Hi I'm looking for a small surface grinder for a little different application that most here use them for. I make bamboo fly rods as a hobby. Some people use hand tools and precision made steel forms to shape their strips into a precise taper, and others, including most of the old masters, use machines that do the work. I'm looking for an old grinder that I can convert and it would need to have a 1" spindle that I can mount dual 30 degree cutters that have a 1" hole. I'm having a hard time finding specs on the different machines out there and I was hoping to get a little help so I can narrow my focus. I'm partial to the Sanford SG-48 for its classic look but I'm not sure if it has a 1 1/4" spindle, which is too big.
I'll try to avoid dragging you all into my rabbit hole but I want to explain the why as I'm sure I'll be asked. I can purchase a purpose built machine but most of them use routers which are both noisy and inaccurate. Other bamboo milling machines use 3450 rpm motors and mount the cutters directly on the motor shaft. 3450 is not really enough rpm to cut bamboo so a separate spindle is advantageous. Runout is also a problem on both of these types of machines. Getting a custom made spindle can get pricey so I'm following the lead of a few other builders and am looking for a surface grinder as the basis for my mill. Any help would be appreciated.
For kicks, here is a video of my roughing mill. It is a converted M&M molder/planer (predecessor of the Williams and Hussey molder). I replaced the cutter shaft with a 1" shaft with a keyway milled in it and had a machinist turn down the ends to fit the 3/4" bearings. It's fitted with a fence and spring loaded arm to keep the prepared strips aimed at the cutters, with hold downs close to the cutters on the infeed and outfeed side. It spits out perfect 60 degree triangles which I then taper by hand in a steel form with a block plane. I'd like to mechanize the tapering process and save the additional handwork to increase production. Re-purposing an old machine would add to the fun for me.
I'll try to avoid dragging you all into my rabbit hole but I want to explain the why as I'm sure I'll be asked. I can purchase a purpose built machine but most of them use routers which are both noisy and inaccurate. Other bamboo milling machines use 3450 rpm motors and mount the cutters directly on the motor shaft. 3450 is not really enough rpm to cut bamboo so a separate spindle is advantageous. Runout is also a problem on both of these types of machines. Getting a custom made spindle can get pricey so I'm following the lead of a few other builders and am looking for a surface grinder as the basis for my mill. Any help would be appreciated.
For kicks, here is a video of my roughing mill. It is a converted M&M molder/planer (predecessor of the Williams and Hussey molder). I replaced the cutter shaft with a 1" shaft with a keyway milled in it and had a machinist turn down the ends to fit the 3/4" bearings. It's fitted with a fence and spring loaded arm to keep the prepared strips aimed at the cutters, with hold downs close to the cutters on the infeed and outfeed side. It spits out perfect 60 degree triangles which I then taper by hand in a steel form with a block plane. I'd like to mechanize the tapering process and save the additional handwork to increase production. Re-purposing an old machine would add to the fun for me.
