In allowing Machinist users to upgrade to the Woodworker X50 rail through the Infinite Possibilities program, OneFinity is already technically authorizing this configuration. The fact that numerous customers are actively doing this, demonstrates that there is demand for this machine footprint whose depth better fits on typical workbenches. However, to configure such a machine from new currently requires significant wasted time and money from both the customer and OneFinity.
Being nothing more than a parts bin engineering exercise, for both the machine and the QCW, this would be an extremely low effort way to expand the product offerings and fill a gap in the product line. Presumably the same could even be further applied to a 48x16 machine if there were any demand being demonstrated through the Infinite Possibilities program.
I think there are several interesting configurations one could make, 48x48 being another one of interest. However with a several month-long backup of orders with the existing machines, it probably isn’t the ideal time to introduce more models and sizes.
Never thought of a 48x16 machine, would be great for a machinist to be able to keep multiple templates installed for doing a variety of parts, beats swapping templates between each cut!
All I know is that this is a wonderful configuration. I’ve had the Machinist and when we moved I upgraded with the X50 for a 16X48 cutting area. Frankly, it is rare that any project fails to fit in the cutting area of this unit now. I’ve done rocking horses, many boxes with engravings, a few signs, but mostly cutouts for later assembly. This should be an available configuration without the trade-in hassle.
The parts are all physically available from OneFinity, same as for the rail upgrade, but apparently the possibilities are not “infinite” for being able to get individual QCW upgrade components to match your machine upgrade components. It would effectively cost them nothing to at least allow you to custom order a correct grouping of off-the-shelf component for this already factory enabled configuration in one shot. But no dice.
So while building a hybrid machine means unnecessarily doubling the buying, shipping, and handling of x-rails just to send a completely unused set back, building a hybrid QCW means buying two full QCW kits to make a single QCW with a bunch of miscellaneous leftover (junk/scrap) parts that aren’t enough to build a second QCW of any kind. So in the context of building a hybrid machine being a waste filled process, building a corresponding hybrid QCW is doubly so.