Thread: combination saws

Welcome Hughbrad.

Which machine is the cost difference in favour of? I have not seen the Robland unit but would be surprised if as a hobbiest you could find it to be $4000 better than the Hammer. I have seen very minimal discussion on the forum regarding either of these units but here is a bit

https://www.woodworkforums.com/f13/hammer-machines-53783

https://www.woodworkforums.com/f153/felders-hammer-a3-31-green-chum-53329

As far as reviews, there was a review on planer thicknessers in Aust Wood Review #47 but it did not include the Robland.

thanks for your reply - the cost difference of about $4000 is in favour of the Robland and I saw an unfavourable review of the Hammer in US Finewoodworking but that was 4 years old

Hammer seem to have a good reputation but I find it difficult to fault the Robland just by inspecting it - It seems solid and the company is not new - I thought there might be a few users out there who could give me the benefit of their experience

I'll stay on the topic for a couple of days then I will have to make a choice since my quote time is running short

hughbrad

So the Robland is around $5500? From memory the current price on the Hammer is $9500 according to the price on the web site.

burnsie

the offer I have on the Robland is about $7700 with lots of extras - the same for Hammer is about $4000 more even when on special.

hughbrad

Originally Posted by hughbrad

burnsie

the offer I have on the Robland is about $7700 with lots of extras - the same for Hammer is about $4000 more even when on special.

hughbrad

Sounds like a prtty good deal this thread puts the Robland at $12600.

Fine Woodworking magazine runs an online service (I think it costs $20 or $30 pa, but it may be only avail to magazine subscribers) which enables you to search and access their old reviews. And you can pay by credit card so have access almost immediately.
There are also ongoing individual reviews of major machines (including many combination machines) which if nothing else may help you work out what to look for in making your choice. Those reviews have comments by owners as well.
I went through the difficult task about 18 months ago of choosing a combination machine and decided on a TecnoMax (by MiniMax).
Good luck.

Gordon

I didn't like the Robland when I saw one, brad.

The build quality was very light and there's too much flex in the frame and in my opinion it not work effectively. The more I put weight (20kg or so) on the cantilevered arm, the lower the saw table dropped and the further out of square the cut became.

I've got an old MiniMax 6 in 1 that I do work at home on. Paid about $2k for it and then about another $2k to get it fixed.

Google on Felder NSW, or call Gabbett 02.98315044 (Lee Gabbett) and ask what they've got second hand - might be worth a call.

Cheers,

eddie

I've just had a quick look on the Finewoodworking site for reviews of each machine. There is a review of the Robland NX31 (but I can't find one of the X260) and one of the Hammer C3-31. Neither of these is particularly complimentary. As a comparison there is a review of the Felder CF731 and it is very complimentary (but of course it is $US5k more expensive). There is also a complimentary review of the Minimax CU300, which is cheaper in the US then either the Robland NX31 or the Hammer C3-31. I have no idea what they cost here. I've found Felder are quite happy to talk about second hand machines, but they still aren't particularly cheap!

An online subscription to the Finewoodworking site is available to non-magazine-subscribers but it costs more, I believe.

I've got a Minimax CU 300 combo and would certainly recommend it if you can't afford separate machines. Also, go for as long a sliding table as you can afford - like it or not, sheet work requires a table 2450mm long at least. And you will do quite a bit of sheet work once you get going, guaranteed!

Jeff

the hammer is a far better constructed unit. you'll find the main differences in quality of construction, finish and tolerences.

Should add, there's nothing wrong with the Hammer machine. No, it's not a trade quality machine (I prefer Altendorf,) but neither's the SCM MiniMax machine that I use at home. Just means that you need to take a bit more setting up and making the cuts.

Cheers,

eddie