My new to me Powermatic III power feeder...and a couple other things

[Kansas City Fireslayer]

I added a shaper to my shop a couple years ago and I finally got around to using it.  I never planned on adding a shaper but it was a deal I couldn't refuse given it was a 3HP Delta that still had the cosmoline paper on the cast iron and not a speck of dust on the inside cabinet.  My first impression was that it made my router table seem like a toy after I used it.  $360 well spent.

I'd been looking off and on for a power feeder and they don't come up for sale very often even in the KC area.  New ones are pretty expensive for a frugal hobbiest who typically buys used machinery. I came across a shaper/power feeder combo that the seller was willing to sell the power feeder separately.  They took my $300 offer and I think I got a really good machine for the money.  

The feeder is a Powermatic III, 1 HP with a build date of 1993.  It's super smooth and very quiet when I turned in on to test.  The wheels still look usable at least.  I don't think it's seen a lot of work.  This thing is a tank in person and much bigger than I expected.  There is a lot of cast iron and everything seems "over sized" to say the least. It took a pretty good effort to pick it up and carry it to my garage by myself.  The biggest surprise was that it's made in Tiawan.  I about fell over when I saw the tag.  It wasn't a deal breaker but I don't know of any other PM machines from this era that aren't USA made.  I'm sure it's still a very good unit if PM was willing to put it's name on it back then.  

I also picked up a set molding head cutters without the head.  I thought they were CMT's and would fit the CMT head that I already have but they don't.  These are bigger than my 3/4" spindle set and I'm suspecting they're made for a 1 or 1.25" spindle.  I'm thinking they may be an older Jesada set.  Anyone know for sure?  I've searched off the number on the box but can't find any pictures to know for sure.  They are probably discontinued but hopefully I can find a head as there's a lot of great profiles.  I don't know if they were ever used and if they were they weren't used much.

Last, I picked up a Delta router bit adapter for the shaper.  It shows some wear but I'm sure it will still work just fine.  I know the shaper doesn't sink small bits very fast but it could still get some use with larger bits.  

I've never set up or even used a power feeder.  I've gotten a few tips from a friend who makes cabinets.  Hopefully it goes smooth.  I'm looking forward to using it.  

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[Jeremy s]

Sweet steal, i mean deal on the feeder! Is it an 8 speed? As far as Taiwan..nothing to worry about. USA dont make feeders, well maybe Weaver, not sure.
Maybe the knives are William and Hussey pattern. Whats the center to center and hole diameter?

[MKepke]

Your power feeder looks very similar to my Delta-branded (Comatic) power feeder, except mine has 4 wheels.

You got a great deal on the power feeder.  I think I paid close to $400 for mine, which was also a good deal - they are rare on the used market in my experience.

You ought to make some test runs to check how well the wheels grip.  If the tires are original they're 25 years old - that's a long time for pliable plastics.

-Mark

[WilliamHodge]

I use a stock feeder like that on my rip saw. The saw blade goes between the first and second wheels, on the infeed end. The narrowest rip I can make is 1/4".

The first thing you should do is get new wheels and tires from Western Roller in Bend, Oregon. The old wheels make it hard to feed stock, and that is the main purpose of a stock feeder.

To set it up for stock on the table, get the wheels parallel to the table, and toe the wheels 1/4" in to push the stock against the fence. To set it up to push stock against a fence, do the same thin, but sideways. To use the feeder to run curved work on a shaper, set the feeder up so that one wheel touches the stock, pushing the stock against the rub bearing. Use a starting pin.

Don't climb cut until you have successfully run this feeder many times on different set ups.

William Hodge

[TGW]

Those very same power feeders were sold under another name in Europe. I cannot remember the name but they have a reputation for doing their job reasonably well despite their doubtful origin. I could imagine buying one if I came across one in that condition for that price.

A 3 hp Delta will be on the smaller side to really let the power feeder shine. 
Anyway I am sure it will pay itself back twice over in productivity and accuracy and reduced consumption of fingers.