Since 1986. Was originally Performance Products, Inc. but soon became Performax Products Corp. Bought by Jet in 1999, which became part of the WMH Tool Group in 2002. That group of brands includes Performax, Jet, Powermatic, and Wilton.
At least since the Jet acquisition, Performax sanders were made offshore and hence are not talked about here. But the earlier products were designed and built in the USA. Their drum sanders were popular with professional and prosumer woodworkers who did not have the space or electrical power or money for a wide-belt sander. Over the years, Performax introduced optional accessories to improve tracking, belt tensioning, and outer arm adjustment.
Information Sources
- An owwm.org forum discussion enlightened us about the available options, and also provides some discussion of the practicalities of these sanders.