Well I went yesterday as I am in the process of equipping a new workshop with machinery for the first time and this was a great opportunity to see a selection of the items I am considering. South Wales is not exactly well blessed with stores selling woodworking machinery.
I had taken advice on machinery selection on another thread (
Machinery Advice ) and was keen to examine The Axminster 10" table saw and CT1502 planer, and the Record Dust extractors and De-Walt Thicknesser.
I had previously been considering the Makita LS0714 SCMS because it's small footprint made it ideal to fit into the proposed layout of my shop, but I was put off by a few reviews suggesting the slide mechanism was a bit "sticky". So I decided to hold fire on the SCMS. Anyway, if I went with the Axminster table saw it has a nice sliding table and I could probably get by without the SCMS and save over £300. Still it would be an opportunity to look at the Makita saw and see if the comments were justified.
So off to Axminster at High Wycombe first to measure up the table saw and planer and see if they fit. Good news is I think the table saw will be ideal, although I will need to remove the sliding table when I want to move it out of the way. Didn't look too much hassle to remove the table, so I can live with that. Will probably order the saw before year end to avoid the VAT increase.
Bad news was they had a nice little Bosch GCM 8 S Mitre saw there that took my fancy. Similar footprint to the Makita (maybe slightly smaller), for £350. I was tempted, but remembered I had decided against a SCMS and did the sensible thing and left without it.
So off to the Toolshow.
Strange goings on with the De-Walt DW733. The DW website shows it as discontinued. The guy on the DW stand tells me they are out of stock because it is undergoing a minor re-design. Anybody know any more?
Ordered the Dust Extractor and took a look at the Makita LS0714. The sliding mechanism did feel sticky and I was not very impressed.
So I was ready to leave having restricted my spending to only items I had planned in advance, when I walked past the Bosch stand on the way out, and there was the little Bosch SCMS with a RRP of £350 (Same as Axminster) reduced to £270 for the show.
I was still telling the salesman that I had decided against buying a SCMS as he was helping me load it into the car.
A bargain?
I'm not sure. I've just spent £270 on something I had no intention of buying, but I've saved myself £80 in the process. I must be getting in touch with my feminine side. :lol:
Bl**dy Tool Shows! :roll: