Should I buy from Carbatec or Woodfast direct

[ClintO]

I am seriously considering getting a Woodfast M305 mini lathe.
I am in Sydney and it seems the only local agent is Carbatec but I also have the option of getting it dorect from Adelaide.
My concern is regarding after sales service.
If I buy from Carbatec I am inserting another person between me and the supplier. I have not had personal experience of Carbatecs service on my machines which are a mix of Hafco and Carbatec.
After paying for freight it is actually $20 cheaper getting it from Adelaide direct assuming I pickup from Carbatec and dont pay freight

[Jim Carroll]

You can buy from either.
Woodfast warrant the machines they sell.
Carbatec warrant the machine that they sell.

You dont have to go to woodfast for the warranty

[Tim the Timber Turner]

Check out the length of warranty from each supplier.

Last time I checked there was a big difference.

Your choice of lathes is a good one. I think the M305 is the best value for money small lathe on the market today.

We have 4 in our local club.

Cheers

Tim:)

[RETIRED]

What he said. I even own one.:wink:

[Tim the Timber Turner]

What he said. I even own one.:wink:

Jees .

How many bed extensions do you need to turn them telegraph poles?

Cheers

Tim:;

[jefferson]

What he said. I even own one.:wink:

may own one but the beast only ever runs at one speed - FAST. :D:D

[Pat]

Clint, I brought the Yellow Peril (M910) direct from Woodfast. I had an issue with a microswitch when it arrived, flicked an email about 2000 that night, not expecting a reply to morning. I included a phone number . . . and got a call that night to see what the problem was and called back the next morning with a solution.

So I am a happy customer of theirs.:U

[watsrags]

I brought my m305 direct from woodfast but as live in whyalla SA I picked it up direct from them , My m305 came in a box which had be opened by woodfast. I found the service and experence good . I do also shop at carbatec when in Adelaide. All the other goods I buy came from interstate seller that sponder these forum pages. I find that it is generaly quicker to order over the phone and have either Carroll's or GPW post it to me.

[nz_carver]

I got my woodfast mini from hear and forbs
Placed the order at 11am on the Tuesday
It was in on the Friday

I'm over the moon with it and I saved on it
I have the 305 and my club has 4 of them
And in the last week I have had 3 members from my club over to my shop to
Look and try it out and 3 have order them

[ClintO]

Thanks for that also nice to have some confirmation of my selection

[orificiam]

I got mine From Jim at CWS 2 years ago and it hasn't missed a beat. Great Little Lathe
Cheers Tony.:)

[cookie48]

Buy direct from Woodfast. Save a lot of crap in warrenty repairs that way. (believe me on that)

[China]

My opinion is that Woodfast after sales service is exelent, I doubt if you will have any warrenty issues

[BobL]

My opinion is that Woodfast after sales service is exelent, I doubt if you will have any warrenty issues

I had several issues my 305.
The first was the bolt through which the camlock holding the tailstock on snapped after half a dozen uses. The replacement lasted slightly longer so I ended up making my own. I think this is a design fault with so little metal holding the camlock in place.
The hex grub screw that locks the indexer to the headstock shaft was such a poor fit it repeatedly came loose. I had to eventually drill and tap an larger thread.
The small plastic tooling rack at the back of the lathe snapped off within a few weeks of lathe use. Not really a big deal. I'm thinking of replacing this with an ally one.

[NeilS]

I've always dealt directly with the chaps at Woodfast. Good pre and post-sales service.
.