Posted by Tulsa Dave on February 26, 2003 at 19:05:23 from 65.64.50.22
In Reply to: whatever you do posted by Peter Florance on February 26, 2003 at 18:36:19:
I wouldn't rule the oil-less ones out if purchased for the right reasons and you don't expect it to last for 100 years.
I bought one after dealing with the things tipping over and leaking oil everywhere while in transport for years. Of course, I promptly gave up contracting for engineering (still trying to figure out how that happened?) three years after purchase and never move it anymore. The thing is WAY too noisy, but has worked flawlessly for six years and I've really put it through the paces. I've also worked with carpenters that have been using oil-less units for the weight savings for years now and I've never seen one fail on any of the jobs I've worked. Six years of my abuse would probably equal twice that for the average user.
Having said that, I agree the belt driven, oil-filled, cast iron designs are the way to go. If you don't have to move it much and space isn't a concern, the noise level alone is enough to sway it for me.