Craftsman 3214 Molding Head Set-up and Use

[@leroyolson4349]

I have been using them since the early 70's. I'm a retired cabinet maker, and I used to build cabinetry for customers with cottages on Lake Michigan. I have raised panel cutters that do concave, convex, and straight, panel cut's. They are the best way to build cabinet door's, but your setup must be good, with no allowance for wiggle, I used heavy fingerboards for this purpose, never a problem on Oak, Maple, Birch, Hickory was a little more fussier. but doable. I also used them to make all the custom trim, for Timber Frame houses, I never had a failure, I'm now 80, retired, but I have, and still use the original blades, occasionally dressing them on a diamond, or carbide stone.

[@mperhaps]

This seems wrong for some reason. I very much appreciate this day and age we live in wherein I am offered these valuable lessons from a master craftsman on a subject I have interest in. In the previous thousand years or so receiving this sort of knowledge was a privilege one had to earn. I don't know. In my limited understanding of life over the last 53 years, knowledge of this kind that anyone can attain WITHOUT WORKING FOR IT is rarely appreciated. Thank you Nelson Studios

[@sequoyah59]

I used mine a lot when I first started making furniture. Used it on a Shopsmith just like Dad did and you don't get much more precarious than that. They do acceptable work and I cut a lot of trim with one. When I retooled the shop I opted, so far, not to get a shaper but instead have two 3 HP routers on insert tables and lots and lots of cutter for all manner of stuff. I should try it on the radial arm saw before I sell that. Like the idea of running the material flat instead of vertical as in the table saw with a tall fence.

[@ypaulbrown]

Wonderful NelsonStudios...cheers from Florida, Paul

[@i8BBQ4Lunch]

Please use a long push tool!! 2"x6"x18" on edge with a strip screwed in the end. It gave me the shivers to see your hand on top of the piece. I learned the hard way. I was using the same tool. 20 years later and I can still see the scar from the bit in my hand. reach over the fence to use it. If it gets caught by the cutter and throws our the piece the fence will stop your hand from going down into the cutter. Too bad I didn't meet the millwright that showed me the pusher before the accident. Luckily I still have full use of my hand.

[@williammarin5639]

What do you think about a pair micro jig gripper?. (I recently bought a Craftsman 3214 Molding Head, and was thinking to use it with a pair of grippers.)

[@davidmuller1958]

I cringed when i saw that.

[@i8BBQ4Lunch]

@@davidmuller1958 It's been ten years since I wrote this and it still makes my stomach queasy.

[@batarang87]

I received a second Molding Head from my Neighbor yesterday, this one was the Craftsman 3 Knife Small Diameter Head with Knives. The Knives were very dirty, but I cleaned them up with some Green Scotch Bright pads. I didn't have a sharpening stone, so I took a sheet of 400 grit sandpaper and placed it on the cast iron surface of my Table Saw. I then took the flat side of the knives and made a few passes on the sandpaper, they now feel sharper.

[@acme663ryo]

I bet that would work great, I am sure they are.

[@johnthompson6656]

I own a set that I got with an old Craftsman RAS. It says not to use on table saw. It doesn't have the spacer I've seen in some videos. And I seem to remember seeing another head with a smaller diameter body. Would love to use mine on a table saw I just bought. When I used it on RAS it was spooky, but made amazing cuts.

[@acme663ryo]

I bet it would be spooky. It has always worked on my table saw ok.

[@skipanardoross6805]

@@acme663ryo I have been searching the web trying to find out if those can be used on the table saw, if there is an actual difference, and what the difference would be. I have blades that are still in original packaging but they have the "do not use with table saw" warning. The cutter head I have is model 3200 and I haven't checked for fit but if they do I may use them. This "not knowing why or difference" is wearing me out.

[@skipanardoross6805]

Have you tried them on your table saw yet? I'm commenting on an old thread, I know, but I'm trying to figure out why they were supposedly for RAS only.

[@acme663ryo]

@@skipanardoross6805 I can't for the life of me figure out why not. I found an entry for it on vintage machinery and it shows a 3200 in place on a table saw. vintagemachinery.org/pubs/222/2260.pdf I think I would use it but maybe stand back a bit.

[@johnthompson6656]

I have seen one with a smaller head that I think was to be used on a table saw.

