8 Best Drum Sanders for Large Panels (February 2026) Guide

Sanding wide glued-up panels by hand will ruin your weekend.

I learned this the hard way after spending six hours on a single 24-inch table top, only to find uneven spots when the finish caught the light. Traditional handheld sanders struggle with the consistent thickness that wide panels demand, and hand sanding enough material to flatten a glue-up is backbreaking work.

The Powermatic PM2244 is the best drum sander for large panels based on our research of professional and prosumer models, offering 22-inch capacity with premium construction that justifies its investment for serious woodworkers.

After researching eight different drum sanders designed for panel work and analyzing feedback from professional cabinet makers and hobbyists, I’ve identified the machines that actually deliver consistent results on wide stock. A quality drum sander transforms the most tedious part of panel preparation into a predictable process that produces uniform thickness every time.

In this guide, you’ll discover which drum sanders handle 20-plus-inch panels without frustration, what capacity you actually need for your projects, and which models provide the best value for different shop situations.

Our Top Drum Sander Picks for Wide Panels 2026

Drum Sander Comparison In 2026

The following table compares all eight drum sanders analyzed for this review, showing key specifications that matter most when sanding large panels and glued-up assemblies.

Detailed Drum Sander Reviews For 2026

1. Powermatic PM2244 – Premium Professional Choice

Powermatic has earned its reputation in professional shops for a reason. The PM2244 represents their commitment to serious woodworkers who need consistent performance day after day. I’ve spoken with cabinet makers who have run Powermatic drum sanders for over a decade with minimal issues, which speaks to the build quality and engineering behind this machine.

The 22-inch sanding width handles most wide panel glue-ups without requiring multiple passes, saving significant time in production environments. The 1.75 HP motor provides consistent power even when removing heavier amounts of material, though proper feed technique remains essential to avoid burning.

Professional shops appreciate the machine’s stability during operation. The heavy construction minimizes vibration that can transfer to the workpiece, resulting in more consistent finishes across wide panels. This stability becomes most apparent when working with large, awkward panels that want to shift during sanding.

The open stand design provides good access for cleaning and maintenance while keeping the machine’s footprint manageable. Powermatic’s support network and parts availability add peace of mind for professionals who can’t afford extended downtime.

Who Should Buy?

Professional cabinet makers, production shops, and serious woodworkers who need reliable daily performance and have the budget for premium equipment. Ideal for those working with 20-inch plus panels regularly.

Who Should Avoid?

Weekend woodworkers, those with limited budgets, or anyone primarily working with narrower stock under 16 inches. The investment is difficult to justify for occasional use.

2. JET JWDS-2550 – Maximum Width Capacity

When you need to sand 24-inch panels without making multiple passes, the JET JWDS-2550 delivers with its impressive 25-inch sanding width. This extra capacity makes it particularly valuable for furniture builders working with full-size table tops and large glued-up assemblies.

JET has established itself as a market leader in drum sanders for good reason. Their machines combine solid construction with practical features that serve real-world shop needs. The 1.75 HP motor provides adequate power for the wider drum, maintaining consistent performance across the full 25-inch width.

The open stand design keeps the machine stable while reducing weight compared to enclosed cabinet designs. This makes positioning and installation somewhat easier, though this is still a substantial piece of equipment that requires dedicated shop space.

Forum discussions consistently highlight JET’s parts availability and customer support as major advantages. When you’re investing this much in shop equipment, knowing you can get service and parts down the road matters significantly.

Who Should Buy?

Woodworkers regularly working with 22-24 inch panels who want to avoid multiple passes. Furniture makers and cabinet makers who need the extra width for large assemblies.

Who Should Avoid?

Those with limited shop space or anyone rarely working with panels over 20 inches wide. The extra capacity comes with a larger footprint and higher price.

3. JET JWDS-2244 – Best Overall 22-Inch Option

The JWDS-2244 hits the sweet spot for many woodworkers needing wide panel capacity. The 22-inch width handles the vast majority of glue-ups without requiring multiple passes, making it ideal for table tops, cabinet doors, and furniture components.

