Your shop space feels tight yet your ideas keep growing.
I felt the same way.
The day I rolled a tired robland x31 through my garage door the floor shook.
Paint flaked.
Grease hid under dust.
I tapped the cast iron and it answered with a deep ring.
I knew I had found the backbone of my shop a unique mix of reach and restraint.
I spent a weekend wiping rust and rubbing wax.
I leveled the feet.
I set my first cherry board on the jointer bed and felt hope rise.
By Sunday night clamps hugged a five foot table top.
That success sealed my bond with this machine.
Now I share the full story with you.
The robland x31 packs five core woodworking drives into one block of iron.
Table saw.
Sliding carriage.
Jointer.
Planer.
Shaper.
Slot mortiser.
Three motors handle the load without belt swaps.
One dust hose clears chips from every cut.
That list looks long yet the footprint stays tight.
You can park a small car beside it.
This guide speaks to builders who crave real joinery inside a cramped room.
You want panels that sit flat.
You want legs that touch the floor without wobble.
You want pieces that fit a modern house or a warm cabin.
You also want room to walk.
The robland x31 brings that mix of power and grace.
I will show what works and what bites then share how you can tweak.
Ready to dive in?
Great.
Grab a fresh cup and keep reading.
What the robland x31 Is
- European combo machine born in Belgium
- Weight ranges from 1100 to 1400 pounds
- Three separate three horse motors on most units
- Cast iron tables and steel frames
- One cabinet
- One main dust port
That list looks simple yet the design hides clever moments of brain inspired hierarchical processing.
Each function sits like a layer in a neat stack.
The lower body holds motors.
Above that lies the saw.
On top sits the jointer pair which swings to reveal the planer.
The shaper spindle rises next to the blade.
The slot mortiser attaches on the planer side.
Every layer links to the next so your workflow moves in a smooth hierarchical convergence task after task falls into place.
Why It Matters Inside a Home Shop
- Floor space remains open for assembly
- The sliding table keeps your hands away from spinning steel
- Twelve inch jointing and planing handle real boards not thin strips
- The shaper leaves router tables in the dust for raised doors
- The mortiser drills perfect sockets with no jig maze
- One switch cuts power to everything so safety rises
Small rooms demand smart moves.
You could scatter five stand alone tools around the wall.
You would trip over cords and lock wheels every hour.
The robland x31 lets you stand in one spot and work through every milling stage.
That alone saves what feels like miles each week less walking more making.
Core Specs at a Glance
- Footprint spans five foot by three foot
- Saw blade ten inch with twenty four tooth for rough and sixty tooth for fine work
- Jointer bed length about sixty inch
- Planer depth of cut one eighth per pass
- Spindle speed on shaper ranges from four thousand to eight thousand
- Mortiser stroke about four inch
- Dust port four inch
- Fence range on saw to twenty eight inch
- Table height thirty three inch
- Power cord eight gauge
- Switch gear uses magnetic starters for each motor
- Feed rollers move stock at sixteen feet per minute
Quick Tour of Each Function
Each section ends with a tip born from slips and fixes.
Table Saw and Slider
The saw is the heart of the robland x31.
Blade size is ten inches on most models.
The arbor tilts to forty five degrees.
A lever lifts or drops the blade.
A heavy fence locks on a front rail.
The sliding carriage runs on hard steel rods.
You guide long parts with one hand and they glide like they float on air.
Likes
- Slider keeps fingers far from teeth
- Crosscuts land square without side play
- Riving knife sits close and stops pinch
- Dust chute grabs chips right at the tooth path
- Long crosscut fence with flip stops speeds batch work
Takes Practice
- The height lever is quick yet fine moves need feel
- The miter slot is metric so many jigs will not fit
- Some blades need the hole bored to match the arbor
Shop Tip
I added a small hand wheel to the lever shaft big moves happen with the lever while tiny moves happen with the wheel.
Tenon shoulders line up every time now.
Dado Cuts
European rules often ban dado stacks.
Many robland x31 units accept one since the arbor is long and the guard clears.
Check your guard first.
If you want fast grooves then a router and guide still shine.
Pick the method that saves setup time.
Sliding Carriage Setup
Set the slider a paper thick higher than the saw table.
That leaves room for dust specks so the work never binds.
Lock the carriage stops tight.
Clean the rods often.
Wax them each month.
Jointer
Twelve inches of freedom.
That width changes how you buy lumber.
You can grab wide rough planks and keep the grain unbroken.
Likes
- Wide capacity
- Long tables stay flat
- Fence locks at ninety degrees with one lever
- Hood flips fast between joint and plane modes
Takes Practice
- You must swing both tables up to reach the planer
- The dust hood must move too
- The planer bed needs travel room before the hood clears
Shop Tip
Batch work.
Joint every board first.
Plane next.
No flip flop.
Planer
The planer handles the same width as the jointer.
Feed rollers grab with steady pull.
A crank lifts the bed.
Add a digital scale and you get repeat numbers that stick.
Likes
- Wide pass cleans large panels
- Snipe stays low after tune
- Bed lock holds height all day
Takes Practice
- Bed screws like to collect chips
- Wax them so the crank spins smooth
- Learn the sweet cut per pass for each wood
Shop Tip
Mount a cheap digital readout that touches the bed crank.
Write target numbers on tape over the switch box.
No brain drain later.
Shaper
A shaper is a heavy duty router table.
The robland x31 shaper runs on its own motor.
The spindle is one and one quarter inch on many units.
Some come with a three quarter inch sleeve.
Likes
- Cuts raised doors in one pass that look clean
- Coping sled rides firm against the heavy fence
- You can bolt a feeder on the table
Takes Practice
- Metric spindle threads need the right nut
- Guard placement matters for each bit
- Cutter prices run high yet last long
Shop Tip
Use a four wheel feeder on long runs.
Your hands stay safe and the cut looks glassy.
Slot Mortiser
This feature feels like a hidden gem.
You bolt a small X Y table on the planer side.
A spiral bit spins in a chuck.
Table slides left right and front back.
Push the bit into the wood and a neat mortise shows.
Likes
- Fast work for strong joinery
- Stops make each hole the same length
- Chips clear well
Takes Practice
- Clamp every part
- Sneak up on depth to stop burn
Shop Tip
Mill loose tenons from offcuts and round edges with a small bit.
They slip into glue with no fuss.
Step by Step Setup
A sound setup is half the battle.
Follow the steps in this order.
Do them once then check each year.
- Clean every table with mineral spirits and Scotch pad
- Wax cast iron so boards slide
- Level the base on the floor using shims under the feet
- Set the jointer outfeed at knife height
- Align infeed so both tables sit on one plane
- Square the fence then lock its stops
- Plane the saw top until it sits flat with the jointer outfeed
- Track the blade to the travel path
- Dial the slider