Thread: anyone heard of NikMann Machinery…? or Hisimen

Originally Posted by sht0ney

so, in my extensive research I've come across some unknown brands (incl Hisimen originating from china) but particularly NikMann, which seems to be made in bulgaria, never heard of them. they do have some pretty heavy duty units n I'm awaiting some response on cost included specification. haven't found any info searching thru the forum, figured I'd put it to y'all incase you have experience with their kit. would love to buy into european machinery but most is just out of reach (even minimax is a stretch atm)...

Just my 2c worth on this. Whilst there's a wide array of potential table saws you can purchase in Australia, I've never heard of either of these units, nor even seen one to my recollection in any overseas woodworking video.

If you end up going down the track of something that isn't normally sold or used wherever you are (i.e. Australia for most of us) , I feel that you're opening yourself up to potential problems/disappointment, for a few reasons:

- If something breaks, spare parts might be an issue.
- If the machine comes from overseas, and isn't approved for use here electrically, and something goes wrong (fire etc), your insurer has an automatic "get out of jail free" card to potentially deny your claim

There's probably more that I can't think of right now (I'm still on coffee #1). Suffice to say, my experience in life has led me to the firm opinion that TANSTAAFL (There ain't no such thing as a free lunch), meaning, a potentially lower sticker price on any given item will either catch up with you later in an unpleasant way, or be reflected in the quality of what you receive.

If your budget is tight, consider a good second hand machine - whether a combo or individual table saw and planer/thicknesser. There are good deals to be had on a regular basis if you are patient, and are willing to ferret them out.

David Drescher sells Hisimen machinery Woodworking Supplies S/E QLD - Hisimen Machinery

I have had a look at the thicknesser which seems to be well manufactured, controls function smoothly etc. Haven't seen it running. Its way to big for my needs so haven't progressed any further my end.

Originally Posted by Midnight Man

Just my 2c worth on this. Whilst there's a wide array of potential table saws you can purchase in Australia, I've never heard of either of these units, nor even seen one to my recollection in any overseas woodworking video.

yup I agree midnight man, whilst both brands are available locally, they dun seem to be a popular selection if no-one has heard (much or at all) of them. mind you, got quoted $14k+gst for a small NikMann combo machine, if I could afford that I'd go for a felder…even thou they are based sth east melb which isn't far from me…

I'm always on the lookout for second hand machinery but majority is 3phase which, at least for the next couple years til I build my own workshop (currently based at my parents garage), won't have capacity or space. my leaning towards a c30 for a few years would give me a compact, quality machine which I can still keep later down the track if I buy any other stand alone machinery to boost productivity…

cheers for the wisdom, even after 1 coffee thats hit the mark...

Originally Posted by sht0ney

I'm always on the lookout for second hand machinery but majority is 3phase

You're probably already aware, but in case you're not (I wish I was before I started buying my kit) - a VFD will often get a great second hand 3 phase machine which in all respects is a bargain running like a champ on single phase.

Had I known all this before I started buying, I'd have been scouring machines4u for good 3 phase kit and not bought new single phase.

Originally Posted by Midnight Man

You're probably already aware, but in case you're not (I wish I was before I started buying my kit) - a VFD will often get a great second hand 3 phase machine which in all respects is a bargain running like a champ on single phase.

Had I known all this before I started buying, I'd have been scouring machines4u for good 3 phase kit and not bought new single phase.

yeah I've looked at these in the past couple of years as an option (thou I still don't know enough about it) but found them to still be a couple grand or so if you have multiple 3phase machines running or even 1 large machine…definitely will dig into it more thou. I recall working on a few behemoth wadkins whilst at rmit few years back, particularly a beautiful solid cast iron table saw and disc sander…whilst I don't have much experience tuning these old machines i'd certainly love to have a shed full of them in the future...

Unless you’ve got your mind set, look at the Woodfast panel saw and slider, mighty good value for the money. Mine has been flogged every day for two years snd still runs perfectly, cuts perfectly, nothing wrong with them at all.

Originally Posted by riverbuilder

Unless you’ve got your mind set, look at the Woodfast panel saw and slider, mighty good value for the money. Mine has been flogged every day for two years snd still runs perfectly, cuts perfectly, nothing wrong with them at all.

yup its certainly up there on my consideration list, rather hefty machine…might be a good coupling if I also purchased the woodfast 300mm planar/thicknesser combo...

Originally Posted by sht0ney

hi all, I've been scanning thru many forum pages in recent years, doing my research n slowly trying to build up my workshop…similar story to most starting out with what they can afford/need before graduating onto bigger n better things (or at least more income to afford said toys…but I won't ask be asking for advise on comparing 1 brand or machine with another just yet...

I already have a great jessem router table setup, decent dewalt thicknesser and jet 6" planar…and whilst my dewalt jobsite saw has been ok over the past 3 years, I've come to experience major issues with the alumnium table. particularly that both sides of the saw blade are by 0.2-0.4deg. not much fun using the fence to rip and my incra mitre gauge for end cuts that ultimately won't match up for accurate joinery work…unless I compensate on the saw blade which is not easy…or make a sled that reduces cutting height.

anyhoo, have been searching for a table saw but also figured I could go towards a minimax c30 and replace most of my gear (except the jessem - not sure I can ever let that go). but, also looking at lots of other brands, country of origin and quality etc etc - the minimax would save me space but I may be able to get away with a combined planar/thicknesser and separate table saw and give me some room for an extra workbench that is needed.

so, in my extensive research I've come across some unknown brands (incl Hisimen originating from china) but particularly NikMann, which seems to be made in bulgaria, never heard of them. they do have some pretty heavy duty units n I'm awaiting some response on cost included specification. haven't found any info searching thru the forum, figured I'd put it to y'all incase you have experience with their kit. would love to buy into european machinery but most is just out of reach (even minimax is a stretch atm)...

…cheers
tony

Was once in your shoes, not too long ago actually, maybe 7-8 years ago.

About Nikmann, I have seen them on internet. Eastern Europe has some good and affordable machines and sometimes Felder buy their parts from Eastern Europe and put their sticker on. one company I like is Houfek, they make beautiful sanders.... about purchasing machines sight unseen, that is a bit dangerous, you really need to put your hand on a machine if you are going to spend serious money on it.

I bought a new Robland combination machine in 2013 for about 20k, a full size with 2.4m slider and 410mm wide JP combo, back then I only had single phase, it was my first taste of European machine, not long after I bought it I have 3 phase installed, I had the Robland for 3-4 years and then swapped it out for separates due to workload, When I went separates 2 years ago I bought a slightly used Griggio 3.8m slider panel saw, a brand new Felder AD951, and now I am waiting for my SCM Ti145EP spindle moulder to be delivered in November.

a good machine will serve you a very long time and to be honest you wont really grin when you use a quality machine but at least you wont curse compare to cheap machine.

also an European machine will not depreciate as fast as you think, a recent local example: Hammer K3 was sold for $4200, the guy bought it in 2018 for $5k.

Get the Minimax, you wont regret it. although I have a Felder JP combo, but I am still a SCM man.