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  1. #1
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    Default Power Feeder Advice

    Several years ago I acquired a Univer 508 3 wheel power feeder as part of a closing out sale. I am to the point where I have to either use it or sell it. It needs some servicing either way - new wheels/tire, a couple of parts.
    It is a very heavy duty unit, designed for shapers, table saws and surfacers (jointers). My initial thought were to use it with my 36" bandsaw. I have a lot of stock that requires cleaning up for resale - mostly edge treatment, not resawing, although in the future maybe as I have some slabs coming later on.

    Out of the box, this feeder has a minimum feed rate of 2.7 m/min. I am assuming this is meters/minute. This is almost 9ft/ minute.

    Is this to fast?

    The Laguna feeders range 3 - 45 ft/min
    There are 2 Grizzly bandsaw feeders that range 10-93 ft/min.
    Co-Matics have a low of 0 - 90 ft/min.

    It would certainly be beneficial to be able to have a much lower starting speed to be able to work with a variety of materials and sizes.

    All thoughts and experiences appreciated.

    Don

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  3. #2
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    Hi Don,
    Personally I wouldn't do it, these units are designed for as you say, circular saws, jointers, shapers. The reason being that the bandsaw blades get dull after a while, you've probably noticed it when cutting, seems to get slower, having to push harder, when doing it by hand you can feel what the blade is doing. Under power, you've no control and don't feel the difference, the big saws where timber is milled, probably have all types of sensors on them to allow for this and adjust the power feeder accordingly.
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  4. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by Don at the Fort View Post
    Several years ago I acquired a Univer 508 3 wheel power feeder as part of a closing out sale. I am to the point where I have to either use it or sell it. It needs some servicing either way - new wheels/tire, a couple of parts.
    It is a very heavy duty unit, designed for shapers, table saws and surfacers (jointers). My initial thought were to use it with my 36" bandsaw. I have a lot of stock that requires cleaning up for resale - mostly edge treatment, not resawing, although in the future maybe as I have some slabs coming later on.

    Out of the box, this feeder has a minimum feed rate of 2.7 m/min. I am assuming this is meters/minute. This is almost 9ft/ minute.

    Is this to fast?

    The Laguna feeders range 3 - 45 ft/min
    There are 2 Grizzly bandsaw feeders that range 10-93 ft/min.
    Co-Matics have a low of 0 - 90 ft/min.

    It would certainly be beneficial to be able to have a much lower starting speed to be able to work with a variety of materials and sizes.

    All thoughts and experiences appreciated.
    Hi Don

    2.7 m/min seems far too fast for your band saw

    also, on a bandsaw what would the feeder "push" against -- the fence on a bandsaw is rarely as substantial as the table of a table saw, shaper or jointer.
    regards from Alberta, Canada

    ian

  5. #4
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    Kryn,

    I sort of hear you but I would like to avoid inconsistent feeding and over feeding just to get the cut done. I get frustrated when board A doesn't feed as fast or cleanly as board B.

    I think that being able to optimize and regulate the feed rate, the blade might last longer. Every pause or change is reflected in the surface, whether a bandsaw, table saw, surfacer (jointer), routers etc. Where most see a great difference is when using a thicknesser. The autofeed gives a predictably consistent surface. Same for shapers with power feed.

    My bigger worry is the slowest speed I have may be to fast for some of the harder species. I can dial it back a bit using smaller rollers.

    Don

  6. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by ian View Post
    Hi Don

    2.7 m/min seems far too fast for your band saw

    also, on a bandsaw what would the feeder "push" against -- the fence on a bandsaw is rarely as substantial as the table of a table saw, shaper or jointer.
    Ian,
    My concern as well on the speed, although the 2 Grizzly units run in that range.

    My bandsaw is a 1909 vintage with no factory fence, so what ever I use will be home made and likely held in place with F clamps or similar.

