Yet Another machine question...

SWF for sure out of those two. Read some more here:
http://www.google.com/#q=ricoma&hl=en&safe=off&prmd=imvnsfd&source=lnms&tbm=dsc&ei=xpkPT7zTB6WNsQKpyMzEAw&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=7&ved=0CDgQ_AUoBg&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&fp=b587e610895c9762&biw=1273&bih=702

sorry, between these two options I would strongly vote for the SWF. I know it will cost more up front... but I think when you look back a year or two from now and factor in what the machine really cost you in downtime, maintenance, lack of support, etc... you will wish you had paid a bit more up front. If you had put Tajima in the question I would have voted for that one though.. but that would set you back even more up front.

Think of resale as well... might happen.

I own 3 swf machines that I bought in 2004 and not one time have I had to have any maintenance person come ... but I was already familiar with Tajimas for over a decade, so they are very similar so I was able to handle anything we needed. so far. I would have gone with Tajima myself but the particular custom machine I was looking at the price difference was nearly $30,000, so THAT I could not justify. No resale probably on something so custom as well. So I opted for the SWF and have been completely satisfied.

Robert, if you had an option to get barudan, tajima or swf all at the same price, which one would you pick?

I would buy Tajima. I started with them 23 years ago as a 12 head operator and have helped in rebuilding more than one due to fires or other disasters. So I just feel more comfortable with them personally. Plus there are many more professionals in my local area who have them that I could use as support if I ever needed it.
I have not used a barudan since they changed their heads from round to straight, so I don't know enough about them to make me want to buy one. Too many bad memories of hats being ripped off the machine because we put the thread on the wrong needles, lol

Tajima for sure. But Barudan makes a very nice machine.

Robert, you are more than welcome to come and play around on my Barudan once it is finally here!! T-minus one week :)

Sydney

cool. I know they have changed tremendously since I last used one. I am sure you are excited!!

So, Keljohnso.. have you made your decision yet?