Crafted by Culshaw has increased production efficiency and expanded its finishing capabilities with the installation of a Heesemann SWT 124 RC sanding machine supplied and supported by HOMAG UK.
About Crafted by Culshaw
For more than 32 years, Crafted by Culshaw has been designing and manufacturing handcrafted kitchens, kitchenettes and interiors renowned for their quality, creativity and craftsmanship.
Founded by furniture maker Michael Culshaw on the original site of his great-grandfather’s joinery business, the company continues a family tradition dating back to the 1930s. Today, the Culshaw name is associated with beautifully made bespoke interiors that combine artistic flair with exceptional workmanship.
Increasing output without compromising quality
As demand for Crafted by Culshaw’s bespoke furniture continued to grow, the business identified sanding and finishing as an area requiring improvement.
“Basically we needed to increase our output,” explains Ted Culshaw, Assistant Managing Director. “We had a single belt sander that wasn’t up to speed.”
The limitations of the old machine became particularly apparent when processing solid oak products. “We do oak solid doors as well as our usual moisture resistant MDF doors, and we couldn’t run oak through the old sander as it would leave scratches on it, so we were having to do them manually with a hand sander.”
The business needed a solution that would improve throughput while maintaining the high-quality finish expected across both materials.
Discovering the right solution
Crafted by Culshaw was already familiar with HOMAG technology through an existing CNC investment.
“We already had a HOMAG CNC which we’ve always been happy with,” says Ted. “We went to a HOMAG open day to look at some of their other machines, when the Heesemann SWT 124 RC caught our eye. It was exactly the kind of sander we needed.”
As the official UK agent for Heesemann sanding machines, HOMAG UK provides manufacturers with access to the full Heesemann range, backed by expert advice, machine configuration support, training and after-sales service from its dedicated team.
A smooth transition
Preparation and installation were handled smoothly by the HOMAG team. “We had all the documentation and requirements for the machine sent over, giving us plenty of time to get the power and extraction all set up,” Ted explains. “The installation team stayed for the whole day, ensuring everything was perfectly in place.”
Training was equally straightforward. “We then had a full day of training, and this was more than enough for us to confidently use the machine.”
Heesemann SWT 124 RC sanding machine
Speed, quality and versatility
Since installation, the benefits of the wide belt sander have been significant. “The Heesemann produces an excellent finish. It’s quicker to adjust and generally easier to use.”
A key advantage has been the machine’s ability to process solid oak doors as well as MDF. As Ted explains, “It has pressure pad technology which allows us to efficiently process solid oak without the surface scratching issues we experienced with our previous machine.”
Combined with programmable presets for different materials, this has streamlined production and removed the need for time-consuming manual sanding.
“Our output has increased significantly thanks to the speed of the sander and its versatility.”
A trusted partnership
“The support we’ve had from HOMAG in relation to our CNC has always been excellent, and it’s been the same with this investment,” Ted concludes. “They’re a friendly and highly knowledgeable team. Any issues we’ve had have been resolved very quickly.”
“Overall, it’s been a really nice and easy process, and we’re very happy with the results.”
For more information or a demonstration of Heesemann machinery, contact HOMAG UK on 01332 856500, dialling option 4 for the sales department, or email [email protected].
