Greatly improved sanding accuracy is being achieved by a Norfolk joinery after replacing its elderly wide-belt sander with one of the latest Viet artisan range machines.

Scope Joinery specialises in the creation of high-class purpose-made traditional and contemporary joinery. Established in 1991 by Chris Green and his brother-in-law Peter Lord, the original two-man team has gone from strength to strength. They now employ 15 time-served craftsmen joiners in a 10,000ft2 workshop on a two-acre plot at Beeston in the heart of rural Norfolk.

The company works on projects around the country for domestic clients, house builders and designers and architects. Its skilled joiners can produce everything from new kitchens and conservatories to staircases, windows and doors, restaurant and bar fittings and furniture,

In addition to working for The National Trust and carrying out restoration and new works inside churches and chapels, Scope Joinery holds a prestigious Royal Warrant as a manufacturer of exhibition joinery to Her Majesty the Queen.

Its new Viet S1 213 sander is a twin head machine with a 1350mm working width. The sanding elements include a calibrating roller followed by a combination head comprising a softer roller and inflatable pad. The machine features anti-dubbing on the second head and inverter control of the conveyor belt to allow excellent finish sanding on veneered boards. 

The S1 model is a heavy duty wide-belt sander with a large choice of sanding and finishing elements with additional options including inverter control of the abrasive belt and touch screen controls to give maximum flexibility from the compact machine and increase operator ease and speed of use.

Every single component that requires sanding in the joinery shop, including door parts, window frames and staircase parts, whether made from hardwood or softwood, as well as veneered panels and MDF, passes through the Viet.  

“The Viet replaced a Sandingmaster that was around 20 years old and was costing us too much in continual repair costs to make it financially viable any longer,” says Chris Green. “As TM Machinery had carried out the Sandingmaster’s servicing for several years I asked their engineer if he could recommend a suitable replacement, and he said that TM had taken over sales of the Viet range.

“Because I was pleased with TM’s level of service over the years I called them to see what they could do for us. I also checked out other wide-belt sanders on the internet before finally deciding to go with a Viet. I wanted a good capable machine at the right price and the Viet is just that. I could have spent twice as much to get a machine that does the same excellent job the Viet does.

“All the lads like it as it’s a lot more accurate than our old one because of its built-in calibration which leads to fewer mistakes. It has been totally reliable and should give us years of good service.”

Now part of the Biesse Group, Viet’s artisan range of wide-belt sanders is available in the UK from TM Machinery Sales, which also services the machines and provides spare parts.