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    Need help picking patternless edger?

    Hello everyone. New to this so bear with me. We are looking for a patternless edger before the end of the year for tax purposes. Either way I have never looked into the subject before now and am not to proud to admit that I am fairly lost. The sales reps are all equally pleasant and informative, however I see no real diferance between features or capabilities. Is there one that is better than another? If so, is it really worth the price differance if any? And would it be possable to get used equipment for a substantial discount without all the "used car" type worries. I appreciate any input on the matter and hope to be able to speak to many of you. Thank you for your time!!!

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    #2
    I use a Horizon III and works great. you can
    probably pick one up used pretty cheap.
    then call Elison Tech. and get set up with
    their retro. you can probably pick one up
    for around $3500.
    With that combo you can't go wrong.

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      #3
      What about all these things I hear about Santinelli/Nidek? Are they that good because all of the labs I have spoken to really seem to be on their jock!!

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        #4
        aaron said:
        What about all these things I hear about Santinelli/Nidek? Are they that good because all of the labs I have spoken to really seem to be on their jock!!



        We'll i've got a broke down Santinelli if that
        say's anything. I just like the horizon because it's
        a dry edger. Easy clean up no water, just change the
        bags & the blades every once in a while.
        and with the elison tracer usually can do a job in
        one or two cuts. you can also adjust the bevel in
        my opinon alot easier while the jobs going.
        It will really do a good job when you have to get the bevel
        twords the front of the lens. Like on Easy Clip frames.

        :bbg:

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          #5
          Aaron

          My two cents.

          I have personally used three patternless edgers.

          Santinelli 7070SX -- Good but lacked a "fragile" setting. This can be a problem on some A/R coated high index. It's possible this has been corrected on newer models.

          Briot Accura -- Overall good. Some "extras" (groove and safety bevel) somewhat less than perfect. I still use my groover most of the time.

          Gerber-Coburn Kappa -- A winner. Easy to use, accurate, everything works and it holds its settings.

          Hope this helps a little.
          Dan

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            #6
            I agree the Kappa is the best available, perfect out of the box and you don't have to worry, it will be right.

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              #7
              Aaron

              I have personally used the weco 2-D ,easy to use, accurate,

              hard work,it will be right.

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                #8
                Thanks alot ya'll,
                will defininetly get to work on your suggestions. Appreciate the time ....... :)

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                  #9
                  Aaron

                  I have had a Gamma for 5 years and still love it. If I were to buy a new one today it would be between the Kappa and the Briot Axcell (sp?) The weight is on the side of the Axcell because it can automaticlly alter the shape - say 2 mm deeper - pretty neat concept.

                  Don't try to do too much with the edger leave the drills, safety bevels and perhaps even the grooving to auxrilary units - they can be more controlled.

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                    #10
                    Re: Aaron

                    Homer said:
                    The weight is on the side of the Axcell because it can automaticlly alter the shape - say 2 mm deeper - pretty neat concept.
                    ..which can be done with Innovations software, and any patternless edger.

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                      #11
                      In the past few days I have used a few differant instruments. For not just the money the AIT MAXIMA seemed allright. Its a product of Spain and I know in the past some junk has come out of there. But people I talked to sounded very pleased. Does anyone have an opinion about this machine. (kind of a silly question right?)
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                        #12
                        Arron,

                        First thing to consider is what you want it to do, second the price, is the volume you want to do worth the price of a new unit or a used one (they do have great deals on used equipment, buyers market)
                        Next, most people have not really used a wide range of edgers (patternless) out there because of the expense so that is why the vast majority say "this one works great" and that is the one the have :-) They just never used others..
                        Now let me tell you as a wholesaler who hears from a wide variety of people, I have not seen ANY of them that made everyone happy (all different reasons) I have seen about everyone of them have some type of trouble same machines but at different locations.. it is almost luck of the draw, every maker is going to have some machines that just is a bad apple from the time you open the crate..:-) ...
                        What you CAN do is get some of these companies come in and give you a loaner to try out.. I did that when finding the patternless systems for my lab ..one thing I really liked and looked for is electric chucking system that is pressure sensitive...nice on these fragile high indexes and AR coats..
                        I think it is just as important to ask further questions as well, I know being a wholesaler my volume is probably higher than yours so I went in asking "if I had a problem and the machine would be down for more than a a couple of days I want a loaner until my machine is fixed", wanted to know how fast they could get someone there to fix a problem, and where they worked out of..was it in my State?..was it one tech taking care of 5 states or a whole region or what.. :-)
                        I also requested to see the manuals on every machine that came in I tried to see how easy it was when it came time for me to do the fixing and calibrating... I also asked for a parts book and a list of prices.. checked on any place where I could get parts other than from the manufactuer, and were parts like wheels etc., only avialable from them etc., etc..
                        It is a big investment for most people so you want to try to cover every angle you can... I would contact companies and see which ones were willing to work with you on a "loaner" basis to let you give them a try at your place, not just a show room or trade show where they person using it is a employee of that company who undestands the machine completely, which you won't be for a while :-).. now the majority are going to want you to buy THEIR system they just let you try, but be patient and try as many as possible before weighing all the plus/minus and than choose that machine based on a list of reasons.. not just a recommendation of one person.. what you feel comfortable with the guy next to you might say "that is garbage" :-)

                        Jeff "been through it..once to often" Trail

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                          #13
                          Aaron

                          The Maxima I looked at 3 years ago has been improved. It was OK then and probably better now.

                          The great point about the Maxima is that it is distributed and serviced by a Family owne company. They are great people. The Father is the Father of AIT.

                          The also have a simpler version, that has less bells and whistles and a lesser price. Looks like a work horse to me.

                          Jeff's comments are good. Most problems can often be traced to the skill of the operators and maintenance.

                          Good luck

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                            #14
                            Shanbaum

                            shanbaum said:
                            ..which can be done with Innovations software, and any patternless edger.
                            Tell me more. I am not a computer whiz and am not familiar with Innovations software.

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                              #15
                              You can do it on any digital tracer with Optivision software also.
                              Wes Trayner

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