    Don

  7. #6
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    Hi don

    my thoughts are that a power feeder works by jamming the timber between the feeder's rollers and the machine's table -- which is usually a massive piece of cast iron.
    with a bandsaw, the fence is usually light weight and attached with clamps or light duty bolts.
    I'm thinking that unless the fence is a solid piece of steel solidly bolted to the table, the pressure from the feed rollers will just push it out of alignment

    I think that for bandsaws and the like, power feeders are mounted in pairs, one either side of the piece being fed through the blade/cutter -- maintaining a consistent feed rate either side of the piece is then challenging
    regards from Alberta, Canada

    ian

  8. #7
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    A 36" bandsaw is a pretty substantial machine so it may well work with a well set up power feeder. Best to talk to your bandsaw blade supplier (say Lenox etc) on recommended bandsaw blades, feed rates for their products - their advice will determine the optimal feed rate for the species, board thickness, wet or dry cutting etc you propose to clean up. All of these plus the blade design will determine the ability of the gullets to adequately remove waste, hence the quality of the cut.

    When you say edge treatment I assume you are taking a narrow cut to true the boards? Bandsaws are notorious for not liking narrow cuts on the edge of boards - they tend to wander towards the narrow side and out of the board.
    Mobyturns

    In An Instant Your Life CanChange Forever

  9. #8
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    Default Power Feeder Advice

    Lots to think about.

    I erred in including edging in this discussion. I am building a carriage/track unit to do this work.

    I have an acquaintance who uses a small 7 fpm feeder on a 20" Minimax saw to cut pieces for laminates without issue.

    Thanks all for your input. I will update as Î move forward.

    Don

  10. #9
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    Hi Don. Are you, and Don at the Fort, the same bloke?

    Cheers, Vann.
    Gatherer of rusty planes tools...
    Proud member of the Wadkin Blockhead Club .

  11. #10
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    Yes I am.

    Don

  12. #11
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    Default Power Feeder Advice

    My friend who has the feeder that runs 7 fpm says he would like to run it slower, but can get by with what it does today.
    I shall abandon the idea for now. This feeder weighs a ton, so setting it up only to have to take it down would not be a happy thing.

    Not sure why my sign in name changed. I do a lot posting from my mobile device and this app I use has been a clown of late.

    Don

  13. #12
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    Good morning Don

    I'm down the road a bit from you -- in Canmore
    regards from Alberta, Canada

    ian

  14. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by Don Burch View Post
    Not sure why my sign in name changed. I do a lot posting from my mobile device and this app I use has been a clown of late.

    Don
    You appear to have two different registrations: 33 posts as Don Burch, and 8 posts as Don at the Fort. That'll be handy if you get struck-off for being rude (or Canadian... ).

    Cheers (to both of you), Vann.
    Gatherer of rusty planes tools...
    Proud member of the Wadkin Blockhead Club .

  15. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by ian View Post
    Hi don

    my thoughts are that a power feeder works by jamming the timber between the feeder's rollers and the machine's table -- which is usually a massive piece of cast iron.
    with a bandsaw, the fence is usually light weight and attached with clamps or light duty bolts.
    I'm thinking that unless the fence is a solid piece of steel solidly bolted to the table, the pressure from the feed rollers will just push it out of alignment

    I think that for bandsaws and the like, power feeders are mounted in pairs, one either side of the piece being fed through the blade/cutter -- maintaining a consistent feed rate either side of the piece is then challenging
    Ian,
    I do not think the intent of power feeding is to "jam" the work into the fence., rather to act as a consistent feeder force.
    The true bandsaw mills do not force, but rather guide the work through the blade.

    Don

  16. #15
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    This is a power feed option offered by Preston Woodworking Machinery (Canada).

    Powerfeed.jpg

    Rollers both sides - no fence. It's a...

    Powerfeed2.jpg

    Cheers, Vann.
    Gatherer of rusty planes tools...
    Proud member of the Wadkin Blockhead Club .

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