Replies

1. 
   SteveSchoene | Mar 28, 2007 04:26am | #1

   Basically it's in the precision.  I've never owned one, but in the situtation I saw, in a class, one person first used a basic machine "for alignment" in a glue up.  Results were marginally OK, but when the Lamello was used alignment really was improved significantly.  Sure this is a sample of one, but magazine tests always put Lamello on top as well. 

2. 
   HeavyDuty | Mar 28, 2007 04:44am | #2

   Yes, it's all about precision.  I began with a Ryobi and could never get consistent alignment for glue ups or face frames.  I then got a Dewalt and had the same issues.  I thought it was operator error.  I then read a FWW review about zero runout for the Lamello and significant runout on others that would cause alignment problems.

   So I invested in the Lamello Top 20 and am sure glad I did.  Alignment of pieces is perfect every time.  I have used over 500 biscuits since I got it and never had misalignment.  It also plunges so smoothly you can do it with one finger.  It has a number of accessories that help to keep it steady when working on narrow pieces.

   The step system is a dream to use.  You can raise or lower the blade in 0.1 mm increments up to 2.0 mm plus or minus.  I built some maple bathroom vanities recently where I wanted to offset the base from the carcase by 1/16".  I used the step system and was able to get perfect offsetting so easily.

   The Lamello Top 20 is worth the money.  I would buy it again and never look back at what I spent.  Attaching face frames and bases to carcases and aligning wide glue ups are a breeze, comes out perfect every time, not the case with the Ryobi or Dewalt.

3. 
   Steve50 | Mar 28, 2007 05:00am | #3

   I asked this question of Colonial Saw at the IWF about 5 years ago.  As I recall, the price is related to the milling accomplished on the base and fence attachment surfaces.  I had a PC 555 jointer and it was OK but had a lousy fence adjustment and was belt drive.  I sold it and purchased a Dewalt DW682 precisely 2 weeks before PC announced the 557 jointer.  It was much better than the PC that I had with an easy to adjust fence.  It had an inherent design problem with the biscuit slots not being parallel to the fence and base faces.  Needless to say, when the slot tilts one way on one piece and the opposite way on the adjoining piece, this causes problems.  I was never able to resolve the alignment issue.  The Dewalt also had a blockage point in the dust collection port that caused clogging particularly with oak.  It looks like it was put in place in the casting to preserve the fingers of those who have a desire to put non-wood things into the cutter. 

   I ended up purchasing the Lamello C2 at the show.  It has a much smoother plunge operation and the biscuit slots are perfectly parallel to the fence and base reference surfaces.  I am much happier with the Lamello than I was with either of the previous jointers.  The high cost was difficult to swallow initially but I have no regrets.  I use Knapp ready to assemble fasteners and with the Lamello, the fasteners connect much easier than they did when I used the Dewalt. 

   Steve

1. 
   wbfinewoodworking | Mar 28, 2007 05:36pm | #4

   I agree with all the above. It's a very well made machine and way out of my price range. If you have the money and need the best, it's the one you need.

   Edited 3/28/2007 10:37 am ET by basset-hound

2. 
   Troy | Mar 29, 2007 09:00pm | #8

   I had the same problem with the DW biscuit jointer and was able to align the blade which made a big improvement. I think there was a letter to the editor after the review that showed how to do this. As far as the blockage in the dust removal shute I think they put that in there to keep idiots from putting their fingers inside the machine while it is running. Anyway an ok machine but I will gladly trade you my DW for your lamello:) Troy

1. 
   Steve50 | Mar 30, 2007 01:31am | #10

   Glad you were able to align.  I must have missed that one but sold the DW about 2 years ago.  Hmmm?  Trade my Lamello for your DW?  I gave all of 2 nanoseconds thought to this and I must decline.  But must admit, it is the best offer I have had all day.

   I agree on the chute blockage.  I remember reading on a website somewhere about how folks were injuring themselves using a biscuit jointer.  I guess that DW felt a desire to keep the gene pool balanced.

   Steve

1. 
   Troy | Mar 30, 2007 01:51am | #11

   Did not think you would go for it but always worth a try:)Troy

4. 
   mike_b | Mar 28, 2007 07:51pm | #5

   <<What makes a lamello biscuit jointer so expensive??>>

   I'm surprised that Lamello pricing doesn't generate the kind of lively debate around here that the cost of Festool products does.

   
   

   ---

   Edited 3/28/2007 12:52 pm ET by Mike_B

1. 
   GW52 | Mar 28, 2007 11:14pm | #6

   What about SAW STOP

1. 
   mike_b | Mar 29, 2007 12:37am | #7

   <<What about SAW STOP>>I don't know -- I've seen some pretty spirited Saw Stop dicussions here on Knots.

5. 
   nikkiwood | Mar 29, 2007 11:40pm | #9

   Why is a Lamello worth so much?

   It's the old story.

   First you buy the original PC; piece of crap, give it away.

   Then you buy Dewalt; not a piece of crap, but enough alignment problems that you're always cussin'.

   Then you buy the new PC model; better than the Dewalt, but still leaves a lot to be desired.

   At this point, I have bought 3 different machines, still have two that are only marginally acceptable.

   If I had bought the Lamello in the first place, I would be further ahead -- and certainly there would have been much less cussin' through the years......................

   ********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

1. 
   Jfrostjr | Mar 30, 2007 05:10pm | #13

   Too soon old; Too late smart!What you say is all too true. It takes some time to realize that quaiity really does make a difference. BUT - in the beginning perhaps we are not yet ready to recognize the difference a qulity will make. If I analogize - I am not a wine connoseur. A $7 - $8 bottle of wine tastes just as good a $40 or $50 bottle. I know this sacrelige to some but my palate is not up to the task. It is our determination to master the craft that hones our appreciation for something better.Frosty

6. 
   jimmy | Mar 30, 2007 02:38am | #12

   its the best...

7. 
   xedos6 | Mar 31, 2007 04:26am | #14

   It's simple economics.  They are made in Switzerland by folks that can afford homes, new cars, get 6 + weeks of vacation, health, dental, don't get downsized for a worker in Asia,  and produce a profit for their employer and the subsequent supply chain.  Other factors: import and shipping costs, and the dollar is in the toilet vs. the european currencies.

    

   Oh, and there's the fact that they invented the biscuit jointer and make a really good product.

1. 
   tom21769 | Mar 31, 2007 04:16pm | #15

   >>It's simple economics. They are made in Switzerland by folks that can afford homes, new cars, get 6 + weeks of vacation ...And that is the story with all sorts of products MADE IN EUROPE whether you are talking about Festool and Lamello, sliding table saws, dishwashers or automobiles.You are talking about a different approach to designing, building, and marketing stuff
   (not to mention taking care of the people who build it).
   Much more attention to ergonomic design, energy efficiency, and durability.
   Less interest in cranking out double and triple the volume at ever-narrower profit margins.In my opinion our friends across the waters have been on to a few things and we could learn from them instead of dismissing them as over-priced status symbols as sometimes they appear to be.

1. 
   xedos6 | Apr 01, 2007 06:29am | #16

   Another thing to consider is that many of these firms are still closely held by the families that started them.  They don't answer to hedge fund managers, little old ladies that bought 10 % with their 3rd husbands retirement benefits, or CEOs that want to pump up the stock price to to cash in on a bonus or options.   The pressures to perform for a public co.'s mgmt team are huge.  Firms like Dewalt, Porter Cable, Powermatic all may have started liek Festool and Lamello but somewhere along the way the families cashed out to corp. raiders.  These guys now want to make back ther coin and then some, and it's easier to do with volume.