Power Feed

[custard]

I've got a combination machine with a power feed which I use with the spindle moulder. I also have a longer arm for the power feed, which I've never fitted, which would allow the power feeder to operate with the planer and with the circular saw.

Has anyone any experience of using a power feed on anything apart from a spindle moulder, and if so did you find it useful? Basically I'm trying to decide whether or not to bother fitting the longer arm.

Thanks.

 

[ColeyS1]

We use to take the power feed off the spindle moulder and put it onto the outfeed table of the surface planer. It was a godsend when we were having to plane up very long 8×8 green oak

 

[Peter Sefton]

Great on the saw bench, not so sure about using it on the surfacer, don’t distort your beds or bend your timber.

 

[JonnyD]

If you set the feeder to the out feed table only and take a deep enough cut there shouldn't be any problem using it on the surfacer.

Cheers

Jon

 

[custard]

Peter, how would you use the power feed with the circular saw?

Thanks

 

[Peter Sefton]

If the power feed is mounted on the out feed table it would work fine but if I understand correctly in this instance it was on a combination machine (not sure which table it is mounted) which means you could put the planer in twist or out of line with the infeed table if not careful (bad news). Power feeds can be used on surfacers but if you apply to much pressure to the timber you just keep bending the wood which will then spring back after planning. Again dependant on its position, the power feed it can be great on the saw bench for repetitive cuts on panel sizing work as long as your fence is sturdy enough to cope with the pressure more of a production method. I have done it but not for a long time as we are not in a production shop.

 

[custard]

Thanks Peter, that makes perfect sense.