Steff Feeder source- WMD

[David Kumm]

Has anyone here had dealings with Woodtech Int or WMD? A friend ordered a Steff Feeder months ago and was getting the run around and now can't even get through on the phone. Not looking to start rumors, just find out if anyone has had similar experiences with either Steff or WMD. Dave

[Erik Loza]

Wow, sorry to hear that. We used WMD forever and they were fine to deal with thought I have not personally spoken to any of those guys for a couple of years. I'll try to call Enzo tomorrow and see if I can get through.

Erik Loza
Minimax USA

[Mike Heidrick]

Woodtech Int site looks sketchy at best (site made with paypal app). Late last year their building was a BMW dealer.

Why woul dyou not order it from Eagle in CA if that is where he was buying it from?

[Erik Loza]

Mike, that site you mentioned is not the one Dave and I are talking about. It appears to be a different outfit altogether. I won't hyperlink it here but the site we are talking about has been the official US outlet for Steff feeders for years.

Erik Loza
Minimax USA

[Mike Heidrick]

The woodtech site I saw has ONLY maggi steff feeders on it. Seems awful coincidental. Google Woodtech Int Maggi Steff. www woodtechint dot com .

[Erik Loza]

Mike, I owe you an apology. Just clicked onto the WMD site and saw this other site you are referring to and that Maggi has apparently (?) changed hands here in the US? Unfortunately, I do not know anyone from this second organization. If someone knows something, please shoot me a PM.

Thanks,

Erik Loza
Minimax USA

[David Kumm]

Mike, I owe you an apology. Just clicked onto the WMD site and saw this other site you are referring to and that Maggi has apparently (?) changed hands here in the US? Unfortunately, I do not know anyone from this second organization. If someone knows something, please shoot me a PM.

Thanks,

Erik Loza
Minimax USA

My friend with the problem said they were one and the same. That may be the issue. Dave

[Peter Kelly]

Looks pretty weird that woodtechint.com and madeinitalymall.com are identical sites with different domain registrars. Same Magneto theme and everything.

[Erik Loza]

Interesting stuff. I may still try to give my guy from WMD a call, tomorrow. See of I can get some clarification on all of this. If there are supply issues, I don't want to be steering folks the wrong direction...:confused:

Erik Loza
Minimax USA

[Steve Juhasz]

Hence the natural conclusion, stick with one of the dozens of brands of Co-Matic feeders. Widely available parts, and industrial reliability on par with any italian machine.

[David Kumm]

Hence the natural conclusion, stick with one of the dozens of brands of Co-Matic feeders. Widely available parts, and industrial reliability on par with any italian machine.

Except Univer which is no more. Comatic now makes feeders for Martin although Martin demands better machining and finishing than most. Comatic makes for almost every private label. Problem is identifying those that price point and neglect the machining so the pipes and fittings don't lock. Sort of like jointer tables where the label specifies the quality and tolerance of the grinding. Dave

[Erik Loza]

Well, to be honest, the other thing about Steff feeders is that they are relatively affordable. Are Martin's feeders priced like Martin's actual machines?

Erik Loza
Minimax USA

[David Kumm]

Martin now sells Comatic rebranded as Wegoma. They do appear to be put through an additional machining and finishing step so they are a little more than other Comatics but not bad. If Steff has problems I wonder what Felder will do. You can still buy them through Felder, and some were on sale- slightly- in their spring flyer. Dave

[Stephen Cherry]

I've got both maggi and comatic, and the maggi definitely is a little more nicely put together. That said, the comatic is pretty old, and it still feeds just fine. The machining on the maggi is just smoother.

I guess the maggi feeders will be something to pick up as they become available. They come up on craigslist only VERY infrequently.

[Erik Loza]

I can think of half a dozen US dealers who handle Steff feeders but am hesitant to mention any, because if there is a supply-side issue, then it could potentially affect all of them.

