Model Boat Mayhem

Mess Deck: General Section => Chit-Chat => Topic started by: Martin13 on April 26, 2010, 04:16:58 am

Title: Another PROXXON Question.
Post by: Martin13 on April 26, 2010, 04:16:58 am
G'Day from down under,

I've been looking for some time and also read the past posts on PROXXON Table Saws. The KS230 seems to be very popular amongst forum members but I'm more interested in the FKS/E 28070 model. For starters I need about 500 metres of 3.2mm x 1.0mm Lime strip planking and looking at various suppliers, this totals to quite an amount. .

The FKS model also has a knob in 0.1mm increments to adjust the fence which is ideal for my 3.2mm plank widths, plus able to do mitre cuts (I'm tired of my Mitre box not producing a perfect 90 degree cut).

The only part I cannot get my head around is the fact that I can purchase the unit from the UK or Germany (including postage) about $300 cheaper than in Oz - Crazy.
.
I like the way you can finely tune the fence guide, mitre cuts, adjust blade height, different blades available pending on material to be cut and depth of cut. I own a large Makita model but it's not suitable for small timbers as used in modelling - fingers too close to blade and gap between blade and table - too great.


Do any forum members own this unit or have used one. Is the saw capable of cutting Styrene neatly.
Your advice, experience and knowledge is greatly appreciated...

Thanks,
Martin du

PS. swmbo has agreed to pay for it %% O0
Title: Re: Another PROXXON Question.
Post by: derekwarner on April 26, 2010, 05:32:18 am
Hi Martin......I have the FKS/E & it an absolutely beautifully accurate machine ....when working within its parameters

I have cuttwo x a 750 mm long lengths of 12 mm thick x 150 mm wide of Tasie Oak wall panneling into 12 mm wide x 3 thick planks

The resulting planks are clean surfaced & parallel in width courtesy of the 1.5 mm wide TCT Proxxon blade [no set]

 %%...but I am lost with your comments ....do you have

a. 1 mm thick Lime strip that you want to cut into 3.2 mm planks?.......or do you have
b. 3.2 mm thick Lime that you want to cut into 1 mm wide planks?

In either case >>:-( I do not think that the FKS/E could perform the task....sorry.....Derek  :o

With respect to your question on costs.....purchasing from Europe would eliminate VAT in Europe, but may attract import duty in OZ...+ we have our own 10% GST here.....+ you would not have any OZ warranty.......... <:( your call



Title: Re: Another PROXXON Question.
Post by: Martin13 on April 26, 2010, 06:20:29 am
Sorry Derek, didn't explain that too well.
 For my Prince of Wales, I need planks (and a lot of them) at 1.0mm x 3.2mm x 125mm. It was suggested to buy 1.0mm Lime sheets and cut my own. Currently I can purchase 1.0mm x 3.0mm planks but unable to source 3.2mm width - I thought the FKS with it's 0.1mm increments would do the trick. I have a lot of other uses for the unit as well.
 Will send pm

Martin
Title: Re: Another PROXXON Question.
Post by: Dave Buckingham on April 26, 2010, 06:34:31 am
Hi Martin
I have the large and small Proxxon saws and find them very good.

Word of warning the latest large saw has been withdrawn at the moment due to as fault
sorry dont know what it is,

My system now is to use 3 or 4 inch sheets of the required thickness (1mm) and cut them
on the SMALL saw to width much cheaper than the indervidual strips.

The small saw is fine for this sort of thing and much cheaper.

Good sawing

Dave
Title: Re: Another PROXXON Question.
Post by: derekwarner on April 26, 2010, 07:28:42 am
Martin....I think bunker barge [Richard] in the UK + Uncle Doug Kenny....  %) again in the UK & our OZ Peter Finess all have Proxxon minature table saws

The note from Dave Buckingham is also very interesting ....   O0

To minimise wastage  & if the plank length is only ~~~~~125 mm long...why not consider two jig mounted G Clamps & a straight edge set to 3.2 mm increments & just a Stanley knike to cut the 1.0 mm thick lime sheets

Just imagine the savings made would PAY for the PROXXON saw of your choice..... {-) %% :-)) ..... Derek
Title: Re: Another PROXXON Question.
Post by: Martin13 on April 27, 2010, 10:02:10 am
A lot to ponder.

 Thanks for your input gents, Derek & Dave

So all are in agreement that the little KS 230 should be able to make the planks (about 2000) from 1.0mm sheet.

Derek, your idea of cutting the planks scares me. I cut 800 planks for my Brave Borderer build using your method and a knife. Hands went numb and knife sometimes moved off line. The decking on this model must have perfect edges to get the result I'm looking for.

Also your comment "In either case I do not think that the FKS/E could perform the task....sorry.....Derek" can you explain  why the saw is unable to perform this task.

Hmmm - FKS being withdrawn due unknown fault. Must look into this.

