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BIG UPDATE----SHOPMADE HELICAL CUTTERHEAD

12K views 19 replies 15 participants last post by  Hilltopper07 
#1 ·
BIG UPDATE----SHOPMADE HELICAL CUTTERHEAD

I have completed preliminary stages of machining a custom helical cutterhead for my DeWalt 733 Planer.
The design is what I came up with from looking at other companies' designs.
This is what I created in my CAD software.
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Here is a video of the machining process to this point… DON'T WORRY, THERE'S MORE TO COME!

This video is over 16 Minutes, but I think you'll enjoy it.
http://blip.tv/play/Aa34TgA

If this doesn't load correctly try this link:
click here

See my first Topic SHELIX CUTTERHEAD
 
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#2 ·
I'm looking forward to the end product.

But take a clue from John (gyzmodyne) Watching glue dry is not a productive use of time.
There's a reason why Norm Abram only shows how to do one of a repetitive task.

It is interesting. It's not something I've seen before. I learned something and I thank you.

It's just a little too much of the same thing for someone who only wants a cursory overview.

My $.03.

Lee
 
#3 ·
You'd be surprised how much I cut out of the original footage and how much I ran the video at 2X speed. Unfortunately, that's what it takes to cut metal--lots of time--much more than we woodworkers are used to.

Bear with me!! ;-D
 
#11 ·
TopE5, That annoying hisssssssssssssssssss you hear a misting unit on the machine. Those two nozzles aimed at the cutter are shooting atomized coolant and compressed air and keep the operation extremely cool and lubricated.

Bob#2, I understand how boring it must be to watch the same thing over and over and over and…..sorry, I got carried away, LOL. I've already cut the video length down by roughly 70%. That's about the best I can do and still convey what's going on. As far as a small machine, I might put up a picture of the Haas VF0 I'm running this part in. It sure isn't small….20 (Twenty) horsepower, 8000 RPM, 20 tool capacity, and over 200 inches-per-minute rapid feed rates. By the way, Whaddya mean by "It looks like you have blastoff for the body?"

Thanks all for viewing. I'll keep you updated.
 
#15 ·
Sorry guys!! I'm not intent on making these for others right now. I chose to do this project for my own enjoyment (and for a good grade in my CNC classes). I also was hoping to avoid the $800+ that companies like Byrd Tool charge for a 12" cutterhead--besides, they don't even make a cutterhead for my DeWalt--so if I wanted one, I had to do the dirty work.

I would unfortunately have to charge someone else at least the same price as other companies do for a custom helical head because of all the time I spent working on this. Yes this is my first one, and I wouldn't make some of the same mistakes next time, but I don't think I would do it for profit unless I actually owned all the proper machinery. I will have spent nearly $220 on carbide inserts and screws when this is over, and the remainder of the value (which lies in my time and effort) far exceeds, in my opinion the $800 or so that Byrd would charge for a similar piece of tooling.

It's just a one-of-a-kind piece that I sure hope will throw some chips in the near future.

We woodworkers know how valuable time is when making a project, whether for ourselves or for a customer--and that always drives the asking price up.

If you REALLY want a custom cutterhead and have $800-1000 extra cash laying around, Please don't hesitate to contact www.byrdtool.com OR www.hermance.com

They both have great products.

THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR THE KIND WORDS!
--keep snoring! (Sawing logs, that is.)
 
#16 ·
You can make my life easier and make one for the DW 735 also. I would love to have that 20" at home, but the $2500 price tag is a little too much for home right down. I know you previously commented this is just for you, but I might be interested in an identical head because I think my wife's grandfather has the same Dewalt planer as you. I know it is dewalt, and it is not the 735. Let me know if either making one for the 735 is possible (first choice) or making a duplicate for a 733 is an option. I am in St Louis area. Tooldad
 
#17 ·
I will probably just buck up and get the 15" grizzly this summer. I either spend money or make money, so I am trying to get a cash job lined up this summer. Possibly one kitchen remodel and maybe a deck. I see a sprial cutterhead in my garage this summer! Still if you are willing to make a head for the 735 let me know. Tooldad
 
#18 ·
I like the idea, but it looks an awful lot like the Hermance Helical Cutterhead. You might want to check to see if it's patented. I don't think that Byrd has a patent on their design, but the do have a copyright on the Shelix name. I do believe that Hermance has a patented design and machining process. Look forward to seeing the final product!
 
#19 ·
I'm really afraid to offer this cutterhead to the public for profit. I have presented the project to Byrd Tool as a "Student Project," so if I were to sell it privately, I'd be in some deep doo-doo. True, I am now capable of doing a limited mass run of the DeWalt cutterhead, but I'm not gettin' sued for ANYONE'S sake, not even my own. ;-(

I'm not worried about getting 'inspriation' from Byrd and Hermance for my own personal use, but I won't try to make profit on their design ideas. The only 'edge' I have (pun intended) on both companies is that if they want to produce this cutterhead, I have already done all the R&D for the product--they don't have to invest tens-of-thousands of dollars in that process because my time and effort to produce the cutterhead is already done.

I'm nearing the final stages of my prototype…I'll hopefully post a new video in the not-too-distant future.
 
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