Rodmaking experiments

[easterngray]

Here's the first trial set up for my bamboo rod spline beveler. There's an 87 degree groove in the form clamped to the table. I have to get another hold down and have one on each side of the cutter. This is going to save alot of time that would otherwise be spent hand planing. I will still do plenty of that, but only when establishing final dimensions, not when roughing out. That's where this set up comes in. Man - the things you can do with a Shopsmith! Cheers, Alec

ps - no power in the shop yet - I ran an extension cord from the bedroom window.


ROUGHING BEVELER

[Ed in Tampa]

EasternGray
Be careful with this setup, while I understand you will be using thin pieces of wood to bevel your design has the wood trapped between the cutter and the the block. That could make the wood become a force feed into whatever is in front of it. NOT Good. If you were using bigger stock I would say you have a setup for disaster but I think your doing bamboo and even if the material did get away from you I don't think it would do mucj harm.
I would certainity have two hold downs one on either side of the cutter bit just to insure there was no way the stock could drag my hand or anything else into the cutter.

How long have you been making rods? I have always wanted to try my hand at that but the job seems so daunting I never got started.
Ed

[dusty]

EasternGray
Be careful with this setup, while I understand you will be using thin pieces of wood to bevel your design has the wood trapped between the cutter and the the block. That could make the wood become a force feed into whatever is in front of it. NOT Good. If you were using bigger stock I would say you have a setup for disaster but I think your doing bamboo and even if the material did get away from you I don't think it would do mucj harm. .........

Ed

Sort of like an arrow shot from a bow. Won't do much damage...unless it hits something.

I've had this problem...coupled with momentary brain lose...while doing routing tasks on the Shopsmith Router table.

Be careful; a woodshop is chucked full of hazardous opportunities like this.

[easterngray]

Thanks Ed. I am very, very careful whenever I hit the power button. I tried feeding into the direction of the bit (as shown in the pic) and she'll launch the bamboo spline if your not careful! I definetely need two hold downs though.

I'm just getting started in making cane fly rods from scratch. I've restored and built from blanks for some time, but have always wanted to make all the components myself. I even twist my own wire guides! The SS is great for turning reel seats and handles. Most of the blank fabrication is handwork, though the bandsaw and horizontel router as set up above will certainly be handy. If you are interested in pursuing bamboo rod building I really recommend a book by Wayne Cattanach called "Handcrafting Bamboo Fly Rods". It is very straightforward and clear. I intend to build more than fly rods though - surf rods too! Thanks for the feedback and God Bless! Alec

[charlese]

Thanks Ed. I am very, very careful whenever I hit the power button. I tried feeding into the direction of the bit (as shown in the pic) and she'll launch the bamboo spline if your not careful! I definetely need two hold downs though.
Alec

I am hoping you mean you are feeding from the back of the machine towards the front. In other words, from right to left in your photo. This way you are feeding into the oncoming blades of the bit and are not climb cutting. Climb cutting is most dangerous as the bit can grab the workpiece and with a very slight movement of the table, shoot it out the back.

Standard routing practice is to feed into the rotation of the blade, not with it.

Take a look at the Sawdust session (I believe it is the second one about the OPR) Using the idea for a "Floating Table" you can make one, hang it over the SS table, and clamp it down. Then you could have your router bit below the table! A Much safer position.