Space-saving Striebig in the frame

A Striebig Compact vertical panel saw has lived up to its name at timber frame building contractor, Roe Ltd. It has replaced a larger model, freeing up much needed workshop space without any loss of sawing capacity.

Kent-based Roe Ltd set up its timber frame division two years ago as an extension to its already well-established brickwork business. The timber frames are supplied to private housing developers, housing associations, contractors and self-builders throughout Kent and the Southeast, and put up on site by the company’s skilled erection teams if required.

The company has built a reputation for a quality product backed up with a quality service. Its 15,000 sq ft manufacturing unit in Margate is capable of producing 500-plus timber framed houses each year, plus a further 1,500 timber floors.

Striebig Compact Vertical Panel Saw

OSB 9mm thick plywood panels are the company’s preferred choice for the houses’ internal and external walls. They are purchased in two sizes, 1200mm wide x 2.4m and 1200mm wide x 2.7m, and then cut to the exact dimensions required on the Striebig Compact.

Factory Manager Stephen Brownlee said that the extra workshop space was needed because they had recently set up two additional benches where the cut OSB panels are fixed to lengths of 38mm thick softwood produced on a crosscut saw.

This produces the houses’ wall panels, which are then covered in various insulation materials depending on whether they are to be used internally or externally.

Roe had been using a second-hand Striebig Standard model, cutting 5300 x 2200 x 80mm and taking up 6.5m of wall space.

“We had it for 18 months while the timber frame business was getting off the ground and were perfectly satisfied with it,” said Mr Brownlee.

“We only switched to the smaller Compact, which does just as good a job, if not better, because we needed the extra space it has freed up. Because we were so pleased with the first saw we didn’t consider looking at any other makes. The Compact is rugged, easy to use and does the job perfectly.”

The Compact series are space saving all-rounders that bring renowned Striebig quality within the reach of even the smallest business.

TRK Extraction System

Standard features include the well-proven TRK extraction system – to keep users ahead of even the toughest European legislation – plus automatic moving backing support and the option of a scoring saw if high volume laminate cutting is to be carried out.

The Compact model bought by Roe Ltd has a frame size of just 3820 x 1974mm, compared to the former saw’s 6060 x 2490mm, and a narrow footprint of only 1135mm.

Its regular operator, Matthew Butler, who has used both saws, prefers the Compact. He said: “It’s better to use as it’s far smoother, making it much easier to move the cutting head in both the vertical or horizontal direction. The cut’s also very precise every time.”