Hi Dunk, I've had it's predecessor the P98 for a few years (bought mine secondhand and fitted the AP98 cutter block and dust extraction). The earlier machine is identical except for the solid HSS or carbide tipped cutters (the later AP98 uses disposable tips, with the original block you needed to fiddle for ages to set-up the cutters), the lack of DX provision and the shape of the motor housing (the AP98 is much squarer and has an extra 150 or so watts available), so my updated P98 is
nearly an AP98.
Comments from use? Well, they're darned heavy (almost 8kg), take a heck of a lot of pushing as they don't really glide. And they aren't much use on short or narrow pieces because of their enormous footprint. However, with the new cutter block mine will do solid surface as well as timber lippings, they can handle a 2in lipping with ease (whereas a router won't) and they'll also do the ends of round tables, which my static lipper (a JKO LT750) won't do that easily.
Above: JKO LT750 static lip trimmer
The question is possibly how much curved edge/solid surface lipping do you do? If the answer is little or none then a static machine such as the LT750 (which can be picked up for £250 or less) will be a better bet, especially if fitted with a power feeder. Even having a P98 I've still found it easier to go to the static machine for volume straight processing (I was lucky enough to pick up a machine with replaceable carbide-tipped tooling) and relegate the P98 to curved pieces and the like. If looking for static machines apart from the JKO, there was a similar machine by Holz-Her (the 360) as well as trimmers such as those Brandt's, Cehisa, etc which are designed for narrower lippings.
Above: Holz-Her 360
Incidentally, there is a very good article on the subject by Terry Cain over at
Badger Pond
Scrit
