The best way to get heavy-duty capabilities into your shop
Written: Oct 26 '07
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Bullet proof, heavy, good capabilities in a small space, great motors, functions well
Cons: archaic and simplistic adjustments, not a lot of refinement.
The Bottom Line: This is a great solution for the woodworker that needs heavy-duty equipment in a tight space. Take time to get to know it and adjust it.
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| bgnoz's Full Review: Laguna Robland X31 Combination Machine |
I've owned an X31 since 1991. Back then they were less expensive, but still a considerable purchase. I had a garage shop that needed to accommodate at least one car, so the idea of a mobile, multipurpose machine appealed to me. It still does after all these years.
The Robland is a bit of a brute. The most sophisticated part of the entire machine are the motors... three 3HP German motors that are true industrial quality. Lots of cast iron and heavy-gauge steel... generally built well for the long run. It includes some impressive capabilities: a 3HP 12" table saw, a 3HP shaper that handles both 3/4" and 1 1/4" tooling, a 12"+ jointer and planer, a mortising table that is quickly adjustable and travels in three dimensions, and other niceties like a sliding table, magnetic switches and several cutoff switches placed around the machine.
On the negative side, there's very little in terms of high technology or fine-tuning. No tilting shaper, no fine adjustments for any of the fences, not even much in the way of accurate rules throughout, be it for the table saw, the mitre gauge, or the planer. In addition the table saw motor/arbor carriage is less beefy than high-end American brands (which are mostly built in China or Mexico).
So you have an over-built, heavy machine that provides a minimum of fine adjustments. That may not appeal to a lot of American woodworkers who don't have the time or inclination to get to know their tools, but if you're the mechanical type who likes to figure a machine out, this machine will soon become like family. I've made many modifications to my Robland, adding a feedout table that moves with the machine when I'm moving it around, creating my own fence system (using a couple of Incra gauges) that slides onto the right side of the machine, and building my own router-based mortising system from the mortising attachment that comes with the Robland (the 6000rpm spindle speed of the jointer/planer, which drives the mortising shaft, just isn't high enough for smooth mortising).
Those modifications are a clue to some of the shortcomings of the X31... the rip fence is sub-par and too flexible, the mortiser is too slow and the table surface needs an addition (to be fair, this is true of all table saws). But perhaps the most aggravating thing (because it can't easily be modified) is adjusting the jointer beds. All jointers need careful adjusting in order to produce a surface that's as flat as possible in both width and length. Most top-quality jointers provide incremental, consistent adjustments in this regard. Since the X31 jointer beds swing away (to allow planing), the adjustments are opposite a heavy-duty hinge that inhibits complete adjustability. The result is somewhat arbitrary; depending on how hard you tighten the beds down, you can affect their adjustment.
Having mentioned the negatives, let me spend some time praising this machine. The adjustments may be simple and a bit archaic, but given time you'll learn how to use the machine effectively. Much like a craftsman learns to use a hand tool... it's not so much making the tool submit to your will as it is learning about the tool and accommodating it's idiosyncrasies. Along the way I'm quite confident you'll form a bond with the Robland... I surely have. I wouldn't choose another machine (or set of machines) at this point, even if I did have the space. In fact, my X31 was damaged in a garage fire recently, and I have the chance to replace it with another setup of my choosing. I will gladly be choosing a new X31, knowing full well that it will take some time to get to know it and bring its functionality up to the point of my previous machine. I'm looking forward to it.
Bottom line, if you think that a good woodworking tool is one that allows you to quickly dial in adjustments in .001 increments, then you might want to pass on the Robland. If, on the other hand, you realize that accuracy in woodworking involves knowing your tools and your materials, I can guarantee that the X31 will quickly become the centerpiece of your shop.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
bgnoz
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Reviews written: 17
Trusted by: 1 member
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