Machine buying help please...

[Chip shop]

I'm thinking of buying a combi saw spindle. I could really use a table saw with a sliding table and a second spindle moulder would be dead useful. Added to that, I hate setting up the tenoner, so for small runs a sliding carriage coupled with a spindle would be cool.

I'm doing small time joinery, so no serious production...lots of setups for different components.

I've seen a Felder KF700, on the internet auction site, for 6K. This seems reasonable to me and I'm seriously tempted, but I was wondering what are my other options... Mini Max, or new Hammer?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Cheers,

Ed.

 

[Peter Sefton]

I have had a fair few students who come on machining courses that have the Hammer saw spindle combo, they seem like a cost effective way of getting a descent spindle. I have not used one myself but think the Felder can tilt whilst the Hammer can't.

Both accurate bits of kit with good sliding tables. I have the tenoning guard and heads on my Hammer but it does take some time to set up, I would rather have a separate tenoner if I was doing joinery or lots of tenons.

Cheers Peter

 

[mbartlett99]

That KF700 looks very nice - do be careful, for some reason Felder seem to be the favorite of fraudsters (there's a few posts on here about them).

You could look at Robland too although they don;t have some of the cool features of the Felders.

 

[meccarroll]

Hi Ed,

I also make joinery, Kitchen cabinets etc small scale.

I would agree that having two spindle moulders is very handy and saves time when setting up, but as for panel saws only one is needed.

I took a look at the Felder and KF700 on ebay @ £6000 and think the sliding table (long bed) might be a bit to short for regular panel work. Will it accommodate at least 8'x4' sheet lengthways cutting and widthways as this might be important to you at some stage (depends on your space of course).

Personally I'd stay away from combined machines for the same reason as you want a second spindle moulder (time changing tooling). It depends on your space of course but if you can fit a panel saw in your workshop you will have space for separates on wheels.

Rojek make a simple but effective spindle moulder with sliding carriage and tilt that sometimes crop up on ebay for around £2000 - £2500 ish. You could also pick up a decent SCM Mini Max SC3 or SC4 panel saw for around £1500 - £2500 on ebay (good machine). I'd shop around a bit and get a bit more advice on the panel saw side before jumping in.

Mark

 

[Chip shop]

Cheers guys.

Two spindles was the aim, along with a better rip saw. I think I'm going to put it on hold for a bit.

 

[meccarroll]

Cheers guys.

Two spindles was the aim, along with a better rip saw. I think I'm going to put it on hold for a bit.

Good idea to think about it from all aspects, 6K is a lot of money.

Spindle moulder
From the point of view of two spindle moulders. I have two spindle moulders and yet still use one most of the time the reason being is that if I want to change tooling it's often for a block or set of cutters that is not already on the other spindle so I still end up breaking down and changing the spindle I'm using anyway.

What would probably be most useful would be a spindle moulder that allows fast easy tool changing. One that has good access to the tooling with fast and easy to operate levers. Fast and accurate fence set up etc. And a sliding carriage for a spindle can be a huge bonus. If you can slide back the fences and change the tooling without removing the top cover assembly you will save a lot of time. Also having several blocks at hand with pre-set cutters already inserted saves time when changing the tooling.

Hope you don't mind my input.

Mark

 

[RobinBHM]

I cant help thinking if you have a combination, it will be set up permanently as a panel saw, since it would need changing over to a spindle which you already have, so you would then be choosing between breaking down a combi machine for a spindle set up or a spindle moulder for a set up.

I suppose it comes down to space, if you have plenty then get a decent panel saw for around £3k say an SCM and invest in some better tooling for the spindle moulder.

You could spend some time organising the spindle set up you with shadow boards and perhaps doubling up tooling to speed up changeovers.

I dont think by choice I would go from separates to a combi unless dictated by space issues.

Of course listen to Felder combi owners they may feel different.