Elektrabekum 260HC v. Metabo260 v. Rikon260

[MichaelW2014]

Hello. I am continuing my search for a small jointer/planer machine. My space is limited and portability is a serious concern.

I have read some negative reviews on the metabo and rikon models. Some owners have complained about the bed not being flat or the fence not being perfectly perpendicular to the bed, etc. I need to work on a precision machine and cannot accept anything but perfection. So more than a 0.5mm discrepancy is intolerable to me.

I am wondering if perhaps the old Elektrabekum  HC260 machines are better made? I am hoping that owners or anyone with specific knowledge can chime in (especially peter parfit who brought this machine to my attention in the first place).

Thanks.

 

[Stephen B]

Hello. I am continuing my search for a small jointer/planer machine. My space is limited and portability is a serious concern.

I have read some negative reviews on the metabo and rikon models. Some owners have complained about the bed not being flat or the fence not being perfectly perpendicular to the bed, etc. I need to work on a precision machine and cannot accept anything but perfection. So more than a 0.5mm discrepancy is intolerable to me.

I am wondering if perhaps the old Elektrabekum  HC260 machines are better made? I am hoping that owners or anyone with specific knowledge can chime in (especially peter parfit who brought this machine to my attention in the first place).

Thanks.

[member=11196]Peter Parfitt[/member]

 

[MichaelW2014]

might as well. thanks 

 

[AlexThePalex]

Elektra Beckum is now owned by Metabo. I tought the brand itself was completely discontinued.

The tools were priced in the lower end of the professional range, and with a quality set to that price.

 

[MichaelW2014]

hi Alex. I read that metabo bought elektra a decade ago. i have heard that the build quality of the metabo version was good until they started to have the machines manufactured in china. so i am looking at either an old metabo model or a elektra model. any ideas? thanks

 

[MichaelW2014]

I am confused about what this is:

http://www.powertooldirect.co.uk/elektra_beckum_metabo_hc260c_22kw_planer_thicknesse-p-78312.html

I sent a message to the company selling this machine to try to discern the maker, type, etc.

 

[AlexThePalex]

hi Alex. I read that metabo bought elektra a decade ago. i have heard that the build quality of the metabo version was good until they started to have the machines manufactured in china. so i am looking at either an old metabo model or a elektra model. any ideas? thanks

Sorry, no ideas. I have never been impressed by Elektra Beckum nor Metabo's recent line of stationary tools. And I'm not a regular user of stationary tools either so my expertise in that area is close to nil.

 

[MichaelW2014]

i see.

btw, i have been meaning to ask you, regarding the cs70, have you found that your fence does not rest perpendicular to the table? Such is the case with my fence. I didn't realize it until recently, when i checked it for the first time really.

i can't see any way to fix this other than by attaching a layer or two of tape to the bottom of the fence. it is rather upsetting considering how much i paid for it.

 

[Stone Message]

Hello. I am continuing my search for a small jointer/planer machine. My space is limited and portability is a serious concern.

I have read some negative reviews on the metabo and rikon models. Some owners have complained about the bed not being flat or the fence not being perfectly perpendicular to the bed, etc. I need to work on a precision machine and cannot accept anything but perfection. So more than a 0.5mm discrepancy is intolerable to me.

I am wondering if perhaps the old Elektrabekum  HC260 machines are better made? I am hoping that owners or anyone with specific knowledge can chime in (especially peter parfit who brought this machine to my attention in the first place).

Thanks.

[member=11196]Peter Parfitt[/member]

The old Elekra Beckum HC260 was a really good value cheap and cheerful machine. Mine suited me whilst I moved house every 2 years with my old job but I am afraid that the modern offerings may not cut the mustard.

The style of machine can be seen under many different badges. They are made in the Far East but some badge sellers insist on their own Q&A in the factories. I do not have any information about which one is better than the other.

A clue might be to look for a quality tool supplier, say Baptist in Arnhem, and see what they sell.

Peter

 

[AlexThePalex]

i see.

btw, i have been meaning to ask you, regarding the cs70, have you found that your fence does not rest perpendicular to the table? Such is the case with my fence. I didn't realize it until recently, when i checked it for the first time really.

i can't see any way to fix this other than by attaching a layer or two of tape to the bottom of the fence. it is rather upsetting considering how much i paid for it.

