Thread: Can't work out what to get, help please!!

Hi guys,

I am tossing up between a few options in some woodworking machinery. So in no particular order:

1, Second hand 3 phase combi machine Robland K260, with 10'' thick/planer, sliding table saw, spindle moulder & mortise/tenon attachment, will have to buy single to three phase converter and dusty, but with the budget I can also squeeze in a bandsaw. Total, around $7-$8k

2, Brand new single phase Rojek, same stuff as above but 12'' thick/planer + dusty and I'll get some change out of $10k plus a slap around from the wife.

3, Thick/planer combi, seperate 12" table saw with sliding table and dusty, prices range from $7k to $10k depending on chinese/taiwanese thicknesser or European made thicknesser planer. Think I can live with Chinese saw bench but really want a quality Thicknesser/planer due to cleaning up rough sawn timber, not sure if this is possible with Woodfast/Carbatec/Jet etc.

I'm thinking for the price, the three phase Robland is a good buy considering I get the spindle moulder & mortiser included plus I can get a bandsaw

But it only has a 10" thicknesser and considering I slab my own wood I consider the size important, just how important though.

With all the talk of buying singles at the moment I know a lot of you will probably go down this path but as mentioned above Re. the Robland.

Another thing to note is I am hessitant buying the Chinese/Taiwanese gear. Sure it has improved over the years but next year I turn 40 and I consider the purchase as something my children and one day grandchildren may want to use. Not sure if this will be applicable with chinese made singles.

Thankyou in advance for all your feedback, just need some help deciding which way to go.