Felder K7xx questions

[hql287]

Hi everyone,

Disclaimer: This is my first post on FOG so apologize in advanced if it's not located in the right section.

So I've been researching for a sliding table saw for some time and have set my eye on the Felder K740S (which I believe is an improvement from the K700 model). I also went to the Felder showroom near where I live to see the saw and talking to the sale rep there and got most of my questions answered. However there are still some that I was hoping maybe someone who happens to be a Felder owner here in FOG can help me with.

My first question is: How loud this saw actually is?

When I was at the showroom they didn't have any saw (with a blade) that can be turned on so I couldn't get a feel of how loud it would be. Some people told me that bigger saws like cabinet saws or Felder saws would be quieter because they use a different kind of motor (induction?), and also because they're heavier, the noise generated by vibration would be less... Can anyone confirm this?

I know that it also depends on the type of blade that is mounted on the saw. And I'm aware that Felder has some "silent" blades, espeicially this one: , which is being advertised that it would cut down the noise by 50% (10db)

So my second question is has anyone used this saw & sawblade combination? If so, did it work as advertised?
Noise is one of the biggest factors that I need to take into account and I want to go with the quietest option if possible. 

My last question(s) is, what do you think of it in term of reliability, accuracy and maintenance?
What are the best and worst thing about the saw? If you had to buy it again, what option would you change?
I see that this saw comes with an overrall 3 years of warranty (with the exception of 6 years of the easy glide component and 10 years for the X-roll). Would you consider this period is a bit too short for a saw at this price point?

Sorry for the long post, but this is big step up for me so I wanted to make sure I do my homework properly

Thank you very much!  [smile]

 

[TwelvebyTwenty]

I don't have experience with the machine you speak of. But can offer some general observations. Yes production shop quality panel saws are of course going to be quieter than something with a screechy brushed motor. The lack of vibration, along with the gauge of the steel the cabinet is made from will also reduce the noise level. Also, as you point out, the blade choice is a factor.

In my experience, within fairly confined workshops the appropriate sized dust extraction system for use with such a saw is usually louder than the saw itself, i.e. unless you're in multi thousands of square feet space where the dust extraction system is a long way away.

I have to confess however, I am a little dubious/perplexed with this post. These are some fairly basic questions for someone who is thinking of purchasing such an industrial type saw. Also, I would not be happy spending that amount of money on a saw of that price (from my best endeavours on google I can't find an exact price, but second hand ones are very expensive so I can guess at the new cost) without a demonstration.

 

[RussellS]

No comment on the dealer not having a running saw available.  I guess that is how it is.  But all dealers should have a long list of customers who have agreed to be contacted about the products.  So just ask the dealer for the names and numbers of the customers who own the saw you are considering.  Then go to their house/shop and see it in action.  Felder has their stores in a big city in Texas, California, and Delaware.  So there are lots of people near by with these saws.  Also go get onto the Felder Owners Group website on Yahoo.  They have lots of Felder owners on there and you will be able to find a saw near you to see in person.

 

[cperren]

I have a KF700 and the dust collector (Cyclone) is louder than the saw.  I'm happy with the quality and build of my KF700.  The Felder Owners Group is located athttps://groups.io/g/felderownersgroup

 

[hql287]

I don't have experience with the machine you speak of. But can offer some general observations. Yes production shop quality panel saws are of course going to be quieter than something with a screechy brushed motor. The lack of vibration, along with the gauge of the steel the cabinet is made from will also reduce the noise level. Also, as you point out, the blade choice is a factor.

In my experience, within fairly confined workshops the appropriate sized dust extraction system for use with such a saw is usually louder than the saw itself, i.e. unless you're in multi thousands of square feet space where the dust extraction system is a long way away.

I have to confess however, I am a little dubious/perplexed with this post. These are some fairly basic questions for someone who is thinking of purchasing such an industrial type saw. Also, I would not be happy spending that amount of money on a saw of that price (from my best endeavours on google I can't find an exact price, but second hand ones are very expensive so I can guess at the new cost) without a demonstration.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and the kind words.

