Author Topic: What tool is best for tapered laminations? (Read 2748 times)

504state · « **on:** February 22, 2019, 11:47:11 AM »

What do you guys use to make tapered lams? I can always make a jig for my belt sander but was weighing options between planer and jointer. Do jointers do the job or should I just get a planer? I could definitely get a lot of use out of the planer doing parallel lams but I would still have to use the belt sander to taper.
Suggestions?

Roy from Pa · « **Reply #1 on:** February 22, 2019, 12:07:59 PM »

I use a tapered pattern and cut them out on the bandsaw to about 1/16th oversize.

Then finish the taper with a drum sander.

<iframe width="924" height="520" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YROaRoXTqk8" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

BMorv · « **Reply #2 on:** February 22, 2019, 12:09:19 PM »

The cutting blades on planers and jointers are not going to give you the accuracy or the finish that you will get from a sander. A drum sander is the best tool for making lams accurately and with the finish you need to glue it, without worrying about tear out.
https://www.grizzly.com/products/Grizzly-12-Baby-Drum-Sander/G0459

I'm cheap and I don't have a lot of space, so I use a homemade jig on my belt sander for lams. I use my jointer to true a board prior to cutting it to size, but that's about it's only role in lam making for me.

Roy from Pa · « **Reply #3 on:** February 22, 2019, 12:11:31 PM »

BMorv · « **Reply #4 on:** February 22, 2019, 12:20:24 PM »

Whatcha making with that wide thin lam on the 1st video Roy?

Roy from Pa · « **Reply #5 on:** February 22, 2019, 12:25:14 PM »

That's an osage core lam.

The block of osage was 2 x 2 that I cut it off of.

I cut it down to 1.5 after it was tapered.

BMorv · « **Reply #6 on:** February 22, 2019, 12:31:50 PM »

Man, watching that drum sander makes me think I NEED one of those

Roy from Pa · « **Reply #7 on:** February 22, 2019, 12:51:02 PM »

I wouldn't be where I'm at in my bow building hobby without it.

Go or it...

I triple dog dare ya:)

Flem · « **Reply #8 on:** February 22, 2019, 01:25:19 PM »

"I'm cheap and I don't have a lot of space, so I use a homemade jig on my belt sander for lams. I use my jointer to true a board prior to cutting it to size, but that's about it's only role in lam making for me. "

I might have you beat when it comes to cheap

Wolftrail · « **Reply #9 on:** February 22, 2019, 03:18:02 PM »

Good one lignaphile. I like to see stuff like that. I once made a disk sander using a vacuum cleaner motor. It worked but thru tons of dust. Before I bought a Belt sander I was profiling limbs and tapering lams using a homemade disk attached to an electric drill. I made a small table to attach the drill so it was stationery. My bows are still holding up, no bad glue joints......

BMorv · « **Reply #10 on:** February 22, 2019, 03:51:28 PM »

That's an upgrade from what I'm using lignaphile....lol. I had plans to build that same style homemade grinder. I was going to modify it though for only 4" width for bow lams, so you could get by with a much smaller HP motor.
I like yours

Flem · « **Reply #11 on:** February 22, 2019, 04:10:27 PM »

Thats only got a 3/4 hp motor that I butchered from an irrigation pump with a busted impeller housing.
Works fine as long as you don't try to hog off too much at once. It helps that the drum is very lite weight, sch 80 PVC, with 4 MDF discs inside.

Roy from Pa · « **Reply #12 on:** February 22, 2019, 04:15:23 PM »

I'm liking the red/green dots on the on/off switch...

Flem · « **Reply #13 on:** February 22, 2019, 04:26:14 PM »

Quote from: Roy from Pa on February 22, 2019, 04:15:23 PM

I'm liking the red/green dots on the on/off switch...

Yeah that was easier than having to install it correctly.

Roy from Pa · « **Reply #14 on:** February 22, 2019, 04:50:38 PM »

Ah heck I thought ya couldn't spell:)

I just mark em both with the first letter..

O & O..

BMorv · « **Reply #15 on:** February 22, 2019, 08:39:34 PM »

Here’s my stupid grinder.... surprisingly accurate though

Roy from Pa · « **Reply #16 on:** February 22, 2019, 09:13:12 PM »

As long as it does the job, Mr. Ben...

Flem · « **Reply #17 on:** February 22, 2019, 09:51:59 PM »

Quote from: Roy from Pa on February 22, 2019, 04:50:38 PM

Ah heck I thought ya couldn't spell:)

I just mark em both with the first letter..

O & O..

I can, just don't read too well apparently.

BMorv, we might have to arm wrestle for the cheap crown.

BMorv · « **Reply #18 on:** February 22, 2019, 10:12:07 PM »

Well that ain’t happening....A little something you all don’t know about me. I shattered my humerus bone doing guess what???
Arm wresting... surgery, a stainless steel rod, and 12 pins later, and I almost threw up when I read your post.....

Man I hate giving Roy ammunition

Flem · « **Reply #19 on:** February 23, 2019, 12:29:03 AM »

HOLY CRAP!!!
I almost threw up when I saw that picture. I believe thats the gnarliest zipper I have ever seen on a human body. I have to scroll past that pic from now on, it way too visceral an image. The PT for that must have been vicious. You win, you got to be one tough mutha, too still be shooting a bow after that.

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Author Topic: What tool is best for tapered laminations? (Read 2748 times)

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