Gyrogami Blog - Precious Metals, Jewelry, Artwork

• Item being reviewed: Ringinator ▼ What's this all about anyway?
• Manufacturer: MTL Studios, Inc.
• Retail price: $750 ▼ Supplied by the manufacturer, discounts are likely to be found with some searching.
• Appearance: 7 ▼ Simply, how does it look. It is somewhat subjective but clean lines, professional appearance, etc.
• Packaging: 7 ▼ Is it thrown into a box or packed like a new smartphone
• Initial set-up time: 2 ▼ After removing contents from box, how long before the first use. Expect to spend up to several hours or days before it can be used. I've had mine for a while, about 30 hours of modifications and counting.
• "Plug and play": 0 ▼ Is everything included or do you need to purchase additional equipment, supplies, or parts.
• Additional costs or equipment: 4 ▼ Not included with the purchase, what else will lighten your wallet. This requires a drill, cutting fluid, attachment parts (zip ties, hose clamps, or something similar), and some extra cutting blades. It's another $100-$200.
• Set-up time for each use: Varies ▼ From being stored properly and completely, is it grab-and-go or much more involved. This takes about 10-15 minutes if stored dry, definitely much less if kept at the ready.
• Storage provisions: None ▼ Factory provisions to store equipment when not in use. You're on your own here.
• Storage time: Varies ▼ Time it takes to store it safely and completely, cleaned and lubed, liquids drained, and ready to go. Teardown takes a little longer than setting it up.
• Ongoing costs: 6 ▼ Replacement parts from wear-and-tear, expendables, supplies, etc. This item will need blades and cutting fluid. New blades are $15-$20, cutting fluid can be bought in bulk and diluted for minimal cost.
• Maintenance: 7 ▼ What is expected to keep the machine working properly: periodic maintenance, lubing, etc.
• Usability: 8 ▼ Is it a pain in the ass or complicated to use. Once it gets going, it is relatively easy.
• Functionality: 4 ▼ How well does it do its job. This had many problems so this rating only applied after fixing numerous issues.
• Robustness: 4 ▼ Durability, how well-constructed or flimsy it is
• Value: 2 ▼ Based on the price-vs-performance-vs-function, is it worth it. Definitely not the best value for the money. With only a few modifications that the manufacturer should add it would be exceptional.
• Adjustability: 1 ▼ Can it be easily modified to accommodate different situations. Spending so much time designing and manufacturing it but having no adjustability is a big problem.
• Meeting expectations: 2 ▼ Does it work as well as others say or the manufacturer claims. I understand why some like this machine. It's not the best but it works to a degree. The modifications I made were kinder to the coils, aligned smaller wires better, and stabilized the machine.
• Innovation: 8 ▼ The ingenuity of the design or concept. Gotta give them credit where it's due. This is, at least in concept, briliant. Not so great in execution, but brilliant nonetheless.
• Results: 4 ▼ This may or may not replace a manual method or previous way of doing something. In any case, what is the quality of the finished product or process. Anything below 6 - realistically, an 8 - is not jewelry quality. This rating is as it comes out of the box. After significant modifications, I think it approaches a 7.
• Timeliness: 8 ▼ How do the results compare to the amount of time it took. If it replaces a manual method, what are the differences. This little fiend pumps out rings at a prodigious rate.
• Skill level: At least 5 ▼ What mechanical aptitude or skills does one need to set it up and use it. This item can be a cluster&%$#@. It depends on the drill as the wrong size drill will be a big problem.
• Documentation: 6 ▼ Does it have detailed instructions, whether written (which it should no matter what) or on-line?
• Customer service: -3 (yes, NEGATIVE 3) ▼ How quickly they respond, can you speak with someone on the phone, are their answers satisfactory. I needed assistance even before I bought one and was left hanging repeatedly.
• Comparative: 5 ▼ If other machines or tools are available within the general price range that do the same thing, how does this compare.
• Recommendation: 1 ▼ My personal assessment of the device - basically, would I buy it again knowing what I learned about it. I would not buy the whole machine again. At best, buy the junior kit or make your own.

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