I was thinking of Byrnes saw before the owner's death. Each time I calculated a total price my eagerness would vanish. I ended up buying a Proxxon FET. Proxxon has very bad fence which requires modifications to work as intended. I did this mod work and now am very happy with it. I learned that to get a proper cut on any table saw you must have: 1) good saw blades. Best ones I use now are not Proxxon. 2) learn table saw cutting techniques; 3) get some experience. All these do not require possession of Byrnes saw.
I have four table saws: 1) A Harbor Freight piece of junk micro-saw, 2) A King-Seely/Craftsman 8" table saw, 3) A 5hp 10" Delta Unisaw cabinet saw, and 4) a Byrnes Model Machines 4" table saw with the micrometer fence adjustment and the sliding table accessory. I can attest that all you say about using a table saw is accurate. To infer, however, that lower priced table saws will make "a proper cut" as conveniently or consistently within tolerances or be as well-built and long-lasting as a Byrnes saw would not be accurate. A Byrnes saw is accurate to .001" right out of the box without fettling or modifications and it will keep within those tolerances reliably. The Byrnes saw will also be much more powerful and capable of cutting the hard woods, metals, and plastics encountered in modeling ships. The only plastic part on a Byrnes saw is the spud for the sawdust vacuum hose. It's up to the buyer to determine whether the "top shelf" price of a Byrnes saw (or other Model Machines product) is justifiable for their purposes. This is sort of like deciding whether the additional money for a Mercedes-Benz instead of a Chevrolet is worth it to you. Everybody's mileage will vary.
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It has been said elsewhere on this forum that 90 percent of ship models are built from kits. Good, and some not so good, ship model kits have always been expensive. Today, it’s not unusual for a kit to cost from $500-$1000 and some are priced at $1500.
By comparison, a $800 Byrnes saw is not such a bad buy as it will last a lifetime. I have had mine for over 20 years and it’s still cutting. I have NO purchased accessories other than the $15 thin rip guide purchased from the NRG. Others including a sled I have made myself.
Roger
By comparison, a $800 Byrnes saw is not such a bad buy as it will last a lifetime. I have had mine for over 20 years and it’s still cutting. I have NO purchased accessories other than the $15 thin rip guide purchased from the NRG. Others including a sled I have made myself.
Roger
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In Europe the modelbuilders mostly use the Proxxon. I got the FSK version and I'm happy with it. The Fet seems to be better. But I did some modifications on mine and it does the job. Actualy very accurate after the mod. The FET is better like I said. It also looks that the FSK is sell by Micro-Mark. Just in black plastic not green. It's the same machine.
I'm making this upgrade
and I'm almost done.
I'm making this upgrade
Not withstanding the shipping costs to Europe and the exact status of the availability of the Byrnes why would anyone purchase something that would require modifications to make it useful.
The one major downfall of the Byrnes in my humble opinion, is the lack of angle cutting ability. Yes, I know there is an angle cutting accessory for the Byrnes however, I find it to be very cumbersome to use.
As one who owns the Byrnes saw with every attachment available including the extended table I wouldn't sell mine if someone offered $10,000 for it. That goes for the three other Byrnes machines which I own. They will certainly outlast my lifetime.
The one major downfall of the Byrnes in my humble opinion, is the lack of angle cutting ability. Yes, I know there is an angle cutting accessory for the Byrnes however, I find it to be very cumbersome to use.
As one who owns the Byrnes saw with every attachment available including the extended table I wouldn't sell mine if someone offered $10,000 for it. That goes for the three other Byrnes machines which I own. They will certainly outlast my lifetime.
I have a Proxxon and a Byrnes table saw. The Proxxon is a cheap plastic construction and not anything near the quality of the Byrnes.
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It is not necessary to do, the saw cuts perfect without. It just takes a little longer to adjust properly. The proxxon and the older fsk/micromark can cut under an angle.
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The housing is plastic, but the saw table and the attachment of the sam, motor and all turning parts are metal. The plastic isn't cheap but strong enough to hold everything. The byrnes is maybe all metal. But the price is to it. When I look to a table saw like Festool, the housing is also plastic.
Can anyone point to an information source for the mod that appears to be needed for the Porxxon table saw??
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
This is what I did.
