The 2 videos are very good. I have been using craftsman moulding cutters for 50 years. In addition to what you show, there is a model with one cutter. I have used this tool to duplicate the trim on my 1895 farm house. The original trim was done with hand moulding planes. I can grind and file one cutter to match the profile. It takes 2 different profiles to make the casing. The wood needs to be fed slower to get good results. Having both a 3 blade and a 1 blade set along with many profiles for both allows creativity.
Thank you for the kind words! It certainly is easier to make custom profiles with one blade than three, but I have gotten excellent results with three blades. I lay down three layers of painters tape, cut the profile in them, then stick one layer on each knife so I am cutting the same profile on each.
Scott, you are welcome! I am happy to have been of service to you. Be sure to subscribe and check out all the great woodworking info I have on my website. www.woodcademy.com
I bought this same set from sears hardware (I miss sears hardware so much) about 20 years ago. So happy that the Corob cutters fit it. Thanks for including that information. Looking at the Corob site they have many profiles to choose from.
@@Woodcademy I haven’t used mine some my last move and I just noticed the spacer is missing. Can you do me the favor of telling me what the thickness of your spacer is? No hurry.
I just bought this set on eBay a few moments ago, and now I found you demonstrating its use! How lucky am I? You have great knowledge and I’m going to borrow it. Thanks so much! I’m subscribed!
Carol, Thanks for the kind words! The molding head can do things not easily done any other way. Check out our Woodcademy TV show as well, it streams free on Amazon: www.woodcademy.com/wctv
This is great! I had never heard of such a thing and it makes so much sense… and helps me figure out how to make some of the things that have been in my head for a while. Thanks!
@@Woodcademy I already did, and shared it with a couple friends who are fellow woodworkers. I had no idea these existed. And, as useful as router heads are, shaper cutters seem better for quickly hogging out material and really complex geometry.
Thanks, hadn't considered using it that way. However, looking for your thoughts on another issue. I have two sets of these but one doesn't include the spacer. Since the other does I do know the exact measurements. Instead of finding someone to mill the replacement out of metal, what are you're thoughts on using HDPE? Do you think it can withstand the rotational forces, or will it just come apart (of course that being somewhat dangerous)?
Robert Arnold, I do not think the radial forces are too much for the HDPE. The shaft is only spinning at 3600 rpm and it is a small diameter. But check out MSC Direct online and search Arbor Spacers. They sell all manner of steel spacers for exactly this use. Thanks for watching! Be sure to subscribe, and check out our Woodcademy TV show on Amazon Prime: www.woodcademy.com/wctv
Actually the molding head is more versatile with the radial arm saw. One reason is that the work can get closer to the saw's arbor than with a table saw. Some raised panel profiles cannot be used with the table saw because the top of the table is too far from to most interior part of the profile. Another is that the molding head can also be used in either the regular rip mode and the "molding head mode" (with the arbor vertical pointing toward the table). And in either mode (particularly the rip mode) the saw can tilt so that only a segment of a profile is used at a certain angle.
woodensurfer, while the radial arm saw is an option, I have to point out that panel raising knives for molding heads are Vertical knives, not horizontal like on a shaper. On the table saw, the panel is run over the blade on edge, not flat on the table. While it is possible to rotate the Radial Arm head to the horizontal and run it over the panel that way, I do not recommend it myself, too much opportunity for kick back of the saw.
@@Woodcademy With a RAS (in the molding head mode arbor facing down), the raised panel profiles are horizontal, while vertical with a table saw. With a TS, the molding head has to be of large enough diameter so that the inner most of the profile can cut the wood (otherwise the table is in the way). ( Some 10" TS only has 3" depth of cut rather than 3.5", hence are particularly non-functional). With panels 18 inches wide, proper support is an issue on a TS. With the RAS the work lies flat.
