I'm thinking our Kent 618 is a lower cost copy of the Mitsui. We bought new in 2000 and it's stil doing very well asides from having to replace the cheap plastic handles that don't last. We remove the table and saddle every couple years for in depth cleaning seems to help it hold up. We have a small '94 Harig 612 next to it that gets same treatment and just got a new traversing nut and screw, is a joy to use.