New vs Old Machines + Optimum Drill Press

[AJB Temple]

I would not bet on Axminster being around for the next 3 years. Warranty is only as good as the finances of the seller.

 

[CMax]

Have you actually thought about the logistics of returning them if they are not suitable ? It's not that easy, in my experience especially heavy woodworking machines. They don't exactly fit in a Jiffy bag !

That's a fair point. I've had occasion to send machines back before, and although a pain in the rear end, it's still an option as opposed to being stuck with a used lemon. That's more of a concern about my ability to identify and find appropriate used machines.

 

[CMax]

Personally with the experiences I’ve had with Axminster & running my business they would be the last company I’d deal with.

I'm sorry to hear you've had a bad time with, Doug. My experiences with them have mostly been pretty positive, but then that was almost 20 years ago now. What happened, if you don't mind me asking? And if buying new, and excluding Axminster, are there companies you would recommend instead?

 

[RogerS]

I'm sorry to hear you've had a bad time with, Doug. My experiences with them have mostly been pretty positive, but then that was almost 20 years ago now. What happened, if you don't mind me asking? And if buying new, and excluding Axminster, are there companies you would recommend instead?

Rutlands ?

 

[Doug]

I'm sorry to hear you've had a bad time with, Doug. My experiences with them have mostly been pretty positive, but then that was almost 20 years ago now. What happened, if you don't mind me asking? And if buying new, and excluding Axminster, are there companies you would recommend instead?

The main problem I had was with one of their supposed industrial machines, bought new over time I needed spares which they could get but it was an 18 week wait, not much use when you’re running a business.
Also over the last 10 years + with their move to sourcing machinery from China the quality of that machinery nose dived, after going bankrupt last year & immediately setting up shop again I can’t imagine that quality has improved, they took many companies for millions of pounds so I can’t see those companies being keen to trade with them again.
I to wonder like @AJB Temple as to how long they will be around.

16 years ago I started upgrading my machinery, like you I want new as having used second hand machines for years I was well aware of the pitfalls so opted for Felder’s Hammer brand, I’d used their machines before & whilst obviously a cheaper version of the Felder machines I was restrained by budget. As a one man business I’ve been happy with the choices I’ve made, whilst not of the quality of some of the machinery I’ve used over the last 40 years I certainly think they have been value for money for the quality I got.

As I said earlier in this thread if I was starting again I’d also look at OAV, Markfield woodworking Machinery sell them. I’ve never dealt with the company but they get good reviews.
There are many other brands out there but sadly I’m a little out of touch these days, my advice would be don’t be in too much of a rush look for the independent suppliers they usually have open days when you can go & look at the brands they sell or phone them up & organise a showroom visit, judging by the amount of social media posts I get about machinery suppliers there’s a lot out there.
Best of luck.

 

[CMax]

Rutlands ?

Hah, I'll pass on that

 

[CMax]

The main problem I had was with one of their supposed industrial machines, bought new over time I needed spares which they could get but it was an 18 week wait, not much use when you’re running a business.
Also over the last 10 years + with their move to sourcing machinery from China the quality of that machinery nose dived, after going bankrupt last year & immediately setting up shop again I can’t imagine that quality has improved, they took many companies for millions of pounds so I can’t see those companies being keen to trade with them again.
I to wonder like @AJB Temple as to how long they will be around.

16 years ago I started upgrading my machinery, like you I want new as having used second hand machines for years I was well aware of the pitfalls so opted for Felder’s Hammer brand, I’d used their machines before & whilst obviously a cheaper version of the Felder machines I was restrained by budget. As a one man business I’ve been happy with the choices I’ve made, whilst not of the quality of some of the machinery I’ve used over the last 40 years I certainly think they have been value for money for the quality I got.

As I said earlier in this thread if I was starting again I’d also look at OAV, Markfield woodworking Machinery sell them. I’ve never dealt with the company but they get good reviews.
There are many other brands out there but sadly I’m a little out of touch these days, my advice would be don’t be in too much of a rush look for the independent suppliers they usually have open days when you can go & look at the brands they sell or phone them up & organise a showroom visit, judging by the amount of social media posts I get about machinery suppliers there’s a lot out there.
Best of luck.

i've earmarked the OAV bandsaw, so thank you for that earlier suggestion. And thanks for going into more detail. I hadn't realised until recently about Axminster's recent problems. That does cast a bit of a cloud over things. I had also considered the Laguna bandsaw and lathe, but it seems Axminster is the only UK supplier for them. I wonder if they do go under completely, whether Laguna would find another UK company to partner with.

 

[AJB Temple]

i've earmarked the OAV bandsaw, so thank you for that earlier suggestion. And thanks for going into more detail. I hadn't realised until recently about Axminster's recent problems. That does cast a bit of a cloud over things. I had also considered the Laguna bandsaw and lathe, but it seems Axminster is the only UK supplier for them. I wonder if they do go under completely, whether Laguna would find another UK company to partner with.

Over in the other place the Laguna guy used to post quite often. Might be worth tracking him down. I've not used one personally but they got good reviews when I last looked a couple of years ago.

 

[CMax]

Just to update everyone, as you've all been very helpful. I've decided to stick with new machines, mostly to have the peace of mind with warranties and whatnot.

