Hi Lucky, thanks for the details that really helps as your thoughts are in line with what I would want if I add the power drive option, I had remembered hearing about some issues but now I do think I remember it was with a shaper and not a saw. Sounds like a solid option and if I remember correctly its about $1500 Which really isn¡¯t a lot in the big scheme of things. I think paring it with the xfence dro and rip dro would be a win.?
I am just so used to lining up critical cuts with the blade and sneaking up on the cut for a sweet fit that it¡¯s been hard for me to imagine just relying and trusting the dro¡¯s, a bit counterintuitive I know but I am a little nutty like that ?... I do think the power drive option on my AD941 has changed they way I think a bit, couldn¡¯t imagine being without it, that was after using a scm j/p with one in my home shop for 25 yrs and my scm 63b in my business.
Thanks for your thoughts!
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On Jun 13, 2020, at 5:08 PM, David Luckensmeyer <dhluckens@...> wrote:
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Hi Mark:
I can speak to your questions in relation to my Kappa 400. It does hold its calibration. Amazingly so. These power options increase my productivity, and put a smile on my face. I do have to recalibrate after sharpening a blade.?
Real world examples. I measure the required depth for a groove, and my saw will cut that groove to 0.1mm. It works; no test cut and no checking.?
If I¡¯m cutting a bunch of shortish lengths from long stock (E.g. 200mm), I can use the rip fence as a bump stop, then as the long length gets so short that they no longer register against the cross cut fence, I can rotate the last piece, say 275mm, and use my digital crosscut stop (set at 200mm) to cut the last piece, with 75mm waste. I marvel that the pieces cut using the rip fence as a bump stop and the last piece cut with my digital stop, are all the same length. To me, that¡¯s serious proof that my machine holds calibration. Could I achieve the same accuracy without all the digital that could break? For sure.
I can choose 44.8, 45, 45.1 ?(or whatever), if I want to make certain that an inside or outside mitre is tight. I do not, nor need to, check the angles. I like that a lot.?
Is it worth the cost? That¡¯s subjective. But what is objective is the fact that my Kappa 400 X-motion does hold calibration, year after year. My Profil 45Z x-motion does NOT hold calibration. Just so you know.?
Finally, on longevity, my 2007 Dual 51 with digi-drive has been used in a semi-professional to full professional level for all these years with zero downtime. The digital controls (at least for that era and type of machine) are very robust.?
Good luck with your investigations, and decisions.?
Warm regards,
Lucky
Dr David Luckensmeyer
Business Manager
Luckensmeyer Medical Pty Ltd
melissaluckensmeyer.com.au
and
Designer and Woodworker
Luckensmeyer Pty Ltd
M: 0413 013 115
luckensmeyer.com.au
On 14 Jun 2020, at 1:21 am, Mark Kessler <mkessler10@...> wrote:
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Question, how great is the full power drive option on a saw, say k700 or k900? Worth the money? I could see the benefit of dialing in an angle other than 90deg or 45deg quickly and dialing in a specific height for a dado, trench, shoulder etc. does it hold it settings over time? Assuming I have it all calibrated can it always be trusted? Or would I find myself checking it on a regular basis for accuracy??
