Hi all....I know this question has been asked many times from folks like me trying to buy a slider and looking for help to choose. I'm really looking for opinions from folks who have had real working experience or at least there hands on any of the machines mentioned and can offer their experience and the recent not old models (hence why the new post). I've looked around and read every website so I'm pretty familiar with the specs and the like. In addition to the models mentioned below I'd be more than happy to hear about any others I may not be familiar with and why. I've presented the list I have in question in 2 categories 8.5ft or longer and Short Stroke. I want to stay under 10k and I don't have an issue with a used machine, but my concern is that I am not very familiar with the units and likewise might end up spending more getting them up and running that they're worth, not to mention cannot afford the down time. In terms of used, I would really not want something prior to 2010 and likewise it seems most folks do around a 20 year cycle before changing unless it's a shop move etc. or have problems. I am also looking for a single phase machine, which I know limits some options (especially used) but I don't really want to go through getting 3 phase and a convertor will up my costs quite a bit. The one thing I find generally extremely frustrating is that many of these companies don't make it easy to find out pricing and likewise no one seems to talk about it online either.
Before I present the list, I'll mention a bit about my situation and use....thanks in advance!!
About Me
So I am a one man shop doing this for a living (at least a good part of it) for almost 20 years. I build primarily high end guitar and bass speaker cabinets mostly from hardwoods, but I do venture into furniture and other sorts of products and projects as well. Typically I am not building large case goods, however a good amount of my cabinet work comes in the form of builds for other companies and there's are almost always made from Baltic Birch Ply. So while occasionally I cut 4x8 sheets for certain projects the BB is typically 5x5 at most and I usually have 1 cut done at the mill to get it in the vehicle. So on the surface a short stroke slider is probably all I really need, but I like the idea of an 8.5 footer so that the capability is there whenever I need it. The downside is of course the price tag that is typically associated with the length. I do often buy 10ft lengths of hardwood but rarely ever need them that long and typically break them down to shorter boards on my RA saw and then do my ripping.
Shop
I am in a 2 level oversized 3 car with about 900 sqft on the first level and 300 on the top. I have been using a 3hp Jet cabinet saw with INCRA fence and Jessem router table built in for almost 20 years and am finally having an issue (another post regarding bearings) I feel that this is the perfect time to make the leap into something bigger and better and likewise slider is where I'm going. I like the Sawstop saws as cabinet saws but fully appreciate the sliders capabilities and likewise have removed it from consideration. Other machines in the shop....Hammer A341 JP, Jet 18" bandsaw, CP Radial Arm Saw, Laguna Mortiser, PC Omnijig, Drill Press etc. and just ordered a Hammer HS950 edge sander. I have the room to fit a 10ft slider, but only want to consider one that size if the value really makes sense...otherwise I would prefer an 8.5 or Short Stroke.
Brands
As you can see I have a Hammer and adding another one....overall I've been very happy with my machine, but I am not married to the brand at all at this point. I've managed to get good deals on the machines from them so far which has been the biggest deciding factor to getting them. There service has been 50-50 for me. Overall I think that most of this level machinery is priced too high, but these companies have figured out how to ride the coat tails of the their industrial level machines and have basically eliminated any sort of middle ground pricing for those trying to put good equipment in a one or two man shop or hobbyist and have made a considerable jump considering you can get a quality cabinet saw for around 3k compared to at least double to start this conversation.
Many of you will say go with the company that has the closest support and the best service. While I appreciate all of that I am in CT and as far as I know I don't have service from any of these companies particularly close (or at least not that I am aware of). Instead I want the most reliable machine that offers me the most machine for the money. I am not really interested in combo machines. If the need arises for a shaper in the future I'll probably just go with a stand alone.
The only machines I have ever had my hands on are....
Felder K700S with some options
Old Holz Her
Altendorf f45 - automated fence etc.
I actually like the feel of the Felder the most even though the AD is a much more expensive machine. It also felt great and felt extremely solid....the automation was of course cool but I actually feel like that level would slow me down. A digital readout with micro adjust would be every bit as good for me. Not to mention the f45 is in a totally different price category.
Wishlist
Good warranty (that's easy to deal with)
Digital readouts for fence and tilt (fine with an aftermarket for the fence readout....I'm just used to being able to dial in with the INCRA and it's going to be hard to lose that, my pieces need to be the same every time)
Really good overarm dust guard
Power switches on grip (I know typically only on higher priced)
Micro-adjust a must
Scoring unit
Really don't want less that 5HP
What I'm considering.....
Short Stroke
Hammer K3 Winner Comfort - Don't have a price yet, but feel like it's going to be high enough to not make sense
SCM - SC2C - Seems like good value, don't like the guard (don't know if better is optional)
Laguna - P12/5 - Seems loaded, but not cheap for it's size
Casadei - SC20 - Think I read that this is the same as the SCM, looks it, don't know the pricing compared to SCM thoughts????
8.5 or Bigger
Hammer K4 Perform - can't get firm pricing yet but have heard the difference to the 500 series is only about 1k which may or may not be worth it since you seem to have more options with the K4 standard and share a lot of the build but you don't have the X roll or the warranty
Felder K500 series - Like the warranty and the X roll - can't get firm pricing yet but might be more than I can do
SCM - SC3C or SC4E - Don't really know the difference - again guard not great, control layout not great
Maksiwa - BMS or BMT 3200 - full size, but seems like a lot of value - don't know the difference between the 2 models can't seem to find any except the price. 2 year warranty OK but not great. Service might be difficult in person but have read that phone support is good. Overall though very appealing.
Cantek - P305 - seems quite good but haven't heard a lot of opinions
Laguna P12/8 - would only do it on sale, above my budget
Casadei - SC30 or 40 - again don't know if there is anything different than the SCM models or the pricing
Altendorf - WA6 - can't find pricing on this but it seems like it could be under 10. I think the WA series is Chinese which raises flags for steel quality and the like, but have read a lot of good things regardless. I like the name of course, but wonder if that's all I'd be buying.
Robland - 300 series - seems like this is the only single phase they offer and it's only 3hp....anyone know if they offer bigger? Looks great, but have read mixed reviews on performance.
ASIAN - Lastly I would consider one of the import models that are priced incredibly under 3k in many cases. I have read some of the success and horror stories here, so would only go with something that someone had first hand great experience with. Any thoughts are appreciated.
OK Guys, I know it was a long read and I thank you so much for any advice and suggestions. I am sure there are a lot of other things to get into here but hopefully this gets the conversation going in the right direction as I'm sure there are a lot of you in a similar boat.
One last question, are there any relationships with any of these companies for SMC members? Any discounts? Any reps on here that can help?
Thanks!!!