[@postholedigger8726]

Those cutters can also be used on a radial arm saw. They work great. The radial arm saw head can be pivoted to various angles which facilitates molding cuts that normally would be done on a tilting spindle shaper. david

[@acme663ryo]

I bet that would open a whole new world of shapes. I always found my old 10 radial to be a big grabby, I assume running the cutter on a radial would make that issue worse? Are there tricks you use to control it?

[@postholedigger8726]

Boy are you in luck. Check out this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gIPZmnmQgb11n5o david

[@algallego]

@@acme663ryo Provided there's enough clearance in the throat plate opening on the table saw, can they be tilted to slight degree?

[@acme663ryo]

@@algallego absolutely. You will likely have to use a sacrificial plate.

[@cabbyhubby]

Have had one for 30 years, they work for sure and they are affordable

[@algallego]

Just scored one on eBay and need to create a zero clearance or proper throat plate for it. Looking forward to using one. I've been looking for a router table top plate extension to add to my old Craftsman table saw.

[@Pinoyphilly]

Reading through the comments, I see a glimmer of hope in our world filled with cruel competitions and pushing one another as people go through the "rat race" . I am impressed that through KZbin, experts and people who know what they are doing are giving away their knowledge and tips for free. However the pristine conditions that YT has provided is being attacked by opportunists who wants you to "enroll and pay" for you to get info and lessons through their channels. i avoid many of them and praise God for people like you. Live well, be healthy and thanks for sharing your expertise with us and the rodl.

[@acme663ryo]

Thanks man. Carry on the good fight.

[@Pinoyphilly]

@@acme663ryo < I want to buy a Craftsman 3200 Head for my CM Radial Saw. Will the 3200 also fit. I noticed that yours is 3214. Please let me know.

[@acme663ryo]

@@Pinoyphilly yes, it will fit any 10 inch craftsman and if you leave the bushing out the 12 as well. Be a scary SOB on a radial saw in my opinion but I know it can be done.

[@anthonychavez3742]

I just bought one, oh my God the noise it makes scared the hell out of me ha ha Ha but it works so sweet.

[@acme663ryo]

That howl...

[@mdevidograndpacificlumbera1539]

this guy is pretty cool. nice cadence to the way you speak

[@bobbg9041]

If You Put A sheet of Plywood with a clamps and auxiliary fence it will cut down the loud noise!

[@Vincent-gt3gx]

Sounds great and a simple message a thumps ups

[@acme663ryo]

Do you mean that the arbor is a different size and it will not fit at all or just that with the thick spacer you can't get the nut on safely? If it is a different size you will have to find or make a bushing. If it is that the spacer is wrong go find some washers that have the proper size center hole and mix and match until you find what you need. The big spacer comes with the kit but you don't have to use it.

[@algallego]

Dude with a finger like that, why on earth do you not use a push stick/block and/or at least a featherboard? 😀 Great demo of the molding cutter and installing it with appropriate insert plate! Thanks for the tips on making sure to sharpen them right out of the box!

[@matermark]

I have a few different sets of the Craftsman molding cutters, all found on ebay a few years ago; one has around 18 different profiles but only uses 1 cutter instead of 3. I've bought enough pieces to have 3 cutters (or more) of each profile. None of them have really readable instructions. I have a Bosch 4100DG-09 saw and they have a zero-clearance type plate specifically for the Craftsman/Ridgid molding cutters. I have not tried any yet but would like to see more vids first of the different profiles as well as combining different profiles together. Thanks.

[@acme663ryo]

28? Wow I didn't know there were so many for that head. I assume you cut with a three knife head, how is it different than a single cutter? I assume the single must have a very slow feed rate and is more prone to chipping and tear-out?

[@matermark]

NelsonStudios Sorry, typo! Should be 18. I'll edit that. But I think there are more than 20 profiles, plus 3rd party companies making some profiles. I will have to check mine later but I know I bought some kits & pieces to get 3 cutters alike to use the 3-cutter head. I have a couple different 3-cutter heads of different sizes too. I had a pic showing the different profiles, I'll look for that... Corob sells 50 profiles.

[@GraemePayne1967Marine]

I use one of these with my radial arm saw. Great tool.

[@acme663ryo]

I bet that works great. Have you ever turned the saw 90 and used this like a big scary thickness planer?

[@GraemePayne1967Marine]

No, I have a separate planer head for that ... see Bernie Cody's video on that: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJqtpn6MqqhgedU

[@joycemiller4716]

Imported one to England to use on my skillsaw table saw

[@acme663ryo]

ebay it my man.

