Thread: Combination machines

If you wanted to save a bit of money I would go with this one:
http://www.machines4u.com.au/view/?a...&photo_id=8886

It's the same as mine and I'm absolutely delighted with it. I bought mine from Vic. and selected the Luna because I'd used one before with Richard Vaughan(who also loves his Luna). I think freight from Vic was about $600.
Just noticed you also get a Luna dusty too. This machine has spindle moulder too and plenty of accessories.
Cheers
Michael

Funky C, are you after a combo with a sliding table and scorer?

For a hobbiest, a combo has many advantages, one of which is that your dust extractor ducting system is simplified.

I have the MiniMax classic with a 2.4m slider, I am pretty happy with it.

Regards,
Zelk

FC,
Luna made good stuff but they've been out of business for a number of years now so I'd be a bit wary as parts might be a problem. I've looked at the Hammer, Fleder and Robland machines (amongst others) and plan to buy a Felder sometime down the track. It will be a full size slider and scriber with a spindle moulder plus a lot of options. I use my machines for a living though, so I can justify the investment. The Hammer is a good serious hobbyist machine but the Robland would be higher quality with the Felder better again. If you will have 3 phase power in the shed then there's some bargains to be found in 2nd hand. As a hobbyist you'd be unlikely to wear a 2nd hand machine out.

I've been using a panel saw which I bought about 4 years ago now and it was over ten years old at the time. I've probably cut up about ten packs (300 sheets) of white melamine now plus a fair bit of solid timber and mayber 50 sheets of ply and the only maintenance has been to replace the scriber drive belt and sharpen the blades.

Mick

I'd be buying the machine sometime early next year so Machines4U isn' much good at the moment but I'll give it a looksy when it comes time to buy.

I'll be using the machine for making boxes and the occasional bit of furniture and workbenches etc. I'd like a sliding table on it

I'll be in Brisbania soon so I'll drop in at Carrba-tec and Felder and look at their machines.

For what it's worth I believe the Hammer to be about equivalent to the Minimax machines, better than the Robland, less than the Felder. I don't know where the best value point lies for you-that's a question that deserves much reflection.

I own a Felder CF731 with a 2 m slider. I have a shed 8M X 5.5m. The combo sits central to that a 2.6m board will pass through the thicknesser or rip saw without having to shift it closer to an open door for longer boards. The bandsaw sits nearby with the dusty central to the two. I can get away with a single 4m long section of 5" hose...no fixed ducting required.

When I was shopping I looked at all the available machines before deciding on the Felder. I am very happy, to say the least. I think the CF531 series and the Hammer are both fine machines. You might get lucky and find a used BF or Cf series Felder when you are ready to buy. The BF series had a heavier chassis than the Cf series, but otherwise are mostly the same.

On slider length and scorers: I am biased about the 2m slider...I had a chance to trade my machine for a 2.5m slider last year but passed because I think the slider dominates the work space, and a 2.5m slider feels like its 50% longer than the 2m instead of the actual difference. i have a scorer but have never used it...the triple chip atb blade I have makes it redundant for the rare piece of melamine that i cut. For hardwood a short slider is fine. for resale a long slider is better.

If I was going to do a lot of panel work I'd get a Festool saw and guide system and stay with a short slider. I have a friend who sold his third combo machine this year and bought separates. His new machines are magnificent...really really fantastic. Trouble is the real estate and dust extraction requirements have completely filled his shop. I think he misses the simple elegance of the combo machine. I know that I would not change unless I had more space (and I have a three car garage) and I was doing much more woodwork and I had a much bigger budget.

As it is having a combo allows me to house the big bandsaw, router table, drill press, a couple metres of wood workbench and tool boxes. And a small metal working shop (lathe, mill, workbench, grinder). separate machines would rob me of much of that space but only save me a few minutes a month in set-up time. If I was going to have the ultimate hobby shop I'd consider instead adding more air and a wide belt sander and keep the combo.

Convinced yet?

Greg