Thread: Help - Need to purchase 5 machines in a hurry, and seeking advice on choices

Its nice to have all matching coloured machines... up to you JET gear usually has a nice finish to them and are well set up from factory, the carba gear will save you some money and still do the same job as the jet gear...

With the dusty get the biggest as possible... can never be to big unless your workshop is in a cupboard!

You wont regret paying the extra for the Jet. I've own(ed) most of Jet gear you've listed and love(d) them all. I only sold Jet gear (very easily I might add) to get bigger and dearer Jet gear.

The Carba-tec gear is generally good and will also give you good service. Most of the Jet gear you've listed (I'm not sure about the 16OS thicknesser) is made in Taiwan. The Carba-tec gear is made in China, except for the Bandsaw (the Hafco is the same, but it doesn't have cast iron wheels or bearing guides which are about a $100 option).

I posted a thread about badge engineering a while ago where some the answers you may be seeking can be found.

Good luck with you purchases and may the "white" be with you.

buy the jet.
Especially the jointer. 12 months ago they were $1800. I bought Boban's for $1000 and love it. But to get a brand newie for less than 13hundrred is a steal.

If you are really serious, take cash to the GPW stand and get the full Jet suite.

Your are going to spend somewhere between $6000 - $8000. If you can get a measly 10% knocked off, the dust collector is effectively free.

I think the Carbatec TSC-10HB tablesaw is made in Taiwain, and I know the dust collectors are as well. The new Jet Supersaw with encolsed stand will soon be available, but at close to $2000 don't know if it is worth $550 more than the Carbatec, and only has a 1.75 hp motor versus 3 hp on the carbatec.

As far as jointers go, I was thinking the Carbatec CTJ-350 would be good becuase of the parallelogram system, but don't really know if this makes it better than the Powermatic or Jet. Wood magazine in the USA has a current article on 8" jointers, and the Carbatec (ie. Delta) scored about the same as the Jet.

I think the Jet 18" bandsaw is an easy decision over the others. Not only is it cheapest, sounds like it is the better saw anyhow from what I have read on the forum. Only possible advantage of the Carbatec that I can think of is that it has that pressed metal extension of the table, making total table area 19" x 27" instead of 19" x 19" on the Jet.

And as far as thicknessers go, think I might go for one with a moving head/ stationary table, so either the Jet JWP-160S or Carbatec CTJ-680. Since they are both made in China, probably in the same factory, the Carbatec is not only $165 cheaper, but has solid cast iron feed tables instead of rollers, fully enclosed cabinet, and casters, which on paper makes it a cheaper and better unit than the Jet.

I had a look at the Jet dust collectors, but their standard bags are 30 micron as oppossed to the 5 micron bags with the carbatec machines. And with both made in Taiwain, I think the carbatec are better here as well.

So looks like the Jet bandsaw, carbatec tablesaw, thicknesser & dust collector, and no really sure about the jointer yet. I like the Powermatic and wouldn't mind paying the the extra couple of hundred dollars for it, but am not sure if the carbatec parallelogram system makes their a better machine or not. Has anybody had experience with the Powermatic 60A, Jet JJ-8CS, and the Carbatec CTJ-350, and can tell me which one is the way to go? Does the parallelogram system on the Carbatec make it any better?

Thanks for the feedback so, which all seems to go with Jet machines.

Hi Flyingduck - just wondering what you ended up with as far as thicknessers go, and your thoughts on the model? Am about to get one of the ones you listed myself...

Matt

HI Matt

Since I orignally posted this, I have swung more towards the Eurpoean machines. Yes, they are considerably more expensive, but this will be an investment well worth it in the end I think. I have been looking at the various 12" thicknesser/planer combs available, such as the Hammer A331, Minimax FS30smart & Holz Profi 310STP-V. They all look good, but the Holz Profi has the largest tables, 4 blades, and is reasonable priced. Only problem is that I can't get hold of "Hans" the Holz Profi dude in Melbourne by email or fax to send me a brochure - emailed over a week ago and no reply, and his fax number is just ringing out. I am overseas, so this is pretty frustrating.

What I really like about the Eurpoean models is that you don't have to spend hours aligning the blades - just pop them in, tighten, and you are ready to go. You might pay $5000 for one of these, but you are getting a jointer & a planer, and much better quality. Also saves on workshop space.

Another option to consider for you is to look at what might be available in your area with well used machinery perhaps from a joinery / cabinet shop upgrading or selling out.
All too often folk will go straight for new whereas a well functioning machine (sometimes with all the extra's) is there just for the grabbing in some machinery market or the like such as your local Gabbett or Gregory's in Brisbane.

As far as JET go's they are renowned for a high sense of quality control in their finished product and I have endorsed them previously to the extent of laying out some serious $$$ in the past and they have yet to prove me wrong.

There's some great machinery produced in Europe with Italy probably at the forefront which I can attest to with my Combination I have here ,however parts replacement can mean a long wait for you.If you are willing to take this into account then it bears some consideration with the quality in a machine from a European source.

Whatever you decide this forum is great in offering all manner of well meaning advice and that can be a good guide taking in the multitude of responses you'll surely get.

Cheers

A note on the Jet Bandsaw. Work recently bought one and I got to play on it today at lunch. Bloody beautiful machine!!! Everything slides, glides, moves easily and it is easy to adjust. The cut with the factory blade is great and a quick sand would finish the cut. Worth the money!

good luck with spending all the dosh, but avoid the Hammer stuff