Vee-grooving (a.k.a. v-grooving) equipment is used to cut v-grooves into various wood pieces. Used for the industrial production of products such as countertops and cabinetry, the machinery is also used to add aesthetic flourishes to such products as furniture and cabinetry. In the first case, an industrial grade v-groover is usually in order, while in the second case a CNC router with a v-groove chisel bit is usually the preferred option.
Types of V-Grooving Equipment
Woodworking operations that require v-grooving typically achieve it by using one or more of the following four methods: manual v-groove chisels, handheld motorized routers, CNC routers, and vee-grooving machines.
1. Manual V-Groove Chisels
Manual Chisels are used for two reasons: they are the least expensive type of v-groove equipment, and some woodworkers prefer to hand make their products, especially for luxury productions that command a high premium. On the other hand, manual chiseling is too time consuming for the woodworker who makes a living by maintaining a high production rate.
2. Handheld Motorized Routers
Handheld motorized routers are ideal for small woodshops with low production rates. Like manual chisels, motorized routers are affordable, and allow a woodworker to have more personal contact with his or her work. But they also share the trait of being too time consuming for an operation whose goal is producing a high number of units per week.
3. CNC Routers
CNC routers are ideal for carving intricate designs into wood pieces in a timely manner. Controlled by a computer that can be programmed with new design patterns, the router can produce incredibly detailed work that could only be done by hand until recently. However, CNC routers are not designed to cut a high number of utilitarian v-grooves.
4. Vee-grooving Machines
A v-groover machine is designed to cut a high number of utilitarian v-grooves for any wood product. Useful for builder made products and custom made products alike, a v-grooving machine is often an integral part of an industrial woodworking operation’s production line.
5. Are Vee-grooving Machines Used in Smaller Woodshops?
An industrial grade v-groover often takes up more space than a smaller woodshop has to offer. If you need to upgrade to a large, industrial grade v-groover, updating your workspace should be the first move.
6. Is Buying Used Vee-grooving Equipment a Sensible Option?
Some v-grooving equipment is ideal to purchase used and some isn’t. Handheld routers seldom retain their dependability long-term, but manual chisels, industrial grade CNC routers and v-groovers usually do, especially if they’ve been well-maintained. In addition to checking a CNC router or a vee-groover’s official maintenance record, also be sure to: (a) only buy from a professional seller of used woodworking machinery; (b) investigate the seller’s record at the Better Business Bureau (BBB); and (c) conduct a firsthand inspection of the machine prior to purchase.
