Dowel machine

Chris Byrne

Chris Byrne

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Hello all. I just got a dowel machine that is made by champ fond co. It is the same basic design as all of the others I have seen around. I don't have it running yet, I wanted to ask advise from you all who have one of these. Is there any tips to setting it up and running it? I was told they cut better if you feed it one piece right after the next and to keep the ends of the wood touching.
The machine has cutter heads for 1inch, 1.25 and 1.5 are there any tricks to changing them? I have emailed the company to see about getting an owners manual but right now I have nothing. Any advise is appreciated Chris.
 
here are a few pics

dowelmachine003.jpg

dowelmachine002.jpg

dowelmachine001.jpg
 
I think you have a 1.375 cutter set also. Maybe that is the one that is in it. You have it sitting just inside your garage door just like I had it for a couple or three years. On a positive note I got the other 3 phase machine turret drill working this week. If you can rewire the motors to 220 3 phase the small phase converters work okay.
 
I have alot of stuff to move to get it to where I will be putting it. I couldent remember the cutter sizes I just guessed. I will be looking at the motors this weekend to see if I can figure anything out on them. If they can be rewired that shouldent be a problem. If not I have a guy in town that deals in motors, he thinks he can match something up for me. It will be nice to use the machine instead of burning up more routers next time I cut a big batch of wood.
Are you using the turret drill to make ferrules? I have been thinking about one of those but I just dont need enough to justify the cost of the machine. Are you using a burgmaster?
Chris.
 
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Chris Byrne said:
Hello all. I just got a dowel machine that is made by champ fond co. It is the same basic design as all of the others I have seen around. I don't have it running yet, I wanted to ask advise from you all who have one of these. Is there any tips to setting it up and running it? I was told they cut better if you feed it one piece right after the next and to keep the ends of the wood touching.
The machine has cutter heads for 1inch, 1.25 and 1.5 are there any tricks to changing them? I have emailed the company to see about getting an owners manual but right now I have nothing. Any advise is appreciated Chris.
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What do these machines cost, New or used?

Manwon
 
Chris Byrne said:
I have alot of stuff to move to get it to where I will be putting it. I couldent remember the cutter sizes I just guessed. I will be looking at the motors this weekend to see if I can figure anything out on them. If they can be rewired that shouldent be a problem. If not I have a guy in town that deals in motors, he thinks he can match something up for me. It will be nice to use the machine instead of burning up more routers next time I cut a big batch of wood.
Are you using the turret drill to make ferrules? I have been thinking about one of those but I just dont need enough to justify the cost of the machine. Are you using a burgmaster?
Chris.
Click to expand...
I use a turret lathe for making ferrules and joint protectors. I think it is faster than the turret drill would be for that operation. I have not done anything on the Burgmaster turret drill yet. I just got the 3 phase converter put on it this week. It has been collecting dust for over two years just like the doweling machine was. I will probably really regret getting rid of the doweling machine. I hope it works out well for you.
 
Manwon. They run around 5 to 8grand new. I got this one for 2k but it is 3phase 440v I will have to change some motors or get it rewired and use a phase converter to make it work. I don't know how much this will cost. I really dont need one considering how few cues I build a year but I am buying all the equipment I can to speed up the building process so in the future if it is possible I can make cues for a living. Chris.
 
Chris Byrne said:
Manwon. They run around 5 to 8grand new. I got this one for 2k but it is 3phase 440v I will have to change some motors or get it rewired and use a phase converter to make it work. I don't know how much this will cost. I really dont need one considering how few cues I build a year but I am buying all the equipment I can to speed up the building process so in the future if it is possible I can make cues for a living. Chris.
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Thanks Chris, I am also going to need one. The price verse the time saved is well worth it.

Manwon
 
Manwon. I usally cut all my wood for a year at one time. This year I spent 2 weeks working for a few hours every night cutting all the wood that I will use for next years cues. I burnt up a fairly new router in the process. I cut a little over 400 pieces of square stock round. I plan on only using the dowel machine once or twice a year but when I do I am sure the cost will be well worth it. Chris.
 
Doweling machine

Hi Chris,
Where are you located? I'm in So.Cal. and I'll be damned if I can find anybody out here that owns or operates a doweling machine. And believe me when I tell you that I really tried every avenue. Every dowel company told me the same thing, dowels are made on the east coast. Even a company that has them in their line of woodworking machines doesn't know anybody on the west coast that has one. Of course now that I've stopped looking I'll probably find one right around the corner (if I'm lucky). At any rate, if you're even remotely close to me, maybe we can work out some kind of deal that will benefit both of us. If not, keep me posted on your progress in getting it going as I may have to buy one myself. Good luck and be safe. Z.
 
Hey I just got back from fishing in san diego yesterday. I live in colorado, I doubt it would be worth it to send your squares here and then have me ship the rounds to you. I would be willing to work something out but unless you have a ton of wood to be done I doubt it would be cost effictive.
These machines are not common. I too looked all over town and no one knew what I was talking about. If you do a internet search you should be able to find some but I hate buying out of the country and sight unseen. You might find a local machinery trader and see if he knows where you could locate one. Chris.
 
Your dowel Machine looks very simular to my CF-60 dowel machine. They are sold under a variety of names and are Manufactured in China by the Ching Feng Workworking machine company. Specs can be found @ www.ching-feng.com. Cutter heads and Knives can be purchased from Numerous companys. I purchase parts and spares for mine from General International. The U.S distributers can be found at http://www.general.ca/ . I cut dowels 1/4" up to 2 3/8" diameter using this machine. Asking for a manual from Ching-Feng does not result in sucess.
I purchased mine brand new and it did not come with a manual. It is a difficult machine to operate. I cut about 56 different species of wood with it and done correctly produces a good result. If you need any help in setting your machine up I would be able to answer most questions. You can contact me here or at www.dowelsondemand.com . I hope this answers your question.
 
Thanks. I will get ahold of you once I get it working. I am looking at using a transformer and capacitors to convert from single phase to 3 phase power to run it. I looked into rotary phase converters and it would cost alot to get one big enough to run this machine. Chris.
 
dowler

Zylr Cue said:
Hi Chris,
Where are you located? I'm in So.Cal. and I'll be damned if I can find anybody out here that owns or operates a doweling machine. And believe me when I tell you that I really tried every avenue. Every dowel company told me the same thing, dowels are made on the east coast. Even a company that has them in their line of woodworking machines doesn't know anybody on the west coast that has one. Of course now that I've stopped looking I'll probably find one right around the corner (if I'm lucky). At any rate, if you're even remotely close to me, maybe we can work out some kind of deal that will benefit both of us. If not, keep me posted on your progress in getting it going as I may have to buy one myself. Good luck and be safe. Z.
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Z, I have one that looks to be the same as Chris's. Turn cuts to, 1" - 1-1/4'' - 1-3/8" Works good. 3 phase 220 volts, $3,000.00 firm.....condition is great, I also have a burgmaster for sale, 6 positions great condition, rigged out, ready to work, $2,500.00
blud
830-232-5991
 
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Z I have seen bluds machine in person and it is in good condition. Blud If you still have the burgmaster after the show next march and I can sell some cues I will give you a call. Is it a single phase machine? Chris.
 
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