Official Luthiers Forum!

Hello All,

I know thickness sanders have been discussed many times here at the OLF. I don’t own one,
but, I’m starting to see the need for one. Especially because I’ve got a little project in mind, that a tool
like that would be perfect for. I really don’t want to spend a $1000.00 or more right now.

I suppose I could build one for a lot less, but, that still involves a lot of time.

So, I’m thinking, there is probably a way to rig a jig! I got a drill press, and an oscillating spindle
sander. I figure, that there has got to be a way to make one of these tools work. I’ve got some ideas,
but I should could use some more!

Would very much like to here your comments!

Robert

_________________
Everything has beauty, But, not everyone see's it!

Robert,

Before I bought my thickness sander I used (and still do) a Wagner Safe-T-Planer and then a random orbital sander to get down to the thickness I required. You would be surprised at just how accurate you can get with a Wagner and a well set-up drill press.

My drill press has the locking quill and is very stable. Just make sure that the table is truly perpendicular to the spindle. Use an indicator to dial it in and the Wagner will produce a fairly smooth surface without too much tear-out.

Run your drill press up to it's maximum spindle speed (at least 3000 rpm) for the best results. YMMV...

Cheers,
Peter

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Peter

IIRC Bruce Dickey posted a clever system not too long ago that used a plunge router mounted on rails. As long as everything is set up nice and parallel it should work like a charm.

Fast to build, cheap to make.

I will look in the archive to see if I can find a link.

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

I tried a Wagner Splinter Planer, but bit the bullet for a Performax 10-20 and glad I did.  It won't cost you 1,000 and take mucho hours to build. Its reasonably priced at around $550.

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A higher purpose for wood.
Rich Smith
Issaquah, WA

There is also the Gilbert Thickness Sander.  It is a 5" machined Aluminum Disc that mounts in the drill press.  Works like the Wagner, you have to take small bites.  Comes in handy for accurate thicknessing down to .010mm.  They are available at www.specialtytuners.com then click on the Tooling button on the left.  They are $50.00.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

If you look on craigslist, you'll find one used. I bought a Performax 10/20, and it didn't work out for me. I spent 500.00 on it. I found a delta 18/36 for 300.oo on craigslist. I LOVE IT!! My buddy also found one of these for 350.00 on craigslist. Be patient, and you'll come across one for almost what it would cost to build a low budget one.

Just remember when figuring the cost of your sander to figure in adequate dust collection to the cost.

I bought a performax 16-32 for 750.00 with a stand, which was a great deal. After the 800 cfm portable dust collector (with 5 micron can) and the 1 micron ceiling attached air filter I was up to 1300 +.

I searched for ways to avoid buying this stuff for months. Eventually my favorite wood working store had a hell of a sale, and the sales man gave me hose tubing and a 50.00 stanley plane with the deal free.

Now I consider these tools indispensable. Like Hesh said, there is always something else to use them for. I work alot and only get about 5-10 hrs per week in the shop if I am lucky, but now I am getting things done much quicker. Not to mention the dust collection has come into great use with all my other tools. That Wagner works ( I used one for a while too ) but if you don't wear a mask or have dust collection you will be picking rosewood boogers for a couple days.

My only point is to consider the other costs with the sander.

See this is why that v sander/sandflee look good the only downside I can see
is that you will have to measure your thickness as you go which I would do
anyway most of the dust falls right in to the bottom box...I am so on the
fence about which to buy this or the 10-20...

just my $.02 worth

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Zac

Anchorage Alaska

Finshed my 1st! See #1 here

Thanks to All!

Real good information here!

Peter and Hesh, I’ve heard of the Wagner Safe-T planer, and even thought of getting one awhile
back. Lately though, all I’ve been thinking, is “Thickness Sander.” I can see now that the
Wagner Safe-T planer would make quick work, for a thickness job.

Waddy, I think that disc sander would also work well in conjunction with the Wagner Safe-T planer.
Planing first, then sanding.

Brock, even if didn’t build the jig that Bruce Dickey used, you still got my interest! I’d love to see
how that baby works!

OK, interestingly enough, I have just come across an opportunity to get a used one. It doesn’t
have a motor or pulleys, but, that’s no problem. I’ve got a 1 hp motor, and pulleys are easy to
find. If it all comes together, I’ll post some pics of it.

Again, thanks to everyone!

Robert

Oh! One more thing. Some how I must have missed the nomination speech for “Billy Thomas for President”
I don’t mind giving my vote. But, before I do, I’ll need to know where Mr. Billy Thomas stands
on issues, like-

Single port or dual port?

Should there be a law against selling a guitar to someone who lives in Antarctica?

And, most important, Should the marriage between a guitar builder and a guitar be legalized?

These are real issues, that need to be addressed!

Signed, Advocate for Guitar Rights!

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Everything has beauty, But, not everyone see's it!

[QUOTE=robertD]
Oh! One more thing. Some how I must have missed the nomination speech for “Billy Thomas for President”

I don’t mind giving my vote. But, before I do, I’ll need to know where Mr. Billy Thomas stands

on issues, like-



Single port or dual port?[/QUOTE]

I think Billy made his point on this issue very clear in the Off Topic Discussion Here.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Zac, I think you should not consider the V sander. It will not give you accurate control of thickness.

Seems to me that since you don't have to change the depth of cut on the V sander, and only change the paper to determine wood removal, It would give good control over depth, if you make a record of how each different grit cuts, and you use a fairly consistent feed rate.  I admit that it would take a lot of passes, but seems like you could control it to within .001 or so.  You would have to record what thickness  a process of going from 40 or 60 grit to 220 grit removes when the scratches are gone.  When you get close to where you want to be, just use the 150, 180, 220 rotation.  Just my $0.02 worth.

P.S.  It also nearly eliminates the need for dust collection while sanding.  Or at most, a vacuum would handle it fine.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

[QUOTE=WaddyT] It also nearly eliminates the need for dust collection
while sanding.  Or at most, a vacuum would handle it fine.
[/QUOTE]

One of the big reasons I was thinking of this sander

[QUOTE=BarryDaniels] I think you should not consider the V sander. It will
not give you accurate control of thickness.[/QUOTE]

Have you used one of these? If so I would like to hear your experiences...I
like the dust control and the fact that if I have the fence I can use it as a
sanding jointer..... any reason why I would have a problem controling
thickness..from what I have seen you control the cut with the grit so I
could just start out with a fine grit to keep it from taking too much off
until I can get a baseline of what it takes off from what wood at what
grit...

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Zac

Anchorage Alaska

Finshed my 1st! See #1 here

Robert, I know you said you found one already minus motor & pulleys. Just thought I would let you know there is a Delta 18/36 listed on Craigs List in the Atlanta area at this time.

Hi D.L.Huskey,

Actually, I just found out yesterday, that its not going to pan out. Oh well, no biggy, I’ll check
out craigs list. I must admit, I haven’t shopped very seriously about this yet. I know they’re out
there, its just a matter of being patient. I guess, I should have started looking a couple of months
ago. Trouble is, is that I could really use 4 pieces of wood right now to make a set of linings. I
want to bend them to fit, without the kerf. I tried to hand sand some maple on my benchtop belt
sander, but, even with very carful and consist strokes, there’s just no way to get a consist thickness.
Then, I tried to bend the first one on my new hot pipe bender I built last weekend, and it broke in
about ten seconds. That’s when I realized, I’m going to have to get some well quartered wood.
Maybe, I should start another topic, and ask for some advise on how to deal with that.

Thanks again everyone!

Robert

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Everything has beauty, But, not everyone see's it!