Format cutting machines for furniture makers: review of 5 models from 155 to 850 thousand rubles

Fast and accurate straight-line cutting of sheet plastic and wood-based materials is possible only on a format-cutting machine. The principle of working with this type of circular saw equipment is simple and clear:

However, all employees, from the manager to the assistant operator, are required to have a complete understanding of the intricacies of the process and the features of the equipment. Only in this case can you count on safe work with high-quality results, within the framework of cost-effective operation.

Purpose of the review

• Bring to the prudent manager all aspects of profitable work on an expensive high-tech machine;
• offer the beginning entrepreneur the best versions of suitable equipment;
• help an inexperienced worker understand the types and models of formatters, the intricacies of their setup and safe operation.

In your business, what material is most often expected to be processed on a cutting machine?
To begin with, I will give the main characteristics that you need to pay attention to when choosing and approximate values.
Table of main technical characteristics of format cutting machines

When searching for equipment, pay attention to the width of the carriage. With all other technical characteristics being the same, you should choose a machine with the widest carriage surface. This is due to the relatively better distribution of the load on the moving parts of the design of the format-cutting machine. Thanks to this, a fair opinion has become widespread: the wider the carriage, the lower the setup costs and the longer the period of trouble-free operation.

In this article I will consider the most optimal models in terms of price and quality:
Summary table of models

Exploitation

I previously wrote an article on this site about the difficulty of cutting plywood across the grain and how to saw it with a circular saw practically without chipping.

We used the same principle in this design. The saw blade comes close to the carriage plate

The gap between the plywood of the carriage and the disk is minimal - this way we avoid large chips

The back side of the sheet will definitely have a perfect cut, but the front side may chip. The task is simple - the sheet that we will cut must be pressed against the sheet of the formatter carriage. We will cut plywood 4, 6 and 10 mm. Therefore, we set the gap between the plane of the inclined “table” of the formatter and the carriage itself to 20 mm, so that several sheets could be cut simultaneously (5 sheets of 4 mm, three sheets of 6 mm, or 2 sheets of 10 mm).

Therefore, when you need to saw off only one sheet, we place a piece of the required thickness under it.

The material must be pressed against the carriage sheet to prevent chipping. We use linings from scraps

Also on the inclined table I made markings and stops for standard plywood sizes for us.

Now the process of dissolving the plywood has noticeably accelerated, and the cut turned out to be very good

Woodtec 3200 R – from 155,000 rubles

An upgraded version of the entry-level machine.
For cutting standard versions of wood-based panels, up to 5-10 sheets per day. The roller carriage ensures maximum precision and smooth running. Adjusting bolts are provided to remove the lateral play of the movable table. The welded frame determines the strength of the machine. The cast base of the saw unit prevents the occurrence of tool runouts throughout the entire life of the machine. The aspiration system housing is held by the riving knife, and the knife itself is not rigid enough to keep the housing from vibration. If the laminated chipboard is fed unevenly, this nuance can provoke a sharp increase in the amplitude of vibrations of the casing, its beating on the disk and trembling of the sawn board. This is why laminate chips even on high-quality material.

The first experience of working on this particular machine should be obtained only after professional adjustment.
Without a guaranteed correct setting, it cannot be turned on for testing - the same riving knife, due to its low rigidity, does not allow one to determine its weakened fastening even by touch. Which can cause damage to the blade, drive and saw unit. Technical characteristics of the Woodtec 3200 R format saw

Video about the Woodtec 3200 R panel saw:

Holz-her 1270 – from 220,000 rubles

Format cutting machine with a vertical table – for transport cutting of dimensional slab materials.

Takes up minimal space. There is a semi-automatic feed of the saw unit with return to the starting position. The design allows you to quickly adjust the cut size and change the cutting axis in two movements.

Does not allow cutting a sheet of material diagonally.
Despite the pneumatic clamping of the workpiece to the table, it is inconvenient to cut and remove large parts alone. Please note: the design of the saw unit does not provide for a scoring disc. Therefore, only equipment recommended by the manufacturer is used. High-quality cutting using analogues of branded blades is possible only if it fully complies with the specifications of the “original” cutting part of the equipment. Technical characteristics of Holzher 1270

Video about the Holzher 1270 panel saw:

Jet jtss 3200 – from 400,000 rubles

A full-size format cutting machine for the needs of small (10-15 “room” projects per month) furniture production.

The electronic engine brake prevents free rotation of the disc and holds it so well that you can unscrew the lock nut without blocking the shaft. There is a comprehensive system for protecting the electric motor from overheating, voltage surges, and exceeding the permissible load threshold. Convenient access to the saw unit is provided. The operating mode of the S1 electric motor is that it would be possible to work without stopping, but the settings of the disks and rulers are periodically lost, and when cutting short parts for a long time, the block of carriage rollers tends to go beyond the rubber stopper. Over time, due to activation of the brake system, the drive belts begin to slip.

