Castle 100 Pocket Machine

[Grev]

I've been thinking about getting a Castle machine for some time and thought I'd share this video.  It shows Fred of "Got It Made" using the smallest machine Castle makes.  Also kind of a neat project he's working on .. and using some Festool stuff too.

Castle 100 Video

 

[Sparktrician]

Beautifully done; well documented!  [smile]

 

[lwoirhaye]

Having been irritated by the Kreg type pocket joints shifting in assembly for many years I understand the appeal of the Castle format.  I've seen a lot of the machines for sale cheap at auctions, but unfortunately the circuit boards have a way of failing on the older machines and Castle does not supply replacements, turning the machines into scrap.

That little machine looks a little tedious to use with the screw clamp but I suppose if the assemblies go together flush saved sanding time makes up for it.

 

[semenza]

What is different about the Castle that keeps the joints from shifting?

Seth

 

[Grev]

What is different about the Castle that keeps the joints from shifting?

Seth

The lower angle of the pocket cut by the router is the key.

 

[ktb153]

What is different about the Castle that keeps the joints from shifting?

Seth

looks like less of an angle, that machine seems very inefficient though

 

[RKA]

The baby one is inefficient, but the next model up reduces the steps to one lever clamp and one lever that gets pulled and pushed to create the pocket hole and pilot hole.


I’m puzzled about the circuit boards.  Did the newer one switch to off the shelf Bosch routers and a simple switch, eliminating the circuit board?

 

[lwoirhaye]

I’m puzzled about the circuit boards.  Did the newer one switch to off the shelf Bosch routers and a simple switch, eliminating the circuit board?

I'm just saying that's something the company management decided to do with regards to the older machines in circulation.  It's nothing new - Hitachi  doesn't support products older than 7 years - just something to be aware of when buying equipment with electronic components.

Another way of saying it is an older electro-pneumatic machine that cuts these sorts of holes may not be a great investment even at a bargain price, kind of like those Felder jointer/planers with the electronic planer height adjustment that can't be over-ridden for manual operation and require  costly repairs if the electronic stuff ever fails.

My construction boring machine has no fancy electronics in it - just some air switches and a magnetic switch.  This is enough that stepping on the pedal starts the machine, clamps the work and plunges the cutters in a timed succession.  The timing required to operate something like the fancier Castle machines may go beyond what pneumatic switches can do and thus the obsolete circuit boards.

 

[RKA]

It’s a valid concern at this price point, I’m just not clear if it’s still a concern with the lower end models in this thread, but certainly worth looking into given what you said about the boards in the older models.

 

[ben_r_]

Meh, cant really see anything there that looks like it would make pocket holes better than my Kreg K5 setup. Plus it looks like it takes longer per pocket hole being that you have to use the build in drill and a second handheld drill. I think for cheaper if you have a lot of pocket holes to make, the Kreg Foreman would be a better route.