I am thinking about buying a basic manual Hoffman router. I use plenty of hardwoods, but my stroke last year means that I'm no longer as fast as I used to be, but I like to work smart and wonder if this might be the next logical move for me.
I am assuming that the Hoffman router is maybe only usable on hardwoods, or is this not quite true. It might be nice to use on softer woods as well. Can someone please advise. I have a bit of money right now, so buying one right now is not so silly.
Thanks in anticipation,
Mark.
Basic manual Hoofman router - Is it worth getting
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Basic manual Hoofman router - Is it worth getting
Mark Lacey
“Life is short. Art long. Opportunity is fleeting. Experience treacherous. Judgement difficult.”
― Geoffrey Chaucer
“Life is short. Art long. Opportunity is fleeting. Experience treacherous. Judgement difficult.”
― Geoffrey Chaucer
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Re: Basic manual Hoofman router - Is it worth getting
Hi Mark,
I use it for all barewoods, I wouldn't be without it now!
I'm a little more wary with decorative/delicate prefinished mouldings, as its the difference between pushing up v nails from below or hammering in a wedge from above. Contrary to what I have heard said, there is some slight wiggle room once the Hoffmann key is in.
I suspect that the people who say there isn't, may be joining it too tightly.
An essential accessory for joining shaped mouldings, is a set of box index cards, to support the front of the mouldings while inserting the keys.
Also, high fences, w0 (if you work with anything like a R+H A10/A195) and w1 router bits and a digital scale to get the router depth spot on.
It takes me a few minutes to change bits now, rather than an hour without it...
Just be prepared, its a slower job than underpinning, especially on mouldings requiring 2 to 3 keys, but its well worth the time especially with hardwoods.
Keys can be cut down and reused so you don't need a box of each size and they're much cheaper by the 1000 from hoffmann uk.
I'm sure you won't regret it Mark!
If you havent already, have a look at the Hoffmann youtube videos..
I use it for all barewoods, I wouldn't be without it now!
I'm a little more wary with decorative/delicate prefinished mouldings, as its the difference between pushing up v nails from below or hammering in a wedge from above. Contrary to what I have heard said, there is some slight wiggle room once the Hoffmann key is in.
I suspect that the people who say there isn't, may be joining it too tightly.
An essential accessory for joining shaped mouldings, is a set of box index cards, to support the front of the mouldings while inserting the keys.
Also, high fences, w0 (if you work with anything like a R+H A10/A195) and w1 router bits and a digital scale to get the router depth spot on.
It takes me a few minutes to change bits now, rather than an hour without it...
Just be prepared, its a slower job than underpinning, especially on mouldings requiring 2 to 3 keys, but its well worth the time especially with hardwoods.
Keys can be cut down and reused so you don't need a box of each size and they're much cheaper by the 1000 from hoffmann uk.
I'm sure you won't regret it Mark!
If you havent already, have a look at the Hoffmann youtube videos..
Justin George GCF(APF)
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Re: Basic manual Hoofman router - Is it worth getting
Are there no stops for setting the routing depth?
Mark Lacey
“Life is short. Art long. Opportunity is fleeting. Experience treacherous. Judgement difficult.”
― Geoffrey Chaucer
“Life is short. Art long. Opportunity is fleeting. Experience treacherous. Judgement difficult.”
― Geoffrey Chaucer
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Re: Basic manual Hoofman router - Is it worth getting
Yes there is a height stop for depth, which is easy to adjust.
Its the fence plate that you move to place the keys. If you have to rout 3 keys holes, you have to set the fence for the first position, rout each end of each piece, reset the fence plate for hole no.2 rout each piece etc etc. Its no big deal it just takes time. Due to the accuracy of matching up the holes, you cant change the fence plate until each hole on every end of each piece of moulding has been done, otherwise you won't match.
Like I said the digital multi guage will set up the router key to the exact distance, to the 0.1mm!!
Its the fence plate that you move to place the keys. If you have to rout 3 keys holes, you have to set the fence for the first position, rout each end of each piece, reset the fence plate for hole no.2 rout each piece etc etc. Its no big deal it just takes time. Due to the accuracy of matching up the holes, you cant change the fence plate until each hole on every end of each piece of moulding has been done, otherwise you won't match.
Like I said the digital multi guage will set up the router key to the exact distance, to the 0.1mm!!
Justin George GCF(APF)
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Re: Basic manual Hoofman router - Is it worth getting
Sorry shouldnt have mentioned the digital guage, thats separate and confusing the issue!
Justin George GCF(APF)
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Re: Basic manual Hoofman router - Is it worth getting
Mark, we have a Hoffman if you'd like to pop over sometime and see it in action.
That might help with your decision process.
That might help with your decision process.
Jo Palmer GCF(APF) Adv
Textile, Mount Design & Function & Conservation
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Textile, Mount Design & Function & Conservation
Forum Moderator & Framing Educator
www.pictureframingtraining.com
Guild Certified Examiner & Guild Accredited Trainer
Guild Master from May 2019 to May 2022
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Re: Basic manual Hoofman router - Is it worth getting
Hi jo,
Thanks for the offer, but I have already seen them in action and right now I working out how to juggle the money to get everything on my list right now. I was counting on buying something while it was on special offer in a sale, but the sale has finished and now if I buy it at full price, the money won't cover everything that I hoping to get.
Thanks for the offer, but I have already seen them in action and right now I working out how to juggle the money to get everything on my list right now. I was counting on buying something while it was on special offer in a sale, but the sale has finished and now if I buy it at full price, the money won't cover everything that I hoping to get.
Mark Lacey
“Life is short. Art long. Opportunity is fleeting. Experience treacherous. Judgement difficult.”
― Geoffrey Chaucer
“Life is short. Art long. Opportunity is fleeting. Experience treacherous. Judgement difficult.”
― Geoffrey Chaucer