I've watched your videos for awhile and when I just saw the Gorilla you made with the scroll saw, my jaw seriously dropped open. Literally, my jaw dropped open when I saw it. AMAZING work. And now I think I need a drum sander in addition to my planer. 😁
I've got both, or all three if you count the jointer. Prepping stock for segmented bowls is so much easier with all three, and, after the glue up, it's much safer to run the rings thru the drum sander due to the constantly changing grain direction.
Both, and more. I started with a jointer about 50 years ago. I think I got my first planer 40 years ago. Then about 30 years ago got a Performax drum sander. Wow. Finally I could really produce nice cabinets and furniture with much less effort. About 20 years ago I bought a small widebelt. Changed my ability again. With all rough material all going thru a jointer, then a planer or directly to the wide belt, I had all the material I needed thicknessed before I started cutting. With all material sanded to 180 or finer, the finish sanding process was MUCH simpler. And with all material thicknessed so carefully, cutting rabbets and dados was much simpler. Set ups faster. I DO understand that drum sanders aren't cheap, much less widebelts, but they do elevate your production ability to make finishing building 10 to 20 cabinets or furniture a year pretty doable for even hobbyists.
Good general comparison, with a couple additional points to keep in mind. As others have said, no mention of snipe here, which is generally much worse with a planer than the drum sander. Also, if you want to make end grain cutting boards, the sander is MUCH safer than the planer, which can catch on the edge of the board and "explode" as it passes through.
Although i am a diy'r i mill my own trees into lumber. Doing that requires more robust machines so have a 20" helical head planer and its the work horse. Leaves a great finish and is pretty quiet. With bigger pieces i use a 38" double drum sander. It works good with larger glue ups, countertops and doors. I sometimes will run #40 grit on it and thats very agressive and works like planer. It much more ridgid and has greater HP than the jet type. This works for me. Man i can make a lot of sawdust and chips.
Ten years ago I got Craigslist and Facebook market finds for 200 each. They’re still out there. Just have to keep checking every other day. I’ve seen some crazy deals in the last year too. “I am moving and have to sell now.”
I would love a drum sander but unfortunately over here there super expensive like stupidly expensive. One day maybe. Great information though Billy 👍🏴
I’m currently making a gun case. My back/main display board is Purple Heart. I had a piece of it laying in the shop for about a year now. It’s now cupped. I ran it through the planner w VERY shallow passes. Still over heated it and killed it. Gonna have to use 36 grit on the drum sander😢
How many got the last place you found your keys 🤣 Do you rotate the sandpaper, or keep like 120 in it? I have seen some DIY plans for sanders, but would have to re-engineer to have that open end. Ponderous. Thanks Billy!
I always thought the rule was that you should use a drum sander if you can't feed the grain in a good direction. (i.e., figured, end grain, etc.) As someone who has yet to buy a drum sander, I was hoping to hear if they have any snipe issues.
I bought a 12" Grizzly about 10 years ago and I don't get any snipe at all. I use it when I need a specific thickness of wood. Using a sled covered with sandpaper, I have made veneer as thin as .010".
I’ve been a woodworker for many decades already as a serious hobbyist. I’ve owned and build a vast amount of fine furniture over these years. During this time I’ve owned many of your typical big machines including a 16-32 drum sander. I literally hated that machine. I would never recommend one to anywho makes larger projects. It would just ruin perfectly good material.
I've watched your videos for awhile and when I just saw the Gorilla you made with the scroll saw, my jaw seriously dropped open. Literally, my jaw dropped open when I saw it. AMAZING work. And now I think I need a drum sander in addition to my planer. 😁
Both. The answer is always both.
I've got both, or all three if you count the jointer. Prepping stock for segmented bowls is so much easier with all three, and, after the glue up, it's much safer to run the rings thru the drum sander due to the constantly changing grain direction.
Great comparison, thank you. The planer comes first, the drum sander is a useful luxury that eliminates ROSanding. And I want that drum sander too!
Both, and more. I started with a jointer about 50 years ago. I think I got my first planer 40 years ago. Then about 30 years ago got a Performax drum sander. Wow. Finally I could really produce nice cabinets and furniture with much less effort. About 20 years ago I bought a small widebelt. Changed my ability again. With all rough material all going thru a jointer, then a planer or directly to the wide belt, I had all the material I needed thicknessed before I started cutting. With all material sanded to 180 or finer, the finish sanding process was MUCH simpler. And with all material thicknessed so carefully, cutting rabbets and dados was much simpler. Set ups faster. I DO understand that drum sanders aren't cheap, much less widebelts, but they do elevate your production ability to make finishing building 10 to 20 cabinets or furniture a year pretty doable for even hobbyists.
Good general comparison, with a couple additional points to keep in mind. As others have said, no mention of snipe here, which is generally much worse with a planer than the drum sander. Also, if you want to make end grain cutting boards, the sander is MUCH safer than the planer, which can catch on the edge of the board and "explode" as it passes through.
Great video showing the difference between these two tools. Thanks for sharing
I love your videos and facial expressions/humor! This video explained exactly what I have been contemplating! Thank you for this great information.
Although i am a diy'r i mill my own trees into lumber. Doing that requires more robust machines so have a 20" helical head planer and its the work horse. Leaves a great finish and is pretty quiet.
With bigger pieces i use a 38" double drum sander. It works good with larger glue ups, countertops and doors. I sometimes will run #40 grit on it and thats very agressive and works like planer. It much more ridgid and has greater HP than the jet type. This works for me. Man i can make a lot of sawdust
and chips.
I just bought the smaller Jet sander and it is a game changer for me
I want both...still working on it.
Ten years ago I got Craigslist and Facebook market finds for 200 each. They’re still out there. Just have to keep checking every other day. I’ve seen some crazy deals in the last year too. “I am moving and have to sell now.”
I would love a drum sander but unfortunately over here there super expensive like stupidly expensive. One day maybe. Great information though Billy 👍🏴
Great information.
Good info!
Thanks a bunch for all the info, Billy! 😊
Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊
I’m currently making a gun case. My back/main display board is Purple Heart. I had a piece of it laying in the shop for about a year now. It’s now cupped. I ran it through the planner w VERY shallow passes. Still over heated it and killed it. Gonna have to use 36 grit on the drum sander😢
Good video, thank you.
Very interesting 🎉
I have access to both. No figured woods or end grain cutting boards in the planner. That can be a disaster.
How many got the last place you found your keys 🤣
Do you rotate the sandpaper, or keep like 120 in it? I have seen some DIY plans for sanders, but would have to re-engineer to have that open end. Ponderous.
Thanks Billy!
I always thought the rule was that you should use a drum sander if you can't feed the grain in a good direction. (i.e., figured, end grain, etc.)
As someone who has yet to buy a drum sander, I was hoping to hear if they have any snipe issues.
I bought a 12" Grizzly about 10 years ago and I don't get any snipe at all. I use it when I need a specific thickness of wood. Using a sled covered with sandpaper, I have made veneer as thin as .010".
I’ve been a woodworker for many decades already as a serious hobbyist. I’ve owned and build a vast amount of fine furniture over these years. During this time I’ve owned many of your typical big machines including a 16-32 drum sander. I literally hated that machine. I would never recommend one to anywho makes larger projects. It would just ruin perfectly good material.
You didn't mention the snipe problem, Billy.
Bill
And end grain cutting board
@@Josh_Menard True