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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: fujimo on March 04, 2012, 11:49:00 PM

Title: lam grinder
Post by: fujimo on March 04, 2012, 11:49:00 PM
what do you guys think of this, one might be further ahead buying a good used drum sander for close to the same money- but it is kinda cool
http://www.vanda-layindustries.com/html/the_hog_sander.html
Title: Re: lam grinder
Post by: Trux Turning on March 05, 2012, 12:18:00 PM
I agree- buy a good drum sander- they have more uses than just making lams.
Title: Re: lam grinder
Post by: Bradford on March 05, 2012, 01:48:00 PM
I like the unit.. small and compact.  But it is just to much money.  

I bought my Craftsman 18/36 drum sander for 400 bucks off craigslist.  And now I use it for so much more than just lams.

If the unit was around 100 bucks, I would consider it for just running lams in a hurry.
Title: Re: lam grinder
Post by: canopyboy on March 05, 2012, 07:36:00 PM
Awesome.  If you have a little metal working skills and tool access, this could be a fun little project!  I think I might steal some of these ideas and try to make myself one!

Thanks
Title: Re: lam grinder
Post by: psychmonky on March 05, 2012, 09:58:00 PM
So all I have to do is attach a drum to my electric motor and build an adjustable table under it? Gottit.
Title: Re: lam grinder
Post by: shongexoe on March 08, 2012, 12:29:00 PM
I built my own lam grinder using a three in. rubber drum and a 1/2 horse reverseable motor.
it works ok, but would like to find a better drum. the rubber drum is not very round and loses shape. but it does work.
any one know where i can get a better drum?
Title: Re: lam grinder
Post by: Living_waters on March 08, 2012, 12:42:00 PM
Built mine out of an old drum sander, one piece of advice. They need a long feed bed and outlet bed for accurate lams with out dips.
Title: Re: lam grinder
Post by: scottm on March 08, 2012, 07:21:00 PM
what do you aall think of this sanding drum from woodcraft.I was thinking about building a grinder myself.....Sanding Drum, 3" x 3" x 1/2"
Item #06P51
Title: Re: lam grinder
Post by: shongexoe on March 08, 2012, 08:51:00 PM
i have a fairly long infeed and not to long out feed, but dipping is minimum. even hand speed and light cuts towards the desired  thousand mark.
i like the looks of that drum from woodcraft,not sure about the soft rubber ,that is on top of the solid core?
i might have to try it.
Title: Re: lam grinder
Post by: bamboo on March 09, 2012, 07:44:00 AM
i built my own drum by laminating 3/4" ply disks--cut w/a hole saw--then cutting the last 2 disks center out[w/a 2" hole saw]centering a steel pulley in the hole and pouring epoxy around it and baking it---then fit it on your motor-mount the motor and drum on your home made thickness grinder --then run a square/true block of hardwood w/40g sand paper glued to it -thru too true your home made drum--its amazing how nice and true you can get it-when nice and round you glue the sand paper too the drum-then get to grinding-don't get greedy [take too much at once]and the machine will treat you good--also don't forget dust collection! it makes wood flour!!
Title: Re: lam grinder
Post by: fujimo on March 09, 2012, 09:28:00 AM
ok, we need to see some pics of that set up bamboo!!!!
i get how you made the roller, but what size motor, and how did you build your adjustable height system
Title: Re: lam grinder
Post by: shongexoe on March 09, 2012, 08:11:00 PM
hey fujimo, post a pic of that grinder and i will post a pic of mine..
Title: Re: lam grinder
Post by: fujimo on March 09, 2012, 08:41:00 PM
here goes- now i have shown you mine.....
 (http://images.imagelinky.com/1331343670.jpg) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1331343670.jpg)
Title: Re: lam grinder
Post by: Troy Breeding on March 10, 2012, 12:07:00 PM
Not a bad looking setup.

A couple of question though,,, do you have to pull the lams through??? I don't see any type of conveyer/drive belt.

If so do you have a problem with dips in the lams if the steady movement is stopped? I know I've had this happen when the drive/conveyer motor on my grinder had a bad wire connection causing the motor to stop.

