|
Post by holmz on Sept 23, 2015 15:41:05 GMT -5
The smaller gear just shows up the post office. Does one need a customs agent for an Erika?
And what sort of extra gear is required?
|
|
|
Post by lincoln on Sept 23, 2015 19:08:30 GMT -5
I don't think you need a customs agent, but you will get a phone call demanding a customs charge payment before they will release the pallet for delivery. I'm sure Tobias could help with customs related questions.
|
|
|
Post by rizzoa13 on Sept 24, 2015 6:01:44 GMT -5
I ordered from Tobias and needed a customs agent for my saw. It was a nightmare seriously. D.B. Schenker was the shipper he used and they asked if it was personal or business related. I said personal because it was the most accurate description, even though I have a carpentry business. They then sent me around to find a customs agent and after a week i told them to do whatever it took to get me the damn thing. So i ended up running it through the business but had to fill out an assload of paperwork and find my own harmonized tariff code.
Just warning you because I did this about a month ago and it was annoying enough that I wanted to run someone over with my truck.
|
|
|
Post by checkmax on Sept 24, 2015 7:38:45 GMT -5
I ordered from Tobias and needed a customs agent for my saw. It was a nightmare seriously. D.B. Schenker was the shipper he used and they asked if it was personal or business related. I said personal because it was the most accurate description, even though I have a carpentry business. They then sent me around to find a customs agent and after a week i told them to do whatever it took to get me the damn thing. So i ended up running it through the business but had to fill out an assload of paperwork and find my own harmonized tariff code. Just warning you because I did this about a month ago and it was annoying enough that I wanted to run someone over with my truck. What country are you in?
|
|
|
Post by Tom Gensmer on Sept 24, 2015 11:54:51 GMT -5
When I was exploring the idea of importing an Erika I ran into the same issue of needing to track down a customs agent. Even though buying domestically cost more, it saved me the time and headache of the customs process. For what it's worth, I've imported small tools through Tobias with no issues, but the Erika seemed like a different animal, perhaps because it may be considered freight versus a parcel?
|
|
|
Post by rizzoa13 on Sept 24, 2015 16:25:16 GMT -5
Like a typical American I just figured EVERYONE lives in the United States.... How self centered of me. Sorry Holmz I knew you live in Australia and it didn't even register with me. If you can get away without needing a customs agent then it'll be an awesome experience for you. The saw itself has been an unreal change to the quality of my site work and I'm still just getting the hang of it.
Word of warning the 85 is cumbersome to move up and down stairs as one person. If you can just roll it out of a trailer and go to work it's perfect but if you work in high rises plan on having help moving it up and down. I need to put some larger wheels on it that reminds me.
|
|
|
Post by holmz on Sept 24, 2015 16:53:01 GMT -5
Still good info Rizzo as my daughters are there and I was not sure about US importation.
I used to have a craftsman table saw that was my fathers. I ended up putting on an aluminum/aluminium insert on one of the wings for a large router.
While the track saw does a lot, I think that the table saw would come in handy, and I hardly need a chop saw or Kapex with a pull saw. I know I want it - just not 100 sure I need it.
|
|
|
Post by Tom Gensmer on Sept 24, 2015 18:19:54 GMT -5
Holmz, I just received my Erika 70 this week. What a machine!!! It is my intention to rely primarily on a combination of KSS-400 and Erika 70 for the majority of my on-site cutting needs. My MT-55cc will appear when needed to break down cabinet-grade plywood, and my Kapex will live a more stately life in my warehouse, making job site appearances when I have crown moulding or lots of millwork to install. Otherwise, small pieces will get cut on the Erika 70, larger pieces will be processed by the KSS-400.
|
|
|
Post by rizzoa13 on Sept 24, 2015 19:07:27 GMT -5
That's pretty much where i see the Erika it's been my go to and i only really stray from it when its more convenient to use another tool. If I need to cut something to rough length ill use whatever's around. If I'm doing 16' lengths it's the kapex. If its crown,my kapex but ANY time i need to trim something in and i want the joint to be tight I go to the Erika. Its rediculous how small of a shaving you can take off with this machine and thats really been where my work has gotten the biggest boost. For some reason it's just really comfortable to use when taking the smallest shaving off.
You might not see a "need" for it now but you'll seriously wonder what you did before it.
P.s. Don't be discouraged with the learning curve i was kind of pissed when i first got it but it took me a few days to get used to it.
|
|
|
Post by holmz on Sept 24, 2015 19:13:39 GMT -5
... P.s. Don't be discouraged with the learning curve i was kind of pissed when i first got it but it took me a few days to get used to it. You presume I am not always pissed off.
|
|
|
Post by aas on Sept 25, 2015 1:29:40 GMT -5
Word of warning the 85 is cumbersome to move up and down stairs as one person. If you can just roll it out of a trailer and go to work it's perfect but if you work in high rises plan on having help moving it up and down. I need to put some larger wheels on it that reminds me. Does anyone know, is the difference in weight noticeable between the 85 and 70... this is the one thing that could sway me towards a 70.
|
|
|
Post by jonathan on Sept 25, 2015 1:30:32 GMT -5
I look forward to your review Tom. One of the best things about the Erika is how easy and fast it is to deploy the legs. And more importantly, how stable it is for a portable saw. That little foot pedal thingy is a work of genious if you ask me.
|
|
|
Post by Tom Gensmer on Sept 25, 2015 7:48:08 GMT -5
Word of warning the 85 is cumbersome to move up and down stairs as one person. If you can just roll it out of a trailer and go to work it's perfect but if you work in high rises plan on having help moving it up and down. I need to put some larger wheels on it that reminds me. Does anyone know, is the difference in weight noticeable between the 85 and 70... this is the one thing that could sway me towards a 70. I am 6'2" tall, ~200 lbs and reasonably athletic, and while the Erika 70 definitely isn't light, I feel comfortable carrying it around. The Erika 85 is another 5 lbs heavier and ~6" longer. I do not know where the tipping point is where the saw would become overly cumbersome to move around. To some extent, I suppose it depends on how mobile you need it to be. I plan on carrying my 70 into customers basements and up flights of stairs, so I personally wouldn't want it to be much bigger. That being said, if you are mostly moving it around ground level (vehicle to driveway/garage and back again), you can probably get away with a larger saw.
|
|
|
Post by rizzoa13 on Sept 25, 2015 9:46:52 GMT -5
I'll clarify its not necessarily the weight of the 85 that isn't reasonable it's the shape and distribution of weight. I've got the sliding table attached and it wasn't nexessarily easy to get it to be perfectly flush with the table. It was my first time assembling the whole setup so maybe I'll review knocking it down into its pieces for transport.
With the sliding table on it it becomes too wide to get through most doors which is the real issue. I need practice breaking it down and setting it back up so don't be scared off by what I said. In comparison to my kapex though the Erika is annoying to move so take that for what it is. (The kapex is perfectly balanced and easy to maneuver)
|
|
|
Post by jonathan on Sept 25, 2015 10:25:14 GMT -5
rizzoa13, totally agree. The rail for the sliding table is a proper pain to set up when you first install it! I'm not exaggerating when I say it took me at least 4-5 hours to align it properly in all axis.
As we've become accustomed to from Mafell, the "instructions" aren't exactly elaborate... Once it's done though, it's done, and you should (in theory) be able to take the table and rail off for transport and re-mount them.
I can fully understand anyone who doesn't really want to just try it and find out
|
|