Part 1 - Get Rid of the Adjusting Spring
Part 2 - Align the Drum Head
Part 3 - Speed Controller Long Term Maintenance Tip

PART 1 - Get Rid of the Adjusting Spring

You may have noticed that the cantilever adjustment knob doesn't work too well. To fix this, remove the spring from the adjustment knob and install (2) 5/16-24" nylon lock-nuts and washers on each side of the drum adjusting bracket. The upper nut is placed on the threads of the knob upside-down. (Figure 1)

You should now be able to slightly adjust the drum head without having to loosen the 4 head locking bolts.

PART 2 - Aligh the Drum Head

Here is a super simple way to align the Performax drum level to the table bed. I have found this method to be accurate to .0006". This method can also be used to equalize the height of the pressure rollers from side to side.

You will need these items:

• 12 Volt battery (a small 9 volt battery will also work)
• 1 Small 12 volt light bulb
• 3 "Alligator clips"
• 1 Steel 12" ruler (must be flat)
• Masking tape

Unplug the sander and remove the sandpaper wrapping (if installed).

Assemble the Jig
Tape two of the clips together as shown and attach the light bulb (Figure 3).

Attach the last alligator clip to one of the posts on the battery and attach the opposite end to the drum of the sander. (Figure 4)

Attach one of the free ends of the alligator clips (on the bulb) to the other post on the battery.

The second clip from the light bulb is then attached to the end of the ruler. (Figure 5)

Tie Up the Infeed Roller
The infeed pressure roller will conduct electricity and give you inaccurate results. Therefor, you will need to tie it upwards by wrapping a piece of masking tape around the roller and attaching the tape to the top-front of the sanding head housing. (Figure 6)

Testing
Raise the drum head to 2 inches. Place the ruler under the side of the drum that is closest to the motor. The ruler should be placed so that it is not touching the infeed table. (Figure 7)

Position the ruler on its edge and place moderate downward pressure upon it. Slowly lower the drum head until the light bulb turns on. Now, slowly raise the head until the bulb turns off. Release pressure from the ruler and the bulbs should turn on again.

Remove the ruler and place it under the drum head on the left side of the drum (furthest away from the motor). If the ruler does not easily slide under the drum head (or if the bulb turns on), turn the cantilever adjustment knob on the sander clockwise until the bulb goes out.

If the ruler slides easily under the drum head, carefully turn the adjusting knob counterclockwise until the bulb turns on. Be sure to place adequate pressure downward on the ruler while you are making this adjustment.

You will need to re-test the right side of the drum head again because the action of the cantilever adjustment knob affects both sides of the drum head. The right most side is least affected but it does move.

Remove the masking tape from the infeed pressure roller and install the sandpaper.

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

PART 3 - Speed Controller Long-Term Maintainence Tip

When my Performax arrived, one of the first things I noticed was that the speed controller tip was broken. When Performax sent me a replacement, I decided to prevent any future problems by filling the gap in the center of the tip with J.B. Weld (metal epoxy).

Apply it carefully. You want the epoxy in the center of the pin only. If the epoxy gets onto the brass portion of the controller, you might ruin the speed controller or permanently bond it in the "off" position.

Allow the epoxy to fully harden before attaching the knob.