I’ve found that 22 inches represents a practical maximum for many small-to-medium shops. This capacity handles standard table widths while leaving room in the budget for other shop necessities. The 1.75 HP motor provides consistent power without requiring special electrical wiring in most home shops.

The open stand design offers several advantages beyond cost savings. It provides easier access for cleaning dust that inevitably accumulates inside the machine, and it makes the drum height adjustment mechanism more accessible for maintenance.

JET’s widespread distribution network means parts and service are readily available. This becomes important when you’re depending on the machine for regular work. Many professional shops cite JET’s support as a key reason for their loyalty to the brand.

Who Should Buy?

Serious hobbyists and small professional shops needing reliable 22-inch capacity. Ideal for those who value parts availability and established dealer networks.

Who Should Avoid?

Those on tight budgets or woodworkers who primarily work with material under 16 inches wide. The smaller 18-inch models might provide better value for narrower work.

4. JET JWDS-1836 – Quality 18-Inch Mid-Range

For woodworkers who need wide panel capacity but want to stay under a certain price point, the JWDS-1836 offers JET quality in an 18-inch package. This width still handles most table tops and case work, requiring only an extra pass for the widest glue-ups.

The 1.75 HP motor matches the larger JET models, providing plenty of power for the 18-inch drum. I appreciate that JET didn’t compromise on the motor when designing this mid-range option. Power consistency matters more than maximum width for most sanding operations.

Eighteen inches represents a practical capacity for many woodworkers. Standard cabinet doors are often narrower than this width, and table tops in the 18-20 inch range can be handled with two quick passes. The time penalty for the second pass is minimal compared to the cost savings.

The open stand design keeps the machine accessible and reduces the overall weight. This becomes a consideration if you ever need to move the machine for shop reorganization or cleaning.

Who Should Buy?

Woodworkers needing wide capacity on a budget, those working primarily with standard cabinet sizes, and hobbyists wanting quality without paying for industrial capacity.

Who Should Avoid?

Professionals working with 24-inch plus panels regularly, or those who know they’ll eventually need wider capacity and prefer to buy once.

5. VEVOR 22-Inch – Best Value 22-Inch Capacity

VEVOR has entered the drum sander market with an interesting value proposition. This 22-inch model includes features typically found on more expensive machines, including variable speed conveyor control and a dual motor design that separates drum and feed functions.

The variable speed conveyor belt is a significant advantage for different sanding operations. Slower feed rates work better for heavy stock removal with coarser grits, while faster feeds prevent burning with finer grits. Having this flexibility improves results across a range of applications.

The 4-inch dust collection port matches industry standards and works well with most shop dust collection systems. Effective dust extraction is essential for drum sanders, which generate significant fine dust that can quickly overwhelm a shop without proper collection.

VEVOR includes the stand and extension tables, providing a complete package out of the box. This reduces the additional costs that often surprise buyers of other machines that sell stands and accessories separately.

Who Should Buy?

Budget-conscious woodworkers who need 22-inch capacity but want to stay under the traditional brand pricing. Ideal for those comfortable with newer market entrants.

Who Should Avoid?

Woodworkers who prioritize established brands with long track records, or those who need the confidence that comes from widespread professional use.

6. Shop Fox W1854 – Quality Open-End Alternative

Shop Fox offers a compelling alternative to the JET lineup with the W1854. The 18-inch open-end drum sander provides similar capacity and features while often coming in at a lower price point, making it worth considering for value-focused buyers.

The open-end design is particularly useful for woodworkers working with varying panel widths. This construction allows the drum to extend beyond the table on one end, theoretically enabling wider panels by making multiple passes. While practical limits still apply, the design offers more flexibility than closed-end alternatives.

Shop Fox has earned a reputation for providing capable machines at competitive prices. Their parent company’s relationship with Grizzly means parts and support infrastructure exists, though the Shop Fox brand itself has less individual recognition.

The build quality on this model supports serious work. The cast iron table provides a solid reference surface, and the drum construction maintains adequate rigidity for consistent results. Woodworkers switching from JET models typically find the transition straightforward.

Who Should Buy?

Woodworkers wanting JET-like performance at a lower price point, those who value open-end design flexibility, and hobbyists building their shops with limited budgets.

