Felder Combination Machine

[avanderhoorn]

Just finished watching this video and the Felder Combination Machine looks truly amazing! Besides thinking about how much money this machine must cost, I'm left wondering if it's actually any good and if anyone has any experience with it?

 

[promhandicam]

I've got a Felder Kf 700 s with a few extra bells and whistles and it is brilliant. I've also got a hammer A3-41 which is great too. If I had the space, I'd prefer a separate spindle, but as I don't use it that often it's no big deal.

 

[jafenske]

Whats the cost of one of those combination machines? Like the 500 series for example.

 

[newinwood]

I just ordered 5 series combination machine [big grin]. Call close to you Felder representative - they have a good deal right now for prices and some spring discounts too. Prices ranges from 15K to 21K [eek] [eek] depend on model and accesories. I strongly recommend.
Ed.

 

[Iceclimber]

Not much help as i have never really used one.

Well i used a K700 S or something like that about a month ago but only the Jointer and planer. I actually just purchased a AD 741 combo and the rep set me up with someone local to me that owned a machine so i could see it in person.

I went back and forth for more days hours and months than sane over the whole Minmax, Hammer, Felder thing. In the end other than buying a Martin or Altendorf i dont think i could do any better than Felder. Ok fine maybe Format 4 but then i kight as well go Martin..

The combo machine was slick but if i had the space i would go separates. I have a fairly small basement shop and i can.

 

[avanderhoorn]

Are their saws/planers/etc that much better than the competition and are they worth the price difference? I was considering getting a higher speced SawStop, would I be better off saving up more? Likewise, I was looking at Jet's combination Jointer/Plainer, is the Felder one better/worh the money? Lastly, in the US were is the best place to go to find out more about them. Their website isn't the best and its a lot of money to be spending.

 

[Iceclimber]

Imop you cant compare Felder to Jet.

Not even close!

I literally just today assembled a industrial SawStop in my shop. I got it used for a great deal. If i had not got such a good deal combined with not being bale to fit a sliding table saw through the entrance to my shop i would had purchased a Felder or used Martin Slider in a minute.

Yes imop Felder machines are that much nicer than Jet. Crap after looking at a couple Hammer machines my opinion is they are in another league than even there own homeowner line.

Do you need that nice a machine. I don't know but probably not.

 

[SittingElf]

..............
Its good for small workshops and if you have a limited budget.
..............

LOL!  The words "limited budget" and "Felder" should NOT be used together!! [scared] [big grin] [big grin] [big grin]

Cheers,

Frank

 

[avanderhoorn]

If we are just talking tables saws, what am I getting if I go for a Felder over a SawStop? And if we are talking combination Jointer/Planner what do I get with a Felder over a Jet or other like products? Is the quality of the cuts, etc better, will it last that much longer, is it worth the 4x cost difference?

 

[junk731]

Are their saws/planers/etc that much better than the competition and are they worth the price difference? I was considering getting a higher speced SawStop, would I be better off saving up more? Likewise, I was looking at Jet's combination Jointer/Plainer, is the Felder one better/worh the money? Lastly, in the US were is the best place to go to find out more about them. Their website isn't the best and its a lot of money to be spending.

The short answer is yes, if you have the disposable funds and the space. Separate machines are always better. Comparing Felder to Sawstop is like comparing Ryobi to Festool.

John

 

[jeh]

The Felder equipment is top quality. You won't be disappointed. It goes without saying that separate machines are better if space allows it.

 

[Iceclimber]

Come on thats not fair,

More like Rigid to Festool..

Just go all out once and buy a full Martin shop

Are their saws/planers/etc that much better than the competition and are they worth the price difference? I was considering getting a higher speced SawStop, would I be better off saving up more? Likewise, I was looking at Jet's combination Jointer/Plainer, is the Felder one better/worh the money? Lastly, in the US were is the best place to go to find out more about them. Their website isn't the best and its a lot of money to be spending.

The short answer is yes, if you have the disposable funds and the space. Separate machines are always better. Comparing Felder to Sawstop is like comparing Ryobi to Festool.

John

 

[stvrowe]

I had a 2004 Felder CF741SP for about 3 years.  I sold it and went the separates route with the exception of the jointer/planer combo.  I have nothing bad to say about combo's but, they are not for everyone and I happen to be one of "those guys".  A lot of people do get along fine with a combo and love their machines.  Felder is a high quality and well made machine.  The sliding table is on par with the very best and is very smooth throughout its entire stroke.  Like most everything, there are positives and negatives about combo machines.  The best things are a lot of functionality in a relatively compact unit and it does all those functions very well.  IMHO, the biggest downsides are; 1) you need to place the machine away from the wall to gain access to all 4 sides, 2) installing the shaper fence is fine until you outfit it with Aigner fence plates and then it gets very heavy, and 3) if you have the longer sliding table units, outfitting with a power feeder gets to be a chore even with the "big lift" assist unit (think of a 150lb weight on a long moment arm where you have the least mechanical advantage). 

