Comatic DC40.. finally here

[Andrew J. Coholic]

I have been after replacing the standard HD comatic 4 wheel feeder on our 7.5Hp Cantek shaper, with a DC40, ever since I saw the youtube video probably 2 years ago.

At the IFW in Atlanta last August, I finally got to see and handle the feeder at the show, and decided to order one. I deal with Akhurst Machinery (who deal Cantek) here in Canada, and they said they were going to order a batch for stock as well.

The container arrived in BC before Christmas, and they shipped my feeder by truck last week, just showed up today.

It didnt take me too long to get the old feeder off the shaper, and the new one mounted up and set up. With the exception of one small modification (had to mill off some of the base of the new "smart stand", to clear the shaper hood - I quickly did this on my milling machine in the shop) it took about an hour to set it up. Unlike the ones at the show, this one is painted a dark grayish green. I like it better than the fluorescent orange.. lol.

I ran a little stock before leaving for the day. So far, it is impressive. All 4 wheels are split (for getting close to a larger diameter cutter you remove 1/2 a wheel). The speed control (from 5 feet per minute to 72) works easily and reversing as well. I thought it might take a while to get used to the controls but they are going to be easy.

We run quite a bit of stock on edge (baseboards, casings, crown trim etc) and no more featherboards, trying to feed on top of the narrow edge of the stock, etc. Now with a quick turn of the feeder, you can go from horizontal to vertical in seconds. Very nice.

I know several members here have this feeder, and I was patiently waiting to get this one. We use the shaper daily for many functions in our shop. I think with both the easier adjustments, vertical capability and infinitely adjustable feeds (some times the stock gearing was either too fast or too slow) it will be very nice.

http://www.shopgearinc.com/products/co-matic-power-feeders/4-wheel-variable-speed.php

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/feeder%207_zpsozksspvh.jpg (http://s83.photobucket.com/user/ajcoholic/media/feeder%207_zpsozksspvh.jpg.html)

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/feeder%205_zpsxo56pe6k.jpg (http://s83.photobucket.com/user/ajcoholic/media/feeder%205_zpsxo56pe6k.jpg.html)

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/feeder%204_zpshf0fjtsf.jpg (http://s83.photobucket.com/user/ajcoholic/media/feeder%204_zpshf0fjtsf.jpg.html)

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/feeder%206_zps2flsirzx.jpg (http://s83.photobucket.com/user/ajcoholic/media/feeder%206_zps2flsirzx.jpg.html)

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/feeder%203_zpsxuncunfe.jpg (http://s83.photobucket.com/user/ajcoholic/media/feeder%203_zpsxuncunfe.jpg.html)

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/feeder%202_zpshkqcqbej.jpg (http://s83.photobucket.com/user/ajcoholic/media/feeder%202_zpshkqcqbej.jpg.html)

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/feeder%201_zps1ocadxvy.jpg (http://s83.photobucket.com/user/ajcoholic/media/feeder%201_zps1ocadxvy.jpg.html)

[Andy Giddings]

Congrats, Andrew - love mine

[Martin Wasner]

I bought two new feeders about a year and a half ago. I kick myself constantly for not getting one of those. Being able to really dial in the speed is the biggest appeal for me. The other is not caring about voltage. As I understand it, you don't have to spec that right?

[Andy Giddings]

Martin, runs off 110 or 220 single or 3 phase. I believe you still have to spec which voltage input you want on the order form

[Andrew J. Coholic]

As far as I'm aware you can get 240v or 600v three phase, or 120v single.

My other two feeders (a cantek 3 and one 4 wheel ) are on 600v three phase. I run both voltages in the shop.

Since i I have a receptacle for 120v right beside the shaper I ordered it with that option. All the same cost. I figure if I ever move it I won't have to run another dedicated 3 phase circuit. They are supposed to be identical feeders otherwise.

[Andrew J. Coholic]

The only other thing I want to change is flip the rear column lock handle to the outside of the machine. The stand is set up I think for left side mount. Since my other feeder was on the right, I put this one there. Everything is easily accessible but I'd rather have that locking handle on the outside.

I will I'll have to machine a plug that's threaded inside and out, to fill the clearance hole (which I'll tap) and then drill out the opposite side which currently is threaded for the supplied bolt that pinches the column locking it.

Its very handy to have a small "machine shop" in the wood shop- I have a few mills and a lathe - to make up stuff like this.

That stand and was an extra grand. But it seems like it will also be a bit more versatile and easier adjusting than the stock stand.

