Hi, I am new to the group and the new owner of a 1988 BF5 31. I've had a look through the forum for information on this machine and see mixed reviews. I paid $3500 Australian dollars a few weeks ago and thought it was an OK price. It has all the accessories, including a couple of cutter heads and many cutters for the spindle moulder. It looks to have been well cared for by an elderly hobbyist. He was the second owner and had the machine for 20 years. It has never seen professional work but has had the odd repair - replacement gears for lowering and raising of the moulder.
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I purchased the machine to make approx. 20 sash windows (with weight boxes). I think it will help me with that. Is this still considered a decent machine for the job I have at hand??
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The main question - I have a 1HP power feed, taken from another machine. It weighs in at around 76kg. I am planning to mount this on the right-hand side of the table saw top. To the right of the spindle moulder. This area will retain the most functionality of the machine and could also allow the power feed to be used with the jointer (I have a very good Harvey table saw, in case I need to cut larger panels). However, I'm concerned that the weight of the power feed might be too much for the cast iron top? I could sell the 1HP and invest in a new 1/2HP machine. The old machine is a 4-roller model (KUFO SK 40FD) and is quite large. Does anyone have experience with fitting a power feed to one of these older machines, and what is the advice around the strength of the cast iron top? I could also mount the 1HP unit to the wheeled base, which I've just made to allow moving the beast around my workshop.?
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Thanks for any advice,
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Robert?
