The 'Droid Fiasco

[NS'Creter]

I know that some are wanting to talk about this, so I may as well get it started.
I don't have one, but thought it would be a good addition. Now this UniRam rig comes along at a fraction of the price and appears to be nearly the same thing. Hmmmm. Seems like a no brainer to me. Don't get me wrong, I have no complaints about my EAC tools... I've been runnin' them for 4 years now and they're great. I recommend them, but I can't see straight to paying a seemingly inflated premium for something if I can get a comparable tool for considerably less. Of course I would have to research it further prior to purchase, but WOW! Anybody have insight or opinions about this?

[ECI]

I have a droid still on the pallet and will be using it this weekend. I would like someone to give
us some feedback as the droid is about 6-6.5 times the money as the UniRam. I heard that the droid has heavier steel componets and better vac system ,but enough to warrent the price difference would have to be seen. The number of jobs needed to pay back the cost is drasticly reduced with the UniRam if it performs. The difference, put in our pockets sure would help with running the biz!

[NS'Creter]

"If it performs" are the key words there, I think. As we all know, the thing can be free, but if it doesn't do the job you've overpaid. On the other side of the coin, if it does perform...the decision for those of us who haven't made the purchase yet is easy.

[takenforgranit]

I don't have a droid but do have enough sandblasting experience to be dangerous. What I know I will share. The monument business uses similiar systems to letter monuments and to cut death dates on monuments. In their shops blasting usually takes place in a blast cabinet and the sand is recovered for re use. At Cemeteries the sand is usually just left.

They use a much larger compressor than Eac supplies and I can't see how that they could have anything other than a very slow cutting speed as by supplied engrave a crete.

As to stencils and sand blast supplies, go to Granite City Tools website, they sell all the supplies including material to make your own stencits at a fraction of what our industry charges. These stencils are only good for 1 use. You can cut them yourself with an exacto knife or you can order them pre cut from a company by the name of Design Mart in Georgia, I believe in Elberton. I do a lot of business with them ordering commemorative bricks for a Veterans park I vol. for. As a price example a brick with name, branch of service, and dates of service cost about $5 and we get them in about 3 days after order.

[NS'Creter]

Now that's some interesting info. We talked about that a while ago and once I get a little more mobile (I'm workin' on it) I plan to get rigged up with that type of system.

As a little side note, I have bought polishing stuff and a sealer from Granite City Tool. There service was great, prices reasonable and the stuff I bought did not disappoint.

[cfs1]

glad to see this is being revisted. I was really wanting to hear more from EAC about the WALMART tools as they called it. i was supposed to get a demo of the UNIRAM,still waiting, but if it happens i will let you know. I know when companies start saying the tools and equipment they make is made special for an industry price goes nuts, and they get it "costs so much more must be worth it" fishing tackle is same way....oh well, glad to see you guys and gals again

[takenforgranit]

I talked to someone on the EAC board about the droid they had and they said it was real slow because of the compressor theygot from EAC. Most granite cutters use a rig that puts out around 20 cfm or more for remote lettering and a larger one in their shop. Granite and concrete are different and granite is much harder. On the other hand a monument don't get all that much cutting as opposed to a border around a 40' patio.

[aynet]

Droid is slow and definately needs the higher CFM compressor. The results are fine, but slower than Christmas. Can't compare to another tool, but we purchased ours more for countertop type work and such in a shop, which we haven't yet set up. Too busy or too little money.