The most controversial point regarding this model is the welded structure of the frame, inside of which a reinforced concrete block is placed. Anyone who immediately noticed this feature, as a rule, wonders whether it is worth paying a lot of money for such a solution when there are more profitable machines. Both in price and functionality.

At the selection stage, you should also pay attention to the fact that the belts of both disks are pulled by the shaft of one engine.
On the one hand, this solution saves electricity and creates a relatively low cost of a new machine; on the other hand, when working with solid wood, where the scoring disc does not have such practical importance (as when cutting laminated chipboard), idle wear of the scoring disc bearing occurs. Technical characteristics of Jet jtss 3200

Video about the Jet jtss 3200 sheet saw:

What shortcomings were discovered and what would I change?

• Shaft diameter 20 mm. Professional formatters use 40 mm shafts, so it is difficult to bend them when cutting. Why didn't they take 40 mm? To be honest, it was strangled by a toad - one shaft 2 meters with a diameter of 40 mm costs almost 10 thousand rubles. And you need 2 of them (let me remind you that the entire format set cost 10-11 thousand rubles, including the circular). If you decide to assemble it on a furniture rod (for hangers), I don’t recommend it right away - our solid 20 mm shafts bend a little, and the rods will simply bend.
• Wooden frame. The tree tends to “walk” and dry out. Therefore, some bars may bend a little due to changes in humidity. An aluminum frame made from a machine-made profile would cost 30-40 thousand rubles. Simple square aluminum tubes are about half the price, but their bending rigidity is lower than that of a machined profile. In theory, key places can be strengthened with metal corners (we are talking about molded products, not corner fastenings of parts at an angle of 90 degrees). But again, the frame is attached to the floor and wall, and the problem of bending is solved by periodically adjusting the position of the shafts.
• It is still preferable to take laminated plywood rather than simple FC. This will make the sheets travel more fun. Why didn't we use laminated? Because in our warehouse there was only FC, and there was no desire or time to order a laminated sheet separately. Perhaps we will fix it in a future modification.
• The polypropylene bushings for sliding the movable carriage sometimes jam a little and they whistle. Now I would do it a little differently, but I’m showing you exactly how it was during the manufacturing process.
• Instead of shafts with a counterweight, it’s better to look for a cable with a “reverse traction tape measure” (I’m sorry, I didn’t look for the exact name of this unit). It should be no more expensive than my version, but it will be easier to assemble such a design. Plus, the extra resistance in the rollers that I used above the machine will disappear.

PS If you are new to our website and are interested in carpentry, then take a look at what cool things our CNC burner machine Pyroprinter does (this is not paint - it is BURNING):

You can read about the PYROPRINTER machine itself here

Altendorf F45 – from 450,000 rubles

The basic version of the line of format-cutting machines designed to work on an industrial scale with chipboard, solid wood, plasterboard, plastic, and aluminum. Electronic adjustment of the disc position. Indication of everything: from current values ​​to error codes. Convenient and reliable systems for fixing disks on shafts. Manual installation of stops using a fine adjustment mechanism. Convenient location of the control unit. Smooth adjustment of saw blade rotation speed.

Taking into account the list of all available basic solutions, the relatively high cost of new and used equipment becomes justified. Another plus is that to adapt any model of the updated F45 line to the technical conditions of a particular production, a proprietary list of additional equipment of 15 items is offered.

Keep in mind: if the scoring disc rotates in the same direction as the main one, this is not a breakdown, but a feature of the Vario motor control unit.
This is how it reacts to errors in connecting to a three-phase network. In order to start the machine correctly, you just need to swap the phases. The main drive here is controlled by a frequency converter, so phase reversal does not affect its operation in any way. Technical characteristics of Altendorf F45

Video about the Altendorf F45 panel saw:

Griggio UNICA SAFE – from 850,000 rubles

A line of 5 dimensional options for reliable and safe format-cutting machines, with programmatic control of the saw unit.

For ease of operation, the carriage is locked in any position. To remove backlash as the rollers wear out, the movable frame is equipped with reversible screws - this detail provides a stated 10-year warranty on the carriage mechanism. There are systems for smooth speed control and instant stop of the saw blade, and a digital indicator on the ruler. The readiness of the machine for operation is indicated by LEDs on the desktop. Fast and precise adjustment of the position of the scoring and main equipment is ensured by separate drives.

The need to replace critical elements of the safety system after each operation makes it very expensive to operate a far from cheap machine.
The base disk Ø 400 mm, when the saw unit is lowered into the table as much as possible, still remains 25 mm above the surface of the machine. A Ø 300 mm disc is ideally hidden. Technical characteristics of the Griggio UNICA SAFE machine

Video about the Griggio UNICA SAFE machine:

Conclusion

Due to the fact that the issue of choosing the right formatter is most acute for representatives of small businesses, let us summarize based on the needs of these customers.

the most acceptable option for starting production activities is the inexpensive Woodtec 3200 R. Its capabilities are sufficient for the leisurely production of cabinet furniture according to individual projects.