Troy
Title: Re: lam grinder
Post by: fujimo on March 10, 2012, 12:37:00 PM
yup, i think this is a  "you feed sytem". note, i dont have one of these- was just looking at it- and giving the whole process some thought.
sometimes its just easier to buy lams from a reputable dealer- like Kenny- now i would have source the wood, to get the wood, rip it, grind it... blah blah blah.
which really doesnt make sense- but then none of us wannbe bowyers are sensible anyway!!!!
besides i could buy a lot of perfect lams frm kenny for 2- 300 dollars this set up would cost me- not considering the wood or the shipping- and it helps keep him in business too- jus my thoughts!!- we will see!!
Title: Re: lam grinder
Post by: bamboo on March 10, 2012, 06:30:00 PM
mines far more primitive than that!!--nice job on that !--heres mine any way-----its built on top of a former shaper--
(http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj319/kittitiny/tgrinder001.jpg)
the dust cowl is up
(http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj319/kittitiny/tgrinder007.jpg)
otherside--now you've seen my spindle sander too
(http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj319/kittitiny/tgrinder002.jpg)
table -feed side
(http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj319/kittitiny/tgrinder006.jpg)
table screw adjuster
(http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj319/kittitiny/tgrinder005.jpg)
i gets the job done- and is alot more accurate than i would have thought--just don't get greedy!!
Title: Re: lam grinder
Post by: shongexoe on March 10, 2012, 06:50:00 PM
Hey nice job, does your spindle work good for doing risers, i am using the same kind of drum an doing it in my drill press. is that a electric fan to suck out dust?
Title: Re: lam grinder
Post by: shongexoe on March 10, 2012, 07:09:00 PM
Hey guys , i was going to post a picture, but what i thought was the tag didnt work.
Title: Re: lam grinder
Post by: bamboo on March 10, 2012, 09:21:00 PM
left click-the img code-then right click-then copy-then paste--
no fan--delta dust sucker[not pictured]box between the 2 drums works as a plenum--and the spindle works pretty good for risers-had to fool w shims to get it square
Title: Re: lam grinder
Post by: ChristopherO on March 12, 2012, 02:13:00 PM
I've posted these pictures before lam grinder I made last year.  The idea, though, was taken from the machine Fujimo originally posted about.  Works great.

(http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt167/WoodenBows/Home%20Made%20Tools/LamSanderSideView.jpg)

(http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt167/WoodenBows/Home%20Made%20Tools/LamSanderEndView.jpg)
Title: Re: lam grinder
Post by: fujimo on March 12, 2012, 03:21:00 PM
what size motor have you got running your machine christopher, and how did you make your drum.
is it really accurate
Title: Re: lam grinder
Post by: ChristopherO on March 12, 2012, 06:25:00 PM
From memory it is a 1/3 or a 1/2 hp. Plenty enough for the application.  The drum is made up from 3/4" MDF board precut in circles and glued together and on to the 5/8" drive shaft.  I used an 1" thick piece of aluminum stock block with sand paper glued on it to run through the machine to true the drum while it was turning.  I made sure it was very accurate and square with the feed table.  
This was pretty much a made with scraps machine that I am pleased with.  Now I need a bit more time to use it.
Title: Re: lam grinder
Post by: fujimo on March 12, 2012, 10:46:00 PM
really cool christopher.
well done.
sorry one last question- how wide, and what diameter is your drum?
Title: Re: lam grinder
Post by: shongexoe on April 23, 2012, 05:26:00 PM
(http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w475/shongexoe/Photo0757R.jpg)
my lam grinder with cover
Title: Re: lam grinder
Post by: shongexoe on April 23, 2012, 05:28:00 PM
(http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w475/shongexoe/lamgrinder1r.jpg)
my lam grinder with out dust cover, yeh, its primitive but it works well
Title: Re: lam grinder
Post by: shongexoe on April 26, 2012, 07:46:00 PM
(http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w475/shongexoe/lam%20grinder/Photo0757R.jpg)
dont know why the first picture was deleted
Title: Re: lam grinder
Post by: fujimo on April 27, 2012, 12:42:00 AM
cool!! now lets see her with her top off....  :eek:
Title: Re: lam grinder
Post by: DEATHMASTER on April 29, 2012, 10:37:00 PM
Looks like a nice unit.
Two supports would be great but might be overkill.
If you feed it and refeed at the same setting there are no dips in a "you feed system".

BUT Kenny is a great guy to deal with and beautiful work he does.