Power feeder for a shaper

[Bill Hightower]

I am a cabinet maker and use a 5hp shaper to cut door parts. I would like to improve my efficiency and through put. Can someone share their experience with a power feeder on a shaper? How big (hp) would you recommend for the power feeder. I am looking at a 1/2 hp.

Bill

[creativecarpentry]

I'm using a Delta versa-feed...it's small enough to align properly (The bigger ones take a lot of time to manipulate) keeps your hands away, very steady feed but a little bit slow...but I think that tradeoff is acceptable.

[Lavrans]

I like a 1 hp. I think a 4 wheel design is better than 3, but I've just got a 3 wheel. With the larger feeder you can climb cut, I would be nervous about that with only 1/2 hp. That can be very handy, especially with figured or hardwoods, and also Fir machines much better with a climb cut.

1/2 hp is ok if all you're doing is cabinet door parts & small profiles.

[tod evans]

i`m a firm believer in either 4 wheel or track feeders, four wheeld are great for lengths of sticking but if you intend to use your feeder to raise panels, especially narrow panels, a track is really nice.
i`ve never heard anyone say "i wish i`d bought smaller"
one more thing....5hp for raising panels single pass with a backcutter will require an adjustable speed feeder(not gear reduction)

[David Meiland]

I had the small Delta and it's really only adequate to run 3/4" cabinet door parts and similar. You're not going to push a piece of 8/4 oak thru a door profile cutter with it, although I used mine to do that while also pushing by hand, in which case the feeder steadies the work and keeps the feed rate constant (and keeps your hands outta the works).

A buddy of mine has a big Steff and it's more than adequate for large parts. Keep the table waxed. I've been seeing nice Italian feeders on Craigslist quite often for great prices.

[tod evans]

the two major feeder mfgrs in the world are maggie-steff and co-matic.
maggie-steff is high quality euro equipment.
co-matic sells under their own name as well as delta/powermatic/griz/sunhill etc.

[David Meiland]

http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/tls/1024535240.html

[Housewright]

We have both the little delta feeder with the ball/socket articulated arm and the next size up co-matic. I would agree with earlier posts; bigger is better. The axis adjusment is much easier with the threaded rods, than the single arm that needs to be loosened and manipulated. The versa feeder does have variable speed capability, and is more durable than I would have thought, but for a larger shaper, running larger cutters I would recommend a larger feeder, probably four wheel if you can afford it.

[Chris Hall2024]

As stated in two posts back, "co-matic sells under their own name as well as delta/powermatic/griz/sunhill etc."

I am currently shopping for a 1hp / 1phase 220~240v power feeder. Are there subtle or distinct differences between the co-matic delta, powermatic, griz, or sunhill power feeders? I have looked at the griz and comatic labeled feeders so far... is the real difference just price point, convenience of where purchased, warranty support, availability of parts from seller?

Also, am i correct in understanding from the thread that a 1hp unit, 3 or 4 wheel would be a appropriate choice for feeding a 8/4 x 8" piece of vgdougfir across my newly acquired used powermatic 3hp shaper?

Thanks!

[tod evans]

chris,
all of the co-matic units are the same under the paint.
as for running 8/4 past a spindle either a 3 or 4 wheel will work but you`ll be glad down the road if you pop for a 4 wheel now.

[David Meiland]

http://grizzlyindustrial.com/product...spx?key=560030

Can't save any money buying a 3 wheel Grizzly.

[dixonpeer]

I have a three wheel Grigio running stock by a 1 1/4" spindled 10 hp Sueri Alfredo shaper. Sometimes I wish I had gotten a four wheeler. The stock occasionally needs a little help from me because the tires on the feeder start losing traction. Keeping the table waxed certainly helps, but when doing a heavy cut, things still stop every once in a while.