SuperMax 16-32 Drum Sander Review: A Solid Pick

Are you looking for a drum sander for a small shop? The SuperMax 16-32 is an open-ended drum sander that can surface boards up to 32 inches wide in two passes.

Its standout features include the quick-adjust height lever, the Intellisand feed control and a built-in digital readout.

This review walks through those features, using the 16-32 Drum Sander Owner’s Manual from Laguna Tools as the spec reference.

Our Supermax 16-32 Drum Sander Review

Here is each main feature and what it means in use.

The SuperMax 16-32 Drum Sander Stand and Frame

The sander head ships assembled, but you put the stand together and bolt the machine to it. The shipping weight is 158 lbs, so have a helper for lifting.

Like most drum sanders in this class, the 16-32 bolts to its open stand from underneath, and the manual walks through the steps.

The stand has leveling feet for uneven floors. A mobile base or casters (sold separately) make it easier to move around the shop.

Two Motor Design

The 16-32 uses two motors. A 1-1/2 HP motor spins the 5 x 16-inch drum at 1,740 rpm, and a separate small motor drives the conveyor at 0 to 10 feet per minute.

The manual lists the power requirement as 110V, single phase, with 20 amp service. Plan on a 20 amp circuit rather than sharing a 15 amp circuit, which can trip the breaker or overheat an undersized cord.

Advanced Controls

The drum motor switch and conveyor controls sit on the front of the machine, within easy reach.

A dial knob starts the conveyor and sets the feed rate. It works with a feature called Intellisand.

Intellisand watches the load on the drum motor and automatically slows the conveyor speed when the load gets too high. Per the manual, this reduces gouging and burning and protects the motor from stalling, then returns to your set speed when the load drops. It is still possible to take too deep a cut, so set depth carefully.

Height Adjustment Knob

Like most drum sanders, the 16-32 has a height adjustment handle. One full turn moves the drum about 1/16 inch, so large changes take a lot of cranking.

The quick lever solves that. With the selector in the quick lever position, the head floats free and you can raise or lower it up to 3 inches at once. Switch back to micro adjustment afterward to lock the head in place.

Built-in Digital Read-Out

The 16-32 includes a digital readout (DRO) for sanding thickness. In inch mode it can display in 1/32, 1/64 or 1/128 inch steps, and it also reads in millimeters.

Using the digital readout, you also have the opportunity to select either ABS (absolute mode) that shows the real thickness of the workpiece the sander is working on or INC (incremental) mode that shows the amount of material being shaved off.

The DRO needs to be calibrated to zero first, and it takes some practice. Many users still set depth by lowering the drum until it just touches the board, then making light passes.

Turbo Vented Vacuum Port

Drum sanders make a lot of fine dust. The 16-32 has a 4-inch dust port, and the manual says dust collection is required. OSHA notes that airborne wood dust can cause respiratory symptoms and cancer, so collect it at the source.

The manual recommends a dust collector of at least 600 CFM, and some jobs need more.

The Instruction Manual

The manual covers setup, abrasive wrapping, feed rates and troubleshooting. Read it before your first pass.

Review Summary

Pros

• Sturdy steel construction
• Can sand boards up to 32 inches wide in two passes
• Intellisand slows the feed when the drum is overloaded
• Quick lever for fast height changes
• Installing sanding belts is very easy
• Belt alignment is simple

Cons

• Expensive
• Needs a 20 amp circuit and a dust collector
• The DRO takes practice to use well

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About Supermax Tools

SuperMax Tool is a brand focused on drum and brush sanders. Its machines are now sold under the Laguna Tools name.

A Brief History of SuperMax Tools

SuperMax’s founders came from the woodworking machinery industry, where brands like JET also sell drum sanders. The company focused on building a drum and brush sander for small cabinet shops could afford.

Why SuperMax Brush and Drum Sanders Stand Out

SuperMax built its name on a narrow product line: drum and brush sanders, rather than a full range of tools.

SuperMax Acquired by Laguna Tools in 2017

SuperMax joined Laguna Tools, and the current 16-32 manual is published by Laguna as the “16-32 SuperMax by Laguna Tools.” For support and parts, contact Laguna Tools.

FAQs

How do you make the SuperMax 16-32 more effective?

Take light passes. Deep cuts overload the motor, trigger Intellisand and can burn the wood. For finish grits finer than 80, the manual says the best finish usually comes when Intellisand does not engage.

When using the SuperMax 16-32, does passing stock at an angle have any impact?

Yes. The manual says feeding stock at a slight angle gives more effective stock removal and less loading of the abrasive. Make the final pass straight.

How do you use SuperMax 16-32 with wood like cherry that tends to burn easily?

The manual’s troubleshooting chart lists a too-slow feed rate and too deep a cut as causes of burning. Increase the feed rate, reduce the depth of cut and keep the abrasive clean.

Final Thoughts

The SuperMax 16-32 is a solid pick for a small shop that needs to flatten and smooth wide panels.

It sands boards up to 32 inches wide (in two passes) and 3 inches thick, with a 1/32-inch minimum thickness.

Budget for a 20 amp circuit, a 600 CFM or larger dust collector and spare abrasive wraps.

Sources

• 16-32 Drum Sander Owner’s Manual, Laguna Tools
• Wood Dust: Overview, OSHA