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Opinions please.

1K views 9 replies 8 participants last post by  Andybb 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Hi. It has been a long time since I have posted anything.

I am trying to set up my wood shop after a five year hiatus. (Got married and moved). I have found a gentleman selling some old equipment. I have been unable to find any information on this machine.
It is a "CKM Home Joiner HJ-7". It is a combination Jointer, Planer, saw and Disc Sander. I am a bit limited on space, however I do not have a planer. My Jointer is a delta 4" bench top. I do have a saw and sander. The seller is selling all of his stuff, so sad. He is asking $400, would take less. Do any of you know anything about this machine?
Good, bad or otherwise.
Opinions are very much appreciated.
 
#4 · (Edited by Moderator)
I would think about the options the equipment has to offer, then would you use those options. Then do those options fit your needs. The extra accessories you can leave unattached (but save for when you decide to sell it). Value it to what use you would get from it. If you only plan to use half the options, and this is a fit for you, offer 1/2 since this is negotiable. Let him show you how the equipment works. I'd want to hear how it sounds when running. Is the fence good, What is the planning width, what size can the jointer cut High & wide. Does the saw have a splitter or riving knife, And is your saw a tabletop…
 
#5 ·
CKM or Cheng Kuang Machinery is a large wood working equipment manufacturer in Taiwan that has been around since 60's. They make tools for many top name OEM's, with primary products seen by hobbyist being planers and joiners.
If you look at their website, you will see some tools for Powermatic and Delta being assembled. Taiwan machinery mfg don't last 50 years if they sell junk to top OEM's, so the tools should be decent quality for Asia made tools.

http://www.ckmtw.com.tw/e_about.htm

When i comes to combo machines, IMHO: you either love them for spacing savings in small shop, or late them for amount time spent to change over between functions? Never owned one, as have always made space for separate tools.

Be sure if you buy a used machine that you get all the accessories. There are guards and other parts the come off when different functions are used. Getting replacement parts could be difficult without contacting the mfg directly.

Best Luck.
 
#6 · (Edited by Moderator)
Looks like it would b great for a small shop. It doesn't seem like in my area those "all in one" machines do sell very well but if it's all in real good shape it's likely worth what he's asking. He might work on the price a good bit. If I was getting out of the game I'd want to know my tools were gonna go to someone that would treat them well and use them the way a true wood worker will so be tactful when negotiating and he might hook u up. Do keep in mind that spare parts will probably b hard to find so go into it knowing and accepting that
 
#10 · (Edited by Moderator)
When i comes to combo machines, IMHO: you either love them for spacing savings in small shop, or late them for amount time spent to change over between functions? Never owned one, as have always made space for separate tools.

Be sure if you buy a used machine that you get all the accessories. There are guards and other parts the come off when different functions are used. Getting replacement parts could be difficult without contacting the mfg directly.
- CaptainKlutz
+1 You either love 'em or hate 'em. When I'm doing a project I like to be able to just walk over to a tool and use it. Not being a pro I make mistakes and don't want to have to set up the jointer after screwing up planing the board I just jointed. My Delta 12" lunchbox planer does a fine job. Seems like I hear a lot about setup issues with combo machines but they are sure a space saver. I'd be afraid that setup and parts would be a PITA for it. I like stuff that is common enough that I can get 2 day delivery on Amazon for blades etc.
 
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