Kity

[WoodMangler]

Anyone familiar with 'Kity' tools ? It's not a brand I'm familiar with, are they sound/reliable/good-value or not even to be touched with a barge-pole ?

 

[marcros]

my 419 table saw is alright. The limitations of it are inexperience of the user rather than the saw! It is probably 10 years old, so cant comment on the newer stuff. Luthiers seem to rate the bandsaws, and as somebody once pointed out, they can be "fussy" with their requirements. Condeesteso did an excellent review on his 413 bandsaw and rated it very highly.

Like most things, the tablesaw needs a bit of fettling, but it is reasonably straightforward, and beyond a bit of squaring and checking is not essential to do immediately.

New, I dont know how prices compare to the competition.

What kit are you looking at?

 

[Sawyer]

I have experience of using one of their spindle moulders, and didn't like it much: a bit lightweight and bendy. Their machines tend to have alloy tables, I believe, with a low friction coating. Tolerable on some stuff perhaps, but thicknesser beds?

Personally, when I'm in the market for any machinery, I don't bother looking at Kity.

 

[marcros]

hmmm. Sawyers post is interesting.

It may explain why there are plenty of table saws that come up for sale, a fair few bandsaws, but planer thicknessers and spindle moulders are noticably less common. Spindles, obviously are a bit more specialist than the average hobbyist.

 

[WoodMangler]

What kit are you looking at?

Bandsaw.

 

[Noggsy]

I've got a Kity 413 bandsaw and it's top-drawer.

 

[thomvic]

I've got a Kity 635 planer thicknesser that is excellent - even with it's alloy table. It does pre-date Far Eastern production though.

Richard

 

[Steve Maskery]

They are good little hobby machines. Not in the same league as Startrite or Wadkin, but good in their class. I have a Kity P/T and it's served me well.
S

 

[MickCheese]

I have a Kity table saw and a Kity planer/thicknesser for hobby use. I am very pleased with both.

Mick

 

[WoodMangler]

Thanks guys, I ended up buying it (Ebay #140868768131 - you're allowed to say if you think I paid too much ). Sent my son, who lives nearby, to collect for me. I'll go and get it off him in a few days, and report back.

 

[marcros]

i dont think that you would have any problems selling that on for what you paid. Good buy there I think.

 

[davin]

I had a Kity planer thicknesser (old but very good condition), I sold it to buy a new Startrite.
Big mistake. On my second startrite in a year ( first one sent back) second one had to get an engineer from startrite to come out,still not happy
If I could return it and get my old Kity back I would.
If I had problems with 1 machine fair enough. Just seems they are crudely manufactured.
So if it's been looked after and its one of the older machines I would say go for it.

Davin