I wouldn't bother with a mortising attachment, get a Domino instead, save money, and be happy.  If you intend on getting the router spindle for the shaper, I recommend getting it outfitted with a VFD which will enable you to get router speeds up around 15,000 rpm.  The power drive for the J/P is a nice feature.

Felder also has a lot of stuff you can add on later.  I liked the outrigger table transport cart and this is a big space saver.  I also recommend considering the short fence for the slider for those periods when you have the large outrigger off.

I have no reservations about purchasing Felder equipment and unless you want to spring for Martin, it is the one I would go with.

 

[avanderhoorn]

Huge thanks for the info. I guess the question is whether it is worth the extra difference in money over something like a SawStop. What differences would I notice in the saw or a Jet planner/jointer? Is the main difference going to be how it wears over time and the quantity I can push though it? Trying to work out if its worth holding off buying for an extra 6-12mths to get it for the amount I use it.

 

[junk731]

Talk to Felder and see if their is somebody in your area that has a machine you can look at. Only you can can decided on which is better for what you do. Its a totally different way to cut on a slider than a cabinet saw as is evident from the video you watched. Keep in mind that the accessories alone you can buy for these saws can quickly add up to cost of an Industrial Sawstop. There is always the used market. there always seems to be a few Combo machines kicking around.

John

 

[Lbob131]

Harry  demonstrates    equipment on  the  Hammer  website.
Or Harold  Tschurtschenthaler  which  is his full  name  afaik.

His surname must break  some record  for either the length  or  difficulty  of pronounciation.

 

[avanderhoorn]

[member=15545]Lbob131[/member] I'm not 100% sure what you mean, do you have any links that you are referencing specifically?

 

[tomsharres]

Just finished watching this video and the Felder Combination Machine looks truly amazing! Besides thinking about how much money this machine must cost, I'm left wondering if it's actually any good and if anyone has any experience with it?

I have there FB 610 bandsaw and the the A 951 Jointer in process, two months out.

When I received the FB 610 earlier this spring, I was impressed by the build quality (I am trained as a Mechanical Engineer, and I'm self employed machining, mostly aluminum). Shortly thereafter, I received two of the extension tables for the FB 680. I was blown away by how robust and well engineered they were.

And heavy!

I hadn't really expected to order the Jointer when I did, or even that size, but I don't have a Jointer at all so, it made sense. I got it with the Silent Power spiral cutting block with carbide inserts, and an adaptor for a feeder.

What I really wanted was the K 940S sliding table saw. I still don't have any table saw at all, just a DeWalt track saw, so it made sense to get that first. Unfortunately, configuring these saws for order is non trivial, and as I live close enough to travel from the Reno, NV area to Sacramento, that seemed like a good solution. It just hasn't happened yet. The other aspect is I'm not even sure if I can fit it into that part of my shop without moving stuff around.

So, the only reason I was looking at the K 940S at all is that it has the option for a lubricator so that I could cut non ferrous metals, in my case, aluminum, on it. Otherwise, I probably would have gone with the KF 700S and been totally content.

Either way, these are very well built, and with the strong dollar, a very good buy. I think that you will be happy either with Felder or Hammer machines, depending on intended production.

If anybody living nearby would like to see the Bandsaw now, or both the Bandsaw and the Jointer late summer, please let me know. I'll be happy to make it available.

 

[avanderhoorn]

[member=37748]tomsharres[/member] Thanks for the info! I'd be interested on what drew you to the FB 610 bandsaw, the A 951 Jointer and the KF 700S (since you mentioned that the 940 was because of the lubricator)? Thats the biggest thing I'm having trouble with and their website isn't seemingly that great at narrowing down the choices. Also, I'd be interested in a rough approximation of price to see if its totally out of my ball park or if its worth stretching/saving/begging/loaning/etc... Lastly are you using professionally or as your hobby? I'm currently doing woodworking as a passion/hobby and wondering if I can justify the purchase.

 

[Lbob131]

[member=15545]Lbob131[/member] I'm not 100% sure what you mean, do you have any links that you are referencing specifically?

Click on videos.
http://www.ukhammer.co.uk/

I have a  C3 31  Perform  combo  with a  2.5m slider. Picked it  up second hand very cheap  and its  in  nice condition.
I've added  the dado facility  and a few other  pieces.