Bridge Saw

[Olofson]

We are currently looking to purchase a new saw and are looking at the Express 3200 from Regent. Does anyone have any insight to how well this saw performs and holds up?

[Ken Lago]

Its a well build saw and Regent is top notch.

[Nick]

That saw is available from many suppliers and not sure the price, but I agree with ken, despite being a Chinese saw, I think it has many interchangeable parts from grainier and it looks to be heavily made and probably a good value. I looked into another one of the companies machines many moons ago and it all looked solid.

[KCrabbe]

There are a lot of great saws out there, but if you only want to buy one for the life of your shop, look into getting a GMM. As I am sure you know by now, in this business you get what you pay for.

[Nick]

Funny you say that, I actually think I heard that Sheng Da reverse engineered their saws from A GMM Eura, so if they did a good enough job, maybe the saw he is looking at will also last a lifetime

[KCrabbe]

I heard that as well. I still think it is funny that everything gets reverse engineered by Chinese comanies but they have yet to come out with their own version of anything new or innovative. That being said, I would still be leery of anything that was modeled after another tried and true product. I realize that not every shop has the budget for a GMM, but if you have the means, why not why buy the one that everyone else is trying to duplicate theirs from? Call me crazy but agree with the "Hertz" philosphy...There is GMM and there is not exactly.

[steven nenzel]

Park is coming out with a cnc saw this month. Might want to look into that as well. I'm told it will be at vegas.

[Nick]

Park is coming out with a cnc saw this month. Might want to look into that as well. I'm told it will be at vegas.

I have heard this for 2 years plus from park. Is it really actually a fruition?

[Nick]

I realize that not every shop has the budget for a GMM, but if you have the means, why not why buy the one that everyone else is trying to duplicate theirs from? Call me crazy but agree with the "Hertz" philosphy...There is GMM and there is not exactly.

I wouldn't call Sheng da "everyone" and by "not exactly" you are correct regrading apples to apples with other Italian saws.... GMM makes a great saw and I really almost got one, but it is far from the only capable saw on the planet as insinuated. I think the better sales approach is GMM is definitly worth looking into, lots of positives and a solid machine.

[wadeegnor]

At the upper end of the range would be the Thibaut TC 500 or 650, I would recomemend the TC 500 since it has a 20 inch blade which would be enough if your just cutting counter tops. That machine is also the fastest saw on the market cutting 13 feet a minute with 22 hourse power motor. Thibaut uses a solid 4 inch thick grante top table which reduces vibration to allow for faster cutting speed.

[Qualey Granite]

"Thibaut uses a solid 4 inch thick grante top table which reduces vibration to allow for faster cutting speed."

Say what?

[Nick]

. That machine is also the fastest saw on the market cutting 13 feet a minute with 22 hourse power motor. Thibaut uses a solid 4 inch thick grante top table which reduces vibration to allow for faster cutting speed.

Say what again? It can't have a granite table, that doesn't work for saw water runoff and holding pieces while being cut, surely you are thinking their CNC router. And if that is the fastest saw in the world......

[wadeegnor]

Say what again? It can't have a granite table, that doesn't work for saw water runoff and holding pieces while being cut, surely you are thinking their CNC router. And if that is the fastest saw in the world......

I was mistaken,(multitasking is not my strong suit) yes Nick the CNC router has the granite top to reduce vibration on milling and the bridge of the bridge saw is filled to reduce vibration.

I can also email you the Technical info on the Thibaut TC650, This gives a detailed example with measurements and times so you can verify my claim of "the fastest cutting speed".

[Dan R.]

I think fastest cutting speed may be a subject left alone.
That statistic (fastest cutting time) may be a bit like being a golden gloves shadow boxer. There are far more important considerations when buying a saw of that caliber.

[wadeegnor]

I think fastest cutting speed may be a subject left alone.
That statistic (fastest cutting time) may be a bit like being a golden gloves shadow boxer. There are far more important considerations when buying a saw of that caliber.

Out of curiosity what would those "considerations" be to you as a conumer?

[Dan R.]

Computer programming ease.
Size (possibly).
Quality of build.
Technical support, both software and hardware.
Abilities of machine.
Meeting production requirements.

[Nick]

Is this thread for real? I really don't want to be the class jerk on this thread, but come on salesmen.....

First, if you read this thread, you would know that the GMM is the saw the Thibaut wishes it could be, there is GMM and not exactly I believe was the quote. So clearly if you read this you would already know the Thibaut is at best second fastest or whatever.

Second, we all multitask, just random reiteration of company sales pitches that apply to some machine(s) that are somewhere in the companies product line portrays intimate knowledge of what you are selling. If you sell something, you should know enough basic information on it in your sleep. We all have to, when we don't credibility is shot. When you flaunt the benefits of the table for cutting, that is not a brain fart, it is confusing company propaganda without really knowing what you sell.

Third, did you really ask Dan what more important "considerations" he had as a consumer other than cutting speed???
How can you seriously ask this as a salesman?

Since I recently ordered a saw I can share with you what considerations I found more important than cutting speed, actually and being truthful, I never asked one company about cutting speed because it is such a stupid question, nor was I told a cutting speed by anyone because at that point of saw it is actually completely irrelevant to the machine.

