Ask The Trades - Print Page

Ask The Trades
https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Carpentry Questions >> spindle moulder https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1158950996 Message started by steve 123 on Sep 22^nd, 2006, 7:49pm

Title: spindle moulder
Post by steve 123 on Sep 22^nd, 2006, 7:49pm

I have recently established a small workshop and im trying to kit it out, I have always worked for other joiners so i havent had to worry about large machinery, I dont need 3 phase as single will do, Im trying to find a decent spindle moulder that can handle a cutter block and 1/2 " router cutter bits. I have been offered a sedgwick sm3 but dont know if it will do the job.
Any advice would help
cheers :-?

Title: Re: spindle moulder
Post by woodsmith on Sep 22^nd, 2006, 10:43pm

Hi Steve welcome to the forum.

According to my catalogue the Sedgwick SM3 accepts a router cutter spindle but I can only find it listed as 3 phase :-/ strangely the larger SM4 is listed as single (3kW) or 3 phase (4kW).

The router spindle is about £120 though.

Edit.

Just found an old catalogue from 2004 and in that the SM3 is listed as single phase or 3 phase

Title: Re: spindle moulder
Post by Scrit on Sep 23^rd, 2006, 10:05am

Hi Steve

My second spindle moulder is an SM3 but mine certainly doesn't appear to have the removeable top piece and cutter holder you need for holding a router cutter (and it is a blue 'un, so not that old - now I'll have to go take a look see again, not had it long, see), so the question is whether or not this is a recent change to the spec. or a factory new build option. The top spindle speed of the SM3, however, is only 7500 rpm - a bit slow for router cutters, even big ones. The only spindle moulders I know of which can do "proper" router cutter speeds are the Felder and the Moretens. Felder list an optional high speed spindle for their spindle moulders which can run up to 15,000 rpm (on moulders with electronic speed controllers) - not cheap. The Moretens MF30 machine is a completely different beast - it will work as a conventional or tilt-arbor spindle moulder and the motor/spindle unit will invert allowing it to be used as an overhead router (at speeds up to 14,000 rpm). Frankly, though, it would be cheaper to either set-up a DW625 in a router table or buy a secondhand pin router and have the spindle as well for work such as profiling and rebating.

Scrit

Title: Re: spindle moulder
Post by steve 123 on Sep 24^th, 2006, 6:20pm

Thanks for the advice fellas, I already have a trend router table and dewalt vari speed router so that will sort half of the problems, are the cutters expensive for sedgwick moulders? can you think of any more things I need to consider before laying out for this machine. Also I will be using it for tennons.

Thanks steve

Title: Re: spindle moulder
Post by jasonB on Sep 24^th, 2006, 6:45pm

Cutters and matching limiters are relativly inexpensive (about £15 a set), its only if you need a special profile grinding or go for TCT tooling that the price goes up considerably.

I would go for a rebate block with replacable TCT blades and scribing cutters for your tennons and either a 40 or 50mm block for profile knives.

If you are doing a lot of tennons then a sliding table is a must.

Have a look at these couple of suppliers for tooling

http://www.wealdentool.com/acatalog/Spindle_Tooling_91.html

http://www.toolmartuk.com/acatalog/Xylo_Profile_cutter_Range.html

http://www.scosarg.co.uk/mall/departmentpage.cfm/scottandsargeant/81159/1/1

Jason

Title: Re: spindle moulder
Post by Scrit on Sep 24^th, 2006, 8:14pm

wrote on Sep 24^th, 2006, 6:45pm:

If you are doing a lot of tennons then a sliding table is a must.

I think that depends on the size of your pieces, Jason. My big spindle has a sliding front section, but for smaller pieces (up to about 3 feet long) I simply use a piece of squared plywood with an old plane handle screwed to the top. For going round the panels I tend to set-up a "break-through" sacrificial fence (i.e. a solid plywood or MDF fence pinned to the front of the main fences then the cutter plunged through) as this will offer extra support in cut.

I'd agree with your comments about getting a TCT-RT rebate block with TCT spurs, but I'd recommend going for a skew cutter block - a bit more expensive but the quality of cut is just so much better.

Steve, if you are up in the North and want to come and have a "play" with an SM3 and some cutters you're welcome to come and try mine.

Scrit

Title: Re: spindle moulder
Post by WOLF on Sep 27^th, 2006, 3:13pm

done a bit of digging dear chap!, and "blundell-Kufo do a small (SK-28SP) moulder which takes a router spindle, and its about £900 tops!!!!! single phase! nice little machine too!

http://www.blundell-woodworking.co.uk/newintro.htm

or

http://www.dbkeighley.co.uk/masters/sk28sp.htm

Title: Re: spindle moulder
Post by Scrit on Sep 27^th, 2006, 8:41pm

Yes, but it still only does 9000 rpm - a bit slow for a lot of router cutters. Also if it's like the only Rexma K-UFO machine I ever had (a big linisher) it's a thin, flimsy, underpowered tin box - the Sedgwick is a lot more robust, if a bit basic.

For comparison the Rexma is very light at 115kg and has a 680 x 590mm top and 3HP/3 speeds to play with, the SM3 weighs in at 230kg has an 850 x 600 top and has 4HP/4 speeds - so it will run bigger cutters and take a bigger bite on rebates. But then it costs more - and you do get what you pay for. Secondhand they can be had on eBay for under a grand and I think they're a good buy - but then I'm biased [smiley=happy.gif]

Scrit