@@Woodcademy Yes, but sometimes one way is clearly better and more convenient due to probable existing tools and ease of operation. Rabating with a router is one such operation. Often the molding head cannot do raised panel with a TS. To increase the chance, get a head with large diameter and make sure your saw has enough depth of cut.
bobbg, Great idea! Too bad I do not have a RAS! Thanks for watching and be sure to check out our Woodcademy Show on Amazon Prime: www.woodcademy.com/wctv
Probably a real bad idea to use a molding head cutter with a circular saw but...I have one of both and no access to a table saw. I just want to make moldings to make picture frames out of. A friend of mine made some huge murals on 4x8 plywood and we have been discussing how use 2x4s to make proportionally sized frames for. I'm thinking to make something like a miter box that will attach to the saw that will be adjustable horizontally and vertically.
Matt, I have and use router tables, I do not own a Shaper. But to a large extent, yes, molding heads are an alternative to using a shaper. Corob Cutters not only makes the heads and knives, but also makes shaper cutters in most of the same profiles. Check out their site at www.corobcutters.com
It would have been better to skip the rebate part. Why use the molding head for rebate when there are so many different choices, dado set and router table? Go to special profile at once when usual router bits won't do.
woodensurfer a molding head rebates faster and cleaner than even high end dado blades. But one of the cool things about woodworking is that there is never only one way to do something. Having multiple methods of performing the same task is useful.
@@Woodcademy Most people need a good quality dado set and have a router table. You cannot cut most dado with a molding head and rebating with a dado set or a straight bit on a router table is easier. The adjunct stuffs like the molding head have to demonstrate special usefulness after the usual dado set and router.
The 2 videos are very good. I have been using craftsman moulding cutters for 50 years. In addition to what you show, there is a model with one cutter. I have used this tool to duplicate the trim on my 1895 farm house. The original trim was done with hand moulding planes. I can grind and file one cutter to match the profile. It takes 2 different profiles to make the casing. The wood needs to be fed slower to get good results. Having both a 3 blade and a 1 blade set along with many profiles for both allows creativity.
Thank you for the kind words! It certainly is easier to make custom profiles with one blade than three, but I have gotten excellent results with three blades.
I lay down three layers of painters tape, cut the profile in them, then stick one layer on each knife so I am cutting the same profile on each.
@@Woodcademy That sounds like an excellent method. Thanks.
I just bought 2 sets of molding cutters, thanks for the great tutorials on these. Especially for what they can do over other things.
Scott, you are welcome! I am happy to have been of service to you. Be sure to subscribe and check out all the great woodworking info I have on my website. www.woodcademy.com
I bought this same set from sears hardware (I miss sears hardware so much) about 20 years ago. So happy that the Corob cutters fit it. Thanks for including that information. Looking at the Corob site they have many profiles to choose from.
Lincoln, glad you found it helpful. Corob is actually the company that made the molding heads for Craftsman.
@@Woodcademy I haven’t used mine some my last move and I just noticed the spacer is missing. Can you do me the favor of telling me what the thickness of your spacer is? No hurry.
@@lincolndickerson1293 I am traveling at the moment, but when I get back to my shop this week, I will measure it.
@@Woodcademy Thank you very much. Safe travels.
I just bought this set on eBay a few moments ago, and now I found you demonstrating its use! How lucky am I? You have great knowledge and
I’m going to borrow it. Thanks so much! I’m subscribed!
Carol, Thanks for the kind words! The molding head can do things not easily done any other way. Check out our Woodcademy TV show as well, it streams free on Amazon: www.woodcademy.com/wctv
Ralph Bagnall
This is great! I had never heard of such a thing and it makes so much sense… and helps me figure out how to make some of the things that have been in my head for a while. Thanks!
Glad to help! Check out Corobcutters.com, they have molding heads, all the knives AND even shaper cutters to match!
@@Woodcademy I already did, and shared it with a couple friends who are fellow woodworkers. I had no idea these existed. And, as useful as router heads are, shaper cutters seem better for quickly hogging out material and really complex geometry.
Thanks, hadn't considered using it that way. However, looking for your thoughts on another issue. I have two sets of these but one doesn't include the spacer. Since the other does I do know the exact measurements. Instead of finding someone to mill the replacement out of metal, what are you're thoughts on using HDPE? Do you think it can withstand the rotational forces, or will it just come apart (of course that being somewhat dangerous)?
