questa
Junior Member
Posts: 62 
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Post by questa on Mar 17, 2014 19:00:13 GMT -5
Well fedex arrived with my Erika 70 today. I ordered the MFA and sliding table with an extension. Managed to get it set up and calibrated. Now have to re-read the manuals to see if I glossed over anything.  |
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Post by jonathan on Mar 17, 2014 19:26:03 GMT -5
Congrats on the new purchase. Should put smiles on your face for many years to come  I think I speak for everyone, when I say we look forward to your findings/impressions. |
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Post by wrightwoodwork on Mar 18, 2014 1:18:37 GMT -5
Yeah congrats as well ,like Jonathan says it should put a smile on your face when using. I still keep getting a smile with mine
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Post by jalvis on Mar 18, 2014 9:58:27 GMT -5
New gear always feels like a step forward. This is a big step forward.
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Post by woodie on Mar 18, 2014 22:00:52 GMT -5
Oh man, so jealous!
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questa
Junior Member
Posts: 62
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Post by questa on Mar 19, 2014 11:49:06 GMT -5
Some very quick impressions as only played with it a bit. Keep in mind I am not a pro, just renovating a second house in Arizona and soon another in New Mexico for retirement.
1)Expensive, no way around it but I wanted portable and a slider.
2)Set up was pretty painless
3)A lot of ways to re-arrange the fences to accomplish a task, eventually I will have to get the extensions and extension plate to give even more options. I have seen a number of photos that Robert Hickman has here or on woodworking .de that have given me ides, thanks Robert.
4)I dont think I will try to break down full sheets like wright has done, still use the track saw to get a manageable size. May try if I get the extentions and good outfeed but I still dont like wresting large sheets, I am not as young as wright.
5)Ripping felt very safe
6)I put together a wall cabinet for the garage using some scrap laying around and it went very quick and MORE accurate as compared to using the track saw/mft/parallel guides etc
7) I hate my old TS now.
Only downsides is I dont have the dust collection set up correctly yet and need to get some adapters, and I also and not crazy over the stock blade. The 225mm size seems impossible to find in the states and would prefer to not drop down to the 210, I see forrest carries a 220MM with a 30mm arbor so might try that.
So for any pros on the fence that are mobile, the Erika looks like it should save you time and money in the long run, I did not save money but it should make my projects much easier and I feel a heck of a lot safer.
Still have to figure out the best mechanics for pushing vs pulling.
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Post by wrightwoodwork on Mar 19, 2014 17:14:58 GMT -5
Yeah the 225mm blade size is properly the only down side. I have found leitz do a 225 blades, also some festool blades, titman saw blades they specialise in router cutters and dart but have heard are poor Chinese quality. If using 220 blade then you only loose 2.5mm
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questa
Junior Member
Posts: 62
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Post by questa on Mar 26, 2014 13:56:18 GMT -5
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Post by r cash on May 15, 2014 18:14:32 GMT -5
My first impressions of my Erika . I have only had it onsite a few times . Very strong motor large cuts no problem ease of use excellent just a little heavy .
I really like the stability and lack of vibrations make it a real joy to use.
Only draw back is price....... .... .. Hope it last 25 yrs or more
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Post by woodster on May 16, 2014 16:30:33 GMT -5
love mine, still getting used to it as only had it 3 weeks, but always makes me smile when I use it (daily), pretty much like having a mobile workshop for me, just set it up in a morning on site and work it all day. I agree it is a little heavy but that helps with stability, I have a couple of the festool equivalents and when ripping I tend to push the machine round the room which is slightly worrying!
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Post by GhostFist on May 16, 2014 19:21:51 GMT -5
I'm liking what I hear about the Erika.
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Post by MrToolJunkie on May 17, 2014 1:39:02 GMT -5
Seems like a great saw. The portability factor would be nice.
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Post by MrToolJunkie on May 19, 2014 19:44:44 GMT -5
Just curious why folks have opted for the 70 verses 85...the larger one is only 6 pounds or so heavier. Maybe only in 220V?
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questa
Junior Member
Posts: 62
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Post by questa on May 19, 2014 19:53:43 GMT -5
Well, I ordered the extension rails, plate and another 1M guide rail and the rip fence. Reviewing all the other tools in here gave me some pause as they all look so well made and have rave reviews. In the end I thought the money would be better spent on fully utilizing the Erika. As wright mentioned in another post the guide rail with drop stop is dead on and has improved my accuracy tremendously. I am also seeing where I am using some of my other tools far less, so much so I could consider selling off some, but as soon as I did I would then need it!.
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Post by MrToolJunkie on May 19, 2014 19:56:39 GMT -5
Well, I ordered the extension rails, plate and another 1M guide rail and the rip fence. Reviewing all the other tools in here gave me some pause as they all look so well made and have rave reviews. In the end I thought the money would be better spent on fully utilizing the Erika. As wright mentioned in another post the guide rail with drop stop is dead on and has improved my accuracy tremendously. I am also seeing where I am using some of my other tools far less, so much so I could consider selling off some, but as soon as I did I would then need it!. Awesome! Just curious what made you decide on the 70? |
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