[Martin Wasner]

As far as I'm aware you can get 240v or 600v three phase, or 120v single.

My other two feeders (a cantek 3 and one 4 wheel ) are on 600v three phase. I run both voltages in the shop.

Since i I have a receptacle for 120v right beside the shaper I ordered it with that option. All the same cost. I figure if I ever move it I won't have to run another dedicated 3 phase circuit. They are supposed to be identical feeders otherwise.

I just wire mine straight to the shaper, bit if you had to add a drop, 120v

[Warren Lake]

I have one of them wired to the shaper magnetic starter but you have to have the machine running to run the feeder so cant do a dry run. Guess it could be wired to the hot side of the magnetic starter now thinking about it that would be okay. Times I dont want to run the shaper just run the part first of all to see how it feeds

[Andrew J. Coholic]

My shaper is 240V three phase, the feeder I had on it was 600V three phase. So I needed two separate feeds and disconnects etc.

I have a mix of 240V three phase and 600V three phase in the shop. I know what you mean though, as in the old shop my shaper and feeder were both 600V, and fed from the same line.

[Van Huskey]

One of these is on my shopping list for the year. Maybe of interest to some is Grizzly is importing a green version of the DC30 for $884 shipped (in the US) which is cheaper than the Co-Matic version. I wish they were importing the DC40 as well, maybe by the time I order they will.



http://www.grizzly.com/products/Easy-Feeder-Power-Feeder/G0826

BTW Grizzly advertises it as coming with a Smart Stand but based on the price and the picture it comes with the standard stand. Also they copied their text from Co-Matic because they both made what I think is a mistake:

High-efficiency green technology (50% less power output than same size power feeder)

I think it should be 50% less power INPUT since having less power output would not speak to efficiency nor would it be much of a selling point.

[Rick Fisher]

I think Joe got one of those as well, said nice things about it ..

[Rod Sheridan]

Nice feeder Andrew, especially the split wheel feature.

I thought you might like the orange colour, kind of a safety guard colour....LOL.

Happy New year, regards, Rod.

[J.R. Rutter]

Congrats on the feeder. I'm still waiting for them to get the many tiny wheeled short stock feeder into the states.

[Andrew J. Coholic]

Nice feeder Andrew, especially the split wheel feature.

I thought you might like the orange colour, kind of a safety guard colour....LOL.

Happy New year, regards, Rod.

I expected it to be orange.. I didnt love it but that kind of stuff doesnt mean much if anything to me. I was sort of happy opening the box though and finding it not orange.

I know Cantek brands the standard 3 and 4 wheel feeders from Co-matic with their badge. This one has the paper work as "Cantek" but still Co-matic on the actual feeder. I imagine, now that Akhurst/Cantek have decided to add these to their inventory, they will eventualy have a Cantek badge as well.

It was cheaper for me to order this through Akhurst, vs ordering from Shop-gear in the USA. Plus I have a good relationship with them, and I wasnt in a hurry since my other feeder was working fine.

Want to buy a good heavy duty 8 speed feeder? lol.

[Andrew J. Coholic]

Congrats on the feeder. I'm still waiting for them to get the many tiny wheeled short stock feeder into the states.



Thats the DC70 shown on the Shopgear website? Did they have one in Atlanta? Looks very neat.

I wouldnt be on the computer during working hours, but I had to take the afternoon off as one of my boys is home sick and my wife is working days this week. I wish I was at the shop as I had some railing and other work to run through the shaper and wanted to fool around with it to get comfortable with both the feeder and the stand.

[J.R. Rutter]

Thats the DC70 shown on the Shopgear website? Did they have one in Atlanta? Looks very neat.

I wouldnt be on the computer during working hours, but I had to take the afternoon off as one of my boys is home sick and my wife is working days this week. I wish I was at the shop as I had some railing and other work to run through the shaper and wanted to fool around with it to get comfortable with both the feeder and the stand.

That's the one. I didn't go to Atlanta, but I asked them to put me on the list for that feeder. The Western Roller belt conversion works pretty well, but the belts need replacing once a year or so to keep it reliable. Variable speed would be nice for things like VG fir that want to splinter when running sticking.

I find that I need to actually take breaks, and lunch, these days. That's when I'm checking smc, etc. :)

[Larry Edgerton]

I want one, just hard to justify for my shop when I have a perfectly good feeder. But every time I go from vertical to horizontal the want grows. The split wheel thing would be nice but I am pretty sure I saw some to fit the Univer I would put them on. The infinite variable would be sweet as well.

