Doees anyone in N. San Diego County or Orange County own one? I’d like to get a response from a s. cal shaper with some feedback. I hear Aussie’s somewhat like it, but I’d like to hear from a local shaper.
Anyone local make such a machine?
Blade,
I built one using KR’s plans:
http://groups.msn.com/MyKRSurf/profiler.msnw
Although I used heavy timber bolted together instead of steel. It worked great. However you spend a lot of time producing your rocker guides. Not really worth the effort unless you are doing a fair number of boards.
KR’s model is probably as good or better than the Shapers Australia’s one
I bought one 1 1/2 years ago. It was a good investment to grow my operation . The u.s. dollar was very strong to the AUS dollar then also. I agree with the comments so far. It would be very beneficial if you make lots of similar types of boards. Not knowing how many boards you plan on making , other options may be more cost effective. What I am about to say is truely constructive criticism of this product, pros and cons.
Customer service was excellent. Very honest and informed people.
Shipping to Hawaii was via LA for customs inspection with a small fee associated with this.
Arrived with missing bolts, nuts and router cutting head. Sent the head a week or so later. Unable to use immediatley due to this.
Quality of paint on the frame was poor. Needs to be powder coated, chips easily and started rusting immediately. Has not affected performance, just an observation on the paint quality. Being so close to the ocean isn’t helping either.
Welds- nicely done, no problems
Directions for manufacturing profile wood templates- Pretty good but too complicated. I did one thier way and the others I do my own way which cuts about an hour of work off making them. My way you can have unmarked templates pre drilled ready to be marked and cut.
Router- It’s a great router but runs on 220 AUS (not us 220, it’s different). Had to buy a power converter. If you buy one ask to have that deleted and buy a US model of the same router. I can’t believe they didn’t offer this. I never thought about it until I received the router.
Cutting bit- Awesome, they make barrel routers too of this same type. Should last forever. Very impressive.
Makes a nice preshaped blank. 85-90% finished.
size- I have a pretty small shop, stores easily and is very light weight. Can bring it out when your making your blanks for the month.
Other hardware included- The rollers, and jigs needed to use the machine are all well made and strong.
Other uses of the frame- hot wire cut eps foam, and I plan on making an adjustable rocker guide which will attach to the frame
Not enough info regarding your production to be able to recommend if this would be worth it or not for you.
Overall I am satisfied with my investment.
Thank you very much for that detailed and honest critic of the profiler. I’d like to know how you know which blank to get for the particular shape and how you make your rocker guides. I read you don’t do them in the manner the instruct you to do.
I bet it is trick and takes time to set up.
Thanks again.
It might be worth it for me, but at the moment the dollar is weak.