lam grinder

[fujimo]

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

[Trux Turning]

I agree- buy a good drum sander- they have more uses than just making lams.

[Bradford]

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.

[canopyboy]

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

[psychmonky]

So all I have to do is attach a drum to my electric motor and build an adjustable table under it? Gottit.

[shongexoe]

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?

[Living_waters]

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.

[scottm]

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

[shongexoe]

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.

[bamboo]

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!!

[fujimo]

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

[shongexoe]

hey fujimo, post a pic of that grinder and i will post a pic of mine..

[fujimo]

here goes- now i have shown you mine.....
 

[Troy Breeding]

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

[fujimo]

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!!

[bamboo]

mines far more primitive than that!!--nice job on that !--heres mine any way-----its built on top of a former shaper--
 
the dust cowl is up
 
otherside--now you've seen my spindle sander too
 
table -feed side
 
table screw adjuster
 
i gets the job done- and is alot more accurate than i would have thought--just don't get greedy!!

[shongexoe]

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?

[shongexoe]

Hey guys , i was going to post a picture, but what i thought was the tag didnt work.

[bamboo]

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

[ChristopherO]

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.