[@denjhill]

I've used this set quite a bit on my tablesaw. Does a good job, but it still scares me.

[@pbc1951]

You can take that tri bead cutter, and cut both sides of a thin board and make 3 dowel rods at a time, I done that. *(just flip board end for end) You just cut 1/2 way thru from each side. Bingo !!

[@acme663ryo]

+Paul Couch That is a useful trick. Thank you.

[@ishootinraw1]

You had mentioned in this video about SHIMS . Could you help me out and let me know where to get them. My table saw blade sits too close to the table saw insert and it is not centered in the insert. Thanks.

[@acme663ryo]

Honestly you can make your own out of a cereal box. Just trace the blade water and go just a bit larger. Balance will not be an issue.

[@ishootinraw1]

@@acme663ryo Perhaps so but I will have to use quite a few. I need somewhere around 3/16 in. as my blade is a good distance away from center of on insert plate. Any ideas ? Oh, your video is awesome.

[@acme663ryo]

@@ishootinraw1 if the plate is aluminum you can cut through it with the saw or you might try searching for "table saw shims"

[@mikeherbst1825]

Warren, the Craftsman molding set being used in this video came with a spacer approx 3/16" thick. For additional shims I use the ones from my 8" freud safety dado.

[@ccccen]

Very nice

[@OmartyGuko]

How buy your ticket itims..sir

[@batarang87]

I have that Molding Head except mine says Rigid instead of Sears, but it's the same style. Sears doesn't support Molding Heads anymore, they show up on ebay all the time, but you can buy American Made Sears style Molding Heads and Knives from corobcutters.com.

[@acme663ryo]

Thanks for the tip. It would be nice to pick up some more profiles.

[@bertanatorful]

Great share!

[@charleschavez9326]

How to buy that?

[@drscruggs9830]

that tray next to that saw especially the screw driver to me would be a huge no no......what if a vibration bounces something out and that spinning blade sends it through your forehead?????? have a nice day

[@gfhs58]

Yep, you would literally get SCREWED!

[@sergio29552]

have a question I have a 10 inch table saw what type of heat cutter did you recommend to me

[@acme663ryo]

I like this one.

[@francoissmuts7708]

sergio

[@bobminchin]

Are these molding heads still made? Can anyone point me to an online listing of all the cutters, part numbers and profiles available please. I'm in England and have the 3 cutter head 3214 and would like to buy more profiles for it. Thanks Bob

[@acme663ryo]

Try e-Bay that is where I found the last few.

[@bobminchin]

Thanks, that is where I've been looking but without a catalogue of part numbers and full dimensions, I'm reluctant to commit to buying blind

[@flashgordon6238]

Per Tristan Van Pelt's post, you can buy American Made Sears-style Molding Heads and Knives from corobcutters.com.

[@high1voltage1rules]

I would not want any part of my body near that!!! Lol I realy dont like spinning blades!!! Iv seen to many axcidents in my life lol Thanx for sharing Thumbs up*

[@nasrodensultan6570]

How can I buy this

[@edpevaz]

Can I use it on radial saw

[@acme663ryo]

Probably but it is going to be sketchy so be careful.

[@Blueeyedtraveler]

Where was the push pads or even a sled?!... that was scary seeing your hand on the top of that board

[@edysteincampos3281]

Que precio tiene ese disco y sus set

[@lesliecruzado2793]

I want one now!

[@acme663ryo]

ebay is likely the best bet

[@tamerahmed3957]

Thanks...haw can lbuy it

[@acme663ryo]

I find them on e-bay occasionally.

[@joycemiller4716]

Got mine on eBay love from England

[@WV591]

no sharpening video?

[@acme663ryo]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3KchYaegbKrpq8

[@mattneff1262]

I bought a molding head set for my table saw but have used it on a (extremely) limited basis. Do you use jigs in conjunction with the fence (depending on the profile) to keep the material properly positioned?

[@acme663ryo]

+Matt Neff Unless it is thick heavy stock yes. Not jigs normally but feather boards and hold-down clamps.

[@rudygtrz]

you should keep your tablw saw top clean of clutter

[@Patrick-kc5ur]

Get those screwdrivers off your fence before they get knocked into the spinning cutterhead and become unguided missiles! I hear children's voices, they could be a victim of unsafe practices.

[@acme663ryo]

That's a tray on top of the fence, it's fine. Probably don't want to know where the boy is.

[@philipmaclarenjr.2004]

Good vid but your clutter on the table saw is unacceptable