MS,
I, too, have been using my home building tools that once assisted me in in constrution to do a bit of wood working and bow building. They are helpful but not designed for the type of stationary shop use I've been subjecting them to.
The hand held belt sander just isn't it for shaping riser fades. It works for sanding the sides of the limbs but is really less than adequate for that, too.
Many folks on here swear by the Rigid belt/osculating spindle sander combo for $200.00. I've been tempted to pick one up as well but limited dollars toward this pursuit keeps directing me to put my funds elsewhere.
If you are on a budget and like to build your own tools to build bows, and other items, with it can be done much less expensively.
There are men here who have inspired me with their constrution of Drum Sanders to create laminates with. A quick search will put you on to their posts with pictures.
I put together a spindle sander last month to create feather thin fades for my first fiberglass lam bow. Wish I had it when I was working on Bamboo backed bows last year. With all the scraps on hand it cost me hard money of a whopping $2.50 for the sanding drum. I had the plywood, the old dryer motor was given to me and my brother made up the shaft coupler in a few minutes. I could have purchased a shaft coupler for under $10.00 if necessary.
My next build will be a 6"x89" belt edge sander. I am using the plansnow.com set of prints and instructions for this project. From emailing a man who recently built this model for his musical instrument making shop he is very satisfied with his machine's performance. He stated that it is the most used tool he has now that he put it together. I know that in sanding limbs and the like it will be an invaluable aid for me. I'm hoping to make it to the Grainger store this week to purchase most of the hardware items. Again, I have 2 older motors in stock to choose from for the power plant. But those can be had fairly cheaply if you keep your eyes open. I'm thinking for just a bit over $100.00 I will have a machine that will cost me a whole bunch more than that if purchased new.
Who knows, after that I may tackle a drum sander, too.
The thing is: I won't have them "Right Now" this way but once they are made I will have them when I need them from then on out. Plus, I like building things and this gives me a chance to exersize that muscle. And it will save the money I need to order more fiberglass and glue for bow builds and other projects.
Topic: Power tools? (Read 800 times)
