Member Signup
Bringing Customers & Clients together
Accessibility Links: Accessibility info | Viewhigh contrast version Viewstandard version | Skip Navigation
Member Login:
Return to List
Return to List
Spindle moulders uncovered
Tony Kaye
One of the most versatile and cost-effective 'classical' woodworking machines in the joinery and bespoke furniture workshop, and in some instances the most feared, is the vertical spindle moulder.
Early machines were basic but effective, simply incorporating a rise and fall spindle projecting through the centre of a work table, with adjustable fences and driven by a flat belt, with little regard for guarding and operator safety.
However the range of work carried out on those early machines was remarkable when one considers the wide selection of classical moulds used in quality joinery and furniture work in the past.
Capable of carrying out a wide and varied range of operations, in the hands of a trained operator the spindle moulder is an invaluable and very safe machine, especially so using the latest models.
Aside from the overhead router it is invariably the one machine that can be adapted to cope with straight moulding, rebating and grooving and also set up to machine curved window and door sections, not to mention wreathed staircase handrails. On machines fitted with a sliding table it is also possible to cut accurate tenons and profile end grain sections too.
There are still many old spindle moulders working today that were built around 50 or 60 years ago when the UK woodworking machinery manufacturing industry was building cast iron machines. They were not guarded to the same standard as today's spindles, an aspect that is reflected in the HSE accident statistics of the day.
The combination of a number of new safety requirements and regulations since 1974 has significantly improved the classical spindle moulders that are now available*.
A trained spindle operator, familiar with the latest safety requirements and fully conversant with the use of compliant chip limitation tooling is, in most cases, capable of producing a wide and varied range of work in safety on even a fairly basic machine. With the more advanced machines of today the output is simply faster and easier as well as safer.
The modern spindle will display the CE mark, an indication it complies with the UK Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations, and in turn with the European Machinery Directive. However, it is always wise to carry out a machine inspection to ensure that all the tooling and safety equipment is included.
Older machines can now be fitted in many instances with modern top quality safety fences, guards and sliding tables in order to maximise the range of operations, whereas new spindle moulders are invariably offered with a range of extras to make it possible to carry out a wide and diverse range of operations.
Safety guards and hoods should incorporate take-off points for dust extraction. Extraction points under the machine table are also necessary to keep chippings clear of the cutterhead so as to ensure that the operator can work in a safe and dust free area. The workpiece finish is also far better when chippings are not allowed to interfere with the cutting action.
Many of today's machines are fitted with hefty 7.5kw motors or larger, offering at least four or five spindle speeds on basic machines whilst many advanced models incorporate infinitely variable spindle speeds enabling the ideal spindle speed to be selected to best match modern compliant tooling.
Reversible spindle rotation is still fitted to many spindle moulders allowing flexibility when working on stock with adverse or difficult grain. Extreme care is essential, as 'climbcutting' – feeding in the direction of the cutter head – should be avoided if at all possible.
Tilting spindles are now quite common, as are longer spindles for stacked tooling, all set within an effectively guarded fence assembly, the latter often fitted with power adjustment and digital readout. Quick change 30mm, 40mm or 50mm diameter tapered top pieces speed up the change over when using preset tooling.
The centre opening through which the spindle passes in the table, in the past reduced by table rings, are often substituted by adjustable tambour type sliding table elements to minimise the table gap.
Spindle braking is of course mandatory, preferably electrically interlocked together with an interlocked spindle lock and interlocked access door on larger machines.
Longer worktables are becoming increasingly popular as they afford maximum workpiece support, even more so when incorporating outrigger arms to support wide sections such as assembled doors or window frames.
A sliding table section incorporating a work holding clamp, either simply mounted on the surface of the spindle table or side mounted as a permanent facility, but easily folded down when not in use, is ideal for safe effective tenoning and end grain profiling, greatly extending the capability of the machine.
Automatic feed units are obviously an essential safety feature today no matter what type, size or age of spindle is selected. They combine the functions of a feed, guard and pressure – three important safety aspects necessary for both operator safety and consistent throughput.
When correctly set up the range of adjustment enables the feeder to accommodate just about any section to be machined, at the right feed speed and in complete safety with sufficient pressure to prevent 'kick back' when correctly set up.
Top and side pressure pads, referred to as Shaw guards, suitable for machining straight work, are standard equipment, but whenever possible the automatic feed unit should be used.
Ring guard and fences are supplied for circular work, although frequently these items are offered as extras.
Top of the range machines now incorporate digital readout indicating cutting height and cutting angle in relation to the table and fence openings with all the data stored on the controller memory. Semi and full automatic programming of all powered functions with the data visible on screen, often mounted on an overhead control arm, is becoming increasingly popular.
Push button program selection ensures faster, safer and consistent repeatability when changing operations.
The classical spindle moulder has certainly moved into the computer age with some astounding improvements compared to the machines of the '50s and '60s. Coupled with today's extensive range of safe, accurate and efficient tooling, just about any type of shaped work, in both solid timber and man-made timber based material, can be machined.
Additional safety information is included in the HSE's 'Safe use of woodworking machinery' and also on the Woodworking Information Sheet No 18, the latter is available online at www.hse.gov.uk/woodworking.
* The combination of the safety requirements in the old '74 Woodworking Machinery Regulations followed by the tooling requirements set out in the 98 PUWER regulations, and the requirements contained in the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations, plus the ergonomic approach by today's European machinery manufacturers, have significantly improved the classical spindle moulders that are now available.
Return to List