If you’re tired of rough surfaces that don’t smooth out easily or you’re in need of a new drum sander, the next one you buy could be a tough choice. What type should you get and will it do the job right? To make sure you hit your target with just one shot, our construction team has reviewed some of the best options out there.
Reviews of the Top Drum Sanders
1. JET JWDS-2244
The JET Tools JWDS-2244 is by far the best drum sander out there with all the features to make operation as smooth and easy as possible. The unit collects up to 97% of all the dust and debris from each job, and pairs even better with cyclone dust collectors from the same brand.
The conveyor system will automatically pull the workpiece in without the need for you to push it into the conveyor belt. The machine will regulate the speed by itself and the dynamically balanced drum is designed for superior heat dissipation.
Pros
- Automatic speed regulation
- Perfect drum sander for ease of use
- Quality sanding job
- Drums help to dissipate heat
- Tool-free adjustments
- Integrated dust port
- 2800 FPM surface speed
- Conveyor system
- Very stable design
Cons
- Heavy drum sander
- Not industrial-sized
2. Grizzly Industrial G8749
The Grizzly G8749 is a compact drum and flap sander that can get the job done in smaller workshops. It has a small 1 HP single-phase motor and is great for finishes. You can choose from the inflatable drums or the flap sanders, which are included with your purchase.
This is the best drum sander for a small space and for contours. Don’t let the size fool you, it has a cast iron construction to make sure it can last and it has a toggle on/off safety switch and a locking tab to keep your fingers safe during use.
Pros
- Small and compact drum sander
- 2-in-1 design
- Benchtop drum sander
- Comes with 120 grit sandpaper
- Toggle on/off safety switch
- Safety paddle switch and removable key
- 1725 RPM
- Cast iron construction
Cons
- Generates a lot of dust
- Can be a bit noisy
3. SUPERMAX TOOLS SUPMX-71938-D
If you need a top-quality and intelligent tool, then the SuperMax Tools SUPMX-71938-D is the best drum sander for you. It comes with an open stand and consistently produces uniform results just like a professional drum sander. The Intellisand Technology automatically adjusts the conveyor belt speed based on the laid it detects to prevent burning and damage to your workpieces.
The alignment feature is simple with indexed settings to align the sanding head and conveyor, and the height adjusts easily as well. The dust extraction is simple as the dust will collect on the surface of the drums. The cast iron construction will also stabilize the unit to prevent uneven sanding.
Pros
- Efficient dust extraction
- Intellisand Technology
- Patented abrasive attachment system
- Simple alignments
- Extra-wide conveyor belt
- Comes with 80 sandpaper grit
- Automatic speed adjustments
- Consistent results
Cons
- Feed conveyor belt is difficult to replace
- Top-heavy design
4. Powermatic DDS-225
The Powermatic DDS-225 drum sander has cabinet doors that hide storage space. You can keep everything you need right under the sander.
It will be a worthy addition to your power tool collection as it guarantees a flat finish with two sanding drums. The highly versatile machine has a two-speed gearbox that allows you to sand different workpieces.
The DDS-225 also has a full-sized cast iron table that can support larger materials and there is even an independent rear sanding drum that allows users to do some final touch-ups on their pieces.
Pros
- Hard durometer rubber coating
- Has a rear sanding drum
- Heavy-duty conveyor belt
- Storage space
- 2-speed gearbox
- Dual steel drums
- Full-sized cast iron table
- 5 HP motor
Cons
- Very heavy
- Large size
5. SUPERMAX TOOLS SUPMX-72550
Supermax Tools creates excellent drum sanders with high quality components, and the SuperMax Tools SUPMX-72550 also has a closed mobile stand for more stability. This particular model is the largest open-ended drum sander on the market. It comes with 80 grit sandpaper and the unit can sand 25 inches in a single pass and 50 in a double pass.
There is more room available and plenty of storage space for you to keep the necessary accessories on hand. Aside from being closed to bring more stability, the mobile base on the SUPMX-72550 allows it to be more portable in case you need to wheel the heavy machine around.
