Theresa Spinks improves sanding efficiency and finish quality with SCM wide belt sander

Theresa Spinks is a specialist staircase and stair parts manufacturer based in the North East, producing a wide range of timber staircases and staircase components for domestic and trade customers. The business has operated for more than 40 years with a strong commitment to quality, care and customer service. Originally founded by Bill Spinks and named after his late wife Theresa, the company has developed into a dedicated staircase manufacturer producing individual stair parts, bespoke staircase projects and timber components for renovation, new build and development work.

Today, Theresa Spinks manufactures timber components including staircases, newel posts, spindles and bespoke stair parts. The company works closely with customers to bring ideas to life, whether that means replicating an existing design, creating a staircase for a renovation project, or producing components for a larger housing scheme. For a business working with visible timber products, the quality of the finish is critical. Staircase components are seen, touched and used every day, so consistency, accuracy and surface quality all influence the finished staircase and the customer’s overall impression of the product.

As the business continued to grow, Theresa Spinks identified sanding as an area where investment could make a significant difference. Before purchasing the new wide belt sander, components were finished by hand. While hand sanding had long been part of the company’s process, it was labour intensive, physically demanding and harder to manage efficiently as production demands increased. It also placed a heavy reliance on operator time and consistency, making the finishing stage slower than other areas of production and more variable from job to job.

Theresa Spinks needed a more efficient and repeatable solution that would support its quality standards while improving day-to-day production flow. Following discussions with Daltons, the company invested in an SCM DMC SD 30 wide belt sander, supplied in RCS110 configuration and specified for solid timber staircase manufacture. The machine was selected because it offered the right combination of calibration performance, sanding quality, operator simplicity and robust construction. It needed to be capable enough for regular production use, but practical for a busy joinery environment where ease of operation and reliability were equally important.

The final specification was built around how the machine would be used in practice. Grooved steel calibrating rollers on the first and second sanding groups give strong stock removal capability and support accurate calibration across solid timber components. This is particularly relevant in staircase production, where parts must be prepared consistently before test fitting, assembly and finishing. The machine was also supplied with an 18.5kW main motor, providing the power required for demanding sanding and calibration work, while oscillating timed belt cleaning blowers on both sanding groups help keep abrasive belts cleaner for longer, supporting finish quality and abrasive life during daily use.

Automatic feed belt tracking and tensioning reduce the need for operator adjustment, helping the machine deliver stable and reliable performance in production.

Kyle, Sales Manager at Daltons, comments:

“This was a really good example of matching the machine specification to the customer’s production needs. Theresa Spinks needed more than a standard sanding solution. They needed a machine that could support consistent calibration, improve finish quality and reduce the amount of manual sanding involved in day-to-day staircase manufacture. The SCM DMC SD 30 was a strong fit because it gave them the performance, reliability and ease of use needed for regular solid timber production, while the loan machine helped keep their sanding process moving until the new machine was ready.”

Since installation, the SCM DMC SD 30 has had a transformational impact on the sanding process at Theresa Spinks. The machine is now used primarily for sanding staircase components before test fitting, as well as stair parts including newel posts and spindles. By moving away from a heavily manual process, the business has improved efficiency, reduced physical labour and achieved a more consistent finish across its timber components.

“The impact of the new wide belt sander has been transformational. The time saved versus manual sanding has been amazing, and the quality of the products coming out is much better. The operators have found it easy to use and easy to train on.”

Cameron Clark, Operations Manager, Theresa Spinks

Cameron Clark also highlighted the value of the support received from Daltons throughout the project, from the initial site visit and advice on the most suitable machine through to the loan machine and aftersales support once the new SCM wide belt sander was installed. The new machine now forms an important part of Theresa Spinks’ production setup, sitting alongside traditional and modern machinery including older lathes, CNC lathes, CNC router machinery and further SCM equipment.

For Theresa Spinks, the investment supports a wider focus on manufacturing quality. Having the right machine in place helps the team work more efficiently, train operators more easily and maintain the standard of finish expected by its customers. By combining a carefully specified SCM DMC SD 30 wide belt sander with practical project support from Daltons, Theresa Spinks has improved one of the most labour-intensive stages of its production process.

The result is a more consistent, efficient and reliable sanding operation that supports the company’s continued growth while protecting the quality-led approach that has shaped the business for more than four decades.

Daltons supplies wide belt sanding machinery for solid wood, panel, veneer and specialist sanding applications. From compact workshop machines through to higher specification production solutions, our team can help identify the right sanding technology for your material, process and finish requirements.

To discuss a wide belt sander for your production needs, contact the Daltons team on 0115 9865201, email info@daltonsmachines.com