Real-world use of Felder Fat 300 table

[Jonathan Jung]

Trying to decide between the Felder Fat 300 and Fat 300 S.

What's the actual lifting limit of these tables? I've had a 420lb countertop on my little harbor freight table, and it did fine actually.

Has anyone negative feedback on the side-operated foot pedals of the Fat 300 S? On the HF units the pedal is in the same position as the Fat 300, at the end. It is difficult to pump when a long item is supported, especially when placed low. So I would appreciate pumping the table up from the side but am curious about any drawbacks.

Primary uses will be: material handling around the shop, assembly of cabinetry and furniture, infeed/outfeed from the wide belt sander.

I've heard that the tables aren't level. Any more feedback on this?

[Brian Holcombe]

I have the small Barth and it has been great.

[Jonathan Jung]

I have the small Barth and it has been great.
Which version and who did you order it through?

[Brian Holcombe]

I don’t know/Martin USA

[Pat Rice]

Jonathan I have the FAT 300, the capacity is 600 lbs. and I have been extremely pleased with mine. At times I wish I had the 300S with side foot petal, as to level of the table I am not sure as my concrete floor is very unlevel. I use mine for all the things you listed and would not ever want to be without it. On another note the hydraulic cyclinder does not leak down. The Felder lift tables are expensive and the Barth even more so, but I would definitely buy it again and some time wish I had another.

[Tom Bain]

Jonathan On another note the hydraulic cyclinder does not leak down.

This is great to hear … I cheaped out and purchased a Vestil table from NorthernTool (which I thought was a decent brand) but the leak down is really annoying. I have to wedge blocks between the wheels and frame to keep the table at a specific height. Someday I will upgrade.

[Erik Loza]

The 300 refers to kilograms weight capacity. If anything, the factory underrates the capacity. We have put a TON of weight on these things in the showroom and never come close to collapsing one. As others mentioned, they do not creep down overnight. Every customer has said the same things to me about their FAT table:

1.) Seems expensive beforehand, lots of hemming-hawing/anxiety.
2.) Expensive to have shipped, long lead time. These are not re-branded Barth tables, by the way. We manufacture them 100% in-house (except for the gas pistons, hardware, and tops). They actually use cutoffs from our CNC routers to make the FAT tables. Though I am sure the FATs were Barth-inspired :D
3.) Felder-branded tops for the FATs are expensive, but nice. Many folks DIY their own.
4.) After receiving and using one: "Awesome/How did I get by without one?/Totally worth the hassle"

Erik

[Pat Rice]

It appears that as part of Felder Black Friday, they have, for today only flat rate shipping of $150.00. Unfortunately the online store is messed up and is charging a global tax of 20%. Erik any advice on this? First image is from the email I received today, the Second image is from online store for the FAT 300S
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[Rod Sheridan]

The load bearing capacity is in the product name, 300Kg.

If you need more capacity the FAT500 is available….Regards, Rod.

[Rod Sheridan]

Jonathan I have the FAT 300, the capacity is 600 lbs. and I have been extremely pleased with mine. At times I wish I had the 300S with side foot petal, as to level of the table I am not sure as my concrete floor is very unlevel. I use mine for all the things you listed and would not ever want to be without it. On another note the hydraulic cyclinder does not leak down. The Felder lift tables are expensive and the Barth even more so, but I would definitely buy it again and some time wish I had another.


Pat, it’s higher than 600 pounds, it’s 300Kg……Regards, Rod

[Jonathan Jung]

The 300 refers to kilograms weight capacity. If anything, the factory underrates the capacity. We have put a TON of weight on these things in the showroom and never come close to collapsing one. As others mentioned, they do not creep down overnight. Every customer has said the same things to me about their FAT table:

1.) Seems expensive beforehand, lots of hemming-hawing/anxiety.
2.) Expensive to have shipped, long lead time. These are not re-branded Barth tables, by the way. We manufacture them 100% in-house (except for the gas pistons, hardware, and tops). They actually use cutoffs from our CNC routers to make the FAT tables. Though I am sure the FATs were Barth-inspired :D
3.) Felder-branded tops for the FATs are expensive, but nice. Many folks DIY their own.
4.) After receiving and using one: "Awesome/How did I get by without one?/Totally worth the hassle"

Erik

Thank you Erik, yes I am expecting the same experience.

