online421
Member
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2016
- Messages
- 155
I bought my Robland NX410 new in 2013, its been 4 years so I think its time to do a bit of review, I have been using it in my semi commercial workshop, I use it on daily basis for the past 4 years.
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In a nutshell:
Carriage slide distance 2.8m (you need 5.6m clear space to operate the slider)
Planer width 410mm, 3 knives cutter block
Single phase 230v, 3 x 2.2kw motor
4 speed Spindle moulder
Mortiser max cut 16mm.
Made in Belgium.
Price paid: $20,000 NZD (all accessories included)
Saw:
The maximum cut allowed is 107 mm at 90 deg (max allowable blade is 315mm).. I only have one blade (Leuco) because I don’t do ripping on the combi.
The dust extraction design at the bottom of the saw body housing is not ideal, the narrowest part is roughly 100mm x 50mm
The dust hood on the riving knife is hugely insufficient, I bought a Sharkguard to resolve this issue.
The cross cut fence can be trued/adjusted if required. Its quite straight forward and simple to carry out.
saw blade is manual tilt/rise/fall. Neither German/Italian are good with electronic stuff so manual is all good.
Possible improvement:
Make the cross cut fence stronger and the reinforce the stops by making it more rigid.
Planer/Jointer
the jointer table length is 1800mm x 450mm wide. I got rid of my work bench shortly after I received my Robland (due to space constraint) and have been using the jointer table as my work bench ever since, some think of it as a hassle but I tell you what, it keep your work bench tidy because you are forced to tidy up everytime you use your jointer/planer and you are forced to plan your work ahead, there are odd times where you wished you had a separate planar but if you are limited by space then you cant really complain much about it.
One safety issue is that if you use the jointer table as workbench like what I do, then you ABSOLUTELY NEED TO make sure you DO NOT switch on the machine when its in planer/jointer mode. I havnt made this mistake and I always switch the machine off when not in use just in case accidental switching on the machine when I lean over to grab stuff.
I have Tersa block upgrade on mine and I will never ever return to original straight knife cutter block, I may try out the new spiral cutter block as it seems quieter.
The planning table is supported and elevated by one large column, with Felder/SCM you get 4 column at 4 corner, 4 is better than 1, but I havnt came across a situation where I wish I had 4 columns supporting the column, you gotta be planning something really large and heavy say 200mm x 400mm (Oak/Jarrah/Bubinga/Wenge) to warrant the need for the Felder/SCM industrial grade. If you are doing something that big, you shouldnt be looking at the hobbyist Robland anyway.
The cutter block is only 3 knives, cutter block diameter is 70mm, whereas CF741/CU410 are 4 knives, SCM/Felder cutter block diameter is 120mm(or 115mm), the 4 knives suppose to give you better finish but I always have the stock run through the sander so not sure if this "quality of finish" is of any importance.
Time to switch between planning and jointing mode: 10 seconds if nothing to tidy up.
[attachimg=3]
Spindle moulder
I use my spindle moulder to cut tenon only.
The spindle moulder does not have all the bells and whistles you get on the Felder/SCM but it suited my need, I never used much of the Spindle moulder anyway.
Will my woodworking technique improve with SCM/Felder's top of line machine? possibly, but will I have time to utilise its offering and use it to improve my product so my customer will buy more from me? very unlikely.
Possible improvement:
The Spindle moulder will benefit with an installation of a gauge so you know what height it is
Mortiser
I only used it once and put it away. I have another dedicated swing chisel mortiser and it is a lot more efficient and versatile.
The problem with the mortiser attachment is that it is in the way if you are in the jointer/planer mode
I don’t think any manufacturer has solved this issue, even if you buy a top of the line SCM CU410 Elite or a Felder CF741. The problem is still there.
[attachimg=4]
Wheelkit
I have wheeled my combination from time to time due to new machine coming into workshop. There are two builtin slot for the pallet mover to move the machine but if you don’t have a pallet mover then you will need the wheel kit, its surprising how often you will need the wheel kit.
Digital wheel on the planer
Very handy and accurate. But the stock will be sanded through the wide belt sander. Its easier to read than a ruler though.
[attachimg=5]
Tenoning table.
I would advise not to remove this tennoning plate from the slider if you managed to install it. I am in my mid 30’s and relatively young and fit so no issue installing it and removing it because I need to cut sheet goods and it will be in the way. The tenonning plate is an attachement to the slider and it weighs about 25-30kg, the tenonning fence is attached to the tennoning plate so it is not an easy task of just lifting something 30kg and place on the slider, you've got this long fence to deal with as well.
Conclusion
If I am given the opportunity to go back in time, will I still purchase the Robland? Yes I would.
Will I benefit from a better unit say SCM/Felder in terms of quality of cut, time saved and reduced noise? Highly unlikely.
Will I look good among my woodworking mates with a SCM/Felder? Yes you will
Will SCM/Felder cost double of the Robland equivalent? RRP Robland is $20k NZD in 2013, RRP Felder CF741SP is $44K NZD with limited accessories back then
I would opt for the remote start control, its very handy if you cut sheet goods.