Pros
- Closed base with storage
- Excellent for large sanding projects
- Great drum sander for mobility
- Open-end drum sanders
- Very stable
- Comes with 80 grit sandpaper
- Aluminum drum
Cons
- Very heavy
- Large size
6. JET 649005K
Perhaps one of the most durable and heavy-duty drum sanders, the Jet 649005K is constructed with zinc-plated steel tension rollers with a cast iron height adjustment handwheel that allows for both large and minute height changes easily. The efficient sander will give users absolute control over the sanding thickness.
The Jet drum sander has innovative Sandsmart Technology and automatic speed regulation that will prevent overloading. The sanding drum is self-cooling, which will further protect the machine and your workpiece against friction and burns.
The 1-¾ HP drum motor can handle heavy use over long periods, which makes the 649005K excellent for large jobs.
Pros
- A lot of motor power
- Sandsmart Technology
- Automatic speed regulation
- Heavy duty
- Zinc-plated steel tension rollers
- Cast iron handwheel
- Adjustable drum height
- Recommended for large jobs
Cons
- Very heavy
- Feed tables not included
7. JET JWDS-1632
Lastly, we have the Jet 723520K JWDS 1632 drum sander with an open stand. Our team recommends this over the Jet benchtop drum sander and the Jet mini drum sander for its more reliable performance. The unit has Sandsmart control that regulates the speed according to your workpiece.
The feed and drum motors are separate, which gives you independent control over either one. The drum sander is designed for superior heat dissipation so you won’t need to worry about friction or burns.
The drum sander’s dust hood will mirror the shape of the drum to funnel all the dust and debris into the 4-inch dust port.
Pros
- Dust hood
- Dust port
- Separate feed and drum motors
- Sandsmart control
- Variable speed control
- Compact for a powerful drum sander
- Excellent heat dissipation
- Prevents crowning
Cons
- Sandpaper takes a bit of time to attach for some
- Not the best for large furniture
8. Grizzly Industrial G0449
The G0499 from Grizzly Industrial is a large drum sander with two drums that are computer balanced for precision. With a powerful 10 horsepower motor, the G0499 can sand boards up to 4 inches thick. The variable speed feed control makes it easy for users to control the speed of the conveyor belts.
You can’t have an efficient machine without proper dust cleanup, so the Grizzly G0499 features a 4-port dust scoop that will tidy things up for you. The entire unit boasts a solid steel construction and industrial-quality components for maximum durability.
Pros
- V-belt feed motor
- 10 horsepower drum sander
- Variable speed feed control
- Double drum sanders
- Dust scoop
- Emergency safety stop
- Solid steel construction
- Easy sandpaper installation
- Table lift
- Hinged hood
- Powder-coated finish
Cons
- Very expensive
- Quite large in size
Drum Sanders Buyer’s Guide
After many drum sander reviews, our team realized that the best drum sanders feature similar traits. It’s not only about the motor power and the speed, but it’s also the type. Our experts have outlined important criteria below to help you find the right drum sander.
Size and Portability
The size of the drum sander refers to the overall exterior of the machine and its measurements. You also have the size and the thickness of the material it can handle, but we’ll get to that in a bit. Of course, smaller drum sanders will be more portable. You have the small table top options like the G8749 from Grizzly, or benchtop sanders that are half the size of full-sized drum sanders, or ones with stands.
The top drum sanders will need to fit into your workspace. Our construction team advises readers to look at the dedicated space for the sander to determine how large of a machine can fit. Portability is more important for woodworkers that move from jobsite to jobsite.
If you find yourself mostly working from one station, then our team would suggest getting larger drum sanders as they usually do better and more even sanding.
Motor
The motor power of a drum sander is what gives your machine all of its power. Not every woodworker requires a powerful conveyor motor, which is why our team recommends looking at what type of materials and jobs you work with the most.
A powerful 5 to 10 HP motor [1] is best for thick materials for industrial jobs, but a regular 1 to 5 HP range should be sufficient for most jobs.