Shop tools/machinery

[Autumnarcher]

Im working on getting my shop better set up to start building a few bows, something Ive wanted to do for a long time.  I have a bandsaw, jointer, drill press, table saw. Also an oscillating spindle sander, but its pretty much crap.
 
 anyway, my question revolves around what machinery would be consider essential, need to have vs nice to have.
What Im considering is a drum sander, which I can use for other stuff besides laminations. ALthough being a beginner I will prob just buy lams instead of doing my own. Edge sander- the 80' ones are out of my price range right now, but would one of the small benchtop spindle/edge sanders with the 24' belt for edge sanding work?  My other item Im considering  would be a 6x36 combination belt/disc sander. IS that something worthwhile or no? My other consideration is using drill press with a sanding drum. Trying to get set up but not wanting to break the bank doing so.
 Ive shopped a bunch of the benchtop edge/spindle sanders, they all seem to be oscillating units. Would t his cause tearout on the edge of the fiberglass or are they ok to use? 
Any suggestions to get me started would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[Keith Wolfe]

Love this sander

https://www.harborfreight.com/6-in-x-9-in-combination-belt-and-disc-sander-61750.html?cid=paid_google|*

I don't use the green piece on top of the belt.

I also use a rigid spindle sander. Those two work wonders. Also use handheld corded and rigid battery powered orbital sanders then dremel sanding bits for nooks the others can't get to.

[jess stuart]

 A ton of bows have been built with far fewer machines than you already have.  Of course more is always better.  I probably would have the hardest time giving up my edge sander, have idea how I got by without it.
Found it on craigslist for just a little more than the smaller Sanders.  Seems everything comes up on craigslist if we are patient enough.  Good luck and post some pics.

[Autumnarcher]

Thanks, I keep watching for an edge sander, no luck so far. Same with a drum sander. Im also going to be building all new kitchen cabinets in the near future, drum sander would be great for door panel glue ups.
May be a while before I do my first build of a bow, Im starting from scratch. Hope to get a form and some templates build this winter and then give it a go.

[jess stuart]

Hang in there one will show up I waited over a year went through two of the little Rigid edge sanders while waiting.  I was lucky as I called as soon as I saw it, by the time I had driven to the location the gentleman had several other inquiries.   I also scored a nice dust collector, just have to hang in there and never give up.

[wood carver 2]

I know that some guys here won’t like this, but if you plan to use a drum sander for more than grinding lams, you should consider getting one that’s open on one side. You can sand wider pieces for door panels or whatever.
Dave.

[fujimo]

i took an oscillating spindle sander, removed the oscillating feature, built a collar for it, and made a pile of templates, sure makes risers easy!
also took a 4x36 belt sander, put a 1/2 hp motor on it externally, and built a set up so that its on its side- pretty ghetto, but works a treat, cant bog it down.

[Crooked Stic]

Wayne you any pics of the 4x36 I been thinking of doing the side thing for riser shaping instead of the spindle sander.

[Flem]

I also would love to see pics of the ghetto sander. Those are my favorite kind of tools!

[OkKeith]

Ditto on wanting to see photos of the modified sander!

OkKeith

[fujimo]

sorry guys, cant seem to get pics up on here, or from the device thing.
so i sent the pics to Roy, in the hope that he will be able to put them up on my behalf.
many thanks.

[fujimo]

you will see that i took off the disc sander, and attached a pulley on that shaft- being that the sander is built from chinesium, i had to machine a pulley to fit on the 10mm shaft. but a very easy mod.
i had to elevate the sander somewhat so that i could change sanding belts from the bottom. i guess you could do it the other way, and have the  V-belt on the bottom.would probably be a lot safer in fact.

[fujimo]

hey i got it 

[Roy from Pa]

 

How bout a couple bow pichers dude?

[wood carver 2]

It would be a simple matter to cantilever a piece of plexi or plywood over the belt and pulleys to make a guard. It can bolt onto the mounting plate for the motor.
One of these days, I’ll have to make a pattern sander like yours. I have a couple of motors lying around waiting to be a part of something.
Dave.

[fujimo]

that was always the plan Dave- but like most of us, i needed it desperately, so went straight to using it 
what i should do is flip the whole affair over- make the belt changes easier etc.
Sure Roy, i have one here of one of your bows at full draw- mmmm. need to find it....