Space-savers: Combination machines

It’s an old debate: are multipurpose machines a net gain or loss?

The arguments seem simple enough, but each shop is different, so the answers aren’t always apparent.

Combination machines take up less floorspace than single-function equipment, and most of them now offer seamless switching between functions. The downside is that most can only perform a single function at a time. So, for example, if one employee needs to use the shaper and another needs the jointer, somebody has to wait their turn.

The big question, then, is whether they make a small space more efficient. Is it less expensive to invest in a single, high-quality machine with a small footprint, or rent/buy/build more shop space?

That’s a significant question if a woodshop is transitioning from traditional tools to a CNC, because of two variables. The new CNC will need cart space all around for feeding and unloading, plus perhaps another cart for the controller, and more dust collection, too. That can eat up a lot of shop space. But on the other hand, the CNC might make a few free-standing machines obsolete, so maybe they can go to the auction house and clear up some useful square footage. And if the CNC is doing most of the machining, then a multipurpose machine won’t be in use all the time so it might make a lot more sense than keeping the old table saw, jointer, planer, shaper, etc.

To make the most informed decision, a woodshop owner or manager might want to track the current usage of every machine for a few months. That can be done with a simple clipboard at each station, where the operators note their start and stop times. That lets the manager know how much time each function consumes, and what percentage of the day is spent at each machine. And that will help determine what kind of multipurpose machine makes the most sense. If, for example, most of the shop hours are spent on a shaper, then perhaps keeping the existing shaper and adding a single machine that handles everything else (planing, sawing, etc.) will make the most sense. If most of the day is spent using hand-held and table-mounted routers, then a CNC and a multipurpose machine might be the most efficient setup.

There are plenty of options when it comes to multipurpose machines, so finding the right machine isn’t going to be too difficult. The biggest hurdle here is knowing what you need.

Felder (felder-group.com) is one of the more familiar names in this arena. The manufacturer’s five-function combination machines are widely used in Europe and have long enjoyed a solid reputation among U.S. users. American woodworkers generally have more space available, so they have been slower to adopt space-saving options.

Felder offers the Hammer C3 31 and C3 41 and Felder CF 531 and CF 741 five-function machines. The differences are primary related to table sizes. The beds are longer on the bigger machines, which is an issue for shops that make larger parts. For shaping, the CF 741 has a standard molding spindle, while that’s an option on the rest of them.

Back in 2008, two legendary Italian machine builders joined forces and created Casadei Busellato (casadeibusellato.com). The company now offers a wide range of equipment including six combination machines that run from the two-function TS 35 ES saw/molder to the C 30 C, C41C and C 41 ES models that include a planer, jointer, saw and spindle molder. With fast machine changeovers, the standard equipment includes three independent motors and thick, monolithic steel frames.

SCM Group North America (scmgroup.com) carries six Minimax universal combination machines with sawing, planing, jointing and shaping, plus two Minimax saw/shapers. The universal machines run from the C 26G with a 10” jointer and 10” table saw, to the CU 410ES with its full sliding table, 16” jointer and 14” saw.

Robland (robland.com) offers half a dozen combination machines that feature four functions (saw, spindle molder, planer, jointer) or six (adding both tenoning and mortising). Scoring blades are optional on some models.

SCM also carries nine planer/jointers from Minimax, L’Invincible and Nova. The smallest is the 11.8” Minimax FS 30G with a 47” bed, and the options reach all the way up to the 20”-wide FS 7 with a 91” bed.

Grizzly Industrial (grizzly.com) carries three planer/jointers: the 8” G0958, 12” G0959, and 12.5” G0634X. All three have helical cutterheads. The smallest unit has a 1.5-hp motor and 18 indexable carbide inserts that can be rotated up to three times for a new sharp edge. These are arranged diagonally in two rows. The middle machine is equipped with 28 inserts, while the G0634X boasts a 5-hp, single-phase motor and 48 inserts. Conversion from the jointer to the planer is easy. Just remove the quick-release fence and flip up the jointer tables. To use the jointer again, simply release and lower the tables, put the fence back on, and it’s ready to face or edge joint.

Baileigh Industrial (baileigh.com) offers two jointer/planers with spiral cutterheads. The JP-1250 is a 12” industrial-grade machine with a 51” bed, while the 18” JP-1898-NC offers is a 98” bed, digital controls, and a 7.5-hp motor.

The PantoRouter (pantorouter.com) is a small benchtop machine that can mill hundreds of differently sized mortise-and-tenon joints plus dovetails, box joints and more. It can replace a router table, portable dovetailing jigs, and even a small CNC in shops that primarily build furniture with solid wood joints. It is capable of machining at angles, and even compound angles.

Leigh Industries (leightools.com) offers the FMT Pro Mortise & Tenon Jig that uses just one guide, one bit and one setup to make both the mortise and matching tenon.

The 410 shaper/sander from Larick Machinery (online at pillarmachine.com) makes quick work of door and drawer front edges. In addition to rectangular parts, the company offers optional floating shaper and sander heads that work on arched panels. Doing the work of both a stand-alone shaper and sander, the machine’s footprint is just 55” wide and 38” deep.

It’s not what jumps to mind when one thinks about space-saving, multipurpose tools, but the MW 1000 Basic from Festool USA (festoolusa.com) does fit the bill. This is a portable, customizable workbench and storage unit that can save floorspace in the shop, and also travel to the jobsite. It is compact, clever, and easy to set up or break down. The surprisingly stable benchtop is drilled for dogs and clamps and the unit moves on large, rubber-lined, shock-resistant wheels.

An interesting concept from Harvey Industries (harveywoodworking.com) allows a woodshop to custom build a workstation around one of their 2-, 3- or 4-hp table saws. Options include a router table, sliding table, mobile base, rear extension table, and so on. The net effect is to compress routing, sanding and dust collection functions into a smaller footprint.

Fletcher Machine (fletcher-machine.com) is a North Carolina fabricator that custom builds multifunction machines for larger production environments that need to trim, shape, sand, foil, mold, drill, plane, route, edge band or press wood.

Laguna Tools (lagunatools.com) makes Supermax sanders, including the 13” and 19-38 combination brush/drum sanders, plus a combo disc/belt sander.

Wood-Mizer (woodmizer.com) builds a number of combination machines including planer/molders, planer/molder/rip saws, jointer/planer/molders, and jointer/planers. There are models to suit most budgets.

Safety Speed Mfg. (safetyspeed.com) makes combination panel saw/router machines with an interchangeable carriage that lets a woodworker cut and rout on the same machine by simply switching tools.

The original space-saving, multipurpose machine, the Shopsmith (shopsmith.com), is still going strong and the latest model is the Mark 7. Although intended for serious hobbyists, this newer version is also a jobsite option for pros. It comes with touchscreen controls, seven functions, and a very modest footprint.  

This article was originally published in the January 2024 issue.