Hey Gang,
  I'd like to get a thickness sander, but can't afford one so I figure I'll make one!  Anyone else try it or have any good plans that have worked for you?  Thanks, Matt

You have a PM

I have seen a few out on the web.  Some are jigs on spindle or belt sanders and some are "from scratch".  I have the same desire, I just bought a bandsaw and am considering what to do next about a lam grinder.  I saw a nice one made by a guitar maker (luthier? sp?) that I found by searching.
I think I am going to get the Rigid spindle/belt sander and make a jig.  That is a well received sander by tool reviewers.

I have the Rigid belt/spindle sander and it is awesome, a very well working pice of equipment, just wish I knew how to build a jig for it.

TTT

check out  http://www.geocities.com/salampsio/glass3.htm  one of my favorite sites, packed with a couple great build alongs.  He has a thickness sander jig.  I'd like to find some plans for a wider table top thickness sander.... anyone have any pointers for one of those?

Mike

Just found this one, it looks more like what I wan to do.   http://members.cox.net/elarson5/sander.htm
Mike

I've had a couple guys ask bout my cheapo lam grinder so heres a few pics........











Built it from my belt/disc sander and some scraps,gonna redo it this winter or buy a different sander and make a jig for it.Adjustment is made with the allthread nuts(mark a flat on the nut to know how many turns)Had to make a relief cut on the bottom of the table for clearance.I'm sure theres some out there a lot better,but this one works good and we threw it together in a couple hours.This is a bow built with lams from it.



Lams aren't really hard to make,just takes a little time.  

Ninja,I like that last one!!

Ninja,
That design is similar to the one I found.  I think the one I found would be slightly easier because the motor is used to directly attach to a standard spindle sander drum and does not use a belt or bearings on both sides.

Voodoofire, when I get my jig made I will share the set-up with you.
Kevin

Here's one you can get plans for that runs off of a tablesaw.
   
   Thickness Sander

Thanks for the pictures Kenny.  Can that be done with just about any belt sander?  

That's a neat looking machine Benbow.  Any idea how much the materials for that one would run approximately?  

Anyone have jig plans for thickness sanding on a edge/spindle sander or on a drill press?


Thanks for the input so far guys!  Cheers, Matt

I would think so Matt.

Galen,that is a slick lookin rig! Does it run by belt?

Yes Kenny. You put a pully on the saw and it runs up the left side in the picture. Plans cost ten bucks but looks like it would work well. You hand crank the table feed but it wouldn't be hard to put a reostat controlled motor on it

Guys, just bought a Ryobi occillating spindle sander that looks like new and works great for $39.00 at a local pawn shop, the table is much better than on my rigid sander, think I'll use this to build my lam grinder, the 3" rubber drum is gone, though it has all the others, where can I get a 3" drum? or will the 2" work?.. Thanks ,Steve

Anyone try a router for planning a lam? I was taking a woodworking class at a local community college about 10 years ago. When I told the instructor what I wanted to do, he said that a router would be best. I never followed up on it, but it seems like it would work.
2fletch

here are some router links...

http://www.leestyron.com/sled.php

http://www.woodzone.com/tips/planerjig.htm

Benbow- any idea how much the materials for that rig would run?  

Steve- could you could fill us in on how you build a jig for your spindle sander you bought? That would be very helpful.

mmgrode I used to have a pdf file they gave out free that had all the parts listed and material needed. I haven't found it on this computer so will check my backup hard drives and the other computer. If I find it I'll see about posting it somewhere.

I just found the material list for that sander. I don't have a place online that I can put it on so if you want it you need to e-mail or PM me.