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Does anyone know anything about the Elektra Beckum TF 100 spindle moulder (see Image). Are they any good and what would they be worth? Year of manufacture 1989. TIA.https://www.woodworkforums.com/image...ERAREQERED/9k=https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i...sgIkg&usqp=CAU
looks pretty light though, almost like a router table...
depending on your need and what you will be using the SM for, I think for a spindle moulder you want it to be heavy.
I have 3 SM so far. my favourite is my current SM, 40-50 yo Casadei, takes forever to setup, but very very solid.
if its here maybe $500-$1000 NZD.
here you go, found this on this side of the ditch
Elektra-Beckum spindle moulder | Trade Me
Those very light duty spindle moulders have pretty much fallen out of fashion after the development of router tables.
To make use of the advantages of a spindle moulder it has to be rather substantial. In my oppinion a 2.2 kw motor on a 400 kilo machine is pretty much the minimum size. Anything smaller will just be the equivalent of a router table though requiring much more expensive cutters.
By the way I am a huge fan of spindle moulders. Just don't like the small ones.
That Electrabekam does have 2.2Kw (3Hp), and plenty of rpm (4000-8500). What it weighs? Don't know...What may be importantly lacking is the footprint on the ground. The machine's perimeter on the ground is what allows the reaction to loads while working. Along with the weight, yes...But this can be improved with some mods.
The small size of the table top can be remedied.
Sorry, FK, your spindle moulder looks like its in excellent condition, but here endeth the good news. Its 30 years old and light-weight spindle moulders have basically been superceded by router tables.
Routers have essentially the same horse-power and the bits are a tenth the price of SM cutter heads. If you can convert the chuck to take router bits then it might have some value, otherwise perhaps $100.
On that note, it could probably turned into a pretty decent router table.Quote:
Originally Posted by GraemeCook
In defense of spindle molders of this size, vs router tables...A repertoire of stock molder knives with simple shapes have a lot of flexibility in the way that they can be used. This is achieved by position and rotation of the knifes. Novel profiles, or complex traditional profiles can often be achieved with several separate knife setups. My experience is that using router bits to achieve these shape would have been more expensive (in the 1990s).
Another advantage to consider with old style molder knives...they can be easily sharpened with a die grinder or dremel without sending out to the tool maker..or the straight knives ground like other shop tools. And if you have a few old junk knives you can make some new shape for yourself. So I think these spindle molders suit people with the right adaptive creativity.
I did routinely use a self made router table to biscuit join some molded parts, and every time, my huge malamute (husky) bitch (female dog) wailed like a wolf. I worried about the neighbours..Quite a disincentive.