I've ended up going for a Laguna Fusion 1 TS, Revo Lathe, The B/Flux extractor, and one of their grinders. Additionally, I've gone for a Scheppach drill press with variable speed -- I checked out a friend's one and liked it quite a bit. It seem more than adequate for my needs.

Only thing I'm hesitating on at the moment is what to do for planing and thicknessing. I'm caught between a combo machine or just a thicknesser now that I'll have the table saw to true up an edge. I opted against the bandsaw in the end as I worked out out a layout of the workshop that can accommodate the table saw and that will likely be better for me given all the crosscutting I'll be doing.

 

[Deema]

I’m surprised nobody has suggested a Startrite Mercury drill press. Brilliant drills, very accurate, used extensively in schools so reasonably rugged. They are selling for not much money these days, and although not a Meddings, a major step up from most of the new machines on offer.

I’d keep an eye out for a Startrite 14S1 or 14S5, probably one of the best smaller bandsaws I’ve ever come across. Super rigid frame, one of the easiest blade changes and again don’t go for much money. The 14S5 can cut none versus metals as well which makes it super useful. Another alternative is a SCM S45, nice machines, and we (Sideways and I) did a thread on the other side restoring and reengineering the tensioning system which I might be so bold to suggest is well worth a read if looking for any bandsaw. We covered all the technical stuff about bandsaws. There is also a thread I wrote about blade guides, in which it goes through the theory of what they do and what is important.

For a PT I’d look at a secondhand Sedgwick with a 12” or the 10”. The 10” only has a single motor, whilst the 12” has two. Both excellent machines, both will last generations and spares though expensive are usually available for older machines.

 

[CMax]

I’m surprised nobody has suggested a Startrite Mercury drill press. Brilliant drills, very accurate, used extensively in schools so reasonably rugged. They are selling for not much money these days, and although not a Meddings, a major step up from most of the new machines on offer.

I’d keep an eye out for a Startrite 14S1 or 14S5, probably one of the best smaller bandsaws I’ve ever come across. Super rigid frame, one of the easiest blade changes and again don’t go for much money. The 14S5 can cut none versus metals as well which makes it super useful. Another alternative is a SCM S45, nice machines, and we (Sideways and I) did a thread on the other side restoring and reengineering the tensioning system which I might be so bold to suggest is well worth a read if looking for any bandsaw. We covered all the technical stuff about bandsaws. There is also a thread I wrote about blade guides, in which it goes through the theory of what they do and what is important.

For a PT I’d look at a secondhand Sedgwick with a 12” or the 10”. The 10” only has a single motor, whilst the 12” has two. Both excellent machines, both will last generations and spares though expensive are usually available for older machines.

Thanks Deema, I'll keep an eye for the Sedgwick. I saw a few during my recent searches, but that was before you mentioned how easy it was to run them with the digital converter. And funnily enough I used to have a nice SCM S45 but sold it as it was way more than I needed. If I do decide to get another bandsaw, I'll keep an eye out for the startrites

 

[RogerS]

Only thing I'm hesitating on at the moment is what to do for planing and thicknessing. I'm caught between a combo machine or just a thicknesser now that I'll have the table saw to true up an edge.

And after ripping down a piece of timber on the table saw it releases some tension in the wood and it starts to bend then how will you get it flat again without a planer?

 

[CMax]

And after ripping down a piece of timber on the table saw it releases some tension in the wood and it starts to bend then how will you get it flat again without a planer?

I have a good set of hand planes and I'm proficient with them. Any cup/bow/twist from just truing an
edge isn't going to be huge. And I'll be milling my stock in phases to cater for tension. No doubt a planer would be useful, but having had a combo machine before, I found the changing from one function to the other to be a faff. The newer machines seem better for that, but I'm also up against a hard budget.

 

[CMax]

Well, the new drill press arrived. Some initial tests are positive. All seems pretty well-made and no major run-out issues. The speed chuck is nice and the speed variable function is super handy. Even the laser is pretty accurate. Not sure I'd use it for critical things, but for quick jobs, it's more than enough.

One thing I have noticed is that the handle for changing the speed seems a little hard to adjust. There is a bolt on the side that may well need loosening, but it's not the end of the world. It changed speed nicely with a bit of effort and the RPM monitor on the front is clear and quick to update. Overall, barring any major issues, I think this will be more than enough for my needs.

 

[RogerS]

I have a good set of hand planes and I'm proficient with them. Any cup/bow/twist from just truing an
edge isn't going to be huge. And I'll be milling my stock in phases to cater for tension. No doubt a planer would be useful, but having had a combo machine before, I found the changing from one function to the other to be a faff. The newer machines seem better for that, but I'm also up against a hard budget.

LOL. You make very sound points given your preferences! Mine are different and I use my planes as doorstops.

 

[CMax]

LOL. You make very sound points given your preferences! Mine are different and I use my planes as doorstops.

If I had more space and money, I'd likely go the machine route too to be fair. That said, I enjoy the quiet of the hand planes too. I don't know yet just how much I'll be doing for this new endeavour. If the hand work gets too much I suppose I could look into a standalone planer if I'm using a lunchbox thicknesser, but space remains an issue. There never seems to be an easy answer to these kinds of things