Replies

1. 
   ring | Dec 13, 2006 08:50am | #1

   Maggi is an Italian company known primarily for power feeders. I've never come across a Maggi slider. It might be a fine machine, but the fact that it's unusual might already pose questions as to whether it's wise. A used machine might very well need parts. Are you sure you can get them?

   David Ring

   http://www.touchwood.co.il/?id=1&lang=e

1. 
   wouldguy | Dec 13, 2006 10:10am | #2

   Hi David,

   Thanks for the post, that is a great point.  For some odd reason that hadn't even crossed my mind about parts availability.

   Shaun

2. 
   RickL | Dec 13, 2006 08:13pm | #3

   You will not always find everything on the web in general. Maggi never made saws but they did put their name on a saw made by Griggio which is another Italian company. They don't have as strong a presence in the states these days and it's usually guicker to have the part made in a machine shop or whatever you can come up with. We have a 4' Griggio slider we keep it running but we have metal working, machinist skills to draw from. We even make our own machines from time to time.

1. 
   wouldguy | Dec 13, 2006 08:51pm | #4

   Thanks Rick,

   Metal working skills is something I do not possess.  It sounds like part for this thing could be a real problem.

   Shaun

1. 
   RickL | Dec 13, 2006 09:32pm | #5

   Buying used is not for everyone. Any tool has the potential to become a boat anchor. Look for a machine that has been around for sometime and check for parts and service availability. You might pay more but it will be cheaper in the long run. Some newer machines can be as much trouble to keep running as a 50 year old machine. Knowing how to do metal work is a very liberating thing for woodworking. Brass can be worked with most of the same tools found in a woodshop so I can make all kinds of special hardware I couldn't buy anywhere.

2. 
   sapwood | Dec 14, 2006 04:44am | #6

   On the other hand..... what part, besides bearings, might break and need replacement? Nothing has ever broken on my Unisaw and its a piece of nothing compared to a high end euro slider. If this saw is a good buy and appears to be in good shape, why not......?

1. 
   wouldguy | Dec 14, 2006 04:49am | #7

   Good point,

   I new to the cabinet/woodworking side of things so am somewhat ignorant of how the tools perform.

   Shaun

2. 
   ring | Dec 14, 2006 08:49am | #8

   Sapwood,If an industrial slider has been used heavily it might need any number of things, not just motor bearings. The slide mechanism has to work perfectly smoothly with no free-play at all. Even suppoprting a full panel the carriage has to not sag in the slightest. Also simple things like the stops on the crosscut fence - if they have any free play they need to be replaced. Seemingly insignificant parts but if they're not just right then you've lost the joy and advantage of having a slider.David Ring

   http://www.touchwood.co.il/?id=1&lang=e

3. 
   RickL | Dec 14, 2006 04:02pm | #10

   You'd be surprised how such a simple thing as a metric belt can be a daunting task for the novice. There's a lot more going on in the sliding table than most folks realize. Replacement parts if OEM is  available can be quite expensive. The simple aluminum extruded fence on our Grizzzly slider was going to cost $800 and take several months to get. The previous owner and some of our own guys in our shop had run the fence into the blade several times. One option was to adapt a Paolini  saw extrusion to the saw at a cost of $300 and some tinkering. Ultimately I double sticky taped a piece of 1/16" hard aluminum to reface the fence.

1. 
   sapwood | Dec 14, 2006 09:45pm | #11

   All good points about maintaining the machine and the potential difficulty of getting parts. I guess that I presume that an individual who is looking for a serious saw would possess the inherent ability to puzzle out a solution. That's the way I am and I can't conceive of anyone going into a small business for themselves without that ability. Nevertheless if the saw in question has good bones, it may be a worthwhile purchase.

3. 
   PeteDraganic | Dec 14, 2006 09:02am | #9

   Thanks to both of you for the compliments...

   I don't have any pics charting my progress.. One of my biggest weaknesses is taking enough pics along the way of any project.

   I just put the first coat on the big stuff tonight.  Should be ready for a nice second and third coat tomorrow.

   http://www.petedraganic.com/

1. 
   Mumda | Dec 14, 2006 11:22pm | #12

   What you talkin' 'bout Willis?