For the small woodworking shop, investing in a moulder is a serious decision to make. If you plan to buy new, keep in mind that some of the commercial grade moulders can cost you as much as a luxury vehicle. You can buy excellent used equipment to produce moulding knives to save some money buy you run the risk of owning a piece of equipment that may be on its last leg. Options such as a Logosol moulder is a nice lightweight choice and the single head machines by Williams and Hussey that allow you some portability.
One of the ironic issues regarding moulders is that they generally do not like to produce curves, with the exception of the Williams and Hussey moulders. If you are planning to make curved moulding knives, you need to come up with a smart solution.
Other challenges you need to determine is the number of cutters you will need and what kind of adjustment on the feed roll do you have? You will also need to determine the depth of the cut you plan to make and make sure your moulding knives can handle deep cuts commonly found in crown moulding. For some of the more sophisticated relief cuts or cuts on the back, you made need a multiple knife setup, and if you plan to do a lot of crown work, you may have to do several passes if your moulding knives are not setup properly. Sometimes, if you lack the capital for a high-quality moulder with industrial strength and speed, it may be more cost effective and faster to simply run your wood through an architectural mill.
When shopping for a quality moulder, you can look online. There you will find scores of internet companies who sell all types of moulding knives. You will want to make sure you are buying from a reputable company and one that will stand behind their product should it fail or become defective. Check with other woodworkers you know to find out who they have used to purchase and service their moulders. A properly serviced and well-maintained moulder can last you several years. You should also inquire if the company from which you are purchasing your knives from offers a money back guarantee. You should expect to get one that allows you thirty days to try the moulder and if you are not satisfied for any reason, you should be able to return it for a full refund, no questions asked.
Hot Knives provides high-quality moulding knives and williams & hussey types of knives for quality-driven woodworkers.
