Hi gang! I did a search for this topic and couldn't find much, if this has been discussed previously I'd appreciate your grace and a link to the discussion.?
As I'm very early into my journey acquiring "real" shop equipment, I'm having to make-do with some "lesser" machines until budget allows for more robust units. For Felder equipment, I currently own a Hammer A3-41 and HS-950, with a KF700SP arriving sometime in January 2021. So, I'm planning on getting into the Felder/Aigner table extension ecosystem, and have already acquired a Felder aluminum table extension with the leg support, along with a pair of the 400mm table extension support bars from Felder.?
One of the intended uses of the aluminum table extension with leg support is for out feed support on my band saw, as well as for use with the Felder/Aigner circle cutting jig (band saw and edge sander).?
The issue I'm bumping into is, the Felder table extension support bars seem intended for machines with cast iron tables that have at least a ~50mm+ tall apron (by my math, I think the centerline of the fasteners is ~35mm down from the table surface). Many of the machines I currently own have much shallower aprons, they all seem to be ~35mm deep.?
-- For those who are using the Aigner support bars, can you please let me know what you think the minimum depth of apron is required to use them??
-- I see Felder sells a sort of "Universal" support bar, part # 1.0.150, but I can't find any information regarding how it mounts to a machine, and what the minimum apron thickness is? Does anybody have experience or a diagram???
-- If the above two products don't work out, I'm left with the option of either:
? ? ? A.) Bolting or welding 2" bar stock to the machine tables to act as a deeper apron and using the Felder or Aigner support bars, or?
? ? ? B.) Home-brewing my own extension bars that would accommodate the shallow (~35mm) aprons of my current machines. If I go with this option, it would likely necessitate using smaller diameter fasters, which in my mind would simple mean I'd need more (I'd probably use 4 or 5 support bolts for a 400mm bar, versus the 3 larger bolts Felder uses). I was thinking 1/4-20 bolts with 1/2" diameter spacers. I would also only use the table extension with a leg for these machines, not the tables which cantilever.?
Any input or experience would be much appreciated.?
Tom Gensmer
Heritage Home Renewals, LLC
Minneapolis, MN
Tom Gensmer