David
I wondered about it too. Clearly, there is something very wrong going on. I have no idea how the jig is built, but it has to be stout enough to keep things in position during welding, and handle the Saturn's weight. I doubt it is the sort of thing that you would expect to change much, if at all, over time. I can understand your frame being okay, given that it was the first. Ditto for others build in the same time frame. I cannot help but question whether the maker stopped stress relieving at some point. That might explain at least some of the build problems.
I think Bill (wmgeorge) had it right when he observed that is not particularly uncommon with machines build in China. The prototypes sell the distributor on the product, then quality ceases to be a priority and badly built machines follow. If Nate was able to have someone onsite during manufacture, he could ensure QC and refuse to accept sub par machines. However, given that FLA is a part time endeavor, that isn't going to happen. What surprises me is the Saturn still being offered for sale. The quality issues probably explain why the 8 footer has never appeared on the site. I'm guessing the maker couldn't get the prototype right.
Gary
Bill,
IMO, it goes beyond the question of whether it is cuts well enough. Some seemed satisfied with the accuracy, at least at first, but experienced very premature wear. I believe for MICKNM, it was bad enough to ruin a linear bearing block after minimal use. That sort of thing is entirely predictable, when when a machine is far out of spec. Many of us make smaller parts. Even significant manufacturing defects wouldn't necessarily be obvious and the parts seem fine. Again, that appears to have been MICKNM's experience. It wasn't until he tried to run 3d parts did the problems surface. I could see someone running a lot of parts and never see anything wrong - until the rails, bearing blocks, gears self destruct way sooner than they should..
I, for one, am not unhappy after sending my machine back. I am grateful that it turned out well, although it was a load of inconvenience. I'll call it a learning experience. What makes me unhappy is seeing folks with machines that should have never been sold, and watching them struggle. That some folks are left with a bad taste is hardly surprising - especially with the poor service for which Nate is so infamous.
Gary