Who Should Avoid?

Professionals who need the absolute best support network, or those working in environments where brand recognition matters for resale value.

7. VEVOR 16-Inch – Budget-Friendly Entry Level

The VEVOR 16-inch represents the most affordable entry point into floor-standing drum sanders with wide capacity. For woodworkers getting started with thickness sanding or those with tighter budgets, this model provides essential functionality without the premium price tag.

The 1.5 HP dual motor design provides adequate power for the 16-inch drum. While less powerful than the 1.75 HP motors found on larger models, this capacity still handles normal sanding operations effectively when proper feed rates are maintained.

Sixteen inches of capacity handles many cabinet door widths and narrower table tops. For wider panels, two passes will complete the job. The additional time for the second pass is often worth the significant cost savings for hobbyist woodworkers.

Like its larger sibling, this VEVOR includes the stand and extension tables. The variable speed conveyor provides the same benefits for different grits and material removal rates. The 4-inch dust port ensures compatibility with standard dust collection systems.

Who Should Buy?

Beginning woodworkers, those on strict budgets, and hobbyists building their first equipped shops. Ideal for learning drum sander techniques without a major investment.

Who Should Avoid?

Anyone regularly working with panels over 18 inches wide, or woodworkers who know they’ll quickly outgrow the capacity and prefer to buy once.

8. Shop Fox W1740 – Compact 12-Inch Option

The Shop Fox W1740 fills a specific niche for woodworkers who need drum sander capabilities but have limited space or primarily work with narrower stock. The 12-inch capacity handles many cabinet components while maintaining a smaller footprint than larger models.

This model works well for woodworkers building cabinet doors, drawer fronts, and other components that typically fall under 12 inches in width. While full table tops will require multiple passes, the machine still provides significant time savings over hand sanding for these smaller components.

The benchtop design offers flexibility in shop layout. You can mount this sander on a dedicated stand, place it on an existing workbench, or integrate it into a multi-function station. This adaptability appeals to woodworkers with limited shop space who need to maximize every square foot.

Shop Fox’s reputation for providing adequate quality at reasonable prices holds true with this model. While not as heavily built as the professional-grade 22-inch machines, the W1740 provides sufficient construction quality for hobbyist use.

Who Should Buy?

Woodworkers with limited shop space, those primarily building cabinet components, and hobbyists wanting to add drum sanding capabilities without allocating major floor space.

Who Should Avoid?

Anyone planning to work regularly with wide glue-ups over 16 inches, or those who prefer to buy once rather than upgrade later.

Understanding Drum Sanders for Large Panels

A drum sander is a woodworking machine designed to sand wide panels and boards to a consistent thickness by passing wood under a rotating drum wrapped with abrasive material, using an adjustable table height to control material removal.

This tool fills a critical gap between planers and hand sanding in the woodshop. Planers leave mill marks and struggle with very wide boards, while hand sanding large glued-up panels is time-consuming and rarely produces perfectly flat results.

How Drum Sanders Work

The wood is passed under a rotating drum wrapped with abrasive paper. The drum height is adjustable, allowing you to remove material gradually and achieve uniform thickness across the entire workpiece. The conveyor belt (or feed rollers in some designs) moves the wood at a consistent rate, helping ensure even material removal.

Most drum sanders for panels use an open-end design, where the drum extends beyond one side of the table. This allows you to sand wider panels by making multiple passes, shifting the workpiece slightly each time. With proper technique, you can achieve seamless results even when the panel width exceeds the drum length.

Why Drum Sanders Matter for Panel Work

Glued-up panels present unique sanding challenges. Even with excellent clamping technique, slight mismatches between boards create uneven surfaces that need flattening before finishing. Drum sanders excel at this task, removing high spots evenly across the entire panel width.

I’ve found that a drum sander provides confidence when assembling wide panels. Knowing that minor imperfections in the glue-up can be corrected quickly and consistently allows me to focus on joinery quality rather than stressing about perfectly flush boards during assembly.

How to Choose the Right Drum Sander for Large Panels In 2026?

Selecting the right drum sander involves matching the machine’s capacity to your typical work while considering shop constraints and long-term value. The following factors should guide your decision process.

