Replies

1. 
   Ridge | Oct 21, 2004 06:06pm | #1

   Bridgewood sells a small feeder specifically for face jointing.  Have never seen or used it. 

   We always used a three of four wheel standard power feeder on our jointer for facing lumber.  My memory is that it is important to set the feeder over the cutterhead with all but one wheel on the outfeed table.  Also make sure that the preasure is set stronger on the outfeed table wheels.  You only want the one wheel on the infeed table to start pulling the board into the cutterhead, not apply enough preasure to flatten the board, as this would defeat the purpose of face jointing. 

   We always replaced the white rubber wheel tires with the tackier polyurethane colored tires.   They grab the (typically) roughsawn top face of the board that is being face jointed much better, and seem to last longer.

2. 
   hammer1 | Oct 21, 2004 07:12pm | #2

   Power feeders don't work with variable thicknesses. When joining rough stock you often have to take a few shots here and a few there. You can't do that with a power feeder. Joiners don't have "extra" places to attach a feeder. You will have to make some type accessory to set it up on that won't interfere with other operations. The only operation I can think of for using a feeder on a joiner would be for rabbeting. Your stock will already be at thickness and you want a consistent cut. I don't rabbet on the joiner.

   When flattening stock before planing, you don't have to acheive a 100% face. At times, just a pass or two will suffice to reference to the planer. You want to take equal amounts off both faces anyway, so you will be flipping the stock over to finish planing both faces.

   My fingers have started to lock up when doing repetitive work on the table saw, router table and shaper. Getting old! I use power feeders on those and love them. The joiner doesn't bother me but I use a variety of push blocks. I also take little baby steps as I feed the lumber. That way I'm not leaning out and trying to keep pressure on the tables. The control is closer to my center.

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

3. 
   RickL | Oct 21, 2004 07:12pm | #3

   It's a compromise in the quality of the facing operation. The control you have with  your hands yields a much better quality output. Power facers have an a sort of overhead conveyor with steel spring loaded fingers. Feeder is usually set up with one wheel on the infeed table and two wheels on the outfeed.

4. 
   Michmesquite | Oct 21, 2004 10:22pm | #4

   I have a Delta 36-850 1/4HP 110V (70#) and use it anytime I have more than two boards in a production run.

   My Jointer is 12" and I get a much better finish using the feeder than by pushing the stock through by hand.

   If I had it to over again I would opt for a 1Hp 220V unit. (They are very heavy @ 135#)

   _________________________________

   Michael in San Jose

   "In all affairs it's a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted." Bertrand Russell 

1. 
   SRToolguy | Oct 22, 2004 05:36am | #5

   I'm with you Michael, the little Delta is actually pretty cool with its electronic variable speed and all. But if your gonna get serious, then the Maggi-Stefs (think General) are the way to go. Power feeders are something you need to get used to though. They are not for the touch and go users. They are designed for one thing and that is production and as was touched on above, production is a process whereby the material is conditioned at various levels. In these types of applications, the powerfeeders are set and rarely re adjusted.

   They do have a distinct level usefullness in the home shop but one must understand that setting it up and leaving it is just not an option. Sincerely;

   The Tool Guy

1. 
   Michmesquite | Oct 22, 2004 07:41pm | #6

   The feeder I have is not the Versa. At 1/8HP I thought it a bit underpowered.As for the Maggi-Steffs, these are top of the line units, and the entry pirce of $1,250+ indicates that._________________________________

   Michael in San Jose

   "In all affairs it's a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted." Bertrand Russell