There was a time in the arrogant heyday of the US auto Industry when the Detroit moguls decided that the buying public would go for anything. It was called badge engineering where they took the same car and put different names on it- remember the NOVA concept- stood for Nova, Omega, Ventura and Apollo-same car different names- they even put Chevy engines in Olds and Pontiacs and got busted for it. Ford tried the Lincoln Versailles and Cadillac the Cimarron- both just standard sedans with Mexican upholstery. Meanwhile the Japs were building quality and value- look at the result today. I got a flyer from Smithy, and I wonder if they hired some of those layed off auto guys- I see the same machines with a whole slew of different names and prices.

I got a flyer from Smithy, and I wonder if they hired some of those layed off auto guys- I see the same machines with a whole slew of different names and prices.

The difference is in the electrical systems.
Mine only operates on 110 Volts, but the new ones are capable of handling 220V.

I wonder who would pay the extra 900.00 just for the priviledge of installing a 220 volt circuit in his shop.