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Post by Tom Gensmer on Dec 27, 2014 23:11:11 GMT -5
I was not dis ing my Kapex I have one with ug stand as part of to go kit with wings and another next to my 14" radial arm saw .
More my point is that Erika does for me a lot what the Kapex does on site. I agree with Tom hands down Kapex does more with ease than all other sliders do period. I have said it before I think if I had only 100sqft shop my main tools would be Erika Kapex an the biggest bandsaw I could squeeze in. And all the Mafell tools I currently have. The good thing is I have 1500sqft with dozens of ways to make Sawdust   Rc Totally agree with you! I have my Kapex set up to sit on the MFT/3 Kapex table with the UG wings, and use my MFT/3 tables as further outside support as needed. I prefer the table as I feel it's a little more portable, and certainly easier for the way I have my van set up. That being said (and I think we're both saying the same thing here), is that I feel the Kapex is a bit overkill for many cross cutting applications where the Erika would serve just as well, with the added benefit of being able to make rip cuts. Rather than tearing down the Kapex, I think we're simply identifying what it does best, and where it's abilities and that of the Erika overlap. |
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Post by wrightwoodwork on Dec 28, 2014 8:56:48 GMT -5
Here is a couple of pics of the two types of 1m guide fence extension rails Attachments:
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Post by MrToolJunkie on Dec 29, 2014 1:13:42 GMT -5
Good thread. I like reading about Erika options and opinions. It seems like a very capable saw. Would love to have one in my shop. I wish I had 1,500 square feet - that would be awesome!
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questa
Junior Member
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Post by questa on Dec 30, 2014 17:00:03 GMT -5
hmm I did not realize the differences in the two 1m extension rails. I have the 1M for the MFA and it works fine on the universal.
I do have all three but if David gives an option to upgrade from universal to MFA with just cost difference I would go that way and put the savings into the sliding table. The rip fence is great. The wheels really come in handy. I am going to order a couple of extra brackets for the sliding table so I can build an outfeed table that will attach via the rear dovetail. Robert Hickman has posted some photos of his someone on this site.
All in all if you get the erika you will eventually buy most of the extras. Its is very quick and easy to change the configurations to your needs, even the slider can come off and back on in just a few minutes, but it is usually on.
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Post by jalvis on Jan 3, 2015 13:01:31 GMT -5
Good thread. I like reading about Erika options and opinions. It seems like a very capable saw. Would love to have one in my shop. I wish I had 1,500 square feet - that would be awesome! Then you have 1,500 square feet and need 3,000. It never ends. Its like tools. All I need is the Erika. Oh...now I need the DD40.....Now I need........ |
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Post by wrightwoodwork on Jan 3, 2015 19:14:11 GMT -5
More space more junk. Still extra space is nice
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Post by MrToolJunkie on Jan 4, 2015 0:59:24 GMT -5
So true...but, it is nice to dream and have more space to work and put stuff, LOL.
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Post by Knight Woodworks on Jan 8, 2015 20:16:51 GMT -5
Hey Tom,
Did you hear from TW regarding swopping fences? Inquiring minds want to know.
John
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Post by Tom Gensmer on Jan 8, 2015 21:12:25 GMT -5
Hey Tom, Did you hear from TW regarding swopping fences? Inquiring minds want to know. John Hi John!! Alas, no word from TW yet, I wonder if Mafell is back to work from their Holiday? I have a Metabo shroud on order from Germany and apparently Metabo doesn't come back online until the 10th, so I suspect Mafell may be similar. If I don't hear back from TW by next Wednesday (January 14) I'll ping them again. I agree though, I'm anxious for an answer as well!!  |
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Post by Knight Woodworks on Jan 9, 2015 8:53:34 GMT -5
Thanks Tom
John
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Post by Tom Gensmer on Jan 14, 2015 22:14:59 GMT -5
I spoke with Jeff at Timberwolf today, it sounds like Mafell will only ship the Erika 70 with the Universal Fence. Bummer, but from what I've heard the Universal fence certainly isn't chopped liver, and I'm sure it will suffice while I save up for an MFA...
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R cash
Junior Member
Posts: 73
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Post by R cash on Jan 15, 2015 2:03:05 GMT -5
I was using the universal fence last week as well as the rip fence swapping them was a no fuss slide on slide off.
The universal fence is really solid with very positive indents on protractor angle more like stiff almost.
I would give both fences a a+ for build an quality .
Rc
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Post by Knight Woodworks on Jan 16, 2015 10:48:00 GMT -5
Tom
Thanks for the update.
John
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Post by erik on Feb 16, 2015 21:26:51 GMT -5
Hey guys,
Just a quick update on the Erika and the fences. So, I was of the same mindset, thinking the MFA was the only fence I needed and I could reallocate any savings to other more needed accessories. After using the saw last night I changed my mind.
When purchasing, I asked about swapping the MFA for the Universal and, like mentioned earlier, was told that was not an option so instead of purchasing the extension rails and the ripping fence I purchased the slider, 2 extension guides and a clamping piece for ripping. The clamping piece is small but important item.
When ripping narrow strips with the fence and guide extension, I slip the clamping piece on the end of the guide and firmly secure it to the end of the table ensuring no deflection. When ripping larger widths, 12" plus, I set up the slider, secure it to the rail with a tension knob outfitted underneath the table and set up a fence and extension guide to the restrained table. Granted, I have never used the rip fence, so I can not speak to its performance and how it compares to my set up, but I guessing it is quicker and more accurate. So, if its 64ths or even 32nds you're looking to quickly achieve on rips, I would suggest talking with someone familiar with the rip fence but given some time, I'm confident I'll achieve desirable results with this set up and I'll figure a way to arrange it in a more attractive time-frame.
Now for the kicker, I was switching back and forth from ripping and cross cutting on the slider to ripping on the table and was glad I had two fences, MFA and Uni, and two extension guides, which meant I could keep both set ups on the Erika without having to swap one back and forth. What a pleasure. And if I were to reorder, the only change I would make at this point is I would asked for two clamping accessorizes.
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Post by Knight Woodworks on Feb 17, 2015 17:47:07 GMT -5
Eric
Thanks for the update on your Erika, glad you're happy with your system. One of the things that has struck me about the Erika is how amenable it appears to be to having both rip and cross cut functions, simultaneously, with two fences in place.
John
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