King 1632DS drum sander

[Cherryville Chuck]

King doesn't have a factory so this should be sold under other brand names too, possibly Jet for one.

[DaninVan]

Do you have this drum sander, Charles? If so how do you like it, especially quality wise?

[Cherryville Chuck]

I do Dan. I bought it maybe 2 years ago. It is not a thickness sander but it will get close. You can't sand anything pitchy with it like pine. Gummy D fir either. Maybe if the D fir is dry and no pitch. It might be okay with spruce and I've sanded some red cedar with it. The pitch plugs the belts and a crepe stick won't take it off. It does sand hardwoods without problem. It comes with shims to level the drum to the bed and I think I need to play with mine that way. It seemed to sand the same thickness from end to end at first but now it seems to sand more close to the mount. Getting the belt to track where you want it is a pain and it takes a long time for an adjustment to do something. Herb said the same thing about the one he has. One uncle uses his for wood that is bad for chipping out thru a planer. Get it close to size and then sand it down.I've done that a few times too. Mostly with white birch.

Bottom line is that I hate sanding so anything that makes it easier is worth consideration and this machine does take away some of the tedium. It's slow going mind you, only maybe a few thou per pass but you just stick the piece on the feed belt and once the rollers grab it you wait for it to come out the other side. Some need a little tug as the feed belt is a little slick after a while. Herb sad something about an abrasive belt on his so maybe there is after market that works better.