[Andrew J. Coholic]

I want one, just hard to justify for my shop when I have a perfectly good feeder. But every time I go from vertical to horizontal the want grows.

That is 90% of what swayed me to go for it. Just for the amount of stock we run on edge will make it worth while. Our other feeder was working just fine. I figure I can try and sell it, but Ill probably just keep it in case this one goes down. Swaping them out would be quick.

Where I am, it would be hard to sell locally. Not too many shops have shapers here. They are all making boxes and not much else.

[Charles Feathers]

I also have the DC40 and I just made my first set of Shaker doors for frameless cabinets. I got the 110V version. It is mounted to a Powermatic 27 shaper that was originally 5hp 3 phase. I converted it to single phase with a GK3000 variable frequency drive. This is one of the few converters that will convert 5hp. I ran the shaper at 45hz from listening to the sound. I could go up to 50hz but I'm not sure what the actual speed is. It sounds really fast. The belt is on the bottom pulley. How do you convert hz to actual speed? Should I leave the DC40 suspended in the air when I'm not using it? I have it resting on a cloth for now, but I was wondering if the weight will tend to flatten the rubber wheels.

[Bill Adamsen]

How do you convert hz to actual speed?
One easy way is to use a digital tachometer which can be bought for less than $10 on Amazon or Ebay or HF. Alternatively (easier?) the formula is RPM = (120 * Frequency) / # of poles in the motor. Check with your VFD manufacturer to be sure.

[Warren Lake]

Pretty sure in industry they have RPM meters,. simple one you just press on a shaft and ir reads it by turning. Then some guys have digital read outs on their VFD set ups have seen some posts on drill presses, looks very good.

[Martin Wasner]

Martin, runs off 110 or 220 single or 3 phase. I believe you still have to spec which voltage input you want on the order form

I ordered some new tires the other day from Shop Gear, (great to deal with btw), and I asked about the voltage. He said that it's just a matter of opening a cover and switching taps for different voltages. They don't have one that can be run on 480V though which is a bummer. 120V drops are cheap to put in though.

[Andrew J. Coholic]

I also have the DC40 and I just made my first set of Shaker doors for frameless cabinets. I got the 110V version. It is mounted to a Powermatic 27 shaper that was originally 5hp 3 phase. I converted it to single phase with a GK3000 variable frequency drive. This is one of the few converters that will convert 5hp. I ran the shaper at 45hz from listening to the sound. I could go up to 50hz but I'm not sure what the actual speed is. It sounds really fast. The belt is on the bottom pulley. How do you convert hz to actual speed? Should I leave the DC40 suspended in the air when I'm not using it? I have it resting on a cloth for now, but I was wondering if the weight will tend to flatten the rubber wheels.



Sorry I have nothing to add re the frequency. For the feeder I set the feed speed from experience and from the results of the cut.

We have several feeders. Always left them where they were last run, no need to lower anything down. Those mounts are pretty heavy duty.. and the new feeder is quite a bit lighter than the other two I have with standard size motors.

[Andrew J. Coholic]

So far the feeder has been extensively run since mounting it up. It is imo well worth the cost. The stand is also very user friendly and I don't think I'd be able to return to the old one now!

[Mike Delyster]

I don't know what type of VFD you have, some can be programed to display spindle speed.
I have an excel spreadsheet that will calculate the motor rpm as well as the spindle rpm by entering the Hertz into the cornet cells. I print off a copy and hang it on the wall behind the machine.
I can't seem to post an excel file here, but if you pm me your e-mail address I will send you a copy.
354572

[Larry Edgerton]

Isn't there another quick change over feeder that runs on line voltage? I was looking at one a year or so ago, and I do not think this is the one, but I could be wrong, it happens.

http://www.wegoma.de/power-feeder-variomatic-3n.html

I remembered..... This one is available as a head unit so I can use my Univer stand, love the big cast cranks on my old stand.

[Larry Edgerton]

Andrew, I was wondering if you could do me a favor. I almost ordered one then was out in the shop and remembered a problem that I am having with the Univer on my double spindle Unitronix.

So..... My spindles are 30" apart,, feeder mounted in the middle about 16" back from the average fence setting. When I an working on the left hand spindle with the feeder in a vertical position I can not get a wheel on the other side of the opening in the fence, It works fine on the right spindle because of the way the knuckles fold giving me more distance on the right than the left. The switch box and capacitors will not let me do it on the other side as much as I try.

You had the same feeder as I have now, so you may know what I mean although without a double spindle you would not have run into it. If you would could you take a look at your new feeder and the way it folds and see if it is losing reach on the left side as well? I sure would appreciate it.

