Dakota Tormek Rip Off

[wizer]

I'll pass

http://www.rutlands.co.uk/cgi-bin/psPro ... i?promo=61

 

[9fingers]

I can only assume that whatever protection Tormek have had on their design must have expired
Knock offs are also sold by Scheppach and Jet but I understand that Tormek still have the widest range of jigs available.

Bob

 

[cambournepete]

That's Dakota.
Copy (badly) the design of a real brand.
Sell relatively cheaply.
Disappoint customers.

Dakota stuff doesn't even remotely tempt me any more.

 

[ste_5150]

Missed Dakota-bashing, Wizer...? :wink: I think you lasted a good few weeks without mention of them :lol:

 

[wizer]

I don't know. The deign is pretty straight forward. Maybe, like the green clamps, these are 'made in the same factory'. But for it to be so drastically cheaper than the real thing, can only mean cheaper parts? I wouldn't risk my money. If I was going to go for a cheaper option of the Tormek it'd be the Jet or Sheppach. 2 brands you can trust.

 

[ste_5150]

I wouldn't know, but I'd imagine that if I was going to spend that much on a sharpening system, there are too many questions around the quality of Dakota, and the service of Rutlands.... I'd go with something else myself.

 

[Aled Dafis]

Speaking of Dakota, does anybody have their vacuum press?

I may need a vacuum press in the near future, and was wandering would the Dakota machine be up to the task of laminating a curved back chair.

The dakota machine is less that £200 whereas a Bagpress is over £500, there's probably a reason for that though.:roll: :roll:

Cheers

Aled

 

[wizer]

I think Mailee bought one?

 

[9fingers]

Aled,

If you are only likely to need a press for the one job, then maybe a homebrew scheme using an "under the bed" vacuum storage bag as sold by the ALDIs and LIDLs stores from time to time plus and old fridge compressor, pipe and car tyre valves would be suitable.

To avoid the compressor overheating, use a cheapo plug in timeswitch to run it for a period and then give it a break and so on until the glue goes off.

Each time you use the compressor give it a couple of squirts of car engine oil down the air intake as otherwise it will eventually run out of oil and seize up.

Just a thought

Bob

 

[SVB]

Aled,

PM Sent.

Simon

 

[Aled Dafis]

Aled,

If you are only likely to need a press for the one job, then maybe a homebrew scheme using an "under the bed" vacuum storage bag as sold by the ALDIs and LIDLs stores from time to time plus and old fridge compressor, pipe and car tyre valves would be suitable.

To avoid the compressor overheating, use a cheapo plug in timeswitch to run it for a period and then give it a break and so on until the glue goes off.

Each time you use the compressor give it a couple of squirts of car engine oil down the air intake as otherwise it will eventually run out of oil and seize up.

Just a thought

Bob

Thanks Bob. If the project comes off, I'm going to need quite a big bag, but the fridge copmressor idea sound good. Do you have any info as regards converting the compressor, or is it just a case of venting the refrigerant (legally of course) and connecting up a bag to the inlet end.

Cheers

Aled

 

[woodbloke]

Speaking of Dakota, does anybody have their vacuum press?

I may need a vacuum press in the near future, and was wandering would the Dakota machine be up to the task of laminating a curved back chair.

The dakota machine is less that £200 whereas a Bagpress is over £500, there's probably a reason for that though.:roll: :roll:

Cheers

Aled

I've got the Airpress which is excellent but at the price they charge, it should be...mind you, they make them just up the road so a personal visitation secured a bit of discount :wink: They're also excellent for after sales and technical help, though their bags are crap :x
As for the Dakota thing...'caveat emptor' (sp?) - Rob

 

[9fingers]

Aled,

If you are only likely to need a press for the one job, then maybe a homebrew scheme using an "under the bed" vacuum storage bag as sold by the ALDIs and LIDLs stores from time to time plus and old fridge compressor, pipe and car tyre valves would be suitable.

To avoid the compressor overheating, use a cheapo plug in timeswitch to run it for a period and then give it a break and so on until the glue goes off.

Each time you use the compressor give it a couple of squirts of car engine oil down the air intake as otherwise it will eventually run out of oil and seize up.

Just a though to
Bob

Thanks Bob. If the project comes off, I'm going to need quite a big bag, but the fridge compressor idea sound good. Do you have any info as regards converting the compressor, or is it just a case of venting the refrigerant (legally of course) and connecting up a bag to the inlet end.

Cheers

Aled

That is about it. Cut the pipes leaving as much length on the compressor as poss. Have the outlet vertical to minimise the oil getting chucked out. Perhaps bind a bundle of rag round it?

Cut the pipe with a wheeled pipe cutter to prevent metal swarf entering the compressor works.

I think you can buy heavy gauge polythene 'flat' tube for bags.


Bob

 

[Dave S]

I don't know. The deign is pretty straight forward. Maybe, like the green clamps, these are 'made in the same factory'. But for it to be so drastically cheaper than the real thing, can only mean cheaper parts? I wouldn't risk my money. If I was going to go for a cheaper option of the Tormek it'd be the Jet or Sheppach. 2 brands you can trust.

Oh, really?

I have the Sheppach Tiger and, as I have written several times, I am not impressed.

Dave

 

[Dave S]

I wouldn't know, but I'd imagine that if I was going to spend that much on a sharpening system, there are too many questions around the quality of Dakota, and the service of Rutlands.... I'd go with something else myself.

I've made many purchases from Rutlands and have always been perfectly happy with their service.

Dave

 

[wizer]

I'd not seen that Dave. In which case, the Dakota one must be diabolical. I think DaveL is happy with his Jet.

 

[Mr Ed]

Well I've got the real thing (Tormek) and don't think its that earth shatteringly great. I think it is a tool that is underwhelming even when its a good one.

Ed

 

[Ironballs]

I've used the Tormek and own the Sheppach, I only visit it when I have to grind all the way back as getting it set up just right is a real pig. Can't believe they all use cheap welded round bar with individually adjustable legs, trying to get it square is the big issue.

There must be a better way - perhaps a Kreg add on....

 

[ste_5150]

I've made many purchases from Rutlands and have always been perfectly happy with their service.

Dave

I've had issues..... I think the consensus tends to be that if everything goes as planned with the initial purchase, you're ok. If, however, you need some after-sales support they can be....um.....less helpful. That said, I've not heard any complaints on here in a while. Maybe things are changing...

If you are only likely to need a press for the one job, then maybe a homebrew scheme using an "under the bed" vacuum storage bag as sold by the ALDIs and LIDLs stores from time to time plus and old fridge compressor, pipe and car tyre valves would be suitable.

Bob - previous career as a creative consultant for MacGuyver...? :lol:

 

[plymouth pirate]

Maybe, like the green clamps, these are 'made in the same factory'. But for it to be so drastically cheaper than the real thing, can only mean cheaper parts? I wouldn't risk my money.

Had to go rushing back out to the garage after reading that, but it was ok, they were still holding things together. :shock:

Regards, John