Am i crazy?

[Iceclimber]

Im going to put a deposit down on a Felder AD741 with silent cutter, power drive and Euro comfort guard to tomorrow.

I also considered the Hammer A3-41 but was really impressed with the fit in finish of the Felder vrs the Hammer when i went to look at both machines in person. Plus the power drive feature is offered on the Felder  and not the Hammer.

I was considering Minimax but i really want the spiral cutter. My intuition also tells me i will be more happy with the Felder over the Minimax.

The Felder machine is 4K more than the Hammer machine. In some ways i cant help but think i paying 4K more for the power drive and Felder name as the Hammer machine is no pile either.

Thoughts?

 

[jmbfestool]

Nice machine I like mine!

One thing though make sure if you are getting it with electrical height adjustment the Digital screen is RED not BLUE!

1. The Blue one does look SUPER cool but it does your eyes in BIG TIME!  For some reason the blue LEDs create ghosting so you see double.  So unless you stand front on and look at it directly the numbers just blurred

2. The blue LED have a short live span so Felder are replacing all Blue ones with the old Red LED's

Mine came with Blue and I loved and hated it ---^

My  electrical height adjustment  kept jamming up so Felder came out with a new motor and a NEW screen RED.  Even though I never mentioned anything about the screen the technical guy said because they are having a lot of blue LED screen failing they thought while they are already out fixing my machine they might as well swap the screen as a precaution hopefully to save a second call out

I was gutted at first because the red didn't look as cool but when he switched it on I was like OMG i can see what thickness I am planning at now lol.    So I much rather have the red.

Shame they couldn't make the blue more reliable and fixed the blurring. 

 

[jmbfestool]

I assume you are on about this one and not the older model?

http://www.ukfelder.co.uk/gb-en/products/planer-thicknessers/planer-thicknesser-new-ad-741--410-mm.html

 

[Iceclimber]

Yup thats the one.

Good heads up on the display color.

Why was it jamming?

Also and chance you can give me a exact width measurement of the machine. I need to get it through a 38" door opening. The web sight eays the minimum transport width is 31".

Also any problems with the planer not feeding. The AD741 i saw in person made some kind of terrible sound when i sent a piece of birdseye maple through it. The owner told me the machining of the tables is rough by comparison to others. I guess Felders solution was some kind of spray. I guess the spray needs to be applied ever 5-10 minutes of constant use.

I assume you are on about this one and not the older model?

http://www.ukfelder.co.uk/gb-en/products/planer-thicknessers/planer-thicknesser-new-ad-741--410-mm.html

 

[jmbfestool]

Yup thats the one.

Good heads up on the display color.

Why was it jamming?

Also and chance you can give me a exact width measurement of the machine. I need to get it through a 38" door opening. The web sight eays the minimum transport width is 31".

Also any problems with the planer not feeding. The AD741 i saw in person made some kind of terrible sound when i sent a piece of birdseye maple through it. The owner told me the machining of the tables is rough by comparison to others. I guess Felders solution was some kind of spray. I guess the spray needs to be applied ever 5-10 minutes of constant use.

I assume you are on about this one and not the older model?

http://www.ukfelder.co.uk/gb-en/products/planer-thicknessers/planer-thicknesser-new-ad-741--410-mm.html

Ill pop down the workshop in a bit and get you a measurement.

Mine came complete nothing had to be added or taken of the machine, same goes with bandsaw, 

The table saw/spindle moulder did have to have a few things bolting onto and setting up. etc.

I think it was jamming because it had been stood for so long in the showroom?  Not sure.

It wouldn't jam until I lowered it right down.
Then when I went back up it jammed and carried again soon after but when that happened it would go out of calibration so although it said on the display 20mm thickness the opening would be 30mm.  So when it happened the first time I put my timber into it and was like WTF? Is this timber thinner than I think it is so I measured and was like yip its 20mm so why when I have it set at 18mm isn't it shaving anything off. 

When the tech guys came they found the large centre bar which goes up and down was very dry had no grease on it so they greased it up and replaced the motor even though the motor was fine they said jamming it wouldn't have done it much good so might as well replace it while we have it all apart.  They brought a new motor with them any way.

So they wrote down the motor was faulty although it wasn't because when they greased it up it seemed to work perfectly fine but saying that the new motor did sound smoother.

I use a spray yes to keep it gliding.  Although most the time it goes through with out sticking.

 

[Iceclimber]

Wow thanks for taking the time to measure.

The deposit has to be made by friday and this small detail is all that looms. I did just get a proper drawing with dimensions from the rep but a hands on measurement off the actual machine would allow me to sleep better over the next four months while i await its arrival.

How was Felder about getting a rep out. Like how long did it take. What was your down time in the end and did it cost you anything?

Yup thats the one.

Good heads up on the display color.

Why was it jamming?