Which fence do you mean, the miter fence WA, or the longer CS 70 LA?

I have no problem with the WA, works great and fits great. I use it 95% of the time.

The LA is not so great in my opinion, it never is square by itself and you have to make sure both ends line up perfectly.

Have you contacted Festool to see if they have a way to fix it?

 

[MichaelW2014]

Hello. I am continuing my search for a small jointer/planer machine. My space is limited and portability is a serious concern.

I have read some negative reviews on the metabo and rikon models. Some owners have complained about the bed not being flat or the fence not being perfectly perpendicular to the bed, etc. I need to work on a precision machine and cannot accept anything but perfection. So more than a 0.5mm discrepancy is intolerable to me.

I am wondering if perhaps the old Elektrabekum  HC260 machines are better made? I am hoping that owners or anyone with specific knowledge can chime in (especially peter parfit who brought this machine to my attention in the first place).

Thanks.

[member=11196]Peter Parfitt[/member]

The old Elekra Beckum HC260 was a really good value cheap and cheerful machine. Mine suited me whilst I moved house every 2 years with my old job but I am afraid that the modern offerings may not cut the mustard.

The style of machine can be seen under many different badges. They are made in the Far East but some badge sellers insist on their own Q&A in the factories. I do not have any information about which one is better than the other.

A clue might be to look for a quality tool supplier, say Baptist in Arnhem, and see what they sell.

Peter

Thanks Peter. I will try the supplier you suggest.

 

[MichaelW2014]

i see.

btw, i have been meaning to ask you, regarding the cs70, have you found that your fence does not rest perpendicular to the table? Such is the case with my fence. I didn't realize it until recently, when i checked it for the first time really.

i can't see any way to fix this other than by attaching a layer or two of tape to the bottom of the fence. it is rather upsetting considering how much i paid for it.

Which fence do you mean, the miter fence WA, or the longer CS 70 LA?

I have no problem with the WA, works great and fits great. I use it 95% of the time.

The LA is not so great in my opinion, it never is square by itself and you have to make sure both ends line up perfectly.

Have you contacted Festool to see if they have a way to fix it?

The miter fence is the problem here. I don't own the long fence. Yeah, it's not square. I guess I should contact the company. I don't know why I haven't yet--it's a serious problem that is making think twice before using the saw.

Have you ever checked your fence?

The fence on mine is about 1mm too short causing it to lean in toward the table slightly. So the fence is not the right dimension.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Are you sure it is the fence and not the table cupping? I have heard about that before.

If it is the fence it is possible the rod that holds it is bent.

I got my saw well used, but the first week I had it I did every test I could imagine and had to do a lot of adjustments to get everything lined up, including the extensions. But I never had a problem with the fence.

Mind you, I'm not the type to measure the saw with all kinds of precision instruments like calipers and feeler gauges. I just run some wood through it and see how my piece turns out. 

I got a question for you Michael, when you run the saw, does the motor run at a constant speed or does it have this behavour where it alternatively goes faster and slower? Mine does that sometimes and sometimes not and I wonder if this is by design or a fault. I know the saw has constant speed electronics, but I'm not sure if it works on mine all the time or just now and then.

 

[MichaelW2014]

It's the actual fence part. I don't think anything is bent. If the fence were 1 or 2mm taller, it would rest perpendicular to the table. As it is now I have to add tape to the bottom in order to raise it to achieve 90 degrees. I sent an email to the retailer asking for a contact email to festool so i can inquire about having this fence part replaced. If they refuse to replace it then i might at some point replace the fence with an incra ls positioner fence which or a miter gauge by incra. there is a method for attaching the incra ls to the c5 trim saw. you can buy it at dieter schmid in germany.

When my switch (on/off) broke, it would go fast and slow and turn on and turn off when i touch the table, and sometimes on it's own. I don't want to say that the switch is the problem, but it might be. Or else there is something wrong with the current in your motor perhaps.  The switch is very easy to replace.