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Post by emilhedevang on Jun 11, 2020 3:15:24 GMT -5
MrToolJunkie, I am looking for a table saw and very much have the Erika 85 in mind. I therefore wonder if you in the past few months have had the chance to use your Erika 85 some more and if you would like to share your recent experiences. Also, you mention that you have pictures to share - I would be very interested in seeing them. To everybody in this forum: Thank you very much for all your posts. I recently read through every single post and thread on the Erika saws, it was quite enlightening. It also made me smile to read that now seasoned Erika users some years ago asked questions on this saw that they had in mind to aquire. Best regards, Emil
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Post by MrToolJunkie on Jun 15, 2020 0:17:18 GMT -5
I posted a reply and I guess it did not save it - at any rate, I have used the saw a lot over the last several months and really like it - very smooth and powerful. Honestly, I am enjoying the native set-up and have not used the sliding table or table extension - so I would suggest holding off on getting that accessory unless you really need it. I did add an extension to the fence to allow for longer cross-cuts and need to add one more section to allow for longer stopped cuts - working on 2500mm - 3000mm pieces is a challenge. Dust collection is great from the bottom of the saw and not great from the blade-guard side. So far no regrets buying it whatsoever and it is a joy to use. Very accurate tool.
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Post by emilhedevang on Jun 15, 2020 3:00:11 GMT -5
Thank you for the reply. Yesterday, I finally pulled the trigger and ordered an Erika 85 with lots of extensions since Mafell is currently offering a big package at a discount, and I know that I will be using all the various extensions in the near future. I might add the "outrigger table" (038309) at some later time. Looking forward to receive the saw and counting the milliseconds while I wait.
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Post by MrToolJunkie on Jun 16, 2020 0:42:59 GMT -5
Can you post to FB you images?
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Post by snekkerbuse on Aug 30, 2020 13:48:21 GMT -5
Hello, what is the upgrade from the previous version?
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Post by MrToolJunkie on Aug 30, 2020 23:50:09 GMT -5
Hello, what is the upgrade from the previous version? The blade guard is different - it is lighted so you know when the saw has power and there are two plastic shrouds that cover the blade vs the older red one that fit over the top of the blade. Other than that, the saws are identical.
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Post by Knight Woodworks on Aug 31, 2020 7:37:35 GMT -5
In addition, I believe the riving knife is easily removed.
John
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Post by snekkerbuse on Sept 9, 2020 17:56:28 GMT -5
thx
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Post by MrToolJunkie on Apr 1, 2021 0:27:42 GMT -5
Opted for another 3M fence and drop stop along with the connecting piece. Have some long casing and baseboard coming up. Of course that little connector is supposedly a few weeks backordered. Do folks use the sliding table to support the 9M worth of fence? I know Mafell used to carry those stands with the sheet metal support but that no longer seems to be the case.
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Post by MrToolJunkie on Jul 29, 2021 23:57:58 GMT -5
Loving my Erika. Been using it in a flooring job, trim and just built a custom fence and gate. This saw handled everything with ease and accuracy. I had to rip some 2x in half and it was rip thick to cut through in one pass. No problem...flip end over end and rip from the other side and the results were perfect with no scoring it blade marks. I continue to be impressed with this saw and quality results. Anyway, just over a year of using it and I enjoy it even more than when I acquired it. Get machine!!
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Post by focal designs on Dec 27, 2021 6:59:42 GMT -5
Hello - thank you for your detailed and helpful post. I am a new owner of the Erika 85 and have only had one evening with it so far. I have a similar pro's and cons list as you. Though the cons are quite worrying to me. Hopefully it was just a bad luck first experience. My main concerns are in the strength of the aluminium accessories. I have not been able to make any solid connection between the sliding table and crosscut fence to be sturdy enough. There is movement in every direction. I have made relevant adjustments with bolts below and even used the clamp piece for further support which helps but introduces other issues. I have attached a folder link here to show images and videos of what I am experiencing. This may be all amateur oversights - so feel free to enlighten me. Image 1 = shows the gap created on fence when using clamp with fence & slider Image 2 = shows the placement of the clamp. Image 3 = shows the 2 spare parts I'm sure are vital to this setup/arrangement. Image 4 = shows the piece that broke when hand tightening the adjustment bolts under slider (terribly week part of aluminium) Image 5 = shows where it broke off. (How vital is this part?) Videos 1 & 2 = show how unstable the fence is when I take the clamp off and just let the MFA do its job. I gotta say - the fact they chose to use the same fence for ripping and cross cutting and that the 1m version is an accessory rather than stock is laughable (though crying) to say the least. That fence is a joke .. REALLY! I have just invested almost £4k GBP on this machine and its accessories. Other than the beautiful motor and sharp cutting. I am yet to be blown away on any of the parts that are required to build upon that. I am just seeing over priced clunky aluminium parts that still don't reach the quality I would expect from such a large investment in a machine from such a reputable company. Any guidance to pull me out of this rut and start seeing justifiable results would be gratefully appreciated. Quite a bitter taste in my mouth so far - if you can't tell! All I hear is praise for this machine so my expectations were set high. I may start an individual thread on these issues if need be. Thanks in advance everyone.
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Post by MrToolJunkie on Dec 31, 2021 1:45:05 GMT -5
I would get a hold of the dealer to get the part fixed - that should not have broken off - looks like a poor casting or cross-threaded bolt or something. The feather key is similar to what they use on the telescopic rod that attaches to the extension and drop stop. It slides into the t-track and locks things together. Not sure if you have that accessory or not. The wobble on the sliding table is normal - the weight of the fence is causing it - although you should be able to adjust the angle of the table so that it is in the same plane as the saw table. In practice once you lock everything down and have material on the table it should be smooth and cut normal. It took me a little time to get the adjustments right, but you should be able to dial it in.
It takes getting used to for sure and there is a learning curve - but once you get more comfortable this should be a super accurate cutting tool - very smooth and precise.
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Post by MrToolJunkie on Dec 31, 2021 2:01:48 GMT -5
I assume you watched this set-up video on the sliding table? It also has the telescopic rod and the little key and nut, which is what this looks like to me. It shows how to adjust the table.
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Post by MrToolJunkie on Jan 10, 2022 2:47:39 GMT -5
Continue to be impressed with my Erika. Just finished installing new base molding and the Erika excelled. Loved being able to cut returns safely and without shooting the small pieces across the room. I like cutting on the flat and the the angle adjustment is very nice, especially when doing lots of 22.5, 45 and 90 degree cuts and going back and forth. Sneaking up on a cut was a breeze and I like being able to safely cut small pieces. I really do not know how I got on without this machine.
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