Dowel machine question

Chris Byrne

Chris Byrne

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Hello all. I finally got around to getting a phase converter to run my doweling machine and made a few test cuts. The results were not pretty. I think I need to crank up the pressure on the smooth rollers (rounded side) enough to keep the dowel from spinning after it clears the toothed rollers. I just wacked up a pine 2 by 4 to use for test cuts. I figured I would ask someone who has one before I keep jamming wood into a powerfull cutter head. Any info from people who have one is appreciated. I would call Blud but I bet he is buisy grilling steaks at the moment. Chris.
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Chris, it's the same machine I have, tighten the rollers, so it won't slip, when runnning it through.. You will find that you will have the most trouble with ebony, the machine just doesn't like to turn it round. It gets stuck and spins a lot. Make sure the draw rollers are clean, as well as the pusher rollers, and adjusted properly, and keep your discharge from loading up, this can cause trouble also. and it's best to have your stock square or at least the same size, and not wider one way than the other. Try differant speeds, I, did run mine in 3rd gear, for the harder woods, and slowed down for maple, less chipping that way...
I have mine forsale, if someone's interested. Just pm me or send an e-mail to poolcues@hctc.net

blud
 
Thanks for the post Blud. I figured that was what I needed to do but as I have not really run one of these before I figured I better ask someone who knows.
Next I will have to test the on switch as I think it is bad. I had to manually operate the relay for the main motor to start it. So, I will fix that and add a 55 galon drum to catch the shavings and I should be in buisness. Man, what the neighbors must think! all the funny noises coming from my shop. LOL
PS Blud. I tried to call you this morning. Numbers are changed??
 
blud said:
Make sure the draw rollers are clean, as well as the pusher rollers, and adjusted properly, and keep your discharge from loading up, this can cause trouble also.
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We seem to have the biggest issue when the wood is coated in wax. It gets all in the pusher rollers and kills the friction. We have a very similar machine by the way.
 
The rollers did have some wax or grease on them. I will clean them and tighten up the tension a little more for my next run.
How often do you have to sharpen your blades? I have the 1 3/8 on there now and it looks good. I have not unwrapped the shaft and butt cutters yet.
 
chris hod did this work out for you? i will be in the market for a doweling machine soon. knocking off the edges using the lathe is a pain i the balls. its the only process i dont enjoy. i know im putting extra wear and tear and i hate it
 
chris hod did this work out for you? i will be in the market for a doweling machine soon. knocking off the edges using the lathe is a pain i the balls. its the only process i dont enjoy. i know im putting extra wear and tear and i hate it
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you can get a Ryobi table router for $99 and a bit for about $15 if you don't already have one.then you gave octagons and no problems cutting them round.
 
Ijust saw a video I think it hows it made they were making windsor backed chairs aand the had the same dowling machine. that thing was the nuts for turning things round.

I think yuou got one heack of a machine there buddy.

Craig
 
I try to turn all of my squares that I will use for the next year at one time as I too dislike doing it. I am generally rounding about 400 pieces of wood each time I do it. That is shaft squares and butt wood. I generally kill one router every year doing it. I bought the dowel machine two years ago after cutting wood because it is so tedious, I did not care about the money. I can buy alot of routers for the money I have spent on this machine but, The time I will save is tremendous. Judging from my test cuts I should be able to do all that wood in a couple hours vs a couple days.
I am excited to put the machine to work. I am thinking about making a mobile base that way I could roll it around the shop when I want to use it and tuck it away the rest of the year. I think it was a fine investment and from what I have heard from others who own one it will likely last me the rest of my lifetime for as much as I will use it. Chris.
 
dave sutton said:
chris hod did this work out for you? i will be in the market for a doweling machine soon. knocking off the edges using the lathe is a pain i the balls. its the only process i dont enjoy. i know im putting extra wear and tear and i hate it
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Dave. It works great now, a real time saver.
I still have to fix the on switch but I have just been manually starting the relay for now. Also the switch for the feed rollers has a second position in one direction so the rollers can have 2 speeds plus the transmission gears in that direction but, the 2 speeds are in reverse?? I just discovered this tonight. The switch plate does not show a second speed position but it is there. The motor that powers the rollers is a baldor unit so it was changed at some point so I suspect therein lies the reason. I will try to take some time this weekend to acess all the wiring and see whats what. I am sure I will get all the bugs out shortly. The machine is plenty serviceable as is but I like to get everything tip top.
So I guess I took the long way around for your answer. So I say it has worked out great! I am very glad I got it and you would be well served to get one if you plan on making cues for years to come. Chris.
 
masonh said:
you can get a Ryobi table router for $99 and a bit for about $15 if you don't already have one.then you gave octagons and no problems cutting them round.
Click to expand...

thats how i do it now but i dont like the wear and tear on the lathe and time spent. i saw a doweling machine in action and i though omfg that was easy :D :D :D
 
masonh said:
you can get a Ryobi table router for $99 and a bit for about $15 if you don't already have one.then you gave octagons and no problems cutting them round.
Click to expand...
I don't like the idea of these doweling machines tearing out wood that fast at all.
Take corners out, let sit .
Then a wing cutter in the taper machine turns them round in one pass anyway.
And that way, you already have center holes and can check which end moved more after they were turned round.
 
JoeyInCali said:
I don't like the idea of these doweling machines tearing out wood that fast at all.
Take corners out, let sit .
Then a wing cutter in the taper machine turns them round in one pass anyway.
And that way, you already have center holes and can check which end moved more after they were turned round.
Click to expand...

but at 1.350 what harm is really being done. your taking off the edges not messing with the middle. still plenty of meat on the bone. for buttsleeve material there is no harm at all. never seen the last 3 inches of the cue move. maybe im lucky.
 
dave sutton said:
but at 1.350 what harm is really being done. your taking off the edges not messing with the middle. still plenty of meat on the bone. for buttsleeve material there is no harm at all. never seen the last 3 inches of the cue move. maybe im lucky.
Click to expand...
For the cost of that doweling machine, I think you can get Blud's cnc saw machine.:eek:
 
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