Spindle Moulder tuition and sash window making

[tobyg]

Hi,

I wondered if there was anyone in the Surrey/Hampshire or surrounding areas with time to teach me how to use a spindle moulder and basic manufacture of sash windows?

Thanks,
Toby

 

[G S Haydon]

Hello Tobyg

You might want to take a look at the trend window system http://www.trend-uk.com/en/UK/trend/con ... e&id=23565 . A big outlay and not something I have but if you want to get into window production it could be a fast track way of doing it. Also take a look at potential CE marking you will need to do http://www.bwf.org.uk/toolkit/ce-marking

 

[Jacob]

There are (at least) two ways in.
One is you look at tooling available and the rules as Graham is suggesting above. The other is to look at some old sash windows and try to work out how to copy them.
You could easily imagine that they would produce the same end product, but they don't. They are two very different worlds.
Either way a spindle is extremely useful, in fact essential (unless you are doing them by hand). If you go the trad route you will have to make your own spindle moulder cutters as they aren't available off the shelf. But this isn't difficult.

 

[AndyT]

It's not local to you but Axminster offer a one day intro which looks useful


http://www.axminsterskillcentre.co.uk/course/Spindle-Moulding-8.htm

 

[G S Haydon]

There are (at least) two ways in.
One is you look at tooling available and the rules as Graham is suggesting above. The other is to look at some old sash windows and try to work out how to copy them.
You could easily imagine that they would produce the same end product, but they don't. They are two very different worlds.
Either way a spindle is extremely useful, in fact essential (unless you are doing them by hand). If you go the trad route you will have to make your own spindle moulder cutters as they aren't available off the shelf. But this isn't difficult.

This is possible but even if you are using entry level cutter heads you will need to make 2 x cutters exactly the same size and 2 x limiters 1.1mm smaller. Almost impossible unless you have a profile grinder. Please don't go down the route of buying older obsolete cutters that are not PUWER 98 compliant, you risk seriously hurting yourself.

Jacobs point is very valid regarding copying old windows but if you want to to copy an old sash window look at the cutters that can be purchased from firms like Whitehill spindle tools. They have the cutters, heads and knowledge to guide you through. Also consider that if you are considering copying older windows the same details may not be relevant for your target market. If your making unique one off windows for listed homes on a like for like basis then copying is fine. If you want to broaden your market you will need to work with double glazing, draught seals etc.

 

[RogerS]

It's not clear from the OP whether this is for his own home or as a business. The advice would be different, I would suggest.

 

[G S Haydon]

Really!? Don't think you will find any modern tooling supplier worth their salt selling non PUWER compliant cutters and cutter heads to business or public.. And to infer someone has a go with older formats is potentially very dangerous.

 

[RogerS]

Really!? Don't think you will find any modern tooling supplier worth their salt selling non PUWER compliant cutters and cutter heads to business or public.. And to infer someone has a go with older formats is potentially very dangerous.

Did I say suggest anything of the sort? I don't think so.

 

[G S Haydon]

Sorry Roger, the way I read it it seemed implied.

 

[Peter Sefton]

Are the sashes new or replacement? Are you looking at just the sliding casements or the boxes as well? If replacement will you be trying to fit double glazing within the same section which would probably be tight and need heaver weights to compensate for the extra glass. Would you be looking to scribe by hand or on the spindle? More questions than answers I am afraid but all have different outcomes.
I have made a few sashes over the years but they are not my specialist subject.
I do run a three day wood machining course the last day devoted to the spindle moulder covering cutter block selection and set up, straight fence and power feeding in the morning with ring fence and bearing work in the afternoon. This can be taken as a one day option if required. Check out the website under short courses if you think we can help.

Cheers Peter

 

[James-1986]

Wedge type single cutter blocks are safe as they tighten onto the cutter preventing it from slipping unlike the notorious whitehills (which are fine for short runs providing you know what you are doing)

You also have the option of serrated non limiter blocks, no chance of them slipping out.

The 'Armadillo' block is interesting:

http://www.sws-armadilloproducts.co.uk/ ... -block/44/

The law is an ass!

 

[G S Haydon]

But it's the law and from my perspective I'm pleased to use limited projection tooling. Good note on the armadillo, never felt like investing in one yet though.