I need some input from fellow woodworkers familiar with the Robland X31.
I have the opportunity to acquire a barely used (previous owner was a doctor that only used the machinery for a couple small projects around his home) for $3,500. Dust collection, blades and shaper tooling included. Machine looks very clean and barely used even though it was purchased nearly 10 years ago.
Does this sound like a good investment?
What are the shortcomings of the Robland X31 that I should know about going into this deal?
On a side note, I am an amateur/hobby woodworker that is attempting to set-up shop in my three car garage. I have several hundred board feet of air dried walnut slabs ( seven logs about 18 – 20″ in diameter that have been flitch cut to 8/4) so the ability to joint and plane stock will be critical.
Additionally, the transition time from function to function doesn’t concern me much as an amateur/hobby woodworker. However, I am concerned about overall quality of the machinery.
Thanks for any thoughts, experience or advice that you are willing to offer this beginner.
Replies
Check out the prices of a new Robland at Laguna tools. I think 3500 might be a bit steep unless there is a lot of extra tooling.
Troy
There's a Robland X31 user group on Yahoo, you may want to ask there too.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RoblandX-31/?yguid=152939087
ThanksTroy
I don't own the x31 but I do own a universal machine and I can tell you that, on the plus side its nice to have all the basic machines in one compact package. On the minus side of things is not necessarily the turn over time (which should be very quick mind you) but the unavailability of the machines individualy.
There will be times that you need to plane some wood or joint a piece or use the shaper and retain the set up for adjustments and such. This is where you run into problems with a universal machine, not the change over.
Over all I am really happy with my choice. Although there are times when a project seems like more of a challenge than it should be because of the changeover thing.
Two more things you should think about and check into is:
1. Does the saw have a tilting arbor? 2. Does the saw have miter slots? (or a miter slot at least one)
For most projects this usually isn't necessary but its a big minus in my book if #1. or 2 are missing. For this reason I keep a Bosch bench saw.
Good luck,
Chaim
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