Does anyone have experience and/or info. re the Yorkcraft brand “found exclusively at Wilke Machinery Company.” I noticed their add in the Dec. FWW ~p.26.
I am looking at the YC-20P 20″ planer but would like to hear about Yorkcraft in general.
Thanks, TWG.
Replies
I don't own any YC machines TWG, but I've read plenty of positives from owners touting the good value and performance. People also universally tout Wilke as being a terrific retailer. The only drawback I ever read is shipping costs.
Yorkcraft machines are sort of a second string to Bridgewood. A number of companies offer less expensive alternatives to their commercial lines. Delta has ShopMaster, Grizzly has ShopFox, General/General International, Powermatic/Jet and so on. Unfortunately, tool reviewers don't take the machines apart to compare bearings, motors, switches, castings and so forth. It's hard to know how and where the companies were able to reduce costs. These machines are targeted at the average consumer with a small shop and limited budget. Generally, they don't have the bells and whistles their big brothers have.
For many years, there have been companies, like Grizzly, that sell import machines. You can line up a bunch of competing machines and they look like the same machine with different colored paint and graphics. The prices can vary but I haven't seen any review that specifically says something to the effect, Grizzly uses such and such a motor with such and such armature windings supported on such and such bearings. We know that these are the important parts of a piece of equipment. We just don't know the true difference between a Jet, Reliant, Woodtek, Yorkcraft and others.
Bridgewood and Yorkcraft advertise prices that are slightly lower than some competing manufacturers. However, they charge high shipping rates, so the bottom line comes out pretty close. Several years ago, I bought a 6" Reliant jointer when Woodworkers Warehouse closed. It was under $200 and I couldn't pass up the bargain. The fence system is very light weight, the switch is cheap, the motor is an import. It would last about a month in a production shop but does an excellent job in my home shop. I think Yorkcraft is a different colored Reliant. If you aren't running three shifts and you are the sole operator of the machine, it will likely suit your purposes. If you are close enough to Pennsylvania to pick it up, even better. Just don't expect their planer to compare to an SAC or even a Delta or Bridgewood.
I have a 15" Yorkcraft planer and have no problems for the past 3-years. At the time it provided the best bang for the buck particularly since I wanted a planer without the motor on top.
I was told that my YC-8J was made in the same factory as Delta DJs. It has a fence which may be identical. They have since improved on the fence design. I find it to be an excellent machine. I have been a hobbyist for many years. Where I live, shipping was so high that I almost bought Grizzly with 1/2 shipping charge, but I liked the YC design better. Your location is much better WRT Wilke.
Cadiddlehopper
Thanks everyone for your information.
Shipping will not be a problem for me as I do live in SE PA. I will take a trip to York before I buy. This will give me a chance to see the Bridgewood equipment as well.
One of these day I'm going to fly to Asia and see which assembly line is making what.
Edited 11/2/2006 4:50 pm ET by TWG
TWG,
I live about 30 minutes from Wilke and have several large and small Bridgewood machines. I am told Yorkcraft comes right out of the Delta molds and gets a different color of paint. Once you see them, it is easy to see exactly which Delta it is.
Service from Wilke has been great also. I do realize that it could be a little easier to get service face to face rather than over the phone, but when I started to buy from them almost everyone I talked to spoke highly of them.
Alan - planesaw
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