In Germany and Europe, where ERIKA is much better known than here in the U.S., for what type of work do professionals mainly use such a pull-push saw? Is its use limited primarily to flooring contractors and others who need not make crosscuts on long (3-4 m) materials? Do professionals actually forego deploying a normal compound miter saw on the job in favor of this two-in-one machine? Or is Erika viewed as a multi-talented and versatile improvement on a standard table saw, but nonetheless a companion rather than a replacement? Also, would the answer to this two-in-one sufficiency question be different if asked in regard to amateur/DIY owners vs. professional tradesmen? Is the market for ERIKA primarily found among professionals engaged in specific aspects of construction, or among serious DIY enthusiasts who use it as their primary, or even their only, saw? I am a professional finish carpenter, mostly working solo. The idea of eliminating one more machine (MS) from the on-site inventory is appealing, especially by the substitution of one of ERIKA's quality and unique capabilities, but I'm not sure whether ERIKA would be a viable replacement for a standard miter saw.
@@ThisTall - It's a very niche tool honestly that works better in Europe than the US. 1) It's now only available in 240v and it's a 3hp saw so if you need to take it to a work site they either need 240v electrical or you need a transformer to go from 120v-240v which would then be something like a 21-22 amp draw on 120v so you'd need a 30amp circuit. 2) It's designed to be portable and fit the roll of a couple tools. It gives you a tablesaw and what can be used as a miter saw (but not easily moved between a left/right miter). So if you want to shrink your shop foot print this would work for that. 3) You need to have the money to justify spending $5k on integrating a tablesaw/mitersaw. So this is designed for someone who has a small home shop (maybe a garage) who has 240v in their shop, and has the money to spend on this tool. Otherwise it's likely that you can find one or more alternative products that would probably fit your needs better.
Yes the ERIKA with the right accessories completely replaces a miter saw, as well as a table saw. In the right hands it can even replace a track saw, though certain long cuts are still easier/faster with a track saw. It's not just for flooring--it's excellent for crown moulding and other odd/small-shaped materials that a track saw cannot cut. Some ERIKA customers are professionals, some are DIY. It's a space-saver and money-saver if you need BOTH the push and pull functions. However the 230V German plug means many Americans do not have the power capability to run this saw--it must be run on a professionally-installed 220V or 240V (etc) wall socket. No converters/transformers/generators for such a powerful saw. Also while the pull direction is incredibly easy, the push direction is a bit like driving a stick until you get used to it. Incredible saw for the right customer, but certainly not for everyone!
@@timberwolftools5998 At one time, I believe the middle-sized Mafell Erika 70 was available in 110V. Was there once such a 110V model, but now discontinued?
In Germany and Europe, where ERIKA is much better known than here in the U.S., for what type of work do professionals mainly use such a pull-push saw? Is its use limited primarily to flooring contractors and others who need not make crosscuts on long (3-4 m) materials? Do professionals actually forego deploying a normal compound miter saw on the job in favor of this two-in-one machine? Or is Erika viewed as a multi-talented and versatile improvement on a standard table saw, but nonetheless a companion rather than a replacement?
Also, would the answer to this two-in-one sufficiency question be different if asked in regard to amateur/DIY owners vs. professional tradesmen? Is the market for ERIKA primarily found among professionals engaged in specific aspects of construction, or among serious DIY enthusiasts who use it as their primary, or even their only, saw?
I am a professional finish carpenter, mostly working solo. The idea of eliminating one more machine (MS) from the on-site inventory is appealing, especially by the substitution of one of ERIKA's quality and unique capabilities, but I'm not sure whether ERIKA would be a viable replacement for a standard miter saw.
Very well said. I can’t believe the tool shop that posted this video wouldn’t have answered a question like this already.
@@ThisTall - It's a very niche tool honestly that works better in Europe than the US.
1) It's now only available in 240v and it's a 3hp saw so if you need to take it to a work site they either need 240v electrical or you need a transformer to go from 120v-240v which would then be something like a 21-22 amp draw on 120v so you'd need a 30amp circuit.
2) It's designed to be portable and fit the roll of a couple tools. It gives you a tablesaw and what can be used as a miter saw (but not easily moved between a left/right miter). So if you want to shrink your shop foot print this would work for that.
3) You need to have the money to justify spending $5k on integrating a tablesaw/mitersaw.
So this is designed for someone who has a small home shop (maybe a garage) who has 240v in their shop, and has the money to spend on this tool. Otherwise it's likely that you can find one or more alternative products that would probably fit your needs better.
Yes the ERIKA with the right accessories completely replaces a miter saw, as well as a table saw. In the right hands it can even replace a track saw, though certain long cuts are still easier/faster with a track saw. It's not just for flooring--it's excellent for crown moulding and other odd/small-shaped materials that a track saw cannot cut.
Some ERIKA customers are professionals, some are DIY. It's a space-saver and money-saver if you need BOTH the push and pull functions.
However the 230V German plug means many Americans do not have the power capability to run this saw--it must be run on a professionally-installed 220V or 240V (etc) wall socket. No converters/transformers/generators for such a powerful saw. Also while the pull direction is incredibly easy, the push direction is a bit like driving a stick until you get used to it.
Incredible saw for the right customer, but certainly not for everyone!
@@timberwolftools5998 At one time, I believe the middle-sized Mafell Erika 70 was available in 110V. Was there once such a 110V model, but now discontinued?
@@michael.schuler Correct: the new motor and brake is too powerful for 120V, only the 230V ERIKA is available now
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