Thread: Artisan Combo Jointer/Thicknessers - Seeking feedback

I got the 310xc. Pretty good machine. I will elaborate more soon, gotta run. If I forget message me and I'll let you know what I like/ dislike.

I look forward to it Shane - thanks.

The Artisan 260C looks very similar to the Rikon model (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n97Pyihdbdw). My only concern is the table builds - which i do not think are Cast Iron (like the full size units) based off of the total weight of the machine. This may cause issues down the road if the they are cast aluminum instead, which may allow them to become out of square over time?

Ok I'm back.
So overall I really like this machine. I too went for it as I work in a single garage and 2 seperate machines take up a lot of realestate. This machine takes up only slightly more than my old 12 Carbatec Thicky. But the finish of the helical head is 100 times better. The tables are cast iron and although not 100% sure I think the 210 is the same. I have since seen a Jet combo and they are excactly the same, well nearly.
Seems like a good solid machine, very heavy. Tables have some good heft too them but with the spring set up are easy to lift and drop back down. Im not 100% convinced the infeed table remains coplaner when you drop to max thickness pass, but I generally only take a 1mm pass anyway and at this depth is as close to accurate as I can measure and have had no problems with boards up to 1500mm long. And it is quiet, well compared to any other piece of machinery. To switch from jointer to thicky takes about a minute. Due to a coarse thread witch raises and lowers the table quickly. This could be an issue if your trying to dial in a specific thickness slowly. Dust extraction is fair to good. A few chips escape but no more than my old thicky. In thicknesser mode I haven't got any snipe, even on the 1500 boards, which surprised me with only short infeed and outfeed support.
Now the bad part of the machine. The fence. It is an absolute pain in the *^#= to get square. But for me now it's square I won't be moving it. It is they say machined aluminium, and mine has a slight dish in it but when machining timber it is as square as my Colen Clenton square can tell.
The service from I wood like was good. I had an issue with one of the holes for the wheel kit not properly punched out. They sent out a machinist who accurately and precisely re bored the hole. Could have got the machine replaced but would have had to wait for one to come from manufacturer. I was happy with result.
So overall I am very happy with my purchase. I did get mine when they had the 15% off so was $2900. Would I be just as happy if I paid full price, probably but it was the 15% that convinced me to buy.
Check out "the wood knight" on YouTube, he has one as well and did a quick review. If there is anything else you'll like to know let me know and I'll try and give my opinion, after all that's all it is. I can even try and shoot some videos and put them up if you want to see it in action or any particular function. Hope some of this dribble is helpful.
cheers
shane

I might send iWoodLike and email to see if the jointer tables and thicknesser table are Cast Iron on the Artisan 260C. As for the fences, it would seem that most manufacturers are moving toward the Aluminum ones - probably not much you can do about it. If they gave me an extra 15% off - i think i would jump at the Artisan combo also.