Feather Wheels?

[RodKirby]

Anyone got these? Are they any good? US$44.50 a pair

http://www.stockroomsupply.com/Feather_Wheels.php

[LCHIEN]

at first i thought, there's no spring mechanism to hold the boards tight then I saw the title and looked at the pciture more closely, the wheels have thin membranes so that they are very soft and conform to the wood hence the name feather wheel. Looks like it could be a good idea. Sure would like to squeeze one to see how firm it is.

[ragswl4]

Here is a link to a video demonstating these.

http://www.theonlinewoodshow.com/sho...od=featherdemo

[Hellrazor]

Sure would like to squeeze one to see how firm it is.

Don't say that in the store too loud, you might get arrested

[leehljp]

That looks like a "must have." Thanks for the post.

[RodKirby]

They don't ship outside the USA

Any kind person that might get a pair for me and ship to Oz?

(Paypal or Visa)...

[LCHIEN]

They don't ship outside the USA

Any kind person that might get a pair for me and ship to Oz?

(Paypal or Visa)...

I could do that for you Rod. It would give me a chance to cop a feel, too!

P.S. They seem to be in Canada, Toronto area. They don't show an address on the site but have a 905 area code.

[p8ntblr]

at first i thought, there's no spring mechanism to hold the boards tight then I saw the title and looked at the pciture more closely, the wheels have thin membranes so that they are very soft and conform to the wood hence the name feather wheel. Looks like it could be a good idea. Sure would like to squeeze one to see how firm it is.

The vid rags posted shows the guy squeezing them. Looks to be as firm as a squeeze toy.

I'm wondering if there will be a problem at the end of the board though. In the vid it kind of looks like the wheels pushes the piece out when the tension is released.

[RodKirby]

I could do that for you Rod. It would give me a chance to cop a feel, too!

P.S. They seem to be in Canada, Toronto area. They don't show an address on the site but have a 905 area code.

Thanks Loring - PM'd you.

[niki]

Hi Rod

I made them long time ago for the table saw...very relaxed when cutting especially big long boards.

The hold-down ones are located, one before and one after the blade.
Both are angled to the right so they also push the board toward the fence.

The Feeder wheels, are located both before the blade and both are angled down so they push the board down to the table.

niki

[RodKirby]

Hi Rod

I made them long time ago for the table saw...very relaxed when cutting especially big long boards.

The hold-down ones are located, one before and one after the blade.
Both are angled to the right so they also push the board toward the fence.

The Feeder wheels, are located both before the blade and both are angled down so they push the board down to the table.

niki

Thanks, Niki

You obviously get your "flex" from the length of the bars.

[RodKirby]

...I'm wondering if there will be a problem at the end of the board though. In the vid it kind of looks like the wheels pushes the piece out when the tension is released.

How does this sound, Paul...

IMHO - Whenever you need a hold-down/in, you don't need 500 lbs of pressure - particularly on a table saw. Just enough to "guide" rather than hold (see Niki's pic). With the wheels, you could adjust the pressure to avoid the "push out".

[cabinetman]

Hi Rod

I made them long time ago for the table saw...very relaxed when cutting especially big long boards.

The hold-down ones are located, one before and one after the blade.
Both are angled to the right so they also push the board toward the fence.

The Feeder wheels, are located both before the blade and both are angled down so they push the board down to the table.

niki

I'm inclined to think that your use of the distance between the wheels and the tension of the bars would offer more guided support. It just looks safer, and besides it would cost a lot less.
.

[niki]

Cabinetman

You are correct, the distance between the hold-down wheels is 17" and the feeder rollers, 18".

I'm not afraid of the TS but I give him all the respect as one that is stronger than me (1/8 HP comparing to 3 HP )

When I use both of them I feel very safe and relaxed (but still, very concentrated in what I do), I just push the workpiece and I can feel that it's held down and pushed to the fence very firmly.

niki