FLA Support

[cobra514]

I've tried contacting Nate via:

Email (multiple attempts going back to last Wed.) and have no responses
Website contact form - again no response
Phone (no answer - and mailbox is full so no way to leave a message)

My unit was supposed to ship last week but it did not - and Nate has not contacted me about it.

Has anybody had any contact with FLA in the last week?

Maybe there is an explanation for this?

[yachtlover]

Hello cobra514,
I am in the process of making a decision on buying a china made 4x4 CNC or purchase the SATURN base and populate the unit with my desired motors and spindle.
I have tried for at least two weeks to get a response back from Fine Line Automation. After filling out two email requests for information I called and a female answered. She said to fill out
an email. When I told her I already did that she said she would have a technician call me in the afternoon. This was two weeks ago. Since then I have sent another email and have called
numerous times. Nathan's voice mail answered several times and I left a message to call. Today, I called and got the same "BOX FULL" message. It seems like they may have closed up shop.
This type of response makes me hesitate to go forward with them unless there is an explanation/clarification. Please let me know what feedback you get. yachtlover@rockisland.com (Craig)

[beltramidave]

I've tried contacting Nate via:

Email (multiple attempts going back to last Wed.) and have no responses
Website contact form - again no response
Phone (no answer - and mailbox is full so no way to leave a message)

My unit was supposed to ship last week but it did not - and Nate has not contacted me about it.

Has anybody had any contact with FLA in the last week?

Maybe there is an explanation for this?

Unfortunately I am having similar issues right now too trying to get some things taken care of my new Saturn.

Dave

[yachtlover]

I am a retired homicide investigator with cop like thinking. Does anyone have a physical address for the business? Perhaps local authorities should be asked to check the welfare on Nathan.

Craig

[beltramidave]

I just got a voice email from Nate, so he is alive... Thanks Nate.

Dave

[cobra514]

Yep. Same here. Thanks for the status Nate.

[yachtlover]

I also got a nice reply from Nate. My quest is renewed.

[ger21]

Nate has been known to "disappear" at times, but he always seems to come through. You can find similar threads dating back several years.

[coherent]

For what it's worth, while he can be hard to get in touch with at times, he's been very supportive after the purchase. Not always timely, but fair. Based on my experience so far I would recommend the machine over a china import. My guess is the support and quality of a import would be questionable with some models/sellers from what I've read but I have no personal experience with the Chinese routers. The Saturn machine itself is very heavy duty and at this stage (about 3 months after my purchase) no complaints. I went with a 4 axis driver/stepper setup from Automation Technologies, but those who have used CNCRP setups have made positive comments. Setting up your own drivers and steppers has it's advantages when you need to troubleshoot an issue later on.

[yachtlover]

I am leaning toward a Saturn 4 x 4 purchase. The china market offers good prices on advertised machines, but when you requests upgrades the price gets steep. I also checked into the Custom fees to Seattle, WA and it could reach $1000.
Below is a list of items I am considering for the Saturn. I welcome any comments.

http://www.automationtechnologiesinc...-110vac220vac/

http://www.automationtechnologiesinc...lling-spindle/

Craig
http://www.automationtechnologiesinc...ter-vfd-2-2kw/

[cobra514]

Well, back to no response from Nate.

Two missed ship dates now and no mention of what the 3rd date will be. Not that I would have faith in it.

The response last week just served to string me along even further.

[beltramidave]

I just had an voice email from Nate this morning.

Dave

[ericclinedinst]

After coming to this forum, and reading the things posted here about FLA, I'm not entirely sure why someone would send their money to them in good faith.

Not really sure why anyone would do business with him/them anymore. Unless you're just self loathing.

I just had an voice email from Nate this morning.

Dave

[cobra514]

Well, I'm still optimistic that I will be really impressed with the equipment.

I'd just like to know when I will receive it so I can start making chips.

[yachtlover]

I am in the same boat.
After finally receiving a descent reply, I asked some follow up questions right away along with shipping and payment questions. I have yet
to hear back from him. I keep flip flopping on his machine vs. my own build. Let me know if you get your machine or hear from him.
Craig

[beltramidave]

After coming to this forum, and reading the things posted here about FLA, I'm not entirely sure why someone would send their money to them in good faith.

Not really sure why anyone would do business with him/them anymore. Unless you're just self loathing.

I already have my machine (which is quite impressive), just waiting on some new motor pulleys with the correct bore for my existing Nema 34 motors. No fault of Nates, but he has located some and is sending them to me.

Though I agree that Nate's response time is disappointing at times, he has come through so far for me.

Dave

[MajorTendonitis]

After coming to this forum, and reading the things posted here about FLA, I'm not entirely sure why someone would send their money to them in good faith.

Not really sure why anyone would do business with him/them anymore. Unless you're just self loathing.

Well it certainly doesn't instill a lot confidence in FLA . It looks like a great machine , but I'd feel better if I lived a few minutes away from his business, instead of being over two thousand miles away in western Canada .
Cncrouterparts appears to have great communications from what I've experienced, and that is swaying me towards purchasing a Pro 4/4 from them instead.
Shame , as the Saturn looks like a heavy duty beast of a machine, and Nate has free shipping to a location right across the border from me

[cobra514]

I wonder if this market is just experiencing crazy growth and companies are struggling to keep up?
I actually made a deal on a (big-name), fully-built CNC router last month.
A name that is definitely respected.
After deciding to purchase, I asked the sales guy to add an item to my quote and send me the updated version.
I left a voice mail, sent two emails, and talked live on the phone about it - but never received it.

Well, I'm not about to beg any company to take my $13k. No way.

Then I found another company that gave misleading information about an electrical capability of their equipment.
I didn't appreciate that.

So (to keep on-thread topic)....
I ended up looking at FLA because I wanted a steel frame and gantry. I will be working with various metals.

Nate was quick with responses to email.
Prolly half-dozen of them. Even after funds were sent.
It was refreshing after getting blown-off by more well-known brands.
Hopefully still a good decision.

[yachtlover]

Does anyone know if he is a one man operation?
Does he build the machines himself?

[MajorTendonitis]

Does anyone know if he is a one man operation?
Does he build the machines himself?

I was wondering that myself , and it may explain his absence at times.
I know he's been busy with upgrading the Saturn