Honest Tool Review On The Laguna SuperMax 19/38

Most in woodworking know that sanding is a chore that nobody likes to do, but it’s necessary to have a great looking finished piece. We had the hope to add a drum sander to our arsenal with the intent to speed up production and still have a great end result.
We added the Laguna SuperMax 19/38 and wanted to do an honest review of whether it was a added value to the woodshop or just another gadget we could have done without.
After several weeks and hundreds of passes later we have found that a drum sander is a great addition to the shop. It not only speeds up the tedious task of sanding, it also retains the integrity of the finished product without compromise.
There are several brands of drum sanders to choose from and within each brand lots of models also, but we decided on the 19/38 because of its middle of the road size. There are several models smaller and lots of larger models, so going with the 19/38 just seemed like a great fit for us.
Like so many other pieces of equipment for the shop there is also a premium price point that comes with a drum sander. We weighed the cost and decided that if we can utilize the sander to speed production it would quickly pay for itself in gained shop time. After only a few weeks we can absolutely see the value of adding a machine like this to our shop.

[@ttrefren70]

Great video, a few suggestions for people who may be new to these. 1, get the infeed/out feed tables. They really help with longer boards to avoid snipe. 2, get a bent nose set of pliers to help pull the paper tight. 3, stop after the first few boards with new paper and retighten the roll.

[@1stGregA]

Enjoyed your informative video, and the humor you provide along the way. I bought my 25-50 today and I'm confident I will not regret it! Thanks

[@MetcalfeDesignCoLLC]

Heck yeah!! That’s a beast! My cousin has the 25-50 and loves it. No regrets, only upgrades!!

[@user-zi7vk9tp2f]

best review yet. As a cnc sign maker, you answered a few concerns I had. Still deciding on the in/outfeed tables.

[@MetcalfeDesignCoLLC]

I have done several projects off the cnc and it has been awesome. I will be getting the in/out feed tables. Had a few pieces fall off cause I was looking away….oops

[@mr.noneyabidness]

I own the infeed/outfeed, tables. I only really use them on really long stuff. Out past about 3 feet long. Otherwise they sit folded 90% of the time for me.

[@MetcalfeDesignCoLLC]

I haven’t added the infeed/out feed tables yet, but I can see how they would be very useful on longer pieces

[@mr.noneyabidness]

Aside from my metal, and wood lathes, this drum sander is definitely one tool that changed the game for me. A planer is awesome and I use it for rough dimensions, but I have belts up to 220 grit, and it leaves a perfect flat surface. All in a fraction of the time vs with the random orbital sander. This was a great review, and spot on to what I have noted.

[@barryirby8609]

You can clean the sandpaper with Simple Green in a jug. Soak the strips over night and rinse them. May have to scrub a bit with a nylon brush. Learned this from sanding a bunch of Heart Pine, ONE piece at a time.

[@MetcalfeDesignCoLLC]

Great piece of advice!

[@craigsadler1728]

Great video, thanks

[@unclebob8746]

Thanks for your honest review. Been looking to get the 16-32. Softwoods load up any sander...

[@MetcalfeDesignCoLLC]

It’s a beast and a work horse. Been sending lots of hardwoods through it with absolutely no problems.

[@dennisnahorney8215]

@unclebob. Look at getting the next size up 1938 like review. It is a little more robust but also get the tables. You won’t regret it

[@timothysteadham331]

Can you measure the overall length of the driven roller for the 19/38? I’m curious if it would be a direct replacement for my Jet sander who had discontinued that roller.

[@randypowell4799]

Does it out do the planer? Good video, Thanks

[@MetcalfeDesignCoLLC]

It works well in conjunction with the planer. I use it for small depth removal or to clean up the snipe from the planer. Can’t compete with the planer when milling rough stock to dimension.

[@kevingebert4316]

I just got my 1938 combo unboxed the other day. Got it all set up myself and realize I have to put in a 110v wiring. Did yours come unwired also with no plug installed? No where in the instructions am I seeing it explain I need to put in my own cord. (Unless I need thick glasses) I'd think for $3200+ itd come with at least a pigtail.

[@MetcalfeDesignCoLLC]

Wow. No mine came with the 110v wire installed and ready. It was virtually plug and play out of the box.

[@kevingebert4316]

Thanks for confirming. I found using a spare heavy computer power cord did the trick. Clips in with quick release clips in the connectors fast. I still wrote Laguna tools a nasty gram about it. We'll see what they do if anything to 'make it right'

[@markhopkins7204]

thanks for sharing...could you please expand on quality of finish it produces? is snipe an issue that can be adjusted for? Thanks again and consider yourself subscribed!

[@MetcalfeDesignCoLLC]

Great questions!! Snipe isn’t an issue that I have had at all. As far as the finish it leaves depends on the grit sandpaper being used. I tend to do 120 and use the drum sander for a flat finish and then use the orbital.

[@patskanes5262]

I am looking at purchasing a drum sander to sand the edge of my rail and stile doors on the ¾” end. Has anyone used their sander for that purpose? If yes, how were the results? Will the SuperMax sand 90 degree so you can get tight joints? Thanks in advance for the help.

[@MetcalfeDesignCoLLC]

I have used it a few times on doors I've built to clean up the seams and it does a great job. I run the joints through and then use a random orbital to finish them and they turn out great!

[@craigsadler1728]

Great video, thanks

[@MetcalfeDesignCoLLC]

Appreciate your feedback!!