Lamont matrix table and Woodwelder for Shaker 2 Go

SHAKER 2 GO is a specialist manufacturer of Shaker doors, specialising in doors for wardrobes and kitchens. Based in a medium sized workshop in Kent and working with Medite moisture-resistant MDF, the company offers Shaker doors in any size up to a maximum of 2,430 mm x 800 mm and has, through liaising with the client, been able to manufacture doors up to 10 ft high.

Managing director, Phil Temple, recently invested in a matrix table and Woodwelder from Lamont, to speed up production and to further improve the quality of the product.

“We manufacture doors in batches, and we used to use 30 minute polyurethane glue with sash clamps, stacking them while they dried. We were running out of space and clamps, and the process was a bit long,” Phil told Panel, Wood & Solid Surface.

When asked “Why Lamont?” Phil replied, “There wasn't really any other choice for us. Lamont kept popping up on the second hand market so I thought I would take a look. I didn't want a second hand machine and there was also the question of the Woodwelder, which all came as part of one solution for us.

“Now, we have no need to stack clamps and there is no need to tidy up clamps after use. It has sped up our production probably I would say 10-15 fold and, in combination with the Woodwelder, has made us a more professional workshop. We can turn orders around much more quickly and the quality of the work is much better. We know the doors are straight when they are clamped, equal pressure is applied to all sides and every single joint is solid. We use the matrix table and Woodwelder on every single door that we do: it is a tremendous time saver.”

Asked if he would recommend the matrix table and Woodwelder, Phil replied, “Yes, I would definitely recommend it. When we first took it on I was a little sceptical as I looked at the machine and thought about how much we had spent on it, but within a week I knew it was a right choice. We had never used a Woodwelder before, but it worked perfectly.

“Alan [Lamont] has been really good from start to finish, guiding how things work without being a salesman, giving us a very honest insight into it. We knew we needed it, and he was happy we had done our research. It has been a great help to us in moving forward and has enabled us to move into other areas. If we were to expand further, perhaps take on contract work, we would probably take on another matrix table and Woodwelder as if you have two joiners doing the work, you need two machines.

“It has changed everything.”

This article first appeared in the June/July issue of Panel, Wood & Solid Surface.