Thread: panel saw recommendation

My pick would be Altendorf, simply because it's the only panel saw I've used, but pretty much all of the big name European saws will serve you well.
If you can get one with a CNC rip fence TAKE IT!!! Walking around each time you have to change the fence gets tedious very quickly.

I have used many different models of panel saws over the years. altendorfs, scm's, felders, and a chinese. the altendorf is without a doubt the bees knees. the felder and scm's were all garbage. the felder had a clunky outrigger which was getting stuck on something inside the outrigger extension arm, it would leave a bump in the cut edge (this was a brand new machine...). the scm's were just beaten up old machines, perhaps they were good when new, but 15yrs down the road they had begun to fall apart, the angle mechanism was busted up, the fine tune adjustment just wasnt working, the angle readout gauge was broken etc etc.

I recently purchased a chinese panel saw with a 2500mm sliding stroke a couple of months ago. I am happy with it. My only real gripe with it is the rise/fall adjustment is below the rip fence, which is a pain in the butt when needing to change height when you have the rip fence set at >200mm because u have to reach around the fence... Other than that its a good machine for the money, but altendorf craps all over the competition. I made a review of the chinese "Prima 2500" supplied by LedaCraft - Melbourne here https://www.woodworkforums.com/f153/review-prima-2500-panel-192130

in my opinion, an automated rip fence is great for panel work but pointless for solid timber work. things to look for in the machine would be digital readout of blade angle, these are easily calibrated, the dial gauge type always get dusty or just break. capacity to install a 400mm blade (you will probably need to remove the scriber to make room but thats ok). rise/fall and angle adjustment lever/wheels to be located down on the side of the machine as this area is always accessible. minimum of 3hp driving the main blade, 5.5hp 3 phase is better, no real need for anymore than 5.5hp.

Altendorf are the Rolls Royce of panel saws I would buy the Altendorf

Originally Posted by johnnyt

Hi everyone, iam looking at buying a panel saw for my business, i was hoping to get some recommendation on good brands and which are the cheap brands. iam really considering looking for a good condition second hand unit. I dont necessarily need cnc, but it would be a good option anyhow, so manual is fine. Just prefer to steer in a better direction then waste time looking at problematic/cheap brands..

Ive been offered a good deal on an older altendorf f45, and also a later robland z320, can anybody give me a better option or review on either??

Machines will be used for small scale business, mostly working with solid timber table tops.

any feedback appreciated, thanks

I've used two different altendorf's
one where all the adjustments were motor driven
the other where only the blade rise and fall, tilt and rip fence were motor driven -- lifting and lowering the scribing blade was a manual adjustment.
NEITHER machine was what I'd describe as CNC
the mitre gauge on both machines was fully manual, but accurate

options you need to consider are:
the stroke of the sliding table -- unless you are breaking down laminate sheets or ply you don't need the biggest table
power driven adjustments are really nice
dust extraction

I suppose the biggest questions are
how much space do you have -- you don't want to be breaking the machine down to do other tasks
what is your budget ?

Hey guys I really appreciate the feedback very helpful. The area for the panel saw i will have 7x7m, and my budget for a used unit would be 10-13k, don't think a new unit is worth the expense as my production would not be considered high, using for 38mm solid timber, otherwise just mdf 19-25mm

Originally Posted by johnnyt

Hey guys I really appreciate the feedback very helpful. The area for the panel saw i will have 7x7m, and my budget for a used unit would be 10-13k, don't think a new unit is worth the expense as my production would not be considered high, using for 38mm solid timber, otherwise just mdf 19-25mm

what you need to value -- for your business -- is the time savings you would get through motorised features such as the rip fence, blade rise and fall and tilt, scoring blade, cross cutting stops, allowance for the kerf.

only you can make that valuation, but this one -- which is very similar to the one I've used is -- appears to be outside your budget


http://www.machines4u.com.au/view/ad...aw-F45/212028/

Originally Posted by ian

I've used two different altendorf's
one where all the adjustments were motor driven
the other where only the blade rise and fall, tilt and rip fence were motor driven -- lifting and lowering the scribing blade was a manual adjustment.
NEITHER machine was what I'd describe as CNC

You type a number into a computer that controls the movement of the blade/fence/etc. Given that CNC stands for Computer Numerical Control, I'd argue that those saws are the very definition of CNC.

Also, having used those saws, I can say they're bloody fantastic