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Thread: Power Feeder Advice
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26th February 2016, 01:43 AM #1SENIOR MEMBER
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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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26th February 2016 01:43 AM # ADSGoogle Adsense Advertisement
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26th February 2016, 01:02 PM #2GOLD MEMBER
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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.
KrynTo grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.
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27th February 2016, 04:57 AM #3
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27th February 2016, 05:49 AM #4SENIOR MEMBER
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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
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27th February 2016, 05:57 AM #5SENIOR MEMBER
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27th February 2016, 06:11 AM #6
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 challengingregards from Alberta, Canada
ian
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27th February 2016, 07:11 AM #7
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
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29th February 2016, 12:49 PM #8SENIOR MEMBER
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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
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29th February 2016, 01:48 PM #9
Hi Don. Are you, and Don at the Fort, the same bloke?
Cheers, Vann.Gatherer of rustyplanestools...
Proud member of the Wadkin Blockhead Club .
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1st March 2016, 12:07 AM #10SENIOR MEMBER
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Yes I am.
Don
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2nd March 2016, 02:26 AM #11SENIOR MEMBER
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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
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2nd March 2016, 02:32 AM #12
Good morning Don
I'm down the road a bit from you -- in Canmoreregards from Alberta, Canada
ian
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2nd March 2016, 02:37 AM #13Gatherer of rusty
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6th March 2016, 05:08 PM #14SENIOR MEMBER
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6th March 2016, 06:22 PM #15
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 rustyplanestools...
Proud member of the Wadkin Blockhead Club .
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