I would like to hear opinions good and bad about the performax 16-32 drum sander. I have an opportunity to buy a used one that comes with infeed table, outfeed table, casters and 6 boxes of different grit fitted paper for $800. It does not have the sandsmart switch upgrade and maybe that dates it ?
Anybody have experience with this unit ?
I know nothing about that machine, but as a comparison, I just got the supermax 19/39 with tables casters, and 7 boxes of paper for $840. I am very happy so far. (About a month ago, before the crash)
Seems high to me. Right now Jet is running a 10% off sale that they've extended to the end of the month. The 16/32 with the SandSmart feature is $999.99 at stores like Woodcraft. It includes a stand, but no infeed/outfeed tables though. I bought mine last year and they were out of the optional in/out feed tables and I've been using it without them and having no problems.
I know nothing about that machine, but as a comparison, I just got the supermax 19/39 with tables casters, and 7 boxes of paper for $840. I am very happy so far. (About a month ago, before the crash)
Seems high to me. Right now Jet is running a 10% off sale that they ve extended to the end of the month. The 16/32 with the SandSmart feature is $999.99 at stores like Woodcraft. It includes a stand, but no infeed/outfeed tables though. I bought mine last year and they were out of the optional in/out feed tables and I ve been using it without them and having no problems.
Rich,
The guy was asking $900, I offered $700 he's hung up on $800 he said the tables and casters were $270 and somehow said he had $1600 in the unit. I thought a fair price was $650 for the sander, tables, casters and the paper so I offered $700
The thing is I don't NEED it, I just wanted it to speed up making my bowl blanks. Probably only save me a couple hours a week so I'm probably going to stick to $700
I don't know if it's the same machine or not, I had a 1632 performax.
The worst 800 I ever spent. Motor breaker tripped if you breathed on it too hard, could ROS sand faster. After having the motor rewound it was slightly better.
I just started taking my stuff to my suppliers sander. I could drive there faster than get anything done with the 1632.
I had the in/out feed tables and casters. I paid 800 new. This was 15ish years ago
My 16/32 Performax I bought for $600 about 4 years ago has been pretty solid, although I don't have a whole lot of hours on it. Considering that was 4 years ago, I'd have trouble paying $800.00 for one now. I'd hold out for a better price.
i have the jet and have been very happy with it,mine has the sand smart feature which really helps taking the strain off the motor.i think his 1600 number is a little on the high side.i think your 700 offer is fair.
In the long run, it's your call for sure. As I recall Performax sold out to, I believe Jet. I could be wrong. But whomever they sold to included a 10 year non-compete agreement. Once that ended, The Performax guys got busy and SuperMax came along. It's a slightly beefier sander that's top quality-but pricier.
The bottom line is, if you're happy with the price, no one can tell you you're wrong. I know you said you don't NEED it. Neither did I. But once I got mine into the shop and started using it, I sure was happy I got it. It's a game-changer.
I paid $500 for mine used (with infeed, outfeed tables and casters. These machines are expensive new but I see them in the $500-$600 range on Craigslist. They don't come up often but when they do, its$500-$600. Mine is a little finicky but most machines are. $800 is too much if you don't mind waiting for another to come up at a better price.
I bought a Performax 16/32 sander (without SandSmart feature) from the estate of a friend who passed away several years ago. Paid his widow $750.00 for it, which I thought was high, but I wanted to take sure she got fair $$ for his tools. I have used it a fair amount and it has been a good addition to my shop. The comments about the motor breaker tripping are spot on. Mine trips often. It used to trip if I "breathed on it too hard," but I've learned to adjust the feed speed manually when the motor begins to bog down, and that helps. If you decide to buy the machine, check the feed belt. They are frequently worn and slip or do not keep the proper feed alignment and fray at the edges. Many manufacturers make these belts, but the only one that works is the OEM belt now sold by Jet. It costs $100. If you search for 16/32 replacement belts, you'll find a lot of Internet discussion about the frustration of trying to get off-brand feed belts to work. The consensus is to bite the bullet and buy the OEM Jet belt; none of the rest work. Good luck.
I saw the sandsmart switch system for the 16-32 mentioned on the net. Looked a little more and found a video about the upgrade but then my search prowess failed and I couldn't find the kit anywhere. It appears that the one I'm looking at does not have the sandsmart switch but the new factory models advertise having it.
$700 might be too much now that this issue has surfaced.
For a 16/32, with infeed & outfeed tables and casters (all a must and should be included at no additional cost), a fair price is $500 tp $600.00. I have a 16/32 made right when Performax was sold to Jet, as well as General International 25" dual drum unit. Both work very well, as long as you realize these are not planers, and even though you may only be taking a whisker of stock off, depending on the sounds, you may need to slow belt speed down.
Back to the original question, at that price, I would consider a new Supermax machine.
