One thing I can add from the design side of things is that from a functionality standpoint, we no longer need to make machines that weigh a million pounds out of solid cast iron to do their jobs correctly. In fact, I would argue that modern CAD engineering lets us design machines that are lighter, less expensive to manufacture, yet stronger where they need to be. All of which benefits the consumer. Just like automobiles: You don't need to make a car body out of heavy gauge steel these days and you don't need to make engine blocks out of cast iron any longer. You can make a unibody car that weighs less but gets better fuel econmy and is safer to the driver. Due to a better understanding of engineering. For example, I would argue that any of the modern Italian bandsaws has a stiffer frame than any of the old cast iron machine of the same size. Now, that leaves out the intangibles such as a bigger heavier machine running more smoothly or being quieter, or just the cool factor. I'd love to have a big old Yates Snowflake or Oliver because they're awesome. But if we're talking "how does it need to be built", heavier might be smoother/quieter/more assured feel to the operator but as far as performance, it doesn't automatically guarantee better results. If that got lost, that's what I was trying to say in all this.
Erik
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Originally Posted by Martin Wasner
I don't have the market here to buy the tools that I have, so I am waiting for the lottery........
