Michael,
Let me clarify a few things. ? I assume you are considering mechanical scoring because of your off-the-grid power consumption limits. ? If you have the power for electronic scoring (it¡¯s a separate motor), and don¡¯t mind spending the additional for it, then it¡¯s clearly a better choice - even if you don¡¯t use scoring a lot, it will enhance the resale value appreciably. ??
There is absolutely no excuse that your Felder sales rep can¡¯t or won't research the answer to your question about the KF700 mechanical scoring. ? Call Fergus Cook at the Felder Sacramento office and ask him to clarify the mechanical scoring option operation. ?If you don¡¯t get satisfaction from Fergus, let me know and I¡¯ll text Hansj?rg Felder directly. ? You¡¯re about to drop coin equivalent to a new Benz - you should be able to get answers and your sales rep should be willing to do the homework to satisfy your questions before you buy. ? PERIOD.
On the subject of Precision Miter Guide, let me clarify - as it¡¯s value to you has everything to do with what kind of work you expect to do. ? If you plan on doing a lot of crosscut miters for things like mitered face frames, picture frames, mitered window/door frames, mitered raised panel doors, the precision miter guide option might be very valuable to you - especially if you¡¯re working from dimensioned drawings where you know the precise length of the part you¡¯re trying to miter. ? ?If you¡¯re planning to do a lot of smaller (under ~36¡±) picture frames or mitered raised panel doors or other similar joinery, you might actually be better off with the DGL or EGL. ? In my own workflow, I have observed that when I want to angle the crosscut fence, 95 percent of the time I either want 45-degrees or some other angle which the precision miter guide doesn¡¯t index, and I find the peg that extends below the crosscut fence a total pain in the ass to index to the slots on the precision miter guide, so I removed the peg. ? I can consistently position the crosscut fence at 45-degrees using the markings on the the top of the crossbar. ? My crosscut fence is twice the weight of what yours will be (because it¡¯s digital), and that has an influence on my frustration level with the indexing system as well. ? I also have the benefit of owning an EGL, so if I¡¯m going to be doing a lot of mitering work, cutting to known lengths, I¡¯ll drop on the EGL. ?
I too would be interested to hear from other K/KF700 owners with precision miter guide just how often they use/need it and if they find it cumbersome to use. ??
One other word of caution. ? If you plan to use the shaper much, you¡¯ll want a power feeder. ? Such power feeder would mount on the tilt-away bracket that attaches to the back edge of the cast iron top of the machine. ? You can order the bracket later when you get the feeder. ? However, as recently as 3 years ago, the tilt away bracket could not be used in conjunction with the 1500 outrigger because the telescoping support arm for the outrigger table would bind on the inverted power feeder. ? This may have changed - I don¡¯t know, but you should know, and if it¡¯s true, and you expect to use a power feeder, you would be better off with the 1300 outrigger.
David Best
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So I'm working on finalizing my order for a KF700 S Pro with a 10 foot slider and the 1500mm outrigger.? I've gotten some excellent advice from David Best.? David noted that in his experience the precision miter attachment is fussy to use and not worth the hassle.? I'm curious whether anyone else has an opinion.? Does anyone who has one like theirs??? Why?? Why not?
David also noted that on his KF700 (back in the day before he upgraded) that the mechanical scoring system required the main blade to be fully elevated to use it.? Is this still the case?? Is it different on the electric scoring unit?? I've asked my the rep at Felder, but she doesn't seem to really know the equipment.
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Michael Garrison Stuber
Newman Lake, WA
David P. Best