Drum Sander - Pay for itself?

[Bel007]

Before even asking, I realize there are many variables in a cost/benefit equation but...

How long would you say a Drum Sander - for the purpose of grinding lams/tapers - would take to pay for itself?  I know it may have other uses.  I know making it yourself has some intangable value..

However, I am a spreadsheet kind of guy. I feel so much better knowing after 20-30, or 60-80, or 300-350 bows' worth of lams, it will make sense cost wise to make my own.

Or, more acutely, how much do you figure you save, per lam/taper, making your own vs buying one from a supplier?

I would have to buy my stock wood, no major lumber harvesting operation going on in the back yard. So it is not a question of turning lumber I already have into lams.

[2treks]

Well,you should also have a band saw to cut your lam "blanks" then it will depend on what you use for a lamination. I can buy hard maple from a local mill for pretty cheap. I can buy my action boo for a bit more. I have tuned my band saw to cut very good and I get little waste due to kerf or tooth marks. So I guess my answer is,,, I have no idea!
I would guess that I have 1/2 the cost of purchased lams(don't forget the cost of abrasives). Then, figure out your time and requirements. John G at OMC makes a pretty strong case for buying your lams and just making bows. Me, I make my lams and make my bow. Takes longer but thats the way I roll.
I can make them just the way I need em.
Did this help? I hope so.
And yes you can due other stuff with it.

CTT

[Roy from Pa]

A Bowyer can never have too many toys:) Just buy a good one!

[PEARL DRUMS]

Originally posted by Roy from Pa:
A Bowyer can never have too many toys:) Just buy a good one!

Exactly, buy a good one. If you build two glass bows on your own instead of buying them new or used, you already paid for it and many other tools you will need. Thats my thought on it.

[Canadabowyer]

It seems that ready made lams cost about $20 per pair with postage. I put 3 pairs in each bow so thats $60 per bow. My PreforMax 10-20 cost under $600 so, in ten bows,  the gross savings paid for the sander.Actually I save about 50% per pair of lams so to me its well worth it. I build 30-40 bows a year.  Bob

[GREG IN MALAD]

My Delta 18-36 cost $900. I figure it paid for itself in 10-15 bows. You can also make accent strips, footed limbs, take-down wedges, as well as squaring up riser blocks. The first time you sand a bow to finished width in a drum sander you will never want to be without one again. To tell a secret, I even sand some selfbows to width in the drum sander.

[Roy from Pa]

OH GREG........  

Say it isn't so!

[JamesV]

The freedom to cut what you want/need as you need it is worth a lot. But you must have a lumber supplier that is reasonable and close at hand. When you get in to exotic woods that can be tricky and pricey.

[Bel007]

Thanks guys...  This is the kind of info I was looking for.

I am planning out the shop now, you know, the tools end first right?

In practical terms, to get a bow out the door, the drum sander seems fairly low on my list.  Yet, I can't stop thinking about one.

I was, off the hip, figuring may be a $5 - $10 per lam set savings (I know that is a big spread). So I figured $10-$30 per bow for lam 4-8 bows a year as a hobbyist, more if I start gifting.. I think in a 2-3 years the thing ($600 variety) would pay for itself on lams alone.  

Plus all the fun of tinkering...   :D

[Roy from Pa]

My motto is.

Buy the best and only cry once:)

If you buy cheap, you get poor work. Buy the best, or close to the best, and you have a quality tool that will work for you for years and years.

[StoneAK]

I bought a Grizzly 12" baby drum sander it has been a life saver. It was well worth money and has definitely paid for itself already and I have had it for about 3 months

[GREG IN MALAD]

Roy,
It is so true! I have been known to lay a straight stave on it's side and sand it to width.

[Mike Mecredy]

I bought one made by (or at least sold by) Central machinery.  It's a 10", and pretty simple to use, shipped to my shop it was a little under $500.  It paid for itself the first month I had it. But I make a lot of bows and for sombody who doesn't it might not be practicle.  

I do sort of feel like I quit supporting the guys like Kenny who made my laminations for me and helped me get where I'm at.  But I still have him make a few for me here and there when I can't find wood that a customer might want.