Replies

1. 
   ian | Apr 27, 2004 02:55pm | #1

   If you're willing to throw that sort of money arround I suggest a euro type sliding table saw.

   At retail you could try Carba-tec in Australia, or the Australian agents for Felder, Hammer, Knapp, Mini-Max, etc.  They should all ship to NZed.

1. 
   eddiefromAustralia | Apr 27, 2004 10:21pm | #2

   Hi Mac,

   Gabbett are in Auckland & Christchurch.  Agent for SCM/MiniMax.

   http://www.gabbett.com/

   With the recent fall in the USD against our currency, things are affordable at the moment.  Hope that it's the same in NZ

   Cheers,

   eddie

1. 
   kiwimac21 | Apr 28, 2004 02:07am | #4

   Thanks Guys

   I'll call Gabbett

   I've given up on DeWalt.

   I've always lusted after a Euro saw with scorer and sliding table but could never swallow the sticker shock!

2. 
   macalex | Apr 28, 2004 01:16pm | #5

   It's not a matter of throwing money around Ian.

   I get a handful of days every month in my shop, I've got a lot of stuff I want to make, and I'm getting tired of fighting POS machinery.

   I was OK until I bought the Makita LS1013. I'd forgotten what a difference a decent machine makes. Now I remember, and the Ryobi is suddenly a boat anchor.

   To get done what I want to get done, and to convert my garage full of choice NZ native timber into family heritage pieces, I gotta work faster and smarter.

   I want a professional saw! 

   Edited 4/28/2004 6:23 am ET by kiwimac

1. 
   ian | Apr 28, 2004 02:04pm | #6

   Oh Despario, this might be a repeat

   I agree that life is too short to muck about with inaccurate machinery

   I really didn't intend to imply you're a spendthrift.  I was merely reflecting that the cost to buy a large very heavy item for retail in the US, and then on top to pay shipping and customs duties to get it into NZed your end, that looking for a professional saw locally might not be a bad idea.  Eddie has posted the link to Gabbett so depending on your budget you might be able to pick up good euro style sliding table saw for a similar price.  IMO a sliding table saw has it all over a US style cabinet saw, and you don't need to make a shop full of jigs (cross cut sleds, etc) to cut the edges of a panel at 90deg to each other. 

   BTW, you the unit that always catches my eye is saw / spindle molder combo. 

   Ian

1. 
   macalex | Apr 28, 2004 02:52pm | #7

   Yeah, thanks

   I always wondered about combos. A saw+shaper might be quite an effective mix.

   I've never used one - never even seen one up close!

   But in my last pro shop I did have a very nice Italian shaper with a 4-wheel power feed, and just loved it. Used to make T and VG just for fun.

   I'm going to look seriously at a small Minimax saw with slide table ... locally.

   Well, a six hour drive away!

   Christchurch.

   Cheers

   Edited 4/28/2004 7:56 am ET by kiwimac

1. 
   eddiefromAustralia | Apr 29, 2004 09:35am | #8

   Mac,

   Let us know how you get on.

   I run a small MiniMax combo machine (12" jointer & thicknesser, horiz slot mortiser, saw, spindle moulder) that I picked up second hand a few months ago - works well.

   Mind you, I haven't had need to run the spindle moulder yet, but I'm sure it'd work well.

   Cheers,

   eddie

2. 
   macalex | Apr 30, 2004 02:47am | #9

   Gidday Eddie

   Called Gabbett in Christchurch and I'm about 90% sold on a Minimax 2SCW - the entry-level saw. Too expensive (of course) but a great machine. I like the sliding table right against the blade - as you say, it will save me a room full of jigs and bolt-ons. A lot of my work (when I get a chance to do any) is small stuff close to the blade.

   If you (or anyone else out there) was comparison shopping, what would you put up against this machine?

   I've also asked for a price for a saw plus shaper combo, but only out of curiosity.

   The full-specs combo machine is too expensive!

3. 
   eddiefromAustralia | Apr 30, 2004 03:44am | #10

   Hi Mac,

   I don't know what else may be available locally to you - as a comparison, I'd look at an entry level Robland, Felder or Hammer saw - I think there's anothre available locally - I think it's Rojek, etc...

   Good luck in the choice, I was lucky enough to find this combo unit for about USD2500-3000 repaired (price for 2nd hand unit was about USD1500)

   Cheers,

   eddie

4. 
   macalex | Apr 30, 2004 12:42pm | #11

   The choice is limited - W and R Jacks sell Robland, and there's a Taiwanese brand. But when you take out the monsters which won't fit in my workshop, and the machines only available in 3-phase, it's really only Minimax and Scheppach (and the Scheppach machines are not the same quaility).

   I've been quoted $US5k for a 2SCW saw. Ouch!

   You did well!!

5. 
   ian | Apr 30, 2004 04:29pm | #12

   You should consider the net cost of a 3 phase machine AND wiring your shop for 3 phase vs the limited choice in single phase saws.  If there is a better range of choices with 3 phase motors and given the other uses for 3 phase power arround the home, this option may not be too outreagous

   Ian

6. 
   macalex | May 01, 2004 11:00am | #13

   I think I'll have to pass on 3-phase. The reasons are complicated and mostly to do with supply and line charges ... but this exercise has got me re-thinking my whole workshop (which is 'big double garage' size) and I'm about to embark on a massive throw-out and re-stack!

   I'm getting used to the idea of a $US5k saw, and thinking now about fitting it in.

   Sticker shock wearing off!

2. 
   eddiefromAustralia | Apr 27, 2004 10:28pm | #3

   Mac,

   Gabbett are in Aust and NZ (Auckland  & Christchurch), and are agents for SCM/MiniMax

   http://www.gabbett.com/

   With the recent fall in the USD, things are almost becoming affordable here.  Hope that it's the same for you.

   Cheers,

   eddie