CT 22 with a drum sander

[gunksman]

I have small shop - 1200 sf - and mostly do architectural concrete work, but I have recently gotten some retail case work. I just did a job building 220 display units for a trade show and the client is looking to make another order. The reason I use Festool is because it allows me to do precision work in a small space. I have a lot a work tables and cannot afford to take up my space with stationary tools. For the next job I am looking at the Jet 16-32 drum sander to pre-sand all the pieces before assembly. I would like to avoid getting a large dust collection system. Anyone have any experience using a drum sander with a CT22?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[AlexThePalex]

I'm pretty sure that sander is too big for the CT22.

 

[rnt80]

Mike,

I have a Jet 22-44 and it is hooked up to a dust collector.  I've never thought about using a shopvac or my CT22 with it.  I'm sure it would generate enough airflow but depending on how much sanding you're doing I imagine it would fill up pretty quickly.  Additionally, you'd have to clean the filter pretty often since you'll be generating alot of fine dust.
Keep in mind that even with the 16-32 you'll still have to sand all the pieces afterwards because there will be sanding marks (very noticeable, depending on what grit you use) left behind.  I bought my 22-44 when I had to make some plantation shutters.  It didn't really provide any benefit on that job.  However, I have used it on a variety on jobs since then and it has been great.  Depending on what you're doing you may be better off with a Rotex - you'd be able to do aggressive sanding and finishing sanding with great dust collection at about 1/2 the price.

 

[wnagle]

Mike,

i have a performax 22/44 drum sander.  And I had it hooked directly to a Jet 650cfm dust collector that sat right beside it minimizing piping.  That was barely adequate and burned a lot of paper.  In my opinion results were mediocre at best.  Dust collection appeared ok  but the machine needed more airflow.

Then I switched to 3.5 hp tempest 1700 cfm cyclone and it is a whole different world.  Paper lasts a long time and rarely do I burn any paper.

Personally I wouldn't put anything less than 1200 cfm collection on a drum sander.

 

[gunksman]

Thanks guys. I used my Rotex to finish all the pieces, just a quick pass with 80 grit, set on grind. The units are industrial looking and actually made of CDX. I will keep weighing my options until the next check comes in.

 

[Greg_R]

+1 to wnagle's comment.  Get a big collector (3HP+) from the start... you will upgrade if you get something smaller.  I'm running a 5HP Clearvue cyclone that is a good option for the $$$.  It has no problem with my large planer or drum sander.

 

[Jim Becker]

A shop vac or system like the CT22 doesn't come anywhere close to the CFM requirements for a drum sander--which you cannot run with out dust collection. You'll need a read DC system, even if it's something small like the Jet DC650 or similar dedicated to the machine. (but not smaller and larger strongly suggested--these machines create a lot of dust and it's in the very dangerous size range, too)