in the market for a new edger

**Dannyboy** · 08-25-2006, 01:02 PM

which is the least expensive patternless edger that is new
poly&plastic.
dannyboy

**Grubendol** · 08-25-2006, 01:35 PM

My office just spend about 4 1/2 months researching new edgers before we purchased. We had in the Gerber-Coburn, AIT, & santinelli to try in testing. Also visited wholesale labs to try the optronics.

We went with the AIT in the end. Price to value it was the best for us. Santinelli is hands down the most expensive. The Gerber-Coburn is a little less than the AIT, but I did not care for it at all. I found it's menus confusing and combursome (and keep in mind I'm a tech guy, I used to do software and hardware support for an internet company). Plus the G-C has this annoying little quirk in that you have to hold down the chuck button through the entire closing process and opening process.

The AIT we got, with the opera drill, ability to do glass, etc. was just under $37.

If you are willing to look at used models, the older Santinelli LE 7070 is a great price to value for a standalone tracer/edger.

**Thumbs** · 08-25-2006, 02:48 PM

The reason to hold the chuck button down on the GC Kappa edger is to pass the global safety process (CE) testing. If holding the button down is annoying, just imagine getting your finger pinched by the chuck closing automatically and not being able o stop it!
For the cheapest price, you can't beat the GerberCoburn Sigma edging system. A machine for under $20,000 that can be set-up for all-materials, with a built in blocker, does grooving and safety bevel. You won't find another machine with these options anywhere near this price.

**Grubendol** · 08-25-2006, 03:32 PM

I understand the reason, but they told me it was required, but every other edger I tested did not have this feature. And the AIT we purchased is an INDO built machine...from Barcelona.

**Thumbs** · 08-25-2006, 04:12 PM

To my knowledge, Essilor (distributed by GerberCoburn) is the only edger manufacturer that designs their equipment to pass stringent CE testing. This standard is to make the edgers as safe as possible for the operator as not to get injured. Such as, placing your hand in the grinding chamber while the wheels are turning, getting water into the electrical portion of the edger, getting your finger caught in the chuck, etc.

**Leo Hadley Jr** · 08-25-2006, 06:00 PM

Consider saving thousands of dollars and having better tech support.
We sell Refurbished like new machines for much less.
Take a look at our ebay store at?

www.stores.ebay.com/OptiForum

All of our systems include all accessories, installation, training, support and warrantee. We have hundreds of satisfied customers across the country.
Thanks

**Jim Stone** · 08-26-2006, 09:48 PM

Santinelli is what you are looking for. It may be the most expensive at first. Have you ever bought a CHEAP pair of shoes?

**Johns** · 08-26-2006, 10:48 PM

Grubendol:

Could you list some more pros and cons of the machines you tested?

What didn't you like about the Optronics?

We have AIT Combimax now,and am looking to change (after 6 decent yrs. with it). We're looking for something faster, quieter, and we have no need to edge glass in house.

**Johns** · 08-26-2006, 10:57 PM

Originally Posted by Jim Stone

Santinelli is what you are looking for. It may be the most expensive at first.

Actually, after you buy it, it's STILL the most expensive. When the newer technology comes out in the lower priced models, and you're still paying for the Santinelli, you might have regrets.

When I bought the Combimax 6 years ago, the Santinelli was about $20k more, and didn't even have a groover on it. My customers aren't dissapointed that I'm not edging their lenses on the most expensive machine on the market.

**Thumbs** · 08-28-2006, 08:09 AM

Originally Posted by Grubendol

I understand the reason, but they told me it was required, but every other edger I tested did not have this feature. And the AIT we purchased is an INDO built machine...from Barcelona.

That's because IDNO does not choose to have their machines do through the stringent requirements of CE safety test. To make a comparison, would you purchase an appliance that did not meet the UL laboratories electrical requirements and risk the chance of an electrical short or shock?
Safety first!

**pinto** · 08-29-2006, 07:42 AM

If you are still interested I purchased an AIT Practica patternless edger and I like it very much. I switched from an AIT Horizen II pattern edger and the difference is night and day. The menus are pretty straight forward and it has a number of useful options. I like the fact that the blocker is built into the tracer and transfers the frame data directly to the edger. I admit that I do not have a lot of experence with other makes of edgers but my decision was mainly monetary. The AIT did everything I needed at a lower price than some of the other units. PS- the support has been great.

**joefragoso** · 08-30-2006, 09:46 PM

Did you try the :drop:

**apaul** · 09-01-2006, 05:16 PM

I think the best machines are the slowest!
cutting lenses at stupid speeds can only cause problems in the long run
they maybe ok when they are new but when they get older?
does anyone agree?

Alan

**JasonW** · 09-01-2006, 10:02 PM

We just got a Santenelli 9000se (rebuilt) for 17,000.
Its a nice machine cuts rimless, poly, any index of plastic, and trivex with a nice smooth finish,well worth the money. We also have an old 6E optronics, good machine also for a dry cutting machine. We get a lot of chatter on it with poly and it wont even think about trivex.The 6e is very fast though.