Cibo Finimaster II Multi-Purpose Abrasive Machine Reviews

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Good Points: Comes complete with; accessories, a broad range of consumables, spanner for changing discs and a metal kitbox.4m heavy duty power cord (extends available working area).Full service facility and spares available from Cibo approved distributors.6 speed variable motor (1,200-3,200rpm)Spindle lock for easy disc changes.Dust mainly represents a potential health hazard as the handled drum part of the machine separates the motor from most airborne particles.Soft start.Good aluminium / steel castings & ABS mouldings.Sturdy and stable.Reasonable design and good construction.Noise level: v. low.Good choices of materials.Good finishes.Takes standard 125-115mm discs with a 22mm arbour.Standard M14 fitting (on most / all 4-5" angle grinders)Good range of discs available from various manufacturers.

Bad Points: No manual, parts listing or instructions included.Expensive or just good value? Time will tell!

General comments: My angle grinder tends to be too fierce (10,000 rpm) for grinding metal and welds; reducing the life of the grinding discs and also, detrimentally, affecting the quality of the work. The Finimaster has a variable speed dial allowing me to run the tool at much slower speeds; increasing the life of the abrasive, reducing heat build-up in the work piece and giving me greater control and finesse, saving me time, energy & money and giving me better results. It's also far less noisy than an angle grinder, which, I find almost intolerable without good ear protection. Lower speeds also allow the machine to take more attachments (standard M14 spindle) like wet / dry buffing fleeces and polishing mops and as such doubles the machine's scope as being an ideal polisher.The machine does seem incredibly well made and as a result it is heavy, but, not uncomfortably so. The machine was bought as a kit with the most popular range of accessories / consumables included and comes in a large, spray painted, metal case, lined with foam. One of the main features of the machine is the handled guard that converts it to a drum sander. Sanding metal down to a grained finish with a belt sander tends to leave notches, whereas; the Finimaster does not. Even on slightly convoluted (flat), metal stock the machine does an incredibly good job, quickly, especially so for sheet stock. Scothbrite / sanding belts (etc.) fit on an M14 spindle mounted rubber inner tube and I confess that seeing the product and actually using it are two different states of mind with the former being laughable...Cibo operate from the Benelux and although they don't have a strong presence here in the UK, they do have a good reputation. This makes me wonder if spares and servicing are difficult for their machines here in the UK? The machine, itself, came without a UK 3 pin plug attached, but was included in the kit as a part to be fitted myself. It was obvious that the original plug had been cut off. The purchase was a big risk at the time, since no reviews were available and product info was sketchy at best. I'm glad to have the machine, now though, as it does a good job and fills a gap in my work-flow & tooling nicely.In my "2B stainless steel 50x3mm stock to mirror finish" trials with it; I found the zirconium belts (80 & 120 grit) to give very desirable results, followed by aluminium oxide (180, 240 & 320) and lastly grey, green and blue polishing compounds (The aluminium oxide belts, polishing compounds and mops are not included in the kit). The best advantage is the tool's speed at its job, taking, approx., a tenth of the time of my other tools . Belt changes are a bit fiddly requiring one; to deflate the tyre, take off the old belt, put on the new belt and re-inflate the tyre with a bicycle pump (supplied).The price of the machine takes it out of the DIY market, which is a shame because it fills an ideal niche between all the various drill systems and heavier, specialised, machinery.