Calling our readers in France

[9fingers]

Has anyone over in France seen these machines for sale here.

I'm looking to find one over here hopefully cheaper in Euroland than at home in UK. Not concerned about the brand as they are all the same design from chaiwan.

Have i got the French description correct?

"ponceuse de bobine"

TIA

Bob

 

[p111dom]

Be slightly careful though. This machine is also on my eventual to get list and I was in Machine Mart last week. They had two ex display or customer returns for £109. I reached straight for my wallet but then I realised that there's no tilting table on the Clark ones. There must be other brands which are the same. The bobbin isn't high enough to make a 45 degree wedge to solve this. I only noticed because I couldn't see the elongated insert. The Sip one does tilt though.

 

[Scott]

Never seen them in any regular tool shops in my area but then I've never been looking for them.

Bordet seem to call the Jet version a ponceuse a broche oscillante.

Ponceuse de bobine is a direct translation of bobbin sander so, even if it's not generally used, I'm sure it'll get the idea across. I'm afraid I couldn't confirm what the normal name for them is

 

[wizer]

Bob, if I had my time again, I'd have gone for the Jet version.

 

[p111dom]

Wizer does that mean you have one that you're thinking of selling?

 

[9fingers]

Thanks Scott,

I was lookin in L'Eclerc Brico in Villeneuve sur Lot today and they had a few combi woodworking machines and a 350mm thicknesser as well as a very good range of general DIY tools but no bobbin sanders alas.

Nothing on French fleabay under Ponceuse à broche oscillante either.

Maybe a little too specialised.

P111 Dom I'll certainly make sure I get a tilting table. Thanks for the tip.

Wizer, Why do you favour the Jet version? I looked at a few models at Yandles the other week and all seemed identical. I could not get a straight answer out of the guy on the SIP stand as to why his model was any different to the Record power and the Draper ones there.

I do recall the big Jet machine with an equally big price tag boasts an enclosed oil filled gearbox but surely all of them will have to protect the gears from the ravages of sanding dust and abrasive grit.

Bob

 

[p111dom]

I can't see anything different between the SIP and the Draper one. I didn't know that Record power did one. To be fair the smaller equivelent Jet JBOSS-5 is £310 in Axminster and since these machines go for about £180 that's not even double the price. For that you get a much better machine and at least 5 different thicknesses of bobbin vurses the three from the SIP machines. Lyndhurst uses to do one with a fence which was interesting. About the same price at the SIP one as well.

 

[9fingers]

P111Dom,
Can you say why the JET is so much better apart from 2 extra sleeves please

The SIP is £165/175 on ebay and the JET is so much more. Why?


TIA

Bob

 

[Scott]

Here's a bloke in Belgium flogging a Jet for 400Euro

http://www.annoncesdefrance.fr/a-saisir ... h=2&qq=jet

 

[p111dom]

I'd be speculating to be honest not having either but having owned a SIP table saw years ago and now owning a Jet the quality difference is quite marked. It should be obviously because of the price. Things like a precision ground top and solidly locking tilt mechanism which doesn't deflect as you tighten it. Extra weight so vibration is less. Better dust extraction. Those sorts of things. Your best bet would be to wait for a wood show and hopefully there would be both there. I really liked the old Delta BOSS sander but unfortunatley they don't import it anymore. That said it didn't tilt but had a huge circular ground top and had more up and down travel. Well built too for the price.

 

[wizer]

The annoying problem with my Charnwood version is that the table tilt lock is rubbish. It will do me now I have bought it and I will rig something up fix the tilt lock. The quality is just not there.

 

[Harbo]

According to Mr Lyndhurst his and the SIP and the Draper are the same machines.
You can buy from Machine Mart a 3" Bobbin that fits - they probably do others but did not check?

Rod

 

[ivan]

The table top bobbin from Ax/Jet is quite solidly put together, except for the oscillating mechanism itself. This is an all metal worm drive partly encased to retain grease, and a pair of tiny connecting rods with the smallest bronze bushes I 've ever seen. Very little play in the bobbin "quill". Table pivot, 90 deg stop, and locking, and the dust extraction all needed tweaking. I couldn't send it back as sold cheap with dent in casing. Sands well though.

The manual does not suggest any servicing, but the mechanism collects dust blown by motor cooling (but is easily screened off with stiff closed cell foam or similar) and could do with a clean and lubrication yearly, or more if heavily used.

 

[Grinding One]

Why not just get a bobbin and chuck it into a piller,raise and lower the shaft.??Same thing and so much cheaper.

 

[Scott]

Aye, bobbin in a pillar drill is what I use if I have the need. I guess it depends how much curved work you do whether or not the machine is worth the outlay

 

[Smudger]

I've never seen anything like that in France, but we only have DIY sheds in the vicinity. But you can still buy woodies!
I use bobbins in a pillar drill, works fine. I have made a false table with a hole in it so that I can use the whole height of the bobbin.

 

[wizer]

Actually, If I had my time again, this is what i'd buy:

http://www.newwoodworker.com/reviews/rgideb4424rvu.html

It gets great reviews in the states and doubles up as a belt sander.

 

[9fingers]

Hmm! That does look interesting Wizer. Have you seen anyone importing it into UK?

Bob

 

[wizer]

No I haven't, so it would mean using a voltage converter. But at £200, It's going to endup costing no more than 160-170 with delivery and customs and I genuinely think it's a nice diverse machine. If I thought I could get the majority of my money back on the Charnwood, I'd do it.

 

[Ironballs]

That was my plan too, don't have the bench space or the frequent need for a dedicated sander