Hello good people,
I've just purchased an AW106PT2 from Axminster.I'm having several issues with it, that's before I've even switched it on!
On first inspection I noticed the thicknesser bed was out of alignment with the cutter block - not by a few thou, but by a country mile, well 3mm anyway. Was just about to call Axminster when I noticed the central column mounting plate was bolted down over a piece of metal trim at one corner. Sorted that one.
Noticed the surfacing table wasn't square to the cutter block, probably not an issue, but very disconcerting to look at as the table's about 2mm further away from the block at one end.
Blades miles out, so I set about setting them. Next problem, chip-breaker bolts appears to be tightened up by Geoff Capes in a fit of rage! The supplied spanner, which seems to be made of cheese, disintegrated when trying to undo the first bolt - and yes, I was screwing them in towards the chip-breaker. Three spanners later and two of the three blades are out, last one has two bolts that just won't budge - shall see what Axminster suggest tomorrow as I've now ruined all my 7mm spanners.
The two blades that I managed to get out have deep gouges down the back of them, which seem to tie in with dings in the block behind the chip breaker.
Managed to cut myself on a shard of sharp plastic on the in feed table adjustment knob.
Which brings me onto my original question. Both surfacing tables are concave along their length by about 6 or 7 thou. Do you think this is acceptable? Seems a bit too much to me. according to my dial test indicator the table is also about 6 thou lower on one side and there doesn't appear to be any way of adjusting it.
Very disappointed with this machine, it's just seems thrown together with zero quality control, even the labels and logos are coming away. Was going to buy the Jet, but this one was heavily discounted - big mistake. Will speak to Axi tomorrow, but I think it might be going back.
Cheers
Simon