Australian Wood Review - June 2018

8 Australian Wood Review

TOOLS & EQUIPMENT

When I started signing more and more

large-scale commission work a few

years ago, I knew it was time to invest

in some larger equipment to help me

process the stock. I chose the Felder

AD941 and it has totally transformed

my working practices.

This is one of the largest production

combination machines available.

In jointing mode the table length is

2200mm, so any board that length or

under will comfortably balance on both

the infeed and outfeed tables without

further support or intervention.

Boards longer than this are also easily

processed with careful technique and

diligent use of supports at each end of

the machine. The Felder 400mm table

extension can also be attached to the

end of the outfeed table, making the

somewhat difficult task of balancing

longer boards at the end of a pass that

much easier.

The table and available cutting width

is a full 410mm/16" which is obviously

advantageous. The fence assembly is

1300mm x 170mm, solid and robust,

with a smooth lateral action via its

mounting on a polished round solid

steel guide bar. The fence tilts through

0–45° and has adjustable positive stops

at each end of that range.

The table surface is ground to an

immaculate finish, meaning these

tables are nice and slick. Cut depth is

adjustable through 0–5mm, although

for boards 300mm or wider you may

consider an accessory power feeder

if taking any more than 2mm with

each pass.

I opted for the upgrade to the Felder

Silent Power helical cutterblock.

I’ve written about this cutterblock

previously so many of you will know

that this was an easy, even essential,

decision for me.

The conversion to thicknesser is fast

and easy. Two Felder kip-lock handles

are released at the front of the machine

and then you lift the dynamically

balanced tables in one go. Rotate

the dust hood/safety shroud over the

cutterblock and that’s it. The conversion

takes less than 30 seconds and despite

the sheer mass of these tables, it takes

surprisingly little effort.

In thicknesser mode, the available height

range is from 3–250mm. The fact that

this machine will cut to as thin as 3mm

without the use of a supplementary

sled is extremely valuable to me when

I process thinner components such as

box linings, shop-sawn veneers and

kumiko components etc.

$14,

Felder AD941 planer/thicknesser

Reviewed by Damion Fauser