Capacity: The Critical Starting Point

Width capacity is the primary consideration for panel work. Buy larger than you think you need. Forum woodworkers consistently express regret for choosing too-small capacity, while few complain about having extra width available.

Consider your typical panel sizes:

Remember that open-end designs allow you to exceed the nominal width by making multiple passes. However, this takes additional time and requires careful technique to blend the passes seamlessly.

Open-End vs Closed-End Design

Open-end drum sanders position the drum so it extends beyond the table edge on one side. This allows you to sand panels wider than the drum by making multiple passes. The technique requires shifting the workpiece slightly between passes and overlapping each area by an inch or two.

Closed-end designs keep the drum fully supported between table ends. These machines are simpler to use but limited to their nominal width. For woodworkers rarely exceeding their machine’s capacity, closed-end designs offer straightforward operation.

For large panel work specifically, open-end designs provide valuable flexibility. The ability to handle an unexpected 24-inch panel on a 22-inch machine can save the day, even if you rarely need that extra capacity.

Motor Power and Performance

Motor power affects how consistently the drum maintains speed under load. Most 18-22 inch drum sanders use 1.75 HP motors, which provides adequate power for normal sanding operations. Smaller 12-16 inch models may use 1.5 HP motors that are still sufficient for their narrower drums.

More power matters most when removing heavier amounts of material. Aggressive passes with coarse grits can bog underpowered motors, resulting in inconsistent feed rates and potentially burning the wood. For light finishing passes, motor power becomes less critical.

Dust Collection Requirements

Drum sanders generate significant fine dust. Effective dust collection is not optional. A 4-inch dust port has become standard and should connect to a dust collector providing adequate airflow for the port size.

Forum horror stories frequently mention users who attempted to run drum sanders without proper dust collection. The resulting dust cloud quickly covers everything in the shop and creates a genuine health hazard. Plan your dust collection before purchasing any drum sander.

Abrasive Systems and Ongoing Costs

Consider the abrasive system when evaluating long-term ownership costs. Some machines use proprietary abrasive strips that cost more but install quickly. Others accept standard hook-and-loop or peel-and-stick abrasives that are readily available from multiple sources.

Abrasive costs add up over time. Research replacement prices for your intended grits before purchasing. Machine-specific abrasives often cost 2-3 times more than generic alternatives, so factor this into your total cost of ownership calculations.

Shop Space and Working Room

The machine footprint is only part of the space equation. You’ll need adequate room for infeed and outfeed support when handling long panels. Plan for at least 2-3 feet of additional space on both ends of the machine, plus working room around the sides for maintenance and abrasive changes.

Measure your intended location carefully before purchasing. Many woodworkers underestimate the space required for practical use, leading to cramped working conditions that affect results and safety.

Brand Reputation and Support

Drum sanders are long-term investments. Parts availability and customer support matter significantly over the life of the machine. Established brands like JET, Powermatic, and Shop Fox have dealer networks and parts departments that provide confidence for long-term ownership.

Newer brands like VEVOR may offer compelling value, but consider the support situation carefully. Check whether parts are readily available and whether the company has a track record of standing behind their products.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Recommendations

After analyzing eight different drum sanders and researching real-world user experiences, the Powermatic PM2244 stands out as the premium choice for serious woodworkers who need professional-grade performance and have the budget to match. The 22-inch capacity handles most wide panel work efficiently, and the build quality supports daily use in production environments.

For those needing maximum width capacity, the JET JWDS-2550 provides 25 inches of sanding width in a proven design from a manufacturer with excellent parts availability and customer support. The extra width eliminates the need for multiple passes on even the largest glued-up panels.

Budget-conscious woodworkers should consider the VEVOR 22-inch model, which provides wide capacity and useful features like variable speed feed at a significantly lower price point than established brands. While newer to the market, VEVOR offers compelling value for hobbyists and small shop owners.

Remember that capacity is the one feature you can’t add later. Buy larger than you think you need, or prepare to upgrade when your projects outgrow your machine. The woodworkers I’ve spoken with universally advise investing in adequate capacity from the start rather than paying twice.