Durston 1017 Agile Elite C110mm Kombi-Walzwerk mit Untersetzungsgetriebe

As I usually do with any new equipment, I went over the machine, greasing all fasteners, inspecting threading, checking alignment and functionality, etc. This machine is well-made and meets the high reviews it typically gets. Fit and finish is *superb* (note comment below on shipping, however). Alignment of the rolls is spot on. The rolls arrived heavily greased, as expected, and in perfect condition. The extra outboard rolls were also greased, wrapped in vapor phase inhibitor paper, and encased in bubble wrap. The circlip tool is also good quality and the extra clips are appreciated. The included pattern plate (flowers) is a useful one to me, also greased and double-bagged. Hex wrenches are provided to fit all fasteners.

The cover is much better than expected, being made of a heavy-duty, waxed canvas. It has a front pocket to hold the tools and any miscellaneous items. The added microfiber towel and gloves are a nice touch (no pun intended).

Two surprises (to me). The catch plate, new on the Agile Elites, is metal, and I had expected plastic, and it is very firmly attached. Durston did it right. The other surprise, as I never read anything mentioning it, is that the handle arm is aluminum, not cast or ductile iron. Generally, I’d prefer a stronger material for a high stress part like this. The shaft connection, however is large, as is the keyway, which should offset any wear concerns. The plastic finger-grooved handle is comfortable enough, though I may substitute it for an ungrooved wood handle.

The only issue I had was some shipping damage (UPS). The machine appears to have shifted in the box, and the ends of the feet on one side went through the side of the box and had their paint scraped off. No other damage, and no parts loss. Otto Frei addressed it immediately. Great customer service!

I debated for the better part of a month between the Agile Elite C110 and the Agile Elite C140 … as well as some Pepetools mills. The C110 won out in the end. Despite the larger diameter rollers and 5-1 gear ratio of the C140, when I considered what I actually need vs the larger machine’s capability, the answer was clear. First, the difference between the flat areas of the two mills only differs by about 1/2 inch, plus the flats on the C110 are still large enough to accommodate most pattern plates, unlike the smaller “regular" Agile series combo mills. Wire rolling does not require the same level of mechanical advantage as patterning, so the Agile Elite C110 and C140 are essentially identical in that respect. There is also an approach angle advantage to the smaller rollers of the C110, which makes it marginally easier to start a patterning roll.

All in all, I can see the considerable thought that went into the design and market positioning of the Agile Elite mills. Very high capability, meaningful improvements over the previous Agile mills, and extremely competitively priced. Only one minor nod to saving costs in the handle, perhaps, but the redesigned rolls and t-handle, the stellar addition of the most useful outboard rollers (with extras, no less!), plus the other extras vastly make up for that!

Very highly recommended, as is Otto Frei!