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Byrnes Model Machines up and Running?

C

Classicalwoodwork

Joined
Dec 12, 2023
Messages
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Hello all,
Ken Askildsen from South Salem, NY here.
I’m humbled to have membership in this amazing forum of incredible talent!
I have a question if anyone can help; I understand that Byrnes Model Machines is back, up and running! Does anyone know if the machines are still the same design and overall quality?
I’m hoping everything remains the same and to place an order! Thanks!
 
Yes, they are. Most of the individual parts are made by contractors and the machine itself is assembled in house, so the machine you are getting now should be almost exactly the same machine Jim designed.
 
Are you sure? The website hasn’t changed. I sent an email asking about the possibility of getting a thickness sander and got no reply.
 
Byrnes Model Machines had an option for an 18" extended table for their 4" table saw, the default is 12", which I bought. If you had a 12" saw and then wanted to upgrade to the 18" table, you would have to send your saw to them and they would retro fit the new table. About a month ago, I emailed Donna Byrnes and asked here if the service was still available and if it was not was there a possibility for them to sell me the larger table, which I would then retro fit myself. I have not heard back from her and historically, she has responded to my emails within a few days.
Since Jim passed, and not knowing the future of their business, I made the decision, to stock up on replacement parts for all of their machines I own, (all but the Rope Walk).
I will try to contact Donna again, but I see no indication that they are back selling any of the power tools. Has anyone actually purchased one of their power tool, not parts, since Jim passed?

Thanks.
 
I bought a thickness Sander end of January .... and the 18" table two weeks before :-) It's still at my brother in NY though :-D

Dirk
 
maguro said:
Are you sure? The website hasn’t changed. I sent an email asking about the possibility of getting a thickness sander and got no reply.
Click to expand...
Yes, right now they are doing phone calls and email only. Be patient, it might take a few days for Dianne to reply.
 
Hoss6262 said:
Byrnes Model Machines had an option for an 18" extended table for their 4" table saw, the default is 12", which I bought. If you had a 12" saw and then wanted to upgrade to the 18" table, you would have to send your saw to them and they would retro fit the new table. About a month ago, I emailed Donna Byrnes and asked here if the service was still available and if it was not was there a possibility for them to sell me the larger table, which I would then retro fit myself. I have not heard back from her and historically, she has responded to my emails within a few days.
Since Jim passed, and not knowing the future of their business, I made the decision, to stock up on replacement parts for all of their machines I own, (all but the Rope Walk).
I will try to contact Donna again, but I see no indication that they are back selling any of the power tools. Has anyone actually purchased one of their power tool, not parts, since Jim passed?

Thanks.
Click to expand...
I bought a thickness sander in January. It's a thing of beauty.
 
I don't know what to believe as when I visit the website it clearly shows the following:

That they are not accepting orders for the "machines" but will continue to stock & ship accessories.
The 18" table saw extension is available upon special request and not from the website.

I wrote to them several months ago and have yet to receive a reply.
I'd like to order the table saw - but I fear that the opportunity to order a new one may never come to pass.
Unfortunately, I came upon this forum only a couple months prior to Jim's passing and didn't even learn about this equipment being available until many months later. Thus I was really late to the party.

I guess I'll have to look around on the secondary market or just order a cheapo table saw from eBay.

The one question I have which I haven't seen the answer to yet is: What were his table saws being sold for new prior to his passing?
I've seen, what I consider wild prices for a new one within the last few months on this site that people reported paying or being offered for.
Thus the reason for the question.

1742064471515.png

1742064696031.png
 
Allegheny said:
I don't know what to believe as when I visit the website it clearly shows the following:

That they are not accepting orders for the "machines" but will continue to stock & ship accessories.
The 18" table saw extension is available upon special request and not from the website.

I wrote to them several months ago and have yet to receive a reply.
I'd like to order the table saw - but I fear that the opportunity to order a new one may never come to pass.
Unfortunately, I came upon this forum only a couple months prior to Jim's passing and didn't even learn about this equipment being available until many months later. Thus I was really late to the party.

I guess I'll have to look around on the secondary market or just order a cheapo table saw from eBay.

The one question I have which I haven't seen the answer to yet is: What were his table saws being sold for new prior to his passing?
I've seen, what I consider wild prices for a new one within the last few months on this site that people reported paying or being offered for.
Thus the reason for the question.

View attachment 507540

View attachment 507541
Click to expand...
If you want one of their tools, call the phone number on the web site. :)
 
Thanks everyone for your responses. After I posted, I visited their website and saw the unique email for the 18" table extension I was looking for and remarkably, Donna responded to it in a matter of hours. She also confirmed what others have, phone and email orders. It seems they are in need of a website developer. :)

My table extension will be on the way shortly.:p
 
Correct! Call the telephone number on the website. I have no idea whether Donna, who was always very knowledgeable about the business, since she ran the office while Jim ran the shop, is aware that so many people are getting the wrong impression from the website.
 