I think the best thing to do is purchase the little saw, cut my planks and maybe later in the year, have another look at the FKS.

Thanks Again gents for taking the time to respond..

Martin doon under {:-{
Title: Re: Another PROXXON Question.
Post by: Tankerman on April 27, 2010, 10:49:18 am
Martin, I second what the others have said about the small Proxxon table saw. It should be ideal for producing the plank sizes you require as I have been doing much the same thing for some time with this saw. The cost of the small size planks compared with a wider sheet of lime means that it won't take long for you to recoup the cost of the saw.

Chris
Title: Re: Another PROXXON Question.
Post by: derekwarner on April 27, 2010, 11:09:12 am
Hullo Martin........I must acknowledge.... %)

1. I have never used the FKS/E to cut sheets of 1.0 mm sheet lime wood...nor any other sheets of 1.0 mm thick material
2. If the FKS/E blade height is set at say 1.2 mm height [to minimise unnecessary friction & hence possible distortion] the effective parallel guide function comes into play @ 130 mm from the table front & ends @ 180 mm  {:-{ {:-{ {:-{ {:-{
3. The FKS model may well have the vernier slide width adjustment....but the question is if the product can be cut to such critical dimensions???? considering the thickness of the material

Keep all posted.........Derek  :-))
Title: Re: Another PROXXON Question.
Post by: Martin13 on April 27, 2010, 11:55:15 am
Tankerman, thanks for your comments - this has to be the way to go. :-))

Derek. Looks like I confused the model numbers. The FET has the 0.1mm increments not the FKS/E. Also, I looked up PROXXON homepage and have noted that the FET model has been removed from there listing - this may prove Dave B correct in his comment. I left Proxxon a message re FET model - the reply may be interesting %)

That's it - the KS230 is the machine to buy for now, especially after receiving the bill from ACTion ;)

Thanks,
Martin du :-)
Title: Re: Another PROXXON Question.
Post by: dreadnought72 on April 27, 2010, 02:36:27 pm
Martin, I think that that's the right way to go.

I'm using a KS230 to cut the (hull) planks for my current boat. These are of pine, and about 4mm thick by 8mm wide. I'm cutting them out of 8mm thick stock, and each run takes a bit of time, but I've run the KS230 with 1mm ply materials going through it, and it's an absolute joy compared to my current cutting.

I strongly suspect, once you got the guide set accurately for your planks, you'll be running them off in no time.

Andy
Title: Re: Another PROXXON Question.
Post by: Peter Fitness on April 27, 2010, 11:43:42 pm
Martin, as Derek Warner mentioned, I have a Proxxon KS230 and have found it to be invaluable for cutting thin planks. I have used it to cut timber ranging from New Guinea rosewood, which is quite hard, to the much softer pine and the Proxxon did a great job. The fine toothed blade produces a smooth finish which only requires a small amount of sanding. I don't think you would go wrong with one of these machines.

Peter.
Title: Re: Another PROXXON Question.
Post by: tassie48 on April 28, 2010, 04:50:06 am
Hi Martin looking at one of these my self general talk is number one unit to use ks230 so off to get one next week used one last night cobber of mine has one and uses it all the time the finish is unreal got me hooked tassie48
Title: Re: Another PROXXON Question.
Post by: Martin13 on April 28, 2010, 12:36:53 pm
I'm going to kill that Umi Ryuzuki %% (Aussie humour). Had another read of some past posts on the subject and Umi suggested this:-

http://www.byrnesmodelmachines.com/tablesaw.html

Maybe the KS230 for now to solve immediate problem then wifey can buy me this for Christmas %% O0  %) :-))

Martin
Title: Re: Another PROXXON Question.
Post by: FullLeatherJacket on April 28, 2010, 07:50:56 pm
especially after receiving the bill from ACTion ;)

 :P
FLJ
Title: Re: Another PROXXON Question.
Post by: Martin13 on April 29, 2010, 10:24:11 am
:P
FLJ

It's one bill I enjoyed paying O0 O0 O0

Mdu
Title: Re: Another PROXXON Question.
Post by: Martin13 on May 29, 2010, 10:29:39 pm
Well as it turned out, swmbo decided to purchase the Byrne's Saw instead of the KS230. In her mind, it would be more economical and have far greater uses than the smaller unit.

Now being a good hubby, I went along with her thoughts - yes dear. O0

The saw arrived early in the week and yesterday I had a chance to try her out. WOW, %% this is definitely a precision instrument - complete with micrometer for fine tuning the fence. The set square is unbelievable, just lift a pin and reset to one of the many preset angles - you can also use any angle in between. Everthing is built out of metal - no plastic anywhere and to close tolerances. With depth of cut, fine tuning of fence, the saw made light work for cutting wing ribs for my gliders...

Martin du ;) O0 :-))