Thoughts on power feeders for the small shop?

[ryanjg117]

This Stumpy Nubs video has got me thinking about power feeders for the small shop. I don't see them pop up very often in my neck of the woods, and usually they're very heavy duty units, but I have found a used Co-Matic AF308 available (but it's quite a drive to get there).

I like how Stumpy built the magnetic base for it, as I would envision this being something I could bring around from machine to machine as needed. MagSwitches would work with most of my machines that have cast iron tops (cabinet saw, jointer/planer, bandsaw) but wouldn't work on my router table which uses an Incra phenolic top. Maybe I need to upgrade my router to a proper spindle.

I'm guessing the Co-Matic, at 1/2hp compared to Stumpy's 1/8hp unit, is quite a bit stronger but also heavier to haul around. So, perhaps this isn't the right size for a multi-purpose tool?

Curious for those who have started using power feeders - are they worth the (likely) $500 investment? What size (hp range) would be right for my kind of use case? Do you find the setup time to be onerous enough that it simply goes un-used most of the time? That's one of my worries...

 

[Tom the Remodeler]

Hi [member=51886]ryanjg117[/member] ,

I began using power feeders about six years ago, and they've become a central component of many of my tasks.

As you note, power feeders come in all shapes and sizes. My favorite is the Co-Matic DS400 I have mounted on my TF-130 shaper, but with an assembled weight of several hundred pounds I wouldn't want to secure it to machine to machine.

On the other end of the spectrum I did try out a 1/8hp power feeder on my old router table. It worked "fine", but the ball/knuckle attachment made it pretty fussy to set up, and I wouldn't purchase one again unless I had no other choice.

Have you looked at the Co-Matic AF32 Juinior Power Feeder? This is a 1/4hp feeder which should be light enough to move from machine to machine, and is compatible with the Quick Holder for Small Feeders, which would allow you to secure it to machines without a cast iron top. This feeder seems like it would be ideally suited for work on a table saw, router table, band saw, etc....

I perform a lot of work at my shaper, and I shudder remembering the days hand-feeding material through a router table.

My next project is trying to sort out an appropriate feeder to mount on my jointer/planer. I previously owned a Felder A 951 L which had a power feeder bracket, and a DS400 feeder. This setup was a dream, particularly for large, dense materials. Unfortunately, I just didn't have room for separates in my Shop, so I shifted over to a SCM FS-52es combination machine. It's a fantastic machine, but it's been challenging to identify an appropriate location to mount a power feeder bracket on the combination machine.

 

[smorgasbord]

Al Ladd, who posts occasionally here, has a feeder that is powered by your cordless drill. It's relatively inexpensive and very configurable, and I'd consider it if I did enough repetitive feeding. As it is, I may get it just to help resawing on my bandsaw.
https://www.festoolownersgroup.com/...tle-proteus-power-feeder/msg722019/#msg722019

 

[woodferret]

Along the lines of little proteus, smitools finally has their Autocut out of kickstarter (probably been a while actually).  It's basically a waste side mount/clamp that resembles a miter saw slider rail, so a bit less cantilever forces on it.  Head can be tilted for both router work directions.

 

[squall_line]

I wonder how long it is before someone integrates feeder wheels directly into a track saw...

 

[mino]

I wonder how long it is before someone integrates feeder wheels directly into a track saw...

Probably not before the TSV 60 "R" comes out.
[big grin]

 

[ryanjg117]

Thanks all. Doing a bit more research on the Co-Matic AF308, and it looks like the whole thing is about 50kg (110 lbs). Doesn't sound like much fun lugging that from machine to machine. Though, I wonder how much of that weight is in the stout base and brackets, versus the motor/wheel assembly? As Tom suggested, maybe I should target a 1/4 hp unit or "Junior Feeder" for portability, though I'm reading a lot of negative reviews on those smaller units. The complaints don't seem to be about lack of power, but rather finnicky setup.

 

[luvmytoolz]

Our options in OZ are pretty limited, but this is the unit I'll most likely go with at some point for size and convenience, looks more than adequate for the router table and bandsaw:
https://toughcut.com.au/products/2-...-power-feeder-with-stand-tc-pf-m3-by-toughcut

 

[Tom the Remodeler]

Our options in OZ are pretty limited, but this is the unit I'll most likely go with at some point for size and convenience, looks more than adequate for the router table and bandsaw:
https://toughcut.com.au/products/2-...-power-feeder-with-stand-tc-pf-m3-by-toughcut

I had that little power feeder on my last router table. Once properly set up it's "fine", but I found it to be a real headache to set up, on account of the ball joint. If you're hobbyist and time isn't an issue it'd be fine, but if you're generating revenue you may find yourself regretting not spending more on a 1/4hp unit with a more traditional layout...

 

[kevin clifford]

I set up the small grizzly 1/8th hp feeder on a router table a year or so ago and it has been fantastic. For milling up door stiles or running edges on trim pieces it is worth the minute or two to set it up.
I don't like the idea of it being mounted to a board and depending on magnets though. Might be fine, or it could be catastrophic. That isn't a chance I want to take. My opinion, bolt it down so it has no chance of moving while running.

 

[luvmytoolz]

[member=43024]Kevin C.[/member] Unless I'm mistaken that Grizzly is the exact same unit as the Toughcut one we have here in my post a couple up?

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I have thought about getting one several times, over the years, but I just don't need one often enough. However, I always feel stupid when something pops up, where it would be useful. It always seems to happen with too little notice  [unsure]
Because of the way my router table is configured, sharing space with a second router and a track saw cross-cut station, mounting would be an issue. I would need to make it easily removable, for the majority of the time, and quick enough to reinstall, when needed. All of that just seems to not be worth the effort.....until it is [eek]

 

[kevin clifford]

The Tough cut looks exactly the same as the Grizzly just different colors.

 

[luvmytoolz]

The Tough cut looks exactly the same as the Grizzly just different colors.

Also identical to the Comatic it seems!

I see the Grizzly has a lot of good reviews, but the common negative is the grip on the wheels is lacking which for me with the router table might be a real problem. The Toughcut brand is the only one we have here in OZ that i'm aware of, and is $900, so I'm a bit loathe to shell out that amount on a maybe.