I thought about running two feeders but as I only use one spindle at a time it seems a waste, and I would like to mount the Univer on a PM66 for a dedicated rip saw.

Thanks, Larry

[Andrew J. Coholic]

Andrew, I was wondering if you could do me a favor. I almost ordered one then was out in the shop and remembered a problem that I am having with the Univer on my double spindle Unitronix.

So..... My spindles are 30" apart,, feeder mounted in the middle about 16" back from the average fence setting. When I an working on the left hand spindle with the feeder in a vertical position I can not get a wheel on the other side of the opening in the fence, It works fine on the right spindle because of the way the knuckles fold giving me more distance on the right than the left. The switch box and capacitors will not let me do it on the other side as much as I try.

You had the same feeder as I have now, so you may know what I mean although without a double spindle you would not have run into it. If you would could you take a look at your new feeder and the way it folds and see if it is losing reach on the left side as well? I sure would appreciate it.

I thought about running two feeders but as I only use one spindle at a time it seems a waste, and I would like to mount the Univer on a PM66 for a dedicated rip saw.

Thanks, Larry

Larry
I know what you mean. I'm sure the new style feeder support would remedy that. The arm with the rack gear is much longer to give the feeder a far greater reach out front. On mine I used the tube/gear from my old feeder as the new tube came separately a few days after the main boxes arrived. In my case it works ok but the new tube is much longer. I can measure next week when I'm back in the shop. I'm currently visiting my parents with my kids this weekend in another community.

[Joe Calhoon]

Isn't there another quick change over feeder that runs on line voltage? I was looking at one a year or so ago, and I do not think this is the one, but I could be wrong, it happens.

http://www.wegoma.de/power-feeder-variomatic-3n.html

I remembered..... This one is available as a head unit so I can use my Univer stand, love the big cast cranks on my old stand.


Larry,
I have both the DC 40 and the Wegoma Variomatic 4 in my shop. The Wegoma is a bit of a mystery as that one does not show up in any Comatic information. I think Comatic must make it exclusively for Wegoma or possibly Wegoma has it made by someone else and uses Comatic's smart stand. Wegoma's is heavier built with all metal parts, runs on line voltage, has a mechanical digital height readout and the vari speed is via manual twisting the back knob. I like it better than the DC 40 but in function there is no difference and the Wegoma gets pretty expensive. I reto fitted the DC40 onto my Martin T26 power feed arm. My only complaint is because of the vary feed I have to push 2 buttons to turn it on. Getting used to that.

Be aware if you buy just the feeder they do not fit the Univer tube. The smart stand vs the Univer stand in my opinion is worth the money if you do a lot of setups. It is quicker and easier to adjust.

[Mark Bolton]

I have been after replacing the standard HD comatic 4 wheel feeder just showed up today.


Andrew,
Have two of these in our cart at the moment swapping out a couple other feeders and moving one to a saw. I cant imagine not being over the moon with these but wondering what your thoughts are after working with the feeder for nearly a year. I thought hard about going with the dc70 for one of them but I dont think we do enough shorts to justify a dedicated feeder.

I just sit there and droole watching the videos of the DC40 and can only imagine the increased speed in position changes from flat to vertical. The cost of the smart stand is a bit to bear but it seems like the only way to go.

Thanks

[Andrew J. Coholic]

Andrew,
Have two of these in our cart at the moment swapping out a couple other feeders and moving one to a saw. I cant imagine not being over the moon with these but wondering what your thoughts are after working with the feeder for nearly a year. I thought hard about going with the dc70 for one of them but I dont think we do enough shorts to justify a dedicated feeder.

I just sit there and droole watching the videos of the DC40 and can only imagine the increased speed in position changes from flat to vertical. The cost of the smart stand is a bit to bear but it seems like the only way to go.

Thanks

Mark,
My only complaint is I hemmed and hawed for over a year before I bought it. In the 10 months we’ve used it now, it has proven to be a very good upgrade. It’s one of those things that outwardly looks like it would be a slight improvement, but in practice, actually is way more efficient - as well as being much more versatile. The speed adjustment is amazingly good for dialing in the best feed speed on the fly for whatever you are cutting (vs using 4 fixed speeds). We run a lot of stock now with the rollers pressing stock against the fence.

I’m glad I also got the super stand. It is much better to set up, easier, faster etc.

I have zero regret. Great purchase.

[Mark Bolton]

Thanks Andrew. They are on the way.