I was recently about to buy the dream factory tool, but there isl had so much trouble trying to purchase the tool, and have it shipped to the US. on the other hand I found a Makita embossing machine thats around the same price and it’s a gorgeous machine, seems to be a very sturdy and reliable machine.
any opinions on either machine ? Should I keep trying to buy the dream factory, or try out the makita. it’s a lot easier to purchase with less hassle. does anyone currently use this makita machine ?
Hello,
Concerning the Maxita one, why in the hell would you buy it for that much from the US when you can get it for : $741 + $236 (Shipping to the US) = $977 from AliExpress
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2255800793557754.html
And, if you have the time you can also look up the manufacturer on AliBaba, contact them and then they will probably sell you one for at least 200$ cheaper. I have done this before with tools, appliances and machines (not for leather though). You just need a bit of patience.
Also, until recently, I had never ever heard of the "Maxita" brand for leather tools. How do we know what they offer is of good quality... Yes, the machine is as sexy as they come, but sometimes, the sexiest women/men/trees/whatever-you-are-into are rotten at the core. It is worth paying that much on a machine that has not yet passed the test of time? What are the gears made of? Stainless Steel, Aluminum, Steel? Are spare parts available? If you have an issue with your machine, can and will help be provided to fix it? etc...
When I pay 1300$ for anything, i ask these questions.
Now, regarding the Dream Factory one, the main advantage over the Maxita is in first the gear-less design. Instead it uses a system of mechanical bearings which are less prone to wear and tear.
It also has a system allowing you to modify the pressure of your stamp (not just the height), this could be really interesting when stamping hard to stamp chrome tans. (I believe the Maxita has a height modification setting, but no pressure modification).
Finally, the person behind Dream Factory will be by your side if there is any issue with his product (whether you purchased from him directly or through a reseller). I had an issue with one of his ponies and he honestly did everything humanly possible to fix it for me.
As an additional point for the Dream Factory, it also double as a clicker press which does come in handy.
So, in conclusion, for that much money, get a KSF Mini or even better a used Kwikprint from ebay. The Kwikprints are made in USA and have spare parts and accessories widely available.
Yes, it is not as pretty as a Maxita or a Dream Factory, but is sexiness what you look for in a tool?