I am brand new to woodworking. It is something I’ve wanted to do for many years, but I am just now trying to commit myself to developing my skills and building some projects that have been languishing on my “honey do” list.
Because of space constraints, I am seriously thinking of buying a combination machine. My question is directed toward those of you who have experience with these machines. Are they worth it? I am specifically looking at the Robland X31 or the Rojek KPS 300 V. The Felder and Knapp are priced way out of my league.
Can they produce the kind of quality cuts that can be obtained from single dedicated machines? Are they as precise? I have been looking on the internet for reviews of these machines, but they are few and far between.
Any help with these questions would be most appreciated.
Thanks
Replies
Try this link for a comparison.
http://www.wwforum.com/faqs_articles/B3_comparison.html
The combination machines you are looking at are pretty good quality boxes. I would say that they are easily the equal of the mid-range Jet/Delta/Powermatic, dedicated machines. Fine Woodworking did a review of one of the Hammer Saw/Planer combinations about a year ago and they seemed to be pretty happy with it. The one criticism they had was that the tables were not quite flat and they actually had to have one replaced. Considering the amount of work you have to put into any tool nowadays to get it working properly that is dissappointing but not unprecedented.
Laguna has a very good tape on their machine if you go through their web site and I think that Felder has one on the Hammer line as well. On the whole I think that Felder/Hammer has a better support structure while the Laguna is a slightly better machine. I own one of the Laguna bandsaws and I'm fairly happy with it but I've had some problems with customer service. If you want the real dope go to one of the shows (schedules on the websites) and go through the machines with the techs. Look at the motor numbers and the quality of the internal machining in comparison to the stand-alone tools. Good equipment stands out.
Thank you very much. I have already ordered a laguna bandsaw. I will find out just what is involved in getting it up and running, and have a better idea about Laguna's customer support.
Overall I've been pretty happy with the saw, but I have had a number of issues with the blades that I've ordered direct from Laguna. I've had a 1" stellite rip blade (at $1 an inch) that I've had to send back no less than three times because of bucked welds.
In their defense, the customer service techs I've talked to have been very knoweldgeable and they were happy to replace the blades without any issues or fees. But they seem a little overworked and sometimes things like callbacks can go for a bit.
HARPSAMI wrote "On the whole I think that Felder/Hammer has a better support structure while the Laguna is a slightly better machine."
The first part of this statement is true, while the claim laguna machines are superior to felder or hammer in any way is totally obsurd. Their robland machine is not close... the knapp is nice but this post was about the lower end stuff ie: robland vs. hammer
j.
Hi az-novice
I've had a combination machine for about 8 years and I've been very pleased with it. Mine is an Italian made Cassidei (about 1980 vintage) and it came secondhand from a cabinet making shop which was closing. It has three, 3HP, three phase motors and it was a fraction of the cost of new equipment. All I had to do to it was replace the belts and carefully realign the tables. It's a professional quality machine and unsurprisingly it cross-cuts, rips, planes, thicknesses, shapes and mortices every bit as well as any dedicated piece of equipment.
The only real issue with CMs is that to be EFFICIENT you need to be well organised and you must approach the work at hand in a methodical way. While it doesn't take all that long to change functions on the machine, it would soon add up if you had to reconfigure the machine everytime you picked up a piece of timber.
An Australian magazine "Australian Wood Review" has recently reviewed at length CMs from across the entire spectrum. Their web site is:
http://www.woodreview.com.au/
and you can order back issues on-line.
I've not used either of the machines you mention, but other Rojek equipment that I've seen looked like quite good value. A good feature of European machines that I've seen, is that they are fitted with quality riving knives and guards which can be left in place for almost all operations - a major plus as anyone who's put their fingers in a wood working machine will attest!
My advice is have a look at what's available secondhand, buy the best you can afford from a reputable manufacturer, and learn to work around the shortcomings of whatever you end up with. If it's possible, try to buy a unit complete with its tooling - quality TC saw blades, spare HSS planer blades and shaper heads, etc, are expensive to buy new. Geared rise and fall/tilt mechanisms are nice to have but aren't essential. My saw has a simple lever arrangement and I have no trouble setting the depth of cut to within half a millimeter. It's also very quick.
Ted
Dear Ted,
Thanks for the input. I appreciate it.
Jim Shields
John,
Is it true you work for Felder? If so, that's not a problem, but it's probably something that should be mentioned as well.
Tim
____________
Tim Sams
Associate Editor, Fine Woodworking
Knots Moderator
Because of space restraints I have owned a Laguna LX-31 for the past four years. This machine maintains a space in my two car garage and can be moved with a "mobility kit" which is a wheel mounted on a tube that locks into a fitting on the base of the machine. This machine has a large sliding table ,is all steel and cast iron construction , and compares very favorably with separate machines of the same capacity and quality.
A combination machine forces you to plan your worksteps so you don't have to revisit your setups and teaches you to make an extra part or two as a spare; all good habits to acquire.You will find different quality combination machines with various capacities but their space saving multiple operations ability are unbeatable.
I am also just starting and have purchased the Craftsman 10" professional table saw. It won't come until Wednesday. I am unsure that I made the right decision. I want to build cabinets. Should I get something with a 50" fence? Or can I take the fence off and cut larger cuts?
This my first question on the internet, but I have a problem. I have purchsed a Craftsman 10" Professional 22124 table saw. I will get it on Wednesday. I want to build cabinets. Did I make the right choice? I am concerned about larger crosscuts over the 30" fence to the right. Can you do this on a table saw or do I use a tool guide and a circula saw? I am also new to wood working as you can tell?
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