How I fixed the ripping fence of Proxxon FET table saw
Since I purchased this saw I immediately noticed a huge problem with a ripping fence. This saw is sold with notion that it has a micrometer adjustment for a distance between the cutting blade and the ripping fence. It appeared to be a non functional feature in the saw I got.
shipsofscale.com
Many thanks for posting the Proxxon saw info
I've been researching these saws for years. The Proxxon FET is a fine saw. The only thing that comes close and yes better is the Byrnes. I'm still struggling with the smaller Proxxon. Its fine for very small parts, very small and balsa. The blades even the carbide tipped from Proxxon don't last, Remember we're cutting hard woods usually. Big difference than pine. Actually if you're not scratch building a band saw would fit the bill just fine. I'm going to get one because the mini table saws that are any good aren't cheap. Anything else Ill use the 8" if I have to. JMO
By the way. Guys. This micro-mark model looks exactly as Proxxon FET but had a ripping fence with no seeming problems as Proxxon saw has. Fence looks simple and reliable. Does anyone owns this model? Could they share their opinions about this model. If I did not own a Proxxon FET I would probably took a risk buying this saw. Today it is also much less expensive to Proxxon.
Do not forget the Proxxon FET and this model of micro-mark saw they have tilting saw feature which Byrnes do not have.
Yeah, yeah, I know Byrnes has some expensive attachment to do tilted cuts.
micromark.com
Do not forget the Proxxon FET and this model of micro-mark saw they have tilting saw feature which Byrnes do not have.
Yeah, yeah, I know Byrnes has some expensive attachment to do tilted cuts.
MicroLux® Mini Tilt Arbor Table Saw, Make Precise & Consistent Cuts
The World's Best Hobby Size Table Saw with Features and Precision You Need! Mobile, easy to set up and break down - over 30,000 sold. Variable speed saw cuts wood, plastic, and metal, plus tile, stone and more with appropriate blade and numerous accessories available.
micromark.com
By the way. Guys. This micro-mark model looks exactly as Proxxon FET but had a ripping fence with no seeming problems as Proxxon saw has. Fence looks simple and reliable. Does anyone owns this model? Could they share their opinions about this model. If I did not own a Proxxon FET I would probably took a risk buying this saw. Today it is also much less expensive to Proxxon.
Do not forget the Proxxon FET and this model of micro-mark saw they have tilting saw feature which Byrnes do not have.
Yeah, yeah, I know Byrnes has some expensive attachment to do tilted cuts.
MicroLux® Mini Tilt Arbor Table Saw, Make Precise & Consistent Cuts
The World's Best Hobby Size Table Saw with Features and Precision You Need! Mobile, easy to set up and break down - over 30,000 sold. Variable speed saw cuts wood, plastic, and metal, plus tile, stone and more with appropriate blade and numerous accessories available.
G'day YT, I had the Proxon Version which is Identical, great saw, when I bought the proxxon saw I went to Micro Marc and also bought the this fence for it,
This fence locks at both ends and has a sliding scale to allow to adjust for the widths of cuts, The saw has I said is identical to the Proxxon ,
hope this helps you,
best regards John.
Thanks, neptune. This fence is "temporarily out of stock" at micro-mark site which normally means forever. Can you clarify? Do you own a Proxxon FET or a Micro-Mark which looks like ProxxoneFet?
For any of the Aussie builders here is a great starter package, I have the table saw, AUD 299 plus shipping,
and I am very happy with it,
but they also have a combo deal, for AUD 350, plus shipping,
https://www.ausee.com.au/products/h...saw-bundle?_pos=1&_psq=table+saw&_ss=e&_v=1.0
Hyuda Delux Mini Table Saw 200w Ausee Machines& Tools
This smooth running, well equipped, mini table saw is a must have for the serious hobbyist. It is nicely presented and complemented by an excellent manual.The saw cuts square and straight, guided by a neat digital fence, with extension. The table is extendable for extra support on wider pieces...
www.ausee.com.au
and I am very happy with it,
but they also have a combo deal, for AUD 350, plus shipping,
https://www.ausee.com.au/products/h...saw-bundle?_pos=1&_psq=table+saw&_ss=e&_v=1.0
I did have a Proxxon exactly like the Micro Mark one which has the variable speed control,
best regards John,