Robland X-31 Combination Review

By Bill Pentz

Unlike the ShopSmith, European combination machines put a lot of very high end, powerful equipment in a single package that costs less, and takes up less room than individual machines

I owned a MiniMax joiner/planer way back when I had a production shop. It was a dream and worked well until a part broke. Six weeks later I had two new replacement industrial Delta units with local support. My joiner/planer was still broken waiting for that part. I hear they are much better today, but I would still recommend some very careful homework to make sure you don't have a lot of down time.

As part of that homework, realize that anyone who puts out this kind of money for a machine will be crazy in love with it. I found it best to only listen to those who have owned their machines for at least 5 years. Go to the Yahoo user's groups and you will find a ton of good information on the Robland X-31, Felder, and even the new Mini-Max combination machines.

I also own an Inca joiner/planer that I have had for a lot of years. Although not "big iron" by any stretch, with sharp blades its few degrees of tilt on the cutter makes for incredible finishes. Too bad they are no longer supported.

After selling off my shop I wanted something with plenty of power and features that would fit in one bay of a three car garage. After lots of homework and playing with a Felder for nearly a year, it came down to a new Felder or a Robland. A friend bought the Felder and had a nightmare with his motors burning up. I settled on a Robland X-31. It was a great machine that I got as a demo unit through a local dealer for Laguna Tools.

Having two saws, a big router (now built into my Robland saw shaper so I can use the big sliding table), and still owning the Inca joiner/planer gives me the best of both worlds with few of the setup/takedown problems that others complain about.

If I were buying today and my budget was short, I'd watch eBay like a hawk and buy another X-31 or hopefully get lucky and get the Robland separates like mine that together make up an X-31.

If money was not much of a problem, I would own a new set of the larger 7.5hp Felder separates, simply because I appreciate really fine, well made tools and Felder makes one of the best. At the same time, you could not talk me into a new or older smaller Felder that doesn't use the 3-phase power for love nor money, too many of my friends have had motor problems with those units.