[attachimg=6]
[attachimg=2]
[attachimg=1]
In a nutshell:
Carriage slide distance 2.8m (you need 5.6m clear space to operate the slider)
Planer width 410mm, 3 knives cutter block
Single phase 230v, 3 x 2.2kw motor
4 speed Spindle moulder
Mortiser max cut 16mm.
Made in Belgium.
Price paid: $20,000 NZD (all accessories included)
Saw:
The maximum cut allowed is 107 mm at 90 deg (max allowable blade is 315mm).. I only have one blade (Leuco) because I don’t do ripping on the combi.
The dust extraction design at the bottom of the saw body housing is not ideal, the narrowest part is roughly 100mm x 50mm
The dust hood on the riving knife is hugely insufficient, I bought a Sharkguard to resolve this issue.
The cross cut fence can be trued/adjusted if required. Its quite straight forward and simple to carry out.
saw blade is manual tilt/rise/fall. Neither German/Italian are good with electronic stuff so manual is all good.
Possible improvement:
Make the cross cut fence stronger and the reinforce the stops by making it more rigid.
Planer/Jointer
the jointer table length is 1800mm x 450mm wide. I got rid of my work bench shortly after I received my Robland (due to space constraint) and have been using the jointer table as my work bench ever since, some think of it as a hassle but I tell you what, it keep your work bench tidy because you are forced to tidy up everytime you use your jointer/planer and you are forced to plan your work ahead, there are odd times where you wished you had a separate planar but if you are limited by space then you cant really complain much about it.
One safety issue is that if you use the jointer table as workbench like what I do, then you ABSOLUTELY NEED TO make sure you DO NOT switch on the machine when its in planer/jointer mode. I havnt made this mistake and I always switch the machine off when not in use just in case accidental switching on the machine when I lean over to grab stuff.
I have Tersa block upgrade on mine and I will never ever return to original straight knife cutter block, I may try out the new spiral cutter block as it seems quieter.
The planning table is supported and elevated by one large column, with Felder/SCM you get 4 column at 4 corner, 4 is better than 1, but I havnt came across a situation where I wish I had 4 columns supporting the column, you gotta be planning something really large and heavy say 200mm x 400mm (Oak/Jarrah/Bubinga/Wenge) to warrant the need for the Felder/SCM industrial grade. If you are doing something that big, you shouldnt be looking at the hobbyist Robland anyway.
The cutter block is only 3 knives, cutter block diameter is 70mm, whereas CF741/CU410 are 4 knives, SCM/Felder cutter block diameter is 120mm(or 115mm), the 4 knives suppose to give you better finish but I always have the stock run through the sander so not sure if this "quality of finish" is of any importance.
Time to switch between planning and jointing mode: 10 seconds if nothing to tidy up.
[attachimg=3]
Spindle moulder
I use my spindle moulder to cut tenon only.
The spindle moulder does not have all the bells and whistles you get on the Felder/SCM but it suited my need, I never used much of the Spindle moulder anyway.
Will my woodworking technique improve with SCM/Felder's top of line machine? possibly, but will I have time to utilise its offering and use it to improve my product so my customer will buy more from me? very unlikely.
Possible improvement:
The Spindle moulder will benefit with an installation of a gauge so you know what height it is
Mortiser
I only used it once and put it away. I have another dedicated swing chisel mortiser and it is a lot more efficient and versatile.
The problem with the mortiser attachment is that it is in the way if you are in the jointer/planer mode
I don’t think any manufacturer has solved this issue, even if you buy a top of the line SCM CU410 Elite or a Felder CF741. The problem is still there.
[attachimg=4]
Wheelkit
I have wheeled my combination from time to time due to new machine coming into workshop. There are two builtin slot for the pallet mover to move the machine but if you don’t have a pallet mover then you will need the wheel kit, its surprising how often you will need the wheel kit.
Digital wheel on the planer
Very handy and accurate. But the stock will be sanded through the wide belt sander. Its easier to read than a ruler though.
[attachimg=5]
Tenoning table.
I would advise not to remove this tennoning plate from the slider if you managed to install it. I am in my mid 30’s and relatively young and fit so no issue installing it and removing it because I need to cut sheet goods and it will be in the way. The tenonning plate is an attachement to the slider and it weighs about 25-30kg, the tenonning fence is attached to the tennoning plate so it is not an easy task of just lifting something 30kg and place on the slider, you've got this long fence to deal with as well.
Conclusion
If I am given the opportunity to go back in time, will I still purchase the Robland? Yes I would.
Will I benefit from a better unit say SCM/Felder in terms of quality of cut, time saved and reduced noise? Highly unlikely.
Will I look good among my woodworking mates with a SCM/Felder? Yes you will
Will SCM/Felder cost double of the Robland equivalent? RRP Robland is $20k NZD in 2013, RRP Felder CF741SP is $44K NZD with limited accessories back then
I would opt for the remote start control, its very handy if you cut sheet goods.
[attachimg=6]
