Poor design, & materials

I have another stock feeder from which I base my comments. The support arm structure is cludgy to set up proper tension against stock. Motor is under powered and gets hot to the touch after 45 min. (I'm feeding small pieces and taking off very little material). Wheels are not round and made of a material that far inferior to true rubber wheels. I had to sand down the wheels just so they would grip the stock. It claims 46 fpm but my other feeder (max 42 fpm) pushes stock through faster. This is more a toy than a tool. If I could return it I would.

Great for smaller equipment

I've got to admit, I was a bit nervous ordering a unit this small. Advice from local shops suggested that 1/4hp was as small as you should consider... but the reviews here seemed good, so I gave it a try.

After assembling the unit, and attaching it to my Jet 1-1/2 HP Shaper, here are some comments:

- Delta 36-864 Versa-Feeder Mounting Base provided a much more rigid connection than I anticipated. I thought I would temporarily mount it with this base until I found the right spot to drill holes in my table top. I'm so pleased, I just may not drill the holes after all!

- Adjustment takes some getting used to. It certainly isn't as easy as the screws found on the larger (more expensive) units. I think I have mastered the art of 'tweaking' the unit with one hand, while tightening the clamping mechanisms with the other.

- Once properly positioned, the unit is very tight/rigid. It doesn't appear to flex too much, or fall out of position.

- Best of all, all 10 of my fingers are much safer now!

Fair Deal

I was reluctant to purchase this because of previous reviews. But not being rich I took the chance. I got this feeder because of a large amount of flooring I needed to do. I used this feeder to resaw 214 - 8ft clear Douglas fir 2x4s on a bandsaw, and then making T&G flooring and paneling out of the parts using a climb cut on the shaper. This feeder performed without complaint.

I have also used it on the jointer with good results.

Setup is a little bothersome because the feeder has little weight of it own and must be preloaded so that the feed wheels will stay in contact with the stock. And it would have been nice if feed speed could be reduced below the 10 f/m. At 10 f/m the feeder will stall a 3hp shaper making a single deep cut in red oak, requiring multiple passes.