Jet 22-44 OSC Drum Sander or Axminster WBS-1836 Widebelt?

[damn_splinters]

Hello,

I'm in the market for a sander as I can't face another day grinding away with my hand held belt sander. I've been looking around for the last month and have picked out these two models as they are in my price bracket ( around 2k).

The general concensus seems to be that wide belt sanders are better than drum sanders, so I am after some advice or recommendations on these models.
Jet 22-44 OSC Oscillating Drum Sander
Axminster WBS-1836 Wide Belt Sander

I make a lot of solid wood tabletops so wanted the option of an open ended machine to gain the width of use. Unfortunatley I can't afford some of the bigger machines. As both machines are around the same price , I'm not sure which way to go.
Both machines have oscillating features but I wonder about the quality of the cheaper widebelt as its much cheaper than other widebelts that can handle the same amount of sanding area (900mm).

Any help would be appreciated???

Thanks.
Martin.

 

[nevo]

Hi Martin.
I have the Jet 22.44 model but not the oscillation vershion.
Im not sure if it is heavy enough for passing worktops through it all the time. Maybe if you could build a table support around it, so keeping the worktop some what level as it passes through. The jet is good for doors, but i have put large panels through it with alright to so, so, results.
As well, i have had trouble with the conveyor belt staying on line, and the sand paper staying on the drum when in use.Not good resulting in both paper and belt being damaged and their not cheep to replace.
Maybe the Axminster model is better?

Nev.

 

[Dodge]

If it helps I have an Axminster Senior drum sander in my workshop and find it excellent!

Rog

 

[damn_splinters]

Thanks for the feedback.

My plan was to build an additional support table or maybe use roller stands to support the tops whilst being fed through either of the sanders. I've read a lot of reviews on the drum sanders and it seems that widebelts are really a better option. I was hoping somebody on this forum had used one of the Axminster models as I'm not based in the UK and would be buying it without seeing it first.

Thanks,

Martin.

 

[damn_splinters]

I recieved an email from Axminster today and am now slightly leaning towards their own branded widebelt sander. The only problem is that it is not fitted with a platen. Is this necessary and what will the finish be like without a platen?

Thanks,
Martin.

 

[I.J. CNC Services]

Hi

I am in the same position. Which did you get in the end ? The lowest spec wide belt doent have a platen as it is only two rollers (one above the other) and not three as in widebelts with a platen between the two lower ones (as in the other two spec ones they sell - both 3 phase). The wide belt is much faster as the belt has a much larger surface area than the drum type (I assume !!), Most important to me, is if they give similar finishes, is that a wide belt should be MUCH faster to change grits than a drum type hence less fiddly and higher turnaround on single parts. The hardest part on both these single roller types is to avoid ripple/chatter marks at point of contact which does not occur so much with 3 roller platen types..... or so I read ! :roll:

Ian