The Technique of FURNITURE MAKING

SPINDLE MOULDER/SHAPER

The most versatile and yet the most dangerous machine in any workshop, the spindle moulder can, in the hands of the expert, almost perform miracles, but in the hands of the uninitiated it can be lethal. Instruction in its use is strongly recommended.

Not only can this machine mould virtually any shape both on straight and curved surfaces, but it can also, with the aid of templates, produce any number of identically shaped components from chair legs and curved rails to drawer handles. It can tongue and groove faster than any other machine, and with the addition of a sliding table it can cut all manner of tenon and bridle joints, dovetail housings—the list is endless.

110 Startrite light-duty spindle moulder/shaper with built-in sliding table for end grain shaping and tenoning

MORTISER

This is an essential item of equipment where any production work is involved. It is possible in one-off work to manage with a hollow chisel mortising attachment fitted to a drill press, but eventually the advantages of a separate mortiser will become only too apparent.

There are two forms of mortiser: the hollow - chisel type, and the chain mortiser, which works in a similar way to the chain saw. It is chiefly the former which is used in quality craft orientated workshops because it produces the perfect square edge and square bottomed mortises from 1/4 in (6 mm) width up to 1 in (25 mm) or more.

Ill Hollow-chisel mortiser