Erik Loza
Minimax USA

[Jeff Duncan]

I don't know about their whole line of feeders, but the feeders used in the Martin sales videos are a step above any other feeders I've seen on the market. These are not your entry level feeders and probably not something your going to buy.....unless your also looking at dropping $60k+ on a new shaper:D

JeffD

[joe milana]

FYI: I purchased a Steff feeder from Woodtech Int. about a year ago. Great service, and feeder throughout the transaction. I just received a collection notice stating that the freight was never paid by woodtech, and now I am liable. Apparently Woodtech is history.

[Erik Loza]

Joe: Wow.....

Erik Loza
Minimax USA

[michael flay]

Except Univer which is no more. Comatic now makes feeders for Martin although Martin demands better machining and finishing than most. Comatic makes for almost every private label. Problem is identifying those that price point and neglect the machining so the pipes and fittings don't lock. Sort of like jointer tables where the label specifies the quality and tolerance of the grinding. Dave

Would it really make sense for Comatic to make a bunch of parts that are not going to work properly, if you look at the GI, Grizzly, Powermatic and even the Hammer feeders they are all identical except for the paint job.

[Mike Heidrick]

I own and use comatic in comatic white, grizzly green , and delta grey paint jobs. All work perfectly and lock perfectly are machined perfectly, finished perfectly and are at the bottom of the price points for 1hp feeders. Guessing the jacked up ones are probably abused by users not comatic.

[David Kumm]

Would it really make sense for Comatic to make a bunch of parts that are not going to work properly, if you look at the GI, Grizzly, Powermatic and even the Hammer feeders they are all identical except for the paint job.

It's not a matter of making stuff that doesn't work but there will be differences. They may not matter to most of us but each vendor cuts his own deal and the manufacturer figures out how to make a profit. Given the volume Grizzly buys, I would guess they are a pretty safe bet for the price. I've owned several comatics, Steffs, a Univer, and a Euro I have no clue about. The Comatics were bought new. One was fine, the other would not lock down. I would rate my Steffs higher than the comatics, and the Univer higher than the Steff. I bought them used and still prefer them to the comatics. The exception is the Comatic with the horizontal motor. They are sweet. I saw several in Atlanta and yes, the fit and finish and machining of the one at the Martin booth was best, followed by the ones on display at the comatic booth, followed by every else's rebadged ones. Again, there may be no difference in performance but there is a difference. Some definitely have some additional steps taken. Dave

[michael flay]

It's not a matter of making stuff that doesn't work but there will be differences. They may not matter to most of us but each vendor cuts his own deal and the manufacturer figures out how to make a profit. Given the volume Grizzly buys, I would guess they are a pretty safe bet for the price. I've owned several comatics, Steffs, a Univer, and a Euro I have no clue about. The Comatics were bought new. One was fine, the other would not lock down. I would rate my Steffs higher than the comatics, and the Univer higher than the Steff. I bought them used and still prefer them to the comatics. The exception is the Comatic with the horizontal motor. They are sweet. I saw several in Atlanta and yes, the fit and finish and machining of the one at the Martin booth was best, followed by the ones on display at the comatic booth, followed by every else's rebadged ones. Again, there may be no difference in performance but there is a difference. Some definitely have some additional steps taken. Dave

I have a 1hp King made by Comatic and it is the same as the others, paid $599 and it works great. But the Steffs do look very nice, just couldn't bare to spend $200 more.

[Stephen Cherry]

The maggi site lists two US resellers, including J & G Engineering in NC. Has anyone dealt with J and G? Their website looks like a real company.

http://www.maggi-engineering.com/documents/Product/attach/rivenditori.pdf

http://www.jgmachinery.com/woodworking-brands/STEFF

[Jim Galvin]

Charles G.G. Schmidt in NJ carries Steff feeders

Jim

[Jeff Duncan]

Have to agree with David, it's been common knowledge for some time that some of the less expensive feeders don't lock down as well as the better one's do. I don't know what part of the manufacturing process causes it....but it does exist:o

JeffD