Considerations I used to make a purchase in no particular order:

*Build quality
*Saw software
*90* tilting saw head or 45* head
*Rail guides and style of, rack/pinion size and quality and NC component manufacturer and motor sizes.
*Saw Motors, pertaining to 1/2" gas or ISO 40 cone tool holders, blade capacity and HP
*Price (Duh!)
*Vacuum lifter on saw(I determined I did not need this, but it had to be a consideration)
*ability to execute tricky cuts like short lines, how manipulative is the software?
*Ability to miter, specifically quality A and B axis motors/gears as well as saws that offered probe system
to accurately measure tools/material
*Overhead camera system, how it takes pictures, how the pictures look, and how they are used beyond just putting
pieces there
*Support from company. When you need them how fast will they respond. Most saws are online anyway so the factory
can see your saw from their computer

That is probably the short list off the top of my head. Cutting speed never crossed my mind. In fact, I don't believe I will be running it at near the capabilities of it's max cutting speeds anyway so I really don't see the point. If a company offered me a free blade with the saw that would mean more than cutting speed. I also can't believe that a machine with a frame as solid or more solidly built along with a saw motor equal to or exceeding the 22HP you claim would not have the same or better cut speeds all other non machine variables being equal.

Now, all that said. Thibaut is one hell of a nice saw from what I have seen, very nice. The sales approach of something being the best, or the fastest or whatever in regards to granite saws is just stupid and will turn off any educated buyer, that's all. I can think of probably 10 saws that would all be just great to own, there is no "best" or "fastest" for everyone. Thats all.

[graniteman]

I just typed a long post and then had some customers come in, I just deleted it because Nick pretty much summed it up.

[Dan R.]

Nick, you have mastered your ADHD and listed an impressive list off the top of your head, kudos.

@ Wade, my GMM has a 29 hp motor, but I seriously doubt it performs 33% faster (better) than said Thibaut.

[Nick]

Nick, you have mastered your ADHD and listed an impressive list off the top of your head.

I get obsessive when I buy something that is $1000, let alone 100+ times that amount so that was the residue of months of overanylizing

Wade, don't take my smartass responses the wrong way, it is just me being me, but you can learn from it. You and KCrabbe should be both respecting the other options out there and not selling 6 figure machines with blanket statements of "best", that's all. You are not selling a 94 Honda civic to someone with bad credit. You have in most cases a savvy business owner buyer, appeal to that by letting them know about the machines and what they specifically do/have that is good. Selling something that is a serious investment for a companies future needs the attentive concern to what they are trying to achieve and conveying how your machine will help that.

For what it's worth, KCrabbe actually sells the saw I wound up buying(kinda funny, right)... Even though he may not think much of it, I did. Had I not known of many different machines or Taf(great salesman), I may have talked to KCrabbe in my search and he may have lost a sale without realizing it with that approach. Again, I don't mean this as a knock, most of us here are really just salesmen when it boils down to it. My smartass tone is because the comments made on this thread by the salesman really insults the intelligence and ability to make a decision for a compamake hat is making a risk effecting it's livelihood. So best if you can afford it and fastest rubbish help no one. The buyer or the seller.

[dustinbraudway]

Probably not as many savy machine buyers out there as one would think Nick. You know this

[KCrabbe]

Nick,
I can appreciate your candor as being conscientious about any large purchase. As a consumer I too will continually shop for the best possible deal I can find, hopefully getting all of the options I am looking for and maybe some that I am not even aware I need. I drive my wife up the wall when I spend weeks on end looking at every retailer I know that carries what I am in the market for. This is what helps us as salespersons and our need to be able to know our product as it fits our clients needs. That being said, I think you read too much into my previous comments. I am glad to hear you bought a GMM. I am curious to know which one you decided on. For what it's worth, I never had the opportunity to speak with you about a saw of any type, however, I hope to hear from you if you ever need to obtain parts. I will be in our booth for Coverings. I hope if you attend you will stop by so I can take a few moments to meet you and speak with you about your latest acquisition.

[Nick]

Happy you didn't take it the wrong way, just pointing out some things we don't want/need to hear from salesmen. I can assure you my candor was as half serious as your comments I am generally not a very serious person or one that takes myself seriously.

I am however curious as to why for the second time in a week someone thinks I bought GMM saw I am pretty sure I clearly said this:

GMM makes a great saw and I really almost got one, but it is far from the only capable saw on the planet as insinuated. I think the better sales approach is GMM is definitly worth looking into, lots of positives and a solid machine.

So not sure why you or anyone else thinks we got a GMM?

I unfortunately will not be making coverings as that week our saw is scheduled to be installed. You will be able to see the saw we chose to get at Coverings though. Just look for this:



It shouldn't be hard to spot with the 700 or 1000mm Z axis travel....not sure what options are on the coverings saw. I hope it has the 30HP motor option I got with the manual ISO40 cone holder for you guys to see. I could care less about HP over 20, but that the ability to use tools not limited to 1/2" gas has me really excited and should prove to make the machine VERY versatile for all kinds of 5 axis machinings.

So to clear up any confusion, we chose to get the OMAG Area Bridgesaw based on using the things I rattled off earlier in this thread to help us make the best choice. This saw has all in spades, well, maybe not price depending on what your looking for in a saw, but like you said, "you get what you pay for." I wouldn't say we were looking for the best deal, but the best saw that we could afford, which hopefully turns out to be a great value in turn. I am very excited to see this saw in action, unfortunately most of my SFA buddies here will actually see one moving a few days before I get to .

[Nick]

FYI, The saw at coverings will have the ISO 40 tool capable motor. I think it may be almost Identical to what i got.

[GuyboR]

So, let me get this straight. You bought a GMM Egil? Or was it the GMM Intra.