Safety Speed Cut 4375 WBS4375101 10HP Wide-belt Sander

I have replaced my 22" open ended drum sander (with a grand total of 1.5 hp) with this Safety Speed Cut 4375 10 hp single phase sander. I couldn't be happier. The drum sander works, but is vastly underpowered, and unless the sanding passes are minimal the drum sander would bog down and burn paper. The non-oscillating drum sander left linear marks with even the finest grit rolls.The 43" x 75" oscillating sanding belt on this 10 hp monster cures every weakness of the drum sander. The belt never overheats, and never leaves the linear marks (because it oscillates). 10 hp is plenty for my use, because I don't try to use it as a thickness planer. Mine is attached to a 50 amp service, and I seldom use even half the rated amperage of the motor (41 amps). The variable speed feed, which works by electronically varying the RPM of the DC servo motor that runs the conveyor, allows for real fine tuning of your work. The belt oscillation is controlled by a photoelectric sensor and electrically operated servo pneumatic valves. It is more accurate than the peumatic only belt oscillators found on many imported machines, and uses considerably less compressed air as well.The conveyor table height adjustment works quite well, with no discernable backlash, but it would be nice to have the motor driven option. Hand cranking does get a bit old, but I can live with it. I've ordered the Accurate Technology digital readout from Safety Speed Cut to add to my machine, which I think will be handy when working with veneers. I keep a digital caliper near the machine, so I can measure the piece for thickness before setting the table. The digital read out for the machine will complement that nicely.The platen adjustment allows for about 1/8" of travel, and each increment is about .007". You can really fine tune the sanding of veneered panels without worrying about sanding through, and the settings are precisely repeatable by just locking the platen in the same spot. The digital calipers and digital readout should make that very precise.I've given this machine 5 stars because it meets all my needs, and at an affordable price. It is American made with an American made motor and electrical controls. Support this American company that makes their own machines, instead of importing the chinese ones. The frame is a heavy welded structure, unlike many of the imported machines which use lighter weight steel that is formed into box structures to achieve rigidity. It's like comparing the frame under your one ton pickup truck to the uni-body frame of a minivan. That welded up heavy frame allows for fantastic access to the sanding belt drive because of those huge doors. Look for those doors on the import. Don't strain yourself though, because they aren't there. Those panels all around the import machine are the frame. They don't open. I can clean my sanding belts with a common stick cleaner because I can access the full width of the belt with those doors open. On the imports, you have to pass a sheet of the belt cleaner under the belt on the conveyor. That just doesn't work very well. Of course, Safety Speed Cut doesn't want you to clean the belt with the outfeed door open because they don't want to be sued after some numbskull sticks a body part into the machine. Just use some common sense when doing it, please. I can also access the motor and table elevation mechanism easily by removing the bottom panels. If I ever need to work on it, that will be a real blessing. It beats climbing inside the box frame of the import to get anything done! I can't imagine ever trying to lift a 150# motor out of one of those imports, and with some of those chinese motors, you should plan on doing it someday.

Bought a 20HP 3 phase version of this machine about 5 years ago. I've enjoyed the heck out of this machine since then. Had to write this review, as I just sanded freshly veneered panels with it again. Salesman wanted me to buy $45,000 European machine with air suspension platen. I'm here to tell you, if you prep right by sanding substrates dead flat with this machine before veneering, you can get it done with this machine. Running 220 paper backed belt, finessing .005" per pass, and these tops are immaculate. No sand through, just dead flat, smooth as a baby's bottom.So - if you're a small shop, wanting to upgrade to wide belt in this price range, stop sending American dollars to Asia. This is a perfectly viable option that is low in complexity, high in value based on weighty build and pure muscle. This thing will far outlive me, and helps me command premium dollars for impeccable work. It's contribution in time savings and quality products coming out of my shop cannot be over stated. I always walk away from this machine with a smile on my face after running a batch of parts. If not for the CNC, it would handily take the prize as MVP in the shop. Thank you, Safety Speed!