Replies

1. 
   infinity | Mar 20, 2005 09:48pm | #1

   I own a robland x31 combo machine . I bought it used, and have been completely happy with all of its funtions. The only ajustments I have had to make relate to producing xtra stock at all stages of the jointing ,planing, & sawing procedures so i can have test stock for setup of shaping and other joinery .

1. 
   ApocalypseNow | Mar 20, 2005 10:06pm | #2

   Thanks for your reply. I'm very interested in the Robland machine based on seeing it at a local show. I'm nervous about precision though. My 1st woodworking tool was a Shopsmith. It performed 5 functions adequately but not 1 exactly. I don't want a repeat performance. Again thanks.

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   infinity | Mar 20, 2005 10:34pm | #3

   I am not qualified to compare the robland x31 to a wide range of other stand alone machines .However it is very accurate compared to the jet ,powermatic & delta machines I own. The saw has no runout ,the planer joiner performs very competently and can handel big jobs, the shaper is powerful and smoth. I find the sliding table a big help in crosscut.ting and coping on the shaper.

2. 
   Bioman | Mar 21, 2005 02:24pm | #4

    

   Slider, I am familiar with the Robland, Felder, Knapp and Mini-Max combination units.  If you’re on a budget I would look at the mini-max first.  The Mini-Max is about $11,000.00 new, less used of course if you can find one.  If you can afford the extra, I believe there is still a Knapp Profi on the market, it's a used for unit for about $13,000.00; this unit has a lot of extra's with tooling, I guess if bought new it would run around $32,000.00 as outfitted.  The Knapp is the absolute best in combination machines, built more like a metalworking machines, than a woodworking machine.  Let me know if you want the guys e-mail.

1. 
   ApocalypseNow | Mar 22, 2005 03:54am | #6

   Thanks for the input. I'd appreciate the e-mail address you mentioned.

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   Napie | Mar 21, 2005 04:03pm | #5

   It is all based on the space you have available. I started with a Robland years ago and it was just fine.  When I moved into a much larger shop, I sold it and went the Unisaw, and separate machine route.  I think the separate machines are more convenient, but the combo made me plan my work a lot better to minimize lost time going back and forth.  It is really nice though, to be able to dimension a single piece of stock, (usually forgotten), in the middle of a project.  With the combos the change overs are quick as advertised, but the lost set-ups do take time and repeatable accuracy can suffer.  

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   ApocalypseNow | Mar 22, 2005 03:56am | #7

   Thank you for your help & info. I'm leaning more and more towards a combo due to space constraints.

1. 
   Bioman | Mar 22, 2005 04:29am | #8

   http://lagunatools.ipbhost.com/index.php?act=Mail&CODE=00&MID=1228

   If you go here, I think you will be able to contact him..  Just click on e-mail....

4. 
   bigsuronline | Mar 23, 2005 11:12pm | #9

   Combo machines work very well if you are doing small scale production work such as windows and doors where you mass produce stock parts, however if you are making one off pieces you are going to find problems.If you can make the space work for you then go with seperate machines not that there is anything wrong with any of the combos mentioned they will all give you professinal results, the drawbacks you will encounter are all involved with resetting the machine for forgotton or damaged parts (oh believe me it is going to happen), very time consuming especially when accuracy is paramount. Dont forget as well later on you can always sell separete machines if you want to upgrade a particular function. If space is a problem then put your smaller machines on castors
   But most of all have fun either way....christian

5. 
   yona | Mar 24, 2005 12:48pm | #10

   Hello

   There was an article on FWW No 161, you can get some info from this article.

   Felder is probably the top of the line. Do not compare combo machines to Unisaw type - they are not "animals".