[Jonathan Jung]

Leaning towards the 300 S for the side pedals, but nearly $1000 extra over the 300 seems excessive for otherwise essentially the same table.

Current lead times 3 months. Waiting to hear about the $150 shipping. Went to order yesterday and I too see there's a 20% tax on everything...waiting to hear back from the rep.

Anyone chime in why the 300 S costs so much more? It can accept the panel lifter which is potentially useful.

Am going to compare the $3000 for the Fat 300 S to a Barth, am curious what their costs are.

[Phillip Mitchell]

3 grand for the Felder table!?! Wow, this is some serious coin for a foot pump air table.

Just as an alternative that is outside of the Felder echo chamber - I recently bought a used, great condition 2200 lb capacity Bishamon (made in Japan) electric/hydraulic scissor lift with a 35”x51” metal top for $500. This was an exceptional deal that doesn’t come along that often but plenty of similar offerings out there for around $1k.

I added nice locking casters, a shop made 40”x75” MDF torsion box top with built in storage and power and have an assembly, work, outfeed, etc table one wheels that goes from about 24” up to 60” off the floor for around $1k all in plus a day’s labor to sort out and build the top.

Just another way to skin the cat.

[Brian Holcombe]

I actively try to forget what the Barth cost, but at this range I think they are comparable.

[Pat Rice]

Jonathan, I think the correct price is $2,488 for the 300S. I was able to text with my Felder Rep and got a quote for that price and placed an order for it.

[Patrick Kane]

Another FAT300 owner here. Agree with everything others have said. I love mine, but I also bought it new on a pallet from a closing shop. Mine was under a grand and I’d love to buy another for that price if I could.

The weight capacity has never been an issue. I’ve stacked 8/4 3’+ in height on it and it didn’t budge. Wheels pretty well. The top being out of “level, I assume you mean it’s not flat? My Felder top is not flat, but it’s also 3/4” ply that’s been abused for a couple of years. The better solution would be to get it without a top and make something like a torsion box or something with 80/20. Does the RUWI use an extruded aluminum top?

As a dedicated workbench or assembly table, then I think Philip’s suggestion is best. I often wheel my FAT300 outside in the driveway to load/unload stuff, and that is where a powered scissor lift table would not really work. I’d be dragging a 220v homemade extension cord all over my driveway.

Personally, I’d save the money and go with the normal 300.

[Jonathan Jung]

Yes, as it turns out, the pricing on the website is too high for both machines. The actual prices, including shipping & tax to me, were

FAT 300 $2100
FAT 300 S $2950

Differences are
300 has 4 swivel locking casters, 300 S has 2 fixed, 2 swivel locking
300 S significantly wider, and longer
300 S model has side pump pedal, 300 has end pump pedal

I ordered the 300 mainly due to size. My current 24"x48" lift table has done quite well, and when it's too small I simply clamp extensions. The width of the 300 S would be restrictive inbetween machines for my current shop size.

The price and casters were significant too. I want to be able to lock 2 casters from one side of the table, which is not possible on the 300 S.

Thank you everyone!

[Erik Loza]

Jonathan, glad they got it sorted out for you. The E-shop relaunch has made the whole US team like this...

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Can you guess what the #1 topic of today's sales team meeting probably will be?
FYI that you should be able to easily add any aftermarket square flange-type caster to the standard FAT300 if you wanted all swivels or whatever. The mounting points are pretty universal, from what I remember. You going to DIY your own top?

Erik