WarmGlass.com

I am new to this forum,
I wish to cut glass to curved shapes prior to fusing.
Which concept is best, wire or bandsaw(diamond) taurus or gryphon )
any suggestions, Beau

Lots in the archives about this; Taurus is the answer for curves, IMO.

IMO Skip anything Gryphon, they're cheaper for a reason. I bought one trying to save money, wound up buying the Taurus later anyway.

Lynn g wrote:Lots in the archives about this; Taurus is the answer for curves, IMO.

The more recent posts (2007/2008 to 2012) were lost in the upgrade.

the taurus 3 is a great machine. the standard blade works well for cutting either 3mm or 2mm sheet into shapes prior to fusing. if you need to cut thicker pieces after firing layers together the speed blade is best.
D

I'm a relative newbie to glass craft.........quickly addicted, and quite surprised by the amount of 'investment' I've already made in tools and supplies. I noticed in a recent catalog that one retailer is currently offering the Taurus III for $379 but also has the Taurus II kit for $149. Bearing in mind my status as a newbie, and desire to control costs, but also consider quality and longevity of equipment, any advice from the knowledgeable folks on this forum?

Specifically, I'd love to know if anyone is aware of performance differences between the two models? Any reason that the III is a better value than the II? Also, I understand that the Taurus II is no longer being produced - should I assume that parts will not be interchangeable and that repairs and maintenance could be problematic with the Taurus II? Any other considerations? TIA

Tracy

Tracy Fries wrote:I'm a relative newbie to glass craft.........quickly addicted, and quite surprised by the amount of 'investment' I've already made in tools and supplies. I noticed in a recent catalog that one retailer is currently offering the Taurus III for $379 but also has the Taurus II kit for $149. Bearing in mind my status as a newbie, and desire to control costs, but also consider quality and longevity of equipment, any advice from the knowledgeable folks on this forum?

Specifically, I'd love to know if anyone is aware of performance differences between the two models? Any reason that the III is a better value than the II? Also, I understand that the Taurus II is no longer being produced - should I assume that parts will not be interchangeable and that repairs and maintenance could be problematic with the Taurus II? Any other considerations? TIA

Gemini stopped making the Taurus 2 in March 2010, so if a retailer has a new one on the shelf it's been sitting for at least two years. The 2 is noticeably noisier than the 3 and the wear parts (grommets and bearings) tend to wear out faster on the 2 than the 3. The 3 also has a larger working surface and throat than the 2.

Make sure that the retailer is selling the Taurus 2 and not the Taurus 2 accessory kit, which sold for around $150 and did not include the saw, only some attachments.

Doh! You are correct.........it is simply an accessory kit. That makes for an easy decision. Thanks!