Thread: Is there any single place to compare various machines?

Sydney Working With Wood Show somewhere around the middle of the year. Getting smaller each year though, and the organisers can't figure out why (coz they haven't asked the punters and they don't dare ask the exhibitors). You never know, this year may be the last.

There will probably be an announcement on the forum a few weeks beforehand.

"In the end 'feel' is much more important than Horse Power or technical specifications."
That only really applies if you know some of what you are talking about, and have researched/asked questions about the tech specs. That is to say that a machine can feel good but still have woeful specs for your application (which probably won't be able to be tested in-shop).

Research-ask-research-ask-view-consider-purchase.

I agree with FF.

This reminds me of the Monty Python DIY home surgery skit, unless you are experienced, going by newby feel is a bit of a waste of time.

As far as the retailers and manufacturers go, allowing newbies to trying stuff out and even watching is probably too expensive and also has too many OHS issues.

Maybe try some mens sheds or ask on the forum if you can watch someone working with specific machines.

It would be wonderful is the machine could adapt to the user but in practice the user has to adapt to the machine.

I agree with Bob

Also, whatever you do - don't buy everything all at once. Buy a machine or two, get used to them, and then move on to another couple of purchases. We can all guarantee that you will regret buying everything all at once, because your needs will change as your knowledge and experience grow. You may miss out on a bigger discount for multiple machines, but you will spend less money......

I agree with the OP that just watching doesn't get anyone very far.

However, as far as "trying out" goes I have been trying to think of analogies that might compare and I think I have one.
Just imagine turning up to a music store and then asking if you could try out some instruments?
Bear in mind you only have ever watched people using instruments.

What kind of equipment are you wanting to look at or play with? Large scale, built like a brick dunny industrial machines? Or the hobbyist level chiwanese imported crap? If it is the latter, then it really is a case of more money = more machine. Often they are built using the same base castings, and only things like fences, blade guides, trunnions etc have been upgraded by each individual "manufacturer".

Originally Posted by BobL

Maybe try some mens sheds or ask on the forum if you can watch someone working with specific machines.

This. The Mens Sheds are a great way to go - I have learnt so much by joining a local wood working club, and it gives you a feel for what you really need and want.

Hi Guys
Thanks for the feedback although some a bit on the negative side. Please find some further context:

- not a novice but certainly nowhere near an expert
- current workshop I'm at is closing down - thus the need to buy my own machines (was going to anyway at some point but this just pushes things along a bit and I didn't want to buy theirs).
- visiting a mens sheds near me isn't an option because they are all age restricted (~55+). No woodworking clubs are nearby either.
- looking at mid to high qualify machines, such as the Laguna BX 14 or Hammer N3800 or... +/-. In other words brand isn't important nor is country of origin but quality of build and even more important usability (i.e. feel) is.

I an ideal world there'd be a large industry event where all the manufacturers show off their wares and talk to the punters.

Cheers!
MToo
P.S that music shop analogy is a clanger because a lot of music shops actually do run classes and/or hire out instruments to try (and then offer discounts off a subsequent purchase). That would be ideal wouldn't it!

If a mens shed is refusing you entry based on age and they are a member of AMSA then they are violating AMSA rules. Unless it is a shed in a dedicated facility like an aged care or disability centre, anyone agent between 16 and 90 should be allowed to join a mens shed. Contact AMSA and they will be keen to hear about this.

Originally Posted by Mtoo

looking at mid to high qualify machines, such as the Laguna BX 14 or Hammer N3800 or... +/-. In other words brand isn't important nor is country of origin but quality of build and even more important usability (i.e. feel) is.

Once you get into this level of quality, any sort of feel has much more to do with how a machine is setup and user technique rather than the machines themselves.
Wood working machines are relatively simple beasts - a blade rotates and wood passes by the blade guided by a few other bits and pieces - its not rocket science.
If the wrong techniques or blades are used, blunt blades, and things on the machined are not aligned, no amount of quality will make up for the change of feel these faults engender.
Once these machines are correctly setup to suit the work these machines are so similar there should be no little or noticeable difference in how they feel.
Some machines have no particular feel. eg Thicknessers that feed themselves don't even need to be touched when operating.

Machines like lathes have a bit more more feel, but again on any quality machine, the feel is strongly dependent on user technique and user skill at repeated sharpening.

Perhaps the KPI to consider is "how easy is a machine to setup or change?" but it should not be necessary to run a machine to work this out.
Maybe that's even what you mean by feel ???

Originally Posted by Mtoo

I an ideal world there'd be a large industry event where all the manufacturers show off their wares and talk to the punters.

That used to be the T &WWW show of about 15 years ago when these shows were alive and vibrant and well attended.

I bought my band saw at the show and there were 4 retailers showing their band saws, demonstrating each and competing in price and after comparing each I bought one from Hare & Forbes with pickup same day from their warehouse.

Alas those days are gone as the show steadily decreased in attendance and stands and value to the extend that it is no longer worth attending.

R.I.P. the old fashioned woodworking show but you are sadly missed.

Peter.

Originally Posted by Mtoo

- current workshop I'm at is closing down - thus the need to buy my own machines (was going to anyway at some point but this just pushes things along a bit and I didn't want to buy theirs).

<snip>

I an ideal world there'd be a large industry event where all the manufacturers show off their wares and talk to the punters.

It sounds to me like you're doing this as a bit more than a hobby, perhaps? I'm reading much into your line of "Current workshop is closing down", of course - forgive me if I'm wrong.

I wanted to share a link I came across the other day, and set aside for further reading, and I think this might be of some use to you: AWISA - The Magazine

The main thrust of that page is the magazine (which I don't know if that interests you or not), but the real interest on that page might be the show in Sydney on 4 to 7 July - more information on that is on their main page: AWISA - The Australian Woodworking Industry Suppliers Association Limited

I hope this might be of use to you!

I think for what you want you are not going to see the machines in one place these days. I don't know where you are in Sydney but if you want to look at what I have you are more than welcome as my machines fit your criteria. My location is in this post, PM me if needed.