Customer Reviews

SHOP FOX M1045 12-Inch 3 in 1 Sheet Metal Machine

5 star:		(0)
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2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Machine is a good deal at the price but it is inadequately packaged. The 100 lb. cast iron machine sits loosely on a 1/8" sheet of wood paneling inside a cardboard box. The carton is not marked "This End Up," and if it is handled on it's side, the adjustment screws have their plastic tops broken off and bend from the weight. The first machine that was delivered had a broken cast iron frame (obviously fell in a truck), had bent and damaged adjustment screws, a bent sheet metal cover for the rollers, and missing parts because the cardboard box torn open. Amazon was excellent in accepting the broken machine back and sent UPS to pick it up prepaid, plus they sent a replacement machine. The second one arrived with broken and bent adjustment screws, bent rods for the back gauge and a few missing parts. ShopFox was great about promising to send replacement parts, even if they had to take them off an existing machine in their warehouse (these parts have not yet arrived), but they curiously insisted that there was no problem with the packaging. This machine should be crated for shipment, or at the very least it should be bolted to a 5/8" plywood base and the carton marked "This End Up."

The shear did not function because non-spec screws had been installed to hold the 'work table' in place and they were too short to do so. The work table functions as one half of the shear. The parts list called for 20mm screw lengths, and 15mm were installed. I bought two 8x1.25x25mm allen head screws at Home Depot and that cured the problem.

The machine is good for rough work. The back gauge is not adequate to square work properly and you will be making bends by eye. It is heavily built however, and will last a lifetime if you keep it oiled to prevent rusting of the low grade steels and do not abuse it. Replacement drive gears for the slip rollers are suppose to come with the machine, but were missing in each shipment. If it weren't for the poor packaging and damage, I would rate it a 3 or 3.5 for value, based on heavy construction and very low price.

The first machine arrived in a broken and damaged carton. The machine was broken in three pieces and falling out the sides of the broken carton. I could not return the machine in the original carton as pieces were falling out. So...I repacked the original carton in a heavy wall box and returned it asking for a replacement. (Took me well over an hour). The replacement arrived in a few days and the carton was in the same condition! Sides split open that were repaired by tape, light duty box and unsecured parts rattling around sticking out the sides of the box. The machine is cast iron (Chinese) and weighs just over 100 pounds. The packaging is doomed to failure. The box is of poor quality and there is nothing to secure the machine from shipping damage. I cannot imagine any of these machines arriving to the customer undamaged. I was able to repair most of the damage and am trying to contact the customer service for replacement parts. So far, (after two days) no respnse from the customer service. If you can put up with this, the machine is not all that bad for the money.