Your confession is spot on! I haven't owned any big table saw (eg cabinet saw) so my questions can sound silly to some people. But since this is such a big invesment I guess there's no room for shame [big grin]. I appreciate you still decided to take the time to answer my questions

Also (you're right, again) part of the reason that I'm still on the fence about it is because I didn't get a "live" demonstration of the machine even though my impression is that it's very solid and well built.

I did get a demo of one of their smaller dust extractors though, and it was very loud indeed. They have bigger models (more expensive, yes) and the sale rep said they are running at only about ~75dB which is a bit louder than the Festool CTM MIdI that I have. I didn't have a demo for this big dust extractor but if this was true I guess it's not too bad.

 

[hql287]

No comment on the dealer not having a running saw available.  I guess that is how it is.  But all dealers should have a long list of customers who have agreed to be contacted about the products.  So just ask the dealer for the names and numbers of the customers who own the saw you are considering.  Then go to their house/shop and see it in action.  Felder has their stores in a big city in Texas, California, and Delaware.  So there are lots of people near by with these saws.  Also go get onto the Felder Owners Group website on Yahoo.  They have lots of Felder owners on there and you will be able to find a saw near you to see in person.

Hey Russell.

That's a great idea! I'll contact Felder to see if there's any owner of this saw (or similar ones) near where I live!

Thanks!

 

[hql287]

I have a KF700 and the dust collector (Cyclone) is louder than the saw.  I'm happy with the quality and build of my KF700.  The Felder Owners Group is located athttps://groups.io/g/felderownersgroup

Thanks for the reply, Chris

I think the KF700 is quite similar to the K740S. Have you ever tried to measure the noise level of the saw when running/cutting?
If not, would you say if it's quieter or louder than, eg, a Festool track saw?

For reference, a TS75 is measured at 88.00 db(A) when sawing wood.

Btw, thanks for the link to the Felder Owner Group. I didn't even know there's this group (only heard of the Yahoo one)

 

[derekcohen]

I don't have experience with the machine you speak of. But can offer some general observations. Yes production shop quality panel saws are of course going to be quieter than something with a screechy brushed motor. The lack of vibration, along with the gauge of the steel the cabinet is made from will also reduce the noise level. Also, as you point out, the blade choice is a factor.

In my experience, within fairly confined workshops the appropriate sized dust extraction system for use with such a saw is usually louder than the saw itself, i.e. unless you're in multi thousands of square feet space where the dust extraction system is a long way away.

I have to confess however, I am a little dubious/perplexed with this post. These are some fairly basic questions for someone who is thinking of purchasing such an industrial type saw. Also, I would not be happy spending that amount of money on a saw of that price (from my best endeavours on google I can't find an exact price, but second hand ones are very expensive so I can guess at the new cost) without a demonstration.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and the kind words.

Your confession is spot on! I haven't owned any big table saw (eg cabinet saw) so my questions can sound silly to some people. But since this is such a big invesment I guess there's no room for shame [big grin]. I appreciate you still decided to take the time to answer my questions

Also (you're right, again) part of the reason that I'm still on the fence about it is because I didn't get a "live" demonstration of the machine even though my impression is that it's very solid and well built.

I did get a demo of one of their smaller dust extractors though, and it was very loud indeed. They have bigger models (more expensive, yes) and the sale rep said they are running at only about ~75dB which is a bit louder than the Festool CTM MIdI that I have. I didn't have a demo for this big dust extractor but if this was true I guess it's not too bad.

For what it is worth, Inrecall measuring my Hammer K3 at 88dB. My 2 hp dust collector into 5” hoses was 75dB.

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[egmiii]

Hey Russell.

That's a great idea! I'll contact Felder to see if there's any owner of this saw (or similar ones) near where I live!

Thanks!

Where do you live?

 

[junk731]

The Felder Owners group moved from Yahoo to the the new forum on groups.io when Yahoo closed everybody down over 6 months ago. the forum is better in many ways and the same good info. Its the same group from the early 2000's. As far as noise, you still have to wear hearing protection when running the saw and dust collector while actually cutting material. DB level is dependent on many variables that the average woodworker looking for quiet doesn't take into account. That diamond blade is a complete waste of money and by their own account fragile and easy to damage. There is no one blade solution in proper cutting of materials.