Laguna combo Jointer/Planer

I had a Robland for awhile. It worked fine. The mortiser
was lots of fun to use and the platinum series mortiser
is probably very similar.

If you are buying new I strongly suggest avoiding the
models with the butterfly hinges and getting one
where the tables lift up as one unit.

The Platinum series is one of their low-end lines. Tools of that quality can be easily got without the added risk of their notorious CS.

-- Dwight - "Free legal advice available - contact Dewey, Cheetam & Howe""

I also had a Robland X-31 for several years. The mortising attachment was very effective. The qualifier is that the mortising table was very heavy. I had to make a special cart to keep it on and to put it on and off the machine. I now have a multi-router, which is quite a bit more expensive but far more convenient and versatile.

As for the Platinum Series, I have one of their 24” planers that I picked up a year ago, and it has been a very good tool. The spiral cutterhead is very nice, and I’ve had no problems with the machine. It was set up correctly when I received it.

One final comment on the combo machine. The Robland X-31 had a jointer and planer that were similar in some ways to the jointer/planer combos you are looking at. My biggest complaint with the X-31 was the jointer fence. On that machine, you take the fence off to run the planer, and you put it back on when you switch back to the jointer. It was a huge pain in the neck to get the fence square to the table, and then to keep it that way. That was my biggest frustration with the tool. I don’t know if it was something inherent in the jointer/planer combo machines, and if not, I don’t know whether the machine you are looking at would have a similar problem. But it was a hassle.

On the other hand, in those days I did not have room for separate machines, and it was really nice to have a 12” jointer.

-- Kelby

If you know what you getting into then you won’t be surprised later on if things go awry.

-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/

when all good things stop working

balls to the wall

-- "Good artists borrow, great artists steal”…..Picasso

I would suggest looking for a Minimax or Felder in the combo machines. They are high quality and usually give few problems. I have had both and currently own Felders and can vouch for their ruggedness and ease of use.

-- Oldworld, Fair Oaks, Ca

Thanks for the input guys. Don’t get me wrong, Im not a glutton punishment. I am seriously considering the Hammer however, shipping to the west coast is close to a deal breaker. Also giving a serious look at Jet and a demo Mini Max. Just needed to see if there were any recent positive experiences with Laguna. I must say, the review and pictures from the fellow up in BC on the Laguna band saw was down right disturbing. Mini Max and Hammer both have very high shipping to the west coast. That makes the Jet an attractive alternative. Thanks again for the input.

Grizzly is bringing over some combo machines from
Europe now. If you’re buying new they look
like a lot of machine for the money compared
with the established Euro brands.

Quality is expensive once. The Felder or Minimax combos are highly-engineered, and will last a lifetime – IMO, they’re worth the one-time shipping hardship – painful as it will be.

MJCD

-- Lead By Example; Make a Difference

I’m now on my third Hammer a3 31. The first was sold as a favor to someone, and the second was a lemon. They replaced it with a new unit and so far, so good. Some issues existed, but learning about the mechanics of the machinery have helped with this.

I really wish I’d spent the extra money for the Felder equipment. The quality control on the first-rate Felders (from what I’ve learned) is second to none, and the Hammer is that company’s line of “more affordable” tools. If you have a chance at getting that Laguna, take it for a test drive. Surely there are others in the area. Go to the sales folks and ask for some contact information then visit them in their shops. Never trust the salesmen; while good people, they are making a living selling you their products. Go visit the end users.

I really wish I’d spent the extra money for the Felder equipment.

That makes two of us…..

-- Just because you’ve always done it that way doesn’t mean it’s not incredibly stupid.