Workshop Tools / Machinery

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Reviews — Best Drum Sanders for Woodworking / Top Rated

Choosing the best drum sander for your woodworking projects depends on three things: Your budget, the size of your shop, and the size of wood you need to finish. A drum sander is a tool best used as a finish sanding tool, not to remove a lot of wood stock. Use a thickness planer for that.

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Discover the essential workshop tools and machinery you should be investing in with our comprehensive reviews and guides that will give you all the information you need to fit out your workshop.

We explore the leading models for several key pieces of machinery, with belt sander reviews, wood lathe reviews, and many more. We also take a look at several woodworking tools such as jigsaws, jointers, track saws, and everything in between.

Workshop Essentials
There are dozens of crafts and professions that require a workshop of some kind. So it’s a tricky business to cover every tool and appliance for every type of workshop (though we’ll certainly give it a try 🙂 ). However, there are several pieces in the workshop machinery and tools kit that we reckon will play a part in most workshops. These include:

  • Miter saws – these are best used for precision cuts and straight lines. You can also use miter saws for compound cuts which combine angle and bevel cuts, highlighting their versatility.
  • Circular saws – one of the most important handheld power tools you’ll need. They come in two main versions – the worm drive circular saw and the standard sidewinder. Worm drive saws are usually heavier but have a higher rotational speed.
  • Joiners – another important tool is the joiner. This is used to create smooth, flat edges on pieces of wood. These flat edges are much easier to fix together and are more stable. There are two main types – the biscuit joiner and the domino joiner.
  • Wood routers – these are usually for the final stages of a woodworking project. Woodworkers use them for fine tuning edges in the wood, enabling them to be smooth and even.
  • Benchtop milling machines – these are found in most hobbyist and professional workshops. They’re designed to create final, stylized shapes onto any material. But milling machines can also drill and bore into materials. You’ll find a wide range of makes and models on our benchtop milling machine reviews.
  • Bandsaws – a type of vertical saw that offers flexibility and versatility. It runs continuously and allows the operator to create a mix of straight and curved edges. It can be used for both wood and metal applications. Check out our bandsaw reviews for some of the best types on the market.
  • Dust collectors – if you’re using a sanding belt or heavy-duty drills and saws, you’re going to need something to collect all the dust. Dust is an inevitable hazard of all woodworking, but it can be handled with relative ease with good quality dust ports and outlets. Dust collectors might not be the most exciting piece of kit, but they’re essential.
  • Wood lathes – while they do some of the same work as milling machines, wood lathes can often take intricate designs to the next level. This is particularly true for mini lathes, though you can also purchase a full-size lathe. They work by rotating a piece of wood around a fixed access to create a grinding effect on applied wood.

How to Stay Safe in Your Workshop
There is risk involved when working with the types of machinery and tools required. For each product that we review, we touch upon the safety features of each entry. We want our readers to remain safe as they work.

Some of the steps we recommend include wearing PPE at all times, ensuring that your blades remain sharp to minimize the risk of the tool catching, and unplugging the appliance when changing blades. And you should always check the safety mechanisms on your tools before starting your work.

FAQ

  • What are the advantages of a standard sidewinder circular saw?
    Standard sidewinder saws have faster RPMs and are lighter than worm drive circular saws. They also usually operate with a blade-right configuration, making them more suitable for right-hand woodworkers. And they're also considered to be the better option for finer cross cutting.
  • What is a thickness planer?
    Thickness planers are one of the most essential woodworking tools out there. They are designed to make sure a section of wood has an even thickness. Woodworkers pass the wood through rollers which sand down excess thickness to the wood. We have several recommendations for thickness planers. All are great options for your workshop.
  • What are the features of a good miter saw?

    When choosing a good quality miter saw for your workshop, you’ll want to check that it has a reliable dust collection system. This will allow you to continue working unimpeded. It should be versatile, with a wide range of angle adjustments for precise cutting.

    The cutting capacity and power can have an impact on the types of wood you'll be able to cut. So make sure you know what types of projects you'll be working on before purchasing.

  • How do I maintain my cordless drill?
    Cordless drills are a vital woodworking tool, but they need to be well-maintained. Ensure that they aren't allowed to overheat during use. Oil the key components regularly to make sure they continue to work smoothly. Check these components before use, and replace them when needed. And you should also store your power drill in a safe, dry place when not in use.
  • Why is an angle block plane important?
    Woodworkers will often use an angle block plane for smaller-scale jobs. They help to put the finishing touches to projects, such as cleaning up end graining and easing edges. They're often used interchangeably with smoothers, though as the name suggests, smoothers are used more to remove imperfections.
  • Milling Machines vs Wood Lathes - What's the Difference?
    There is often some crossover between these two machines. You can carry out several important workshop tasks on both appliances, but they do have different jobs. For example, you can work with a milling machine across three directions (X, Y, Z axis). Wood lathes can only work across an X and Z axis. Mills are generally better for larger, complex shapes. Whereas a lathe is more suited for intricate rounding and smoothing of smaller components. We cover both in more detail in our milling and woodworking lathe reviews, so you can make the most informed decision as to whether you need one (or both) for your workshop.
  • Why use a drill press instead of a handheld drill?
    Simply put, a drill press offers more power and precision. When using a handheld, the drill bit can get caught. It's then down to the operator's own strength to reverse this and stop the drill from spinning out of control. A drill press removes this risk. Drill presses are also more consistent and stable than handhelds.
  • What is a wide belt sander?
    A belt sander works in much the same way as traditional sandpaper. It runs on a fast conveyor belt which creates an abrasive, moving surface. Operators can then sand down pieces of wood until they're nice and smooth. Belt sanders come in both wide and narrow varieties, and you can use several grades of material for the belt surface.
  • Why is a dust collector so important?
    Dust is not so harmful in small amounts, but if it is allowed to build up over time, it can cause a lot of problems. Excess dust can cause wear and tear on a machine's mechanisms, which can lead to friction and overheating. And it can be bad for the health of the operator. A dust collector removes these issues.
  • What is a benchtop jointer used for?
    Benchtop jointers are used for preparing wood prior to assembly. They use in-feed and out-feed tables to help support the wood while it's being worked on. Their main job is to make sure all wood has flat, even surfaces where needed. Be sure to check out our comprehensive guide on benchtop jointers.
  • What are the safety considerations when using a bandsaw?
    Before using a bandsaw, you should carry out some standard checks on your equipment such as making sure the blade guard is secure and the saw blade is tight. You should wear safety goggles and a dust mask at all times during use. When operating, always make sure that the wood is away from the blade as it's turned on, and use a push stick for cutting smaller pieces.

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