Thread: used felder, minimax or hammer?

I would look at the specifications and compare. A 2008 Hammer may have better specs than a 1996 Felder. You also get the warrenty and after sales service with the new one. A used Felder, why is it for sale? If it has been in a factory, chances are it has had alot of use and may be showing signs of wear. I reckon I would go new.

A mate sold his BF631 two or three years ago for more than the new price of a Minimax. It was a hobby machine only though, and pretty much like new. The BF6 series machines sported very heavy cross section sheet steel weldments, and the trunnion for the shaper and saw current up to last years model CF700 series machines. The sliding table is a model prior to the current x-roll, but if in good condition is a robust unit. I have the same table on my CF731 and it is very good. (I can't discern any difference between it and the current x-roll).

I can't recall all the cons...three phase only, unless you have or get a rotary phase converter (that's what I use...its good). No dynamic braking on the motors, dust collection port at the front of the machine. Obsolete "S" rails on the machine (for fixing accessories like extension tables) This is not an issue if such accessories are included, but be aware that Felder no longer supplies them with "S" coupling. (The current standard is "F" on the machine, and "P" on the slider.) There is a fix for this that involves drilling and mounting new "F" rails where you'd like them, so maybe it's only an inconvenience.

I think that the opening in the table for the spindle moulder is smaller than the current size...you may not be able to swing giant cutters for example, but 200mm or so should fit in the opening (which is still a very big cutter).

These machines will last a very long time if cared for properly. Regular light greasing of the bearings, dry lube on the trunnion jacks, and attention to wax on the tables to prevent corrosion is all they need. I expect that with due care my CF will easily go another 60 or 70 years with maybe belt changes and that's about it.

I think that a '96 BF should be priced less than a Minimax by now, can't say what a Hammer is worth. If in good nick I think I'd be aiming for less than 12K, depending on tooling and accessories (Which really really add up fast when buying new...on a CF for example my load of attachments and do-dads would have been an extra $8,000.00 (If I had purchased new)

Good luck

thanks guys