My new to me Robland X31 combination wood work machine - came to me minus a LOT of various "parts" that the previous owner/s had obviously not used and probably "put away in a cupboard somewhere" and forgot about.

As my only machine I will basically need to use all of the various functions of the machine, so I set about ordering replacement (and updated in some cases) parts from the Robland company via a agent in the UK who didn't mind the hassle of helping me out (No names no pack-drill for my local agent who couldn't be fagged) .

One of the main missing item's was a long miter fence for the sliding table.


This pic off the net shows how the factory bracket connects the fence to the table.

My new fence, came without this alloy attaching bracket!



I tried to figure out a way to attach it using what parts DID come with the fence...



This effort really wasn't successful - turned out the parts were actually meant for use elsewhere on the machine (No "how to's instructions" came with the parts).



So today I spent the best part of the day at Wally World sourcing bolts and wing nuts - and scarfed up a piece of 2 x 2 steel angle, to make my own damn bracket.

Its not as pretty as the OEM one - (And when the new one comes, I will likely replace it) but for NOW - using what I had on hand, and could source from Wally World, it's the best I could do!



As a metal worker - I make a great carpenter!

It WORKS!

It's been a long haul getting this far.
I first put the $500 deposit on this machine back in...ohh May, Paid the Balance of $2800 in late July and now in September, I can actually use it in anger properly for the first time having spent another ~$800 on missing "parts!", & $500 on spindle molder tooling & further $600 on dust extraction....

I am almost tempted to celebrate with a beer!

Toting up the expenditure tho... ($5200)
Maybe I should have just bought a NEW one.... that had all its parts!

I may well spend another $1200 or so on a Byrd Helical head for the jointer / thicknesser... as funds allow.

Is $6400 too much to plow into an old Roband X31 machine?

At what point do you cut your losses and just lash out and buy a new one?

Decisions decisions.

I'll see how this one works out for a while with a few jobs under its belt...and see if it spins a buck or 3 and then decide maybe...

If I sold it for what it owes me, (and maxed out a credit card or 2), I could probably buy a fancy azzed new one, with scribe saw & sheet carriage sliding table.

I shall sleep on it a while... and see what the future brings.

For now - my efforts for the day were satisfactory by my standards... using what materials and tools (And metal work skills) I had available and at hand.

I see a metal lathe in my future one day for jobs like this - the drop saw, angle grinder, hole saw etc & making do with whatever materials are at hand just doesn't measure up to the standards I like to set myself.

Tomorrows another day.

Cheers