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

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

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

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