I had a similar experience with looking at a used one. The price is too high on the one you are looking at. I bought the Supermax 16/32 and extremely happy with it.
gheeeez is this site amazing - I looked at a new supermax 16-32 and the jet 16-32, it seems silly to buy a used jet for the money I've talked about ($700) when the features of the supermax outshine the jet totally.
Now if I can find either a used supermax or a nice discount on a new one ?
I paid $800 new (with table) maybe 10+ years ago. I love this machine, though as with any drum sander there is a technique to getting the best results.
I added a cheap set of locking caters to the table as the "factory" casters were way over priced. Same with the tables, a little metal work and some conveyor rollers did the trick for me (helps with long stock and queuing up strips for sanding).
The motor breaker problem is due to them using a cheap overload breaker. Once it fires, its internal current setting seems to get lower, leading to more frequent false trips. A $6 upgrade to a better breaker fixed that.
These machines are really expensive for what they seem to cost to build so a hefty discount for used is expected.
i have the performax 16/32 for about 3 years did pick up used for around 500, needed new belt, has in and out tables, and std, variable feed on belt, no smart stuff.
have had issues on heavy use with overload popping a lot. i do have a new one and plan to install soon,
but a deal on a 22/44 showed up, which i picked up a few weeks ago, and am patiently awaiting a new belt for it, and the in and out feed tables. one heavy piece of machine (jet unit), nice cabinet, and am anxious to see if it outperforms the other unit, and if so, then adios amigo t the 16/32
i have the performax 16/32 for about 3 years did pick up used for around 500, needed new belt, has in and out tables, and std, variable feed on belt, no smart stuff.
have had issues on heavy use with overload popping a lot. i do have a new one and plan to install soon,
but a deal on a 22/44 showed up, which i picked up a few weeks ago, and am patiently awaiting a new belt for it, and the in and out feed tables. one heavy piece of machine (jet unit), nice cabinet, and am anxious to see if it outperforms the other unit, and if so, then adios amigo t the 16/32
I paid $800 new (with table) maybe 10+ years ago. I love this machine, though as with any drum sander there is a technique to getting the best results.
I added a cheap set of locking caters to the table as the "factory" casters were way over priced. Same with the tables, a little metal work and some conveyor rollers did the trick for me (helps with long stock and queuing up strips for sanding).
The motor breaker problem is due to them using a cheap overload breaker. Once it fires, its internal current setting seems to get lower, leading to more frequent false trips. A $6 upgrade to a better breaker fixed that.
These machines are really expensive for what they seem to cost to build so a hefty discount for used is expected.
Well, the unit in question appears to be in new condition and he said it's only had VERY light use. Perhaps his vision of used and everybody elses is quite different. I'm already having second thoughts about the $700 I offered. I know for a fact that I won't do the $800 when for $400 more I can get a new supermax 16-32 that has the overload protection built in already.
I have the 19/38 post Jet fiasco, and pre Laguna. I love that machine. Based on my use the in, and outfeed tables are very important, and if it's their paper, I can see his 1600 price new. The casters can easily be replaced with XYZ post type mounts, and you'd never know the difference.
I believe you would be happy at 700, stay firm. I'm a believer that if it isn't meant to be, it won't, and if it's meant to be….
Anything being bought and sold right now is an untested market. Tools, and items to be self sufficient could start going sky high, or they may tank. A lot of folks off work, so right now until it gets sorted out cash is King.
I have the 19/38 post Jet fiasco, and pre Laguna. I love that machine. Based on my use the in, and outfeed tables are very important, and if it s their paper, I can see his 1600 price new. The casters can easily be replaced with XYZ post type mounts, and you d never know the difference.
I believe you would be happy at 700, stay firm. I m a believer that if it isn t meant to be, it won t, and if it s meant to be….
Anything being bought and sold right now is an untested market. Tools, and items to be self sufficient could start going sky high, or they may tank. A lot of folks off work, so right now until it gets sorted out cash is King.
Good advise, I never thought about the outta work aspect. There just might be a lot of stuff come up pretty soon.
He didn't say and I didn't ask why he was selling but I'm hesitant over price and not having the sandsmart system. That switch system surely would save a lot of greif for a newbie to drum sanders.
well, right now the Jet 16-32 is $999 on sale. The Supermax 16-32 is $1199 neither one has tables or casters at that price. I'm pretty surer tables would be a necessity and someone said casters are cheap.
Jet wants close to $250 for tables and casters, supermax is $210 for the same.
Have you rreplaced your drive belt yet ? or how many times have you replaced it ?
I used it for a few projects and then sat it in the corner where it collected dust for over a decade. Sold it this year.
It was faster to take my stuff to my supplier and have them sand it.
Honestly if it works anything like mine did, I would not give 200$ for it.
If I had 700 to spend on sanding equipment, I would get a mirka deros and save up for better drum sander or wait for a better model.
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