Dovetailer machine

[Albert Lee]

I am considering buying a dovetailing machine, I dont like router because the high pitch noise it makes.

anyone had any experience with the machine below? or experience with any dovetailer machine?

I dont do thousands of dovetails but thats where I am now. I would like to have the capacity to do a lot of dovetails, currently i am building my drawers with Domino, I know my customers want to see dovetails.

Used Shoda Dovetailer:
Used Shoda(Japan) model DV-131/ 16 spindles Dovetail Machine.
Manual and lever operated. Including 16 TCT dovetail bits(just sharpened)

-Max.effective work piece thickness: 10mm -25mm (3/8" - 1")
-Max. effective work piece width: 410mm (16")
-Cutter spindle speed: 4,100 rpm
-Number of cutter bit: 16
-Pitch of cutter bit: 25mm (1")
-Electric motors: 2 x1.5 kw
-Net Weight: 600kg (272 lbs)




286945

286946

286947

286948

286949

[Dave Richards]

Interesting. Do you do enough dovetails to dedicate all that floor space and cash to a dedicated dovetailing machine?

[jack forsberg]

i have a Brookman 15 pin runs that type bit. mine runs all the same direction in a oil bath with 3 bearing per spindle. your looks more like dodds type where you use left and right hand cutters.

I can tell you the Brookman (AKA the British bull dog) cuts a box in about 2 min

[Peter Quinn]

Uh, are you thinking that the dovetailers are quiet? Its still a high speed router type whine IME. I'm using one at work, not the same one you posted, but similar. Screamer. Benefit is its quick, accurate, and you don't have to hold the router. But quiet is not one of its benefits. So get a listen before purchasing if thats your primary motivation.

[Jamie Buxton]

Interesting machine. What does it do -- full-blind? half-blind? variable spacing?

[Albert Lee]

Interesting. Do you do enough dovetails to dedicate all that floor space and cash to a dedicated dovetailing machine?

well... I wont say I know a lot about dovetail apart from what it looks like...

Cash side is alright. its only about $3000 USD. compare the time saved... space is ok, as it doesnt take long boards like WBS or a panel saw.

[Albert Lee]

thats interesting... I have never used these before. and the machine is at Perth, which is about 3700 miles away. I am getting sea freighted to me.

2 min is amazing... its taking me much longer than that with Domino.

[Albert Lee]

forgot to mention I hate to hold the router... yes I think it will make a fairly bit of noise but as you said it will be accurate and quick, thats the point...

[jack forsberg]

thats interesting... I have never used these before. and the machine is at Perth, which is about 3700 miles away. I am getting sea freighted to me.

2 min is amazing... its taking me much longer than that with Domino.

mine only has one motor 5 hp you has 2? not sure how yours is set up but you can cut comb joints with the right bits .
http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/brookman3.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/brookman3.jpg.html)

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/brookman.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/brookman.jpg.html)

i like the spur bits

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/007-17.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/007-17.jpg.html)

[Albert Lee]

thats cool. like the pictures.

mine has 2 of the 1.5kw. so effectively its 4hp. not sure how its setup...

I think to cut different joints I will need to get different bits made. probably another $$$... only interested to get standard thorough dovetail joint done. machine has the bits that came with it to do this so I am happy...

[Mike Heidrick]

Ever considered a CNC machine with a spindle. Bit in teh wood will still be loud but the spindles are sooo quiet, you could do whatever you want, and could research dovetails on it too. With certain Amana ($$) bits you can do them flat, and otherwise you mount the wood vertically in a jig.

Would be more $ maybe if you go with a 4X4 machine but a 2X4 might be accessable in the $3K market. Pllus you will need some software. Would open up a ton of options for your cabinet business.

[David Kumm]

As cool as the Brookman or Shoda are, for occassional use I like the Omec 650 or Dodds which is an Omec in disguise. Single bit and you move it by hand but the pneumatic hold downs and ability to route both sides or even four at once makes pretty short work of a dozen drawers. Tooling is cheap with only one eccentric bit and you have four dovetail sizes to choose from. Dave