I'm about to close the deal on a Felder J/P and slider. I'm torn between the k500s and 700s.. the 700s basically buys me a remote on/off on the slider, and the option for some electronics and digital readouts. I don't immediately see the value in the readouts on the crosscut/outrigger fence since those stops seem to have a halfway decent indicator, but the rip fence seems kinda challenging to line up precisely since it has no indicator. Anyway, sort of splitting hairs here but was wondering if anyone has/doesn't have these readouts on their slider and had an opinion one or way or another. Passing on the readouts would just about let me go with an AD741 instead of an a3-41, which seems like cash better spent, but am a bit nervous about potentially regretting something on the slider.
electronics/readouts on sliding TS, hassle or worthwhile?
- Thread starter ToddB
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For hobby use, mistakes happen with or without digital type stuff. In production work in metric especially, a mistake in setting a fence or a stop can result in a lot of wasted material. With imperial markings it's easier to get it where I want it than with metric, imo, but somebody who only has ever used metric rules might disagree. I use both.
I don't know about the tech Felder uses in the slider stops, but the J/P machines with the electronic motorized bells and whistles had a reputation for expensive break downs out of warranty. I've seen one or two Felder dream machines on auction sites with fried circuits. The issue being (I think) that the planer table wouldn't work because it didn't have a crank handle.
Anyway, digital tech with machinery is great but there's a lot to break down and repairs can be costly. Obsolescence may be less of a factor with newer electronics now as I think a lot of the components have reached a point of technological maturity. There's a guy launching an electronic motorized table saw fence in the $800 range on Kickstarter I think. Martin may charge upwards of $5k for similar functionality with more proprietary parts.
I don't know about the tech Felder uses in the slider stops, but the J/P machines with the electronic motorized bells and whistles had a reputation for expensive break downs out of warranty. I've seen one or two Felder dream machines on auction sites with fried circuits. The issue being (I think) that the planer table wouldn't work because it didn't have a crank handle.
Anyway, digital tech with machinery is great but there's a lot to break down and repairs can be costly. Obsolescence may be less of a factor with newer electronics now as I think a lot of the components have reached a point of technological maturity. There's a guy launching an electronic motorized table saw fence in the $800 range on Kickstarter I think. Martin may charge upwards of $5k for similar functionality with more proprietary parts.
jonathan-m
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I might be wrong, but i thought the cnc rip fence option at Felder is around €3000
southrider
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In talking with a Felder service tech recently he mentioned that the newer units have upgraded electronics packages with replaceable parts that are relatively inexpensive, as opposed to older units that must have an entire module replaced (which are quite expensive).
He also said that the lesser expensive saws still have the module concept, while the new package is on saws of a certain level and up - I can't recall which model saws have the new electronics, but it would be worth asking.
Everyone buying a saw of this caliber would love to have digital read-outs and adjustments, and if I was spending that much for a saw I could see myself regretting it forever if I didn't get it. But realistically - it's best for the type of work where you need consistent repeatability - ie: production work.
It all comes down to what you will be doing with the saw and if you can justify the price today.
If you have to chose one over another - digital adjustment on a planer would be more useful than on a saw, as uneven thickness boards is more a problem than width.
He also said that the lesser expensive saws still have the module concept, while the new package is on saws of a certain level and up - I can't recall which model saws have the new electronics, but it would be worth asking.
Everyone buying a saw of this caliber would love to have digital read-outs and adjustments, and if I was spending that much for a saw I could see myself regretting it forever if I didn't get it. But realistically - it's best for the type of work where you need consistent repeatability - ie: production work.
It all comes down to what you will be doing with the saw and if you can justify the price today.
If you have to chose one over another - digital adjustment on a planer would be more useful than on a saw, as uneven thickness boards is more a problem than width.
Not even close to a Felder, but I have a digital readout on my Bosch contractor 4100 saw. Since I have a modified fence I can no longer use the tape measure on it. My choice becomes to use my hand held tape, or the digital readout. On my Bosch I rarely use the digital readout as in less than 8% of the time. If it stayed on all the time and wasn't battery powered I would probably use it 100% of the time, assuming it is accurate.
Example being there may be times you put a 3/4" piece of wood along the fence and now you can't zero it out, but with the digital you can do so easily.
Personally on a high quality machine with an accurate digital readout, I would get it.
Example being there may be times you put a 3/4" piece of wood along the fence and now you can't zero it out, but with the digital you can do so easily.
Personally on a high quality machine with an accurate digital readout, I would get it.
pingvinlakrits
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We run a Felder Format 4 e-motion with 3200mm/3.2m sliding table in the workshop and it is bliss...
Sure, things can happen and every once in a while batteries need changing but the precision and ease of use surpasses all minor gripes.
It is nice to have a machine where you can jump between sizes on a cut sheet and never worry about accuracy when you can't cut all same widths or lengths at the same time. Or when you screw up one shelf and need to cut a new one to exact specs.
Sure, things can happen and every once in a while batteries need changing but the precision and ease of use surpasses all minor gripes.
It is nice to have a machine where you can jump between sizes on a cut sheet and never worry about accuracy when you can't cut all same widths or lengths at the same time. Or when you screw up one shelf and need to cut a new one to exact specs.
online421
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You are doing yourself a favour to go for the AD741. as for the digital readout. anything with digital readout has a potential to go wrong. its up to you.
I have the AD951 with digital readout and electronic controls, hopefully the electronic stuff has been improvised.
I think K700 is a better built unit than K500. I would go with the K700 if I were you.
actually I almost bought a K940, the colour matches my AD951, however there was a super good deal on a Griggio surfaced so I grabbed that.
I have the AD951 with digital readout and electronic controls, hopefully the electronic stuff has been improvised.
I think K700 is a better built unit than K500. I would go with the K700 if I were you.
actually I almost bought a K940, the colour matches my AD951, however there was a super good deal on a Griggio surfaced so I grabbed that.
