ChippyChap
1st August 2005, 09:58 AM
Hi,
This is a great product, there are some 30 plus machines in the UK including four with wood turners, and one of those turners is an internationally known one.
Why do I know well because I import these machines into the UK through my company Wood Workers Workshop www.woodworkersworkshop.co.uk (http://www.woodworkersworkshop.co.uk/) .
The learning curve is not that step, you can be up and running within 4 hours, three of those spent reading the manual and assembling it.
There is a promotional DVD that gives a good feel for the product plus a dual DVD for training. The biggest problem you will have is accepting the cost of shipping when added to the US $ price plus import duty and local taxes.
In the UK sales have been split equally between the Model 900 and I would suggest you add the dust collection system, the stand is a good idea but not essential and a set of Magnate cutters. It will handle 48" between centers and 9 " in diameter and you need a good router, DW625 is quite suitable, if you want to even a Triton. The Model 1200 comes complete with stand, dust collection etc, costs more but goes 72" between centers and the big benefit is the ability to turn a handle to adjust the rise and fall at both the tailstock & head stock ends.
I started with the Model 800 as my demo machine, this was the forerunner of the Model 900 which I then changed too, but have since changed up to the Model 1200.
I do recommend that you fit an Xtreme Xtension from Router Technologies as that gives you an extra 1¼" reach on the cutters and a quick release collett. I can swap router bits in 30 seconds with just a 5/32 Allen Key.
If you want more details including an article written by Ron Fox, the UK router guru, who tested the Model 900 late last year then email me and I will forward it to you.
[email protected]
It is not just a machine for making barley twists it is a very versatile machine.