I e contacted Donna by phone and email in the ast 45 days. Im looking for an excuse to buy the table saw. I have a well equipped hobby woodworking shop including full size table saw. I dont see my self scratch building?
 
bowwild said:
Im looking for an excuse to buy the table saw.
Click to expand...
Excuse?

You don't own one. The best humans own one ROTF.

In truth I use my disc sander 100x for each use of the Byrnes table saw. And I use the thickness sander 50x for each use of the table saw. And I use my mini-mill 25x for each use of the table saw. But when I need the table saw it gives me great joy. What a nicely designed and constructed machine! But when you price it realize you're going to want a bunch of the accessories.
 
dockattner said:
Excuse?

You don't own one. The best humans own one ROTF.

In truth I use my disc sander 100x for each use of the Byrnes table saw. And I use the thickness sander 50x for each use of the table saw. And I use my mini-mill 25x for each use of the table saw. But when I need the table saw it gives me great joy. What a nicely designed and constructed machine! But when you price it realize you're going to want a bunch of the accessories.
Click to expand...
Hey Doc! I recently got an ultimation manual disc sander and it’s been a game changer and have been considering getting more equipment. By your comment I understand you’d recommend more getting the thickness sander or mini mill before the table saw am I right? For the thickness sander I guess the best option is Byrnes but for the mini mill is there one you would personally recommend ?
 
miguel92gom said:
Hey Doc! I recently got an ultimation manual disc sander and it’s been a game changer and have been considering getting more equipment. By your comment I understand you’d recommend more getting the thickness sander or mini mill before the table saw am I right? For the thickness sander I guess the best option is Byrnes but for the mini mill is there one you would personally recommend ?
Click to expand...
If you are going to scratch build or customize (upgrade) the materials provided in a kit, then having the ability to precisely create boards/panels/strakes of a custom thickness is essential. I have the Byrnes thickness sander and it is perfect. The adjustment wheel is a simple mechanism that can be used to dial in thickness to about a tenth of a mm. I have seen home-made versions of thickness sanders as well - but making machines is not an enjoyable way for me to spend my limited hobby time.

I have the small Proxxon mill (MF 70). This is merely an OK machine. It works but only with smaller milling heads (3mm shaft). There is also play in the screw system that adjusts the Z axis (depth of cut) as well as play in the X-Y screw system on the milling table. I installed thrust 'washers' on the table but haven't done that yet on the Z axis. It also lacks any digital readouts, so I often find myself taking my best guess and eyeballing stuff. With all that said - I am unaware of a better small version of a mill. Of course, there are larger machines that are designed for the precise tolerances a machinist requires but I haven't made that jump (and probably never will). At the end of the day, I feel like the MF 70 works for a hobbyist.

Hope this helps, Miguel.
 
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dockattner said:
If you are going to scratch build or customize (upgrade) the materials provided in a kit, then having the ability to precisely create boards/panels/strakes of a custom thickness is essential. I have the Byrnes thickness sander and it is perfect. The adjustment wheel is a simple mechanism that can be used to dial in thickness to about a tenth of a mm. I have seen home-made versions of thickness sanders as well - but making machines is not an enjoyable way for me to spend my limited hobby time.

I have the small Proxxon mill (MF 70). This is merely an OK machine. It works but only with smaller milling heads (3mm shaft). There is also play in the screw system that adjusts the Z axis (depth of cut) as well as play in the X-Y screw system on the milling table. I installed thrust 'washers' on the table but haven't done that yet on the Z axis. It also lacks any digital readouts, so I often find myself taking my best guess and eyeballing stuff. With all that said - I am unaware of a better small version of a mill. Of course, there are larger machines that are designed for the precise tolerances a machinist requires but I haven't made that jump (and probably never will). At the end of the day, I feel like the MF 70 works for a hobbyist.

Hope this helps, Miguel.
Click to expand...
Thanks Doc. That’s very helpful indeed. I really appreciate the explanation. Now I feel even more inclined into buying the thickness sander but will have to check with my wallet first. Hopefully it won’t be too long until I can show it off here.
 
Iam looking for a Byrnes Luthier Thickness sander and Optional Tilt table, do You have this equip on stock?
 
Salvador said:
Iam looking for a Byrnes Luthier Thickness sander and Optional Tilt table, do You have this equip on stock?
Click to expand...
As noted before, their website is apparently out of date and in need of an upgrade. Phone the number on the website and order by phone. I expect they should have these items in stock, but calling and asking is the only way to know for sure.
 
I talked to them two days ago. Accessories for saw are available and the saws themselves in couple of weeks. They are waiting on motors. No other machines available at this time.
 
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