I have been after replacing the standard HD comatic 4 wheel feeder on our 7.5Hp Cantek shaper, with a DC40, ever since I saw the youtube video probably 2 years ago.
At the IFW in Atlanta last August, I finally got to see and handle the feeder at the show, and decided to order one. I deal with Akhurst Machinery (who deal Cantek) here in Canada, and they said they were going to order a batch for stock as well.
The container arrived in BC before Christmas, and they shipped my feeder by truck last week, just showed up today.
It didnt take me too long to get the old feeder off the shaper, and the new one mounted up and set up. With the exception of one small modification (had to mill off some of the base of the new "smart stand", to clear the shaper hood - I quickly did this on my milling machine in the shop) it took about an hour to set it up. Unlike the ones at the show, this one is painted a dark grayish green. I like it better than the fluorescent orange.. lol.
I ran a little stock before leaving for the day. So far, it is impressive. All 4 wheels are split (for getting close to a larger diameter cutter you remove 1/2 a wheel). The speed control (from 5 feet per minute to 72) works easily and reversing as well. I thought it might take a while to get used to the controls but they are going to be easy.
We run quite a bit of stock on edge (baseboards, casings, crown trim etc) and no more featherboards, trying to feed on top of the narrow edge of the stock, etc. Now with a quick turn of the feeder, you can go from horizontal to vertical in seconds. Very nice.
I know several members here have this feeder, and I was patiently waiting to get this one. We use the shaper daily for many functions in our shop. I think with both the easier adjustments, vertical capability and infinitely adjustable feeds (some times the stock gearing was either too fast or too slow) it will be very nice.
http://www.shopgearinc.com/products/...able-speed.php