Also and chance you can give me a exact width measurement of the machine. I need to get it through a 38" door opening. The web sight eays the minimum transport width is 31".

Also any problems with the planer not feeding. The AD741 i saw in person made some kind of terrible sound when i sent a piece of birdseye maple through it. The owner told me the machining of the tables is rough by comparison to others. I guess Felders solution was some kind of spray. I guess the spray needs to be applied ever 5-10 minutes of constant use.

I assume you are on about this one and not the older model?

http://www.ukfelder.co.uk/gb-en/products/planer-thicknessers/planer-thicknesser-new-ad-741--410-mm.html

Ill pop down the workshop in a bit and get you a measurement.

Mine came complete nothing had to be added or taken of the machine, same goes with bandsaw, 

The table saw/spindle moulder did have to have a few things bolting onto and setting up. etc.

I think it was jamming because it had been stood for so long in the showroom?  Not sure.

It wouldn't jam until I lowered it right down.
Then when I went back up it jammed and carried again soon after but when that happened it would go out of calibration so although it said on the display 20mm thickness the opening would be 30mm.  So when it happened the first time I put my timber into it and was like ? Is this timber thinner than I think it is so I measured and was like yip its 20mm so why when I have it set at 18mm isn't it shaving anything off. 

When the tech guys came they found the large centre bar which goes up and down was very dry had no grease on it so they greased it up and replaced the motor even though the motor was fine they said jamming it wouldn't have done it much good so might as well replace it while we have it all apart.  They brought a new motor with them any way.

So they wrote down the motor was faulty although it wasn't because when they greased it up it seemed to work perfectly fine but saying that the new motor did sound smoother.

I use a spray yes to keep it gliding.  Although most the time it goes through with out sticking.

 

[jmbfestool]

ill measure in the morning and post it

A rep never came out only ever spoke to him over the phone.

The tech guys are the ones they sent out. 

No cost to me at all.  I wasn't using the machines much any way at the time only just had them delivered and I was working onsite.

I could still use the machine because as long as I didn't go right down it wouldn't jam but if I did its not to difficult to recalibrate.

Just thickness some timber down to 20mm by measuring the thickness manual and press reset.

Im not sure how long they took because like I said I wasn't in much rush.  They had to order some new parts for one of the machines because it got damaged in transport and one or two items were missing.  Then I called up few days later about the jamming so they ordered new parts based on my description of the problem over the phone so they made an assumption what the cause might be.

 

[jmbfestool]

Overall width with everything on is = 770mm

If you remove the round bar on the end which holds the fence it reduces the width down to 740mm

If you go further and remove the handles and locking levers and digital display it goes down to 690mm.   

All parts mentioned above are very easily removed.

If you want to go narrower you are starting to remove more larger structural parts.

So your 38" opening pisses it

 

[Iceclimber]

Thank you so much for doing that!

I just got off the phone with the rep. Gave him the credit info. Only thing left to do is sign the contract and email it back. Im very excited, the wait is gonna be excruciating! Nessisary though as i need the time to collect the balance i now owe.

Did you add any accessories to your machine or do you wish you had. Im thinking of at least getting the out feed table for the planer. I was also considering the mobile base but the rep told me I'm better off with a pallet jack.

I will add the mortising unit down the road so i am considering adding the forward reverse option now as i cant add it later.

Thoughts on accessories? 

Overall width with everything on is = 770mm

If you remove the round bar on the end which holds the fence it reduces the width down to 740mm

If you go further and remove the handles and locking levers and digital display it goes down to 690mm.   

All parts mentioned above are very easily removed.

If you want to go narrower you are starting to remove more larger structural parts.

So your 38" opening ticks it

 

[jmbfestool]

Why would you want forward/reverse for the Mortiser?  Don't standard cutters spin the same direction? 

I wish I got the longer bed sometimes.

Mine is 2metre I think. 

I didn't add any accessories  just had delta start 7.5hp motor I think it was.

I spent £22k on felder machines so money was a bit tight to add accessories which I could get later or are more of a luxury. 

He's right about the mobile base problem is it works from the side so its like having massive wings swinging round which makes it awkward to move about if you are tight for space.

Pallet jack or I use my force lift lol.

 

[Iceclimber]

Longer beds?

Why would you want forward/reverse for the Mortiser?  Don't standard cutters spin the same direction? 

I wish I got the longer bed sometimes.

Mine is 2metre I think. 

I didn't add any accessories  just had delta start 7.5hp motor I think it was.

I spent £22k on felder machines so money was a bit tight to add accessories which I could get later or are more of a luxury. 

He's right about the mobile base problem is it works from the side so its like having massive wings swinging round which makes it awkward to move about if you are tight for space.

Pallet jack or I use my force lift lol.

 

[jmbfestool]

Longer beds?

Why would you want forward/reverse for the Mortiser?  Don't standard cutters spin the same direction? 

I wish I got the longer bed sometimes.

