) and has advanced through the years
- SmartSand will automatically adjust the conveyor rate to the load placed on the motor
- Easy to use and tool-less sandpaper change
- Compact and easy to move around small shops when paired with a mobile drum sander base
Cons: What Could Be Better
- The Supermax features an oversized table to support material when performing dual-pass sanding
- In use of an early version of this product, the rubber drive cushion failed and had to be replaced
- Maximum width of 32″ is fine for most furniture jobs but cabinet-makers will want a 44″ maximum width
Professional Grade Drum Sanders
By removing the size and cost of the drum sander from consideration, professional woodworkers know that focusing on the features of the sander will make for long-term tool satisfaction.
And, naturally, there are more sanders with additional features and higher price points to meet the needs of serious woodworkers:
- Jet 22 and 25″ open drum, Jet 22″ oscillating drum
- SuperMax 25″ open drum
- Powermatic 22″ open drum, 25″ closed drum
- Grizzly 22″ open drum, 24 and 26″ closed drum
With the engineering of open drums making them highly durable, for the money I prefer the capacity of an open drum over a closed “planer style” machine.
Professional Drum Sander Pick: SuperMax 25-50
Our rating: 4.8 of 5
SuperMax, now part of Laguna Tools, specializes in making professional-grade sanders. Period. And with that focus, they have packed all of the top features into their premium-grade sanders and then innovated on all of the “little things.”
Upgrade pick: SuperMax also offers a dual closed drum model with a 37″ inch capacity for twice the speed.
Product Details
- Drum diameter: 5 inches
- Dust collector port: 4 inches
- Maximum stock thickness: 4 inches
- Minimum board thickness: 1/32 inch
- Maximum board width: 50 inches
- Motor horsepower: 1.75HP, 115V single phase
- Weight: 369 pounds
Notable Features
- Simple conveyor-to-drum alignment with adjustment of just one nut
- Intellisand for intelligent control of conveyor speed
- No-flex conveyor bed
- Patented abrasive tensioning system to prevent movement
- Adjustable tension rollers
- Integrated mobile base
- Infinitely variable speed conveyor
- Open-ended drum
Pros: What We Like About this Sander
This sander, of course, has the Intellisand capability that is a must for any drum sander. But SuperMax also features:
- Extended table support to the left of the conveyor for double-pass sanding
- Tensioning system to keep paper from shifting (a common problem)
- Integrated mobile base (a $200-300 extra for similar weight sanders)
- 50-inch total capacity
Cons: What Could Be Better
- Supermax moving to Laguna Tools may cause issues with longer-term parts and supplies
How to Use a Drum Sander
How to Install Drum Sander Sandpaper
I’ll admit it – I’ve worn my thumb pads off, installing heavy grit sandpaper on my Jet drum sander.
But that warning aside, installing the sandpaper is the first and most common routine task you’ll do with your drum sander.
Installing paper can be done in five easy steps:
- Remove the existing paper and re-roll as you go
- Insert the end of the new sandpaper in the clip (3/4″-1″ on my sander)
- Evenly roll the sandpaper on the drum keeping it tight and ~1/16″ gap between the sheets
- Continually check for alignment and tautness as you complete rolling
- Insert the final piece of the sandpaper in the clip and make sure it’s tight
What happens if you install the sandpaper wrong?
The sandpaper will slip and “pile up” at the best case or even break completely. And this can cause wreak havoc on your wood (I’ve wrecked a cabinet door once doing this…).
Choosing the Right Drum Sander Sandpaper Grit Sequence
For first-time users of a drum sander, one of the first questions is what grit should you start with?
Here’s my cheat sheet:
- 24 to 40 Grit – for bare wood or sanding panels (when a planer isn’t an option)
- 60 to 80 Grit – for removing planer marks or minor surface differences (e.g. glued cabinet doors)
- 100 to 120 Grit – as a second pass after all wood height differences have been removed with 60-80 grit.
- 150 to 180 Grit – as a third pass to progressively remove sanding marks of prior grits
- 200+ Grit – as a clean-up pass to make wood ready for finish palm sanding
I’ll skip a 150 or 180 grit in some hardwoods.
But a rule of thumb? The harder the wood, the more grit changes to remove sanding marks from prior grits.
Adjusting the Drum Height to Remove the Right Amount of Wood
With drum sanders, the key to setting the height is to start too high and dial down quickly until you have the proper load on the machine.
Here’s my method of making sure the depth is correct:
- Adjust the drum high enough that you can slip the panel into the sander
- Then set the conveyor to a slow feed rate and feed the wood
- Slowly crank the handle down until you hear contact between the drum sandpaper and the wood
- Using your best judgment (experience) based on the sandpaper grit and results on the wood, slowly apply pressure.
- Lastly, remove the board and run it with an unchanged setting.
It’s better to go slow and do more passes as you learn your machine. After years of sanding wood, I use sound and the Jet automated feed rate monitoring as a gauge.
Why is my Drum Sander Burning the Wood?
