NWSL Chopper II user here for many years.i can’t say a bad thing about it.
This is truly a case of "you get what you pay for". If you are going to use this frequently then spend the money. If you only want to make one or two trestles/structures/whatever get the one from MM.
My 2¢,
oldline 1
I have a Chopper III with one extra cutter handle, and I love it.
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All I can say is that in the 15+ years I have owned the NWSL tool, I have never regretted the purchase. I have no experience with the Micro-Mark tool you mentioned.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
It's been my experience that the NWSL tools will be of higher quality than the MicroMark tools.
For example, the NWSL Chopper I tends to keep square with the fence better and longer than the MM version. The knurled bolts that hold the triangles to the fence are more comfortable than the MM ones which can have sprue still attached to the plastic knurled parts. And BTW, the NWSL Chopper II (the metal one) is really nice and very rigid; much more so than the masonite one (I have a Chopper II). The cutting mat lasts longer than a masonite base (it can be flipped and turned), and the tool is more precise.
In a nutshell, the NWSL tools are for those who are going to be using them a whole bunch. You'll appreciate that it will be easier to setup, the longer life of the tool, and the more accurate (and repeatable) cuts when you make hundreds of cuts. The MM Chop-It is for those who aren't really into scratch building but got that one kit or two that need a number of cuts.
I am considering one of these and wonder what your experiences are with these tools? The Chop-It is cheaper but is the difference in quality that great!
I don't want to start a war with this questio, but inquiring minds want to know. Thanks for your input.