Mine is 2metre I think. 

I didn't add any accessories  just had delta start 7.5hp motor I think it was.

I spent £22k on felder machines so money was a bit tight to add accessories which I could get later or are more of a luxury. 

He's right about the mobile base problem is it works from the side so its like having massive wings swinging round which makes it awkward to move about if you are tight for space.

Pallet jack or I use my force lift lol.

The length of the surface planner

 

[jmbfestool]

I know you can get extension on the surface out feed bed but would like to have a full length increase but that would have meant upgrading to the higher model

 

[Iceclimber]

Ahh gotcha...

I think ill get the out feed table for the planer and call it a day.

Later ill add the mortiser and maybe the jointer extension tables.

Thanks for the help!

How do you like your Felder shaper vrs the Hammer!

A shaper will probably be my next purcahse?

I know you can get extension on the surface out feed bed but would like to have a full length increase but that would have meant upgrading to the higher model

 

[jmbfestool]

Ahh gotcha...

I think ill get the out feed table for the planer and call it a day.

Later ill add the mortiser and maybe the jointer extension tables.

Thanks for the help!

How do you like your Felder shaper vrs the Hammer!

A shaper will probably be my next purcahse?

I know you can get extension on the surface out feed bed but would like to have a full length increase but that would have meant upgrading to the higher model

The spindle moulder.

Well never used a hammer so can't really comment between the two.

I have used a hammer band saw and I own a felder 610 bandsaw.  I think the hammer is good for the money.  I just wanted something which was a bit bigger just incase I get a job where I might needs a bigger cutting capacity.

I bought a combi table saw/spindle moulder.  One to save money but also save on workshop space.    One thing I made sure I had was a power feeder that is a must I love the power feeder!

 

[junk731]

Your definitely crazy but then I'm certifiable. LOL. You are paying 4 K more for a more robust machine that has a stronger frame, better fence and has powerdrive that you will not regret for 1 minute after you use it. If and when you go to sell it you will also recover most of the extra cost. I also have never seen a need for the out feed table on the planer, more of a need for infeed and outfeed extensions of the jointer, mainly because of the size of wood I work with. Get yourself some Supergliet from Felder for your tables, some people wax there tables but with the Supergliet its a guick spray and wipe and can last for hours depending on the type of wood your planing. Once you use it a few times you'll wonder why people waste time waxing.
As far as shapers go its not really the initial cost of the machine but the cutters and safety devices associated with the machine that really add to the cost. My entry level was a F700Z 220v 3ph. You can start looking at Aigner accessories now to give you an idea. Felder does offer some Aigner accessories in their catalog but only a few.

John

 

[jmbfestool]

These are pretty cool spindle moulders

http://www.uniquemachine.com/doormachines.html

 

[myfinishingtouch]

I just got my AD941 and can tell you a pallet jack will not easily move it.  They tell you to put some bolts into the back from the inside of the frame that extend out the back and these bolts rest on the fork of the pallet jack and the other fork goes under the frame.  But when I raise the pallet jack the whole thing tips onto the front of the machine (i have a narrow fork pallet jack)  For the little I move my machine around I do this and put those magic slider things under the front edge of the machine to slide it around.  Not ideal and not the best but it works.

With my AD941 I got the 432-60034 hinged auxiliary fence for narrow stock.  Basically a rebadged Aigner product.

Dave

 

[Iceclimber]

Well so much for that idea.

Random the rep is not trying to sell me something but suggesting a idea that does not work. Ill be honest i was doubtful myself as to this being a real solution. I guess the engine lift i a, buying to get the machine into my shop will be good wnough. I dont really ever see moving it. It would just be nice to have a way to move it should the need arise.

That link for the tables did not work. Would you mind trying again or just copy and past the link?

The machine is ordered. I went with the AD741 with silent cutter head, power feed or electronic up and down of the planer table and digital read out screen and the Euro comfort guard.

Regardless of cost im so excited! I will admit that when i realized before the discounts due to the spring sale this machine cost 4K less than my truck i kinda had a momentary laps of reason. Almost had to break out some Pink Floyd

I just got my AD941 and can tell you a pallet jack will not easily move it.  They tell you to put some bolts into the back from the inside of the frame that extend out the back and these bolts rest on the fork of the pallet jack and the other fork goes under the frame.  But when I raise the pallet jack the whole thing tips onto the front of the machine (i have a narrow fork pallet jack)  For the little I move my machine around I do this and put those magic slider things under the front edge of the machine to slide it around.  Not ideal and not the best but it works.

With my AD941 I got the 432-60034 hinged auxiliary fence for narrow stock.  Basically a rebadged Aigner product.

Dave

 

[jmbfestool]

Very good choice on the euro comfort guard.  When I bought felder machine  I never thought of it.  I wish I had it does my head in having the guard sticking out winds me up.

Always been thinking of getting it just never got round to it.