This should never happen if you’re using the machine correctly.
And it’s pretty upsetting to see machines rated poorly over what I see as a user issue.
So what causes wood burn?
- Removing too much wood at one time (use more passes, remove less material)
- Excessive feed rates (slow down!)
- Tension rolls are misaligned and allow uneven pressure (standard larger pieces like 72″+ tables)
- Overlapped sandpaper – a stop-the-machine panic event!
- Pitch build-up from sappy woods followed by hardwood sanding (clean the belt!)
When your wood burns, could you take a few seconds to evaluate if you need to stop the machine and then assess why it’s burning and what steps to take to fix it?
Unfortunately, if you’ve burned the wood, you may have burned the sandpaper to the point it will need to be replaced.
When to Use a Drum Sander
So when do you know you’ll need a drum sander?
Sure, they’re expensive. So for most woodworkers or carpenters, the decision will come down to doing frequent or large projects.
Here are a few signs it’s time to take the plunge:
- Your woodworking involves making large furniture or cabinets
- Or, smaller projects that require excessive time with a belt sander to remove planer marks
- Projects require perfectly flat surfaces – like table tops to be finished with epoxy
- Thin stock sanding that requires a precise thickness (3/16″
- Lastly, you’re a perfectionist and want the job done right
Drum Sander Accessories
Do you know what else you will need for your drum sander?
Beyond the obvious of having a stand – and choosing open or closed – you might be looking for a long list of accessories.
Here are five common add-ons to make with your purchase.
1. Have Extra Drum Sandpaper on Hand For All Grits
First, I always like to have two types of grit on hand.
Because I switch between hardwoods and softwoods (drawers) and tackle more extensive projects, I always risk damaging a roll of paper.
And since most sandpaper isn’t available at the local big box store, it’s best to have backups.
2. Abrasive Cleaner to Remove Sap Build Up
So what happens when the sandpaper is clogged?
I’ve successfully cleaned out 80+ grits with an abrasive cleaner. But it’s a dangerous task that I’ll leave you to your discretion and comfort.
I liken it to the first time you’ll plunge a chisel into a wood stick on a lathe. Once you get the hang of it, a full-length cleaner will do a great job. And there are multiple videos available online to demonstrate just how this works.
3. Mobile Base for Your Sander
While typically not required on larger, closed-base sanders, the 16-22″ open table sanders don’t always have a mobile base.
And because these sanders all weigh 150# or more, you’ll want a base from day 1.
4. 4" Dust Collection Hose
If your dust collector is like mine, you’ll have many ports to connect additional components.
And of any tool in the shop, the drum sander is one you CANNOT use without dust collection. So make sure to have the correct expansion supplies on hand.
5. In-feed and Out-feed Tables
I’ll admit I have yet to invest in these. But it’s on my list.
Could you tell me what makes these tables useful? Consider:
- The wider the sander the more you can insert into the sander. But that means you’ll need to catch the pieces on the other side
- Larger and heavier pieces require support going in and coming out
- Avoiding “snipe” with out-feed support close to the sander
But I use a stand (the same one I use on the table saw) to catch longer pieces 4-6′ out from the sander.
Drum Sander Setup & Care
Should I Invest in the Open Stand or Closed Stand?
Do you know what else you need to know about drum sanders?
While some models come with a stand, others are sold as just the machine. So which do you choose?
The choice comes down to budget and the style of your shop. For economy:
- Invest in in-feed or out-feed tables instead if you are on a budget
- Closed shelves keep your accessories contained, but it’s easy enough to build a shelf or peg system in an open stand
- But if budget isn’t an issue, then a closed stand offers out-of-the-box storage and a clean look to the machine
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a drum sander used for?
Drum sanders are used for sanding larger pieces of wood perfectly flat. Using a fixed drum and conveyor system, a drum sander can sand boards from 12″ long and any width perfectly balanced. As a replacement for a belt sander, the drum sander will produce a higher-quality finish.
How much is a drum sander?
Drum sanders cost between $700 for a benchtop model up to $2500 and more for a professional cabinetmaker quality machine. While as costly as a table saw (for most woodworkers), they are just as important as they produce the final finish to wood projects.
Can a drum sander replace a planer?
A drum sander can replace many uses of a planer (but not all). While a drum sander is a chip-saving alternative to a planer for many benefits, it only lacks one thing: the ability to remove large quantities of wood. However, a drum sander with 24-grit sandpaper can be a great substitute if your projects don’t require significant thickness changes.
Summary
Once you’ve set a budget, decided on a size, and understood the features, choosing the best drum sander for your workshop is usually straightforward. Pay attention to the warranties and return policies, and take advantage of every feature since this is a tool you’ll likely own for decades.
- About the Author
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Eric has been a professional woodworker for over thirty years and has worked in small cabinet shops making everything from kitchen cabinets to hand-made furniture. Now working from a home woodworking shop Eric is sharing his passion for woodworking, tool advice and how-to knowledge from his Minnesota-based woodshop.
