Limiters ?

[moose007]

I'm upgrading from a router table to a spindle moulder and my first of many questions is.............
Can anyone tell me what cutter limiters are and why I would want to use 'em ?

 

[BradNaylor]

On either side of the cutter block is a cutter and a limiter. On the photo above the cutters are shiny and the limiters black, although this is not always the case.

The limiters are simply a second pair of cutters which enter the workpiece ahead of the proper cutters. They are slightly shorter and have their bevel reversed. This 'limits' the amount of timber that can be removed in one pass.

They are designed as a safety measure. If a stray finger should find its way into a spinning cutter block there will be a tendancy for it to be thrown out again by the reversed bevel and the amount of finger removed reduced. A nasty injury will still occur, but not as bad as it would have been before limiters became mandatory.

Modern blocks like the one above do not work without limiters. When you buy cutters you need to buy a matching set of limiters at the same time.

If you buy a second hand spindle moulder there is every chance that it will come with an old block and cutters without limiters. I would have no hesitation in binning all such tooling and budgeting for new. Not only is it a legal requirement but it represents a major safety advance for a machine with a reputation for being involved in more accidents than any other.

Hope that answers your question.

Cheers
Dan

 

[jasonB]

The limiters are not so much to limit the amount of flesh removed but to limit the amount of wood removed per revolution, without them there is a risk of the workpiece being drawn into the cutter and then being kicked back out at you.

To say modern blocks don't work without them is also not strictly true. It is perfectly acceptable to use unlimited blocks with a power feed which holds the work far firmer than you can buy hand. As most home users don't have power feed it is best to go for limiter tooling.

Jason

 

[Steve Maskery]

I don't know if this is of any interest to you, but I have a complete SM setup gathering dust. I'd rather have the space, to be honest. Scheppach HF3000. PM me if you are interested.
S

 

[OPJ]

Did anyone see The Fun Police on Channel 4, Thursday night? The man running a workshop got a brief scolding from the HSE inspector for having an old-style cutter block fitted to a working spindle moulder. Frightening thing was that they appeared to be clueless as to the potential dangers - the operator seem to think it was safe as he was working longer lengths! :? :shock:

It's good that younger people and students of any age. now coming in to the woodworking trades and machine shops are educated and aware of such hazards - is enough really being done to alert those who finished their training and apprenticeships a long time ago?

 

[JonnyD]

To say modern blocks don't work without them is also not strictly true. It is perfectly acceptable to use unlimited blocks with a power feed which holds the work far firmer than you can buy hand. As most home users don't have power feed it is best to go for limiter tooling.

Jason

According to the HSE using a powerfeed or sliding carriage on a spindle moulder is classed as handfeeding so limited projection tooling is required when using a powerfeed. A non limited block can only be used in a planer moulder.

Jon

 

[gardenshed]

It's not illegal to use old style blocks & cutters for your own use ie hobby, diy etc. Different of course if your making a living from using them.

There's still a very active trade in the non limiter cutter block market.







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[TheTiddles]

HSE are there to ensure people are following the rules, on some things they are totally over the top and others I would regard them as negligent. Follow the rules first, then common sense, after that you're probably ok

Aidan