Customer Reviews

DELTA 36-850 1/4-Horsepower 4-Speed 3-Roller Stock Feeder, 115-Volt 1-Phase

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Over the years I've seen and heard of some horrible accidents in wood shops. Although it's not a standard piece of equipment in most shops, the shaper remains one of the most common culprits for accidents. I myself once had a piece of 3/4 x 3/4 trim fire like an arrow out of a shaper (the finger boards holding the stock had vibrated loose) narrowly missing a guy jointing lumber and bursting into toothpicks when it hit a block wall 15 feet away. I'm sure it would have gone right through him had he been standing 2 feet to the left. That and a couple of other shaper incidents have brought me to the conclusion that one of the best safety devices you can put on a shaper is a stock feeder. Nothing will ever replace common sense or care in using a shaper, but a stock feeder keeps your hands and fingers well away from the cutter head and they provide accurate feeding, positioning and control of material as it is fed against the cutter. Finger boards, hold-downs and positioning jigs are important, but ultimately it's the feeder that ensures constant feed speed and total control. I bought my feeder with my shaper (Delta 3 HP model) and would never consider running the shaper without it. I do everything in my power to avoid using the shaper "free-hand"; on cuts where the use of a feeder is impossible (such as the rails on frame and panel doors) I have jigs with integrated hold downs that achieve the control and positioning of stock while keeping my digits where they belong... as far away from that cutter head as possible.

This model from Delta is a very versatile performer, can be positioned in virtually any position or configuration you can think of, and the ability to run it in reverse is very useful in certain situations. Mine is somewhat older and it appears that there have been some design changes and a few components have been changed over to plastic. However, overall it appears to be the same device. Everything is very solidly built and absolutely rigid when locked down. However, if care is not taken during set-up a feeder can also pull pieces directly into or away from the cutter head and it will drag unsecured items such as fence plates into the cutter head too. Check everything prior to turning anything on and then check it again... it could save you more than a ruined piece of wood. The only criticism I have of Delta shapers is the fact that you have to drill the holes in the cast iron table yourself. I can understand why they don't drill holes in a table saw top by default, but a shaper? It's not too arduous to do this, but really this should be something that is done right in the factory even if you don't get a feeder with your shaper (the holes would not interfere or effect the use of the shaper in anyway). If your buying a shaper put a feeder in your budget, you will never regret the decision.

I bought this feeder to use with my Delta shaper and overall works great. Assembly was easy, drilling and installing the mounting base was tedious but certainly within the skills of most. Two things keep me from rating this feeder with 5 stars; the 2 adjusting hand wheels were bent when I received the package,(promptly replaced by Delta) and the locking levers that lock the various adjustments are too short, taking an extreme amount of effort to hold the feeder in place. Resolving these 2 problems (1 certainly not Delta's fault, probably the freight line, but still annoying), would make this a topnotch machine.

I have used this on shaper and table saw. It works great on both of them. Though It took some time to get used to in using the feeder, got used to it after some time. I think there is an opportunity to provide better documentation. I have cut 10' long hardwood with consistant results, which is not possible with out this power feeder. In addition to quality cuts I appreciate the safty it provides using both table saw and the shaper.

This was an excellent safety addition to any shaper. When swinging carbide that fast, the further I can keep my hands from it the happier I am. The power feeder came with a peel off template that made drilling and tapping for mounting bolts a piece of cake. Take the time to read the instructions, and get familair with the device. The fact it keeps constant speed has made all my door styles/rails and mouldings picture perfect whether they are 12" long or are 12' long. As usual, Delta provides a good product for the money.

Plan on spending 1 hour to mount the power feeder. I chose to grind off the front portion of the wheel guard so I could get it tighter to the feence for smaller moulding. Leave enough guard to prevent damage to the wheels, but it 1'4 from the side, and 12" wide mae a huge difference for tightness to the fence. I recommend purchasing a drill and tap set and tapping the table top. Much easier than trying to fish under, get through any reinforcement webbing and locate nuts.

There are enough useful reviews here for you to make a decision. The only thing I have to add is my actual usage of the machine.

I use this feeder on a Grizzly 1.5 HP shaper. I use a 3 wing cutter that cuts a .75 diameter half circle. I have the feeder set to the slowest feed speed (cant remember fpm) and it seems to be matched perfectly for that cut in cherry.

In other words, I think this feeder is a good match for a smaller shaper with a moderate cutter.

I would buy this feeder again, despite the fact that I have pretty much given up on Delta tools in general.

My wife and I used to own a large woodworking shop. We used much larger stock feeders in our daily tasks, ( 2 hp 3phase 440volt) but the Delta stock feeder we purchased from Amazon.com does a super job for its' size...

I work in the woodworking industry and this would not cut it. It has performed well in my home shop though. My only complaint would be that it doesn't have enough torque. If you have to much downward pressure on your workpiece and you stop the feeder it may not start again without you pushing it. Good feed speeds and easy setup/installation.

A good all purpose feeder. I use mine mostly on a table saw W/dado blade rabbeting melamine panels so I cut 90degree grooves on rubber wheels to assist in traction on dusty melamine and it works good. Plenty of horsepower and stays in position. Would probably buy next size up W/4 rollers if I was cutting panel larger than 24x48 regularly.

Got this and set up easy. I have a 3hp Grizzly table saw. This makes me feel much safer. I keep my hands away from blade and the machine takes abuse. I have broken my finger using this saw in past with this item you will feel many times safer.

The product was shipped promply and shipper corrected problems with machine. Delta needs to change their packaging design as the handles break during shipment. If they would just leave them off the machine and put them in the box with the other parts it might keep them from breaking. It performs well and was easy to install. Just a problem with broken handles which I was expecting due to other reviews of this product.