I would like to take raw lumber stock to thicknesses in the range of .045-.050" (or just over 1 mm). The boards are about 4.5" wide by 24" in length, but the length could be reduced is it makes the process much easier.
I realize my first step will be a bandsaw with a resawing blade to take it close. How close can you get it with one of these blades typically? In my mind, it will have a lot of variation in it that will need to be sanded out. Any suggestions on model/power needed for this application?
The second and maybe most important aspect is the secondary sanding process to take it to final thickness and give it a good surface finish. I would imagine that ideally I would use a wide belt sander, but those are $$$, and I am trying to stay around a few thousand dollars for this setup if at all possible. I had originally tried a Supermax drum sander, but the paper would quickly clog up and the boards would start warping due to the heat buildup (I was working with domestic and some oily exotics). I was also trying to sand down 1/8" and 1/16" boards I had just bought from Woodcraft, so maybe if I'm working with boards closer to the final thickness that I resawed myself, it won't be as much of an issue?
I realize part of the problem here is trying to put such thin material through these machines. Maybe I need to come up with a jig to send it through the drum sander that raises it up off the conveyer belt?
Should I consider a stroke sander instead of drum/wide-belt? Would it be difficult to get relatively consistent thickness across the board?
Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
I realize my first step will be a bandsaw with a resawing blade to take it close. How close can you get it with one of these blades typically? In my mind, it will have a lot of variation in it that will need to be sanded out. Any suggestions on model/power needed for this application?
The second and maybe most important aspect is the secondary sanding process to take it to final thickness and give it a good surface finish. I would imagine that ideally I would use a wide belt sander, but those are $$$, and I am trying to stay around a few thousand dollars for this setup if at all possible. I had originally tried a Supermax drum sander, but the paper would quickly clog up and the boards would start warping due to the heat buildup (I was working with domestic and some oily exotics). I was also trying to sand down 1/8" and 1/16" boards I had just bought from Woodcraft, so maybe if I'm working with boards closer to the final thickness that I resawed myself, it won't be as much of an issue?
I realize part of the problem here is trying to put such thin material through these machines. Maybe I need to come up with a jig to send it through the drum sander that raises it up off the conveyer belt?
Should I consider a stroke sander instead of drum/wide-belt? Would it be difficult to get relatively consistent thickness across the board?
Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.