Robert Arnold, I do not think the radial forces are too much for the HDPE. The shaft is only spinning at 3600 rpm and it is a small diameter.
But check out MSC Direct online and search Arbor Spacers. They sell all manner of steel spacers for exactly this use.
Thanks for watching! Be sure to subscribe, and check out our Woodcademy TV show on Amazon Prime: www.woodcademy.com/wctv
Actually the molding head is more versatile with the radial arm saw. One reason is that the work can get closer to the saw's arbor than with a table saw.
Some raised panel profiles cannot be used with the table saw because the top of the table is too far from to most interior part of the profile.
Another is that the molding head can also be used in either the regular rip mode and the "molding head mode" (with the arbor vertical pointing toward the table). And in either mode (particularly the rip mode) the saw can tilt so that only a segment of a profile is used at a certain angle.
woodensurfer, while the radial arm saw is an option, I have to point out that panel raising knives for molding heads are Vertical knives, not horizontal like on a shaper. On the table saw, the panel is run over the blade on edge, not flat on the table.
While it is possible to rotate the Radial Arm head to the horizontal and run it over the panel that way, I do not recommend it myself, too much opportunity for kick back of the saw.
@@Woodcademy
With a RAS (in the molding head mode arbor facing down), the raised panel profiles are horizontal, while vertical with a table saw. With a TS, the molding head has to be of large enough diameter so that the inner most of the profile can cut the wood (otherwise the table is in the way). ( Some 10" TS only has 3" depth of cut rather than 3.5", hence are particularly non-functional).
With panels 18 inches wide, proper support is an issue on a TS. With the RAS the work lies flat.
@@woodensurfer As I said before, in woodworking there is never only one way.
@@Woodcademy Yes, but sometimes one way is clearly better and more convenient due to probable existing tools and ease of operation. Rabating with a router is one such operation.
Often the molding head cannot do raised panel with a TS. To increase the chance, get a head with large diameter and make sure your saw has enough depth of cut.
Remember that the video was to show using the molding head. So showing what it is capable of is part of the video.
Part 3 molding head cutter on a radial arm saw,. Think about the compound angles you can do over and above a tablesaws ablity.
bobbg, Great idea! Too bad I do not have a RAS! Thanks for watching and be sure to check out our Woodcademy Show on Amazon Prime: www.woodcademy.com/wctv
Bobbg, I second that. I have the same molding kit as shown and a older craftsman RAS, I look forward to trying these molders out.
Probably a real bad idea to use a molding head cutter with a circular saw but...I have one of both and no access to a table saw. I just want to make moldings to make picture frames out of. A friend of mine made some huge murals on 4x8 plywood and we have been discussing how use 2x4s to make proportionally sized frames for. I'm thinking to make something like a miter box that will attach to the saw that will be adjustable horizontally and vertically.
@@LunarCascader your first impression is correct. It is a terrible idea. I would not even attempt it.
@@Woodcademy thank you for the feedback. It will serve as a reminder to be extra careful. 🧐
Does this make purchasing a shaper unnecessary?
Matt, I have and use router tables, I do not own a Shaper. But to a large extent, yes, molding heads are an alternative to using a shaper. Corob Cutters not only makes the heads and knives, but also makes shaper cutters in most of the same profiles. Check out their site at www.corobcutters.com
It would have been better to skip the rebate part. Why use the molding head for rebate when there are so many different choices, dado set and router table? Go to special profile at once when usual router bits won't do.
woodensurfer a molding head rebates faster and cleaner than even high end dado blades.
But one of the cool things about woodworking is that there is never only one way to do something. Having multiple methods of performing the same task is useful.
@@Woodcademy
Most people need a good quality dado set and have a router table. You cannot cut most dado with a molding head and rebating with a dado set or a straight bit on a router table is easier.
The adjunct stuffs like the molding head have to demonstrate special usefulness after the usual dado set and router.