Hoffmann MU3-P Dovetailer for mitered stretcher bar corners

[dgberg]

I have had this machine for some time and just now have a little free time to show you what a great buy it was.
Our two larger customers are local hospitals that order a combination of gallery wraps and framed canvas on gatorboard so most of our runs are pretty large quantities.
Our dual miter saw makes quick work of stretcher bar cutting. Presently working on 26 - 30x40" gallery wraps.
I have a real good underpinner that is not only fast but efficient but in the back of my mind I have always wanted a Hoffmann.
I saw the Hoffmann at a trade show a number of years ago and was really impressed. Fast, smooth but expensive.
Bought one anyway and we just love it.
Frame assembly after the cutting is done is around 5 minute for a 30x40.
Requires air, 120 volts and dust extraction. If you are doing any quantity of gallery wraps you should consider this tool.
The keys come in four sizes and a dozen different lengths.
You can purchase keys in brass or aluminum as well as 4 different wood species.
We use it for the corners of our floater frames as well. Pulls those together as tight and crisp as you can imagine.
On the gallery wraps we run the cutter through the entire bar because no one sees it.
When using this machines for picture frames we set the depth stop at least 1/4" from coming through the surface.

[Richard.Wills]

Dan, those look beautiful, and adds a real premium touch.

What do you do about retensioning the canvas, or are you using a print material that doesn't sag over time/environment?

[dgberg]

Thanks
That we have not solved. It is a worrisome problem especially with these larger frames. I have spray sealed all the stretcher bars on all four sides with catalized lacquer to see if we can minimize shrinkage.
My studio gallery wraps all get floppy to some extent in the winter but go right back to being taut in the summer.  We are using Lexjet Sunset Select Matte a 35% cotton 65% Polyester blend. Still looking for a matte canvas with minimal shrinkage tendencies.

[Richard.Wills]

For ultimate longevity, stretch only in the winter, or set up a space for the streching that has a very low RH? Be horrible to work in.

[dgberg]

Several more shots. Hoffmann has a very small W1 cutter for the shown small frame.
Typically very hard to glue and clamp with no way to underpin.
This solves that whole dilemma.
Wide shallow frames are also a non issue. Shown a 4 1/2" wide barn board frame put together with 2 small dovetailed keys.