Altendorf F45 , due to its reasonable price and high cutting accuracy, in general terms outperforms even the most expensive representatives of format cutting machines.

Purpose of formatting and cutting equipment

The process of working at the machine

This equipment is designed to perform longitudinal and transverse cuts of wood and cutting lumber at a given angle, format trimming and cutting of panel-type blanks, eliminating and adding overhangs after they are veneered. And, moreover, for cutting full-size slabs into blanks of a certain size.

The format equipment used in furniture production makes it possible to produce high-quality products. On these machines, you can set basic parameters for furniture elements so that they can be processed in the future. Using cutting machines, you can perform both one-time and serial processing of workpieces.

The format-cutting unit is capable of processing materials such as:

• wood of any species;
• plywood of various thicknesses;
• USB, MDF, fiberboard and chipboard boards;
• composite sheets with plastic lining or laminated with film-paper material, melamine or veneer.

These machines are needed for precise cutting of material according to given geometric parameters. The main area of ​​application for cutting machines is furniture factories of all sizes and small carpentry workshops.

FAQ

What is the best way to lubricate the moving elements of the carriage for a consistently smooth ride?

It is extremely rare and mainly for equipment with ball carriage systems that the manufacturer recommends a special lubricant that does not collect dust and sawdust. “Veretyonka” and “Industrial” cannot be used as a worthy alternative, because the dust on them accumulates to a thick consistency.

The only solution is to disassemble the carriage and physically remove all debris. It is strictly forbidden to lubricate the system with “WD” type aerosols. Because this is the main reason why the sealing rubber inserts come off. In the vast majority of cases, the units of format-cutting machines do not require lubrication. Simply blow them off with a stream of compressed air.

Is it possible to customize the format yourself?

Yes, if it is a manual machine. Moreover, for most budget models, monitoring of the accuracy of settings should be carried out constantly. Because of this, independent adjustment may be required quite often (up to daily correction). And each call to a specialist significantly increases the payback period of the machine.

In fact, this process is not the most difficult. Even a novice operator who has no experience in carrying out such work can handle it. To speed up the process and correctly perform the adjustment procedure, it is necessary to determine in advance the position of all adjustment points and prepare a suitable tool. More details about the principles, devices and simplest methods of fine adjustment of mechanical systems are described in the video:

Setting up the operation of electronic units should be entrusted to a service technician with the necessary diagnostic equipment.

Which saws are suitable for the format saw?

Particular care should be taken when using refurbished saw blades (usually sold together with used machines). Overheated, with broken geometry; sharpened without the use of high-precision, highly specialized equipment - all this is a potential threat to the quality of cutting.

New discs are selected in accordance with the specified dimensions (outer Ø, seat Ø) and the characteristics of the material being processed. There are many nuances, each of them is necessarily reflected in the catalogs of equipment manufacturers. Based on the general principles of correspondence between the characteristics of the teeth and the properties of the materials being processed, general rules are formulated:

1. teeth with a positive slope of the working edge are better suited for processing solid wood than others;
2. with a negative slope - suitable for laminated particle boards and aluminum;
3. The more teeth on the disk, the cleaner the cut of hard materials.

What to look for when choosing a “no name” or used machine?

Difficult to eliminate, and therefore not acceptable: backlash in the carriage, violations of the integrity and geometry of the working surfaces.

The package should not be ignored. An unpleasant surprise here will be that for discontinued models, not to mention additional equipment, even original elements from the basic set will be difficult to find.

It’s good if, when comparing the expected load and the machine’s passport data, the reserve potential becomes obvious (high power, wide range of disk revolutions, etc.).

Therefore, we decided to make a format-cutting machine with our own hands.

For assembly I needed:

• A circular saw. I used Metabo at 1.25 kW - a quite inexpensive option around 4.5-5.5 thousand rubles. The disc was used for cutting laminate - it implies a cleaner cut
• 3 m bars (40*60 and 50*50 mm, I used 14 pieces in total) - we use them to make a supporting frame
• Polished shafts - 20 mm 2 m for 2400 rub. (2 pcs) and 10 mm 2 m for 900 RUR (2 pcs) - for the movable carriage and the direction of the counterweight
• 10 mm plywood (for the carriage and the plane on which to rest the sheets) - it took 2 sheets, but I made some of the parts from scraps and defective parts during the production process
• Cable (I don’t remember how much I paid for, but they are not expensive, plus there is quite a lot of it left)
• Socket + relay + push-button post (about 700 rubles for everything)
• Fasteners (screws, angles, studs, etc.)

How much did it cost us?

The total came out to around 12 thousand rubles. (I find it difficult to say the exact figure, since something was purchased in stages, some of the receipts were lost and some amount went towards the delivery of spare parts). At the same time, the main part of the amount is the circular saw itself (which can still be used as a hand tool) and the shafts.