Hi chaps, I am in the process of having a new workshop built which will be 5 metres by 4 metres and am thinking about the kit. I have a myford maestro lathe, a kity band saw, axminster pillar drill and in the process of buying trend router and making a table. I am now thinking about a table saw, planer/thicknesser and a spindle moulder. Does anybody have any thoughts on whether it is better to buy a universal machine ( I am thinking of a record C26) or separates. I am completely torn and open to suggestions.
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 I have separates, and would probably stick with separates as I wouldn't want to put all of my eggs in one basket. Also I think that you would need a lot of space around a universal, whereas if you had separates you could site them in different places to suit your surroundings.
Al
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thanks al I suppose that the question of power supply comes into it also. Separates will need only 13a sockets and universal needs a 16a supply.
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I'm sure the C26 is of much better quality than my old Record Maxi 26 at least it has cast iron tables. I would not buy another universal. It does save space in my small workshop but I now find it too much of a compromise. The planer bed is not long enough to true up long lengths ie 6ft plus and I find my 1/2in. Trend router more versatile and user friendly than the spindle moulder. The saw on my Maxi needs constant checking and the rip fence is basically unstable. You can buy a good quality saw and planer/thicknesser for the same outlay as a universal. Give serious thought to the saw's use will it be mainly for ripping or panel cutting? To maximise workspace get wheel kits for all your m/cs.
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Thanks G D I am coming round to buying separates and having just been on a routing course with Ron Fox I will be setting up a routing station as a priority.
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 I have a universal (Hammer c331) briliant peice of engineering quick and easy between functions powerful and deadly acurate A uni will save you a load of space site it in the center of the shop and get a wheel kit for minor adjustments to the position John
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Much depends on the amount of use - It can be a pain having to set up the various fences/guards etc. I regret buying my SCM Minimax 300 for this very reason. I had also failed to notice that the spindle-moulder shaft is 50mm, which makes tool purchase limited and expensive! Do take care that you consider all attachments provided with the universal machines - the tennonin/slotting can be a 'bit daunting'and apoor substitute for a morticer. Good Luck Bill R
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Bill I agree with you on setting up each operation on a multi-function machine. Is your spindle moulder horizontal or vertical? Mine is horizontal and being an amatuer, I'm not too confident on how to set the moulder up. Maybe someone can advise me on using a horizontal spindle moulder/mortiser or Ben could cover it in the Woodworker magazine for all to read. john kinch.
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John. My spindle moulder sits in the saw table and rises vertically when required then is retracted flush with the table when stowed. On the opposite side is the slotter/tenoner - (which you may be descibing as a horizontal spindle). This is the beast that gives me the willies!! It is driven off the end of the planer and the tooling cuts in a counter-clockwise direction therefore requires left-hand cutters- I repeat , be very careful. Better still AVOID! Hope this is helpful, Regards Bill R
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Thanks for your reply Bill,my spindle moulder and slotter are fixed to the end of the planer spindle, ie. horizontal. The moulder block is 50mm.Dia. and uses 40mm. cutter blades. John Kinch.
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If you're still considering a universal then buy a machine like JohnF's a Hammer C3-31 out of the Felder stable. The hammer is the entry level aimed at the serious hobbyist and small business alike. Its accurate and easy to setup and change between functions. Everything on this machine is made in Austria or Germany and is quality out of the top drawer. Seperates do have an advantage in that they are quickly setup , but only marginally so if you're a hobbyist not running a high output production factory. I would rather spend the time changing between functions on a quality machine knowing that it will cut, mould, plane and thickness accurately than struggling with seperates all the way from China. You could spend an extra 200 quid on the Hammer with parts from Felder and it will cut tme and again to 1/10 of a mm how many seperates will do that? The few that can put together will cost you well over 10 000. I'll stick with my Hammer and be happy that I'm accurate and only need to cut once - what a time saver and it allows me to enjoy my hobby. Regard Jan
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I second That Jan
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 I third that ! Cheerz Steppers
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Many thanks fellas, what a great forum this is. Autumn shows here I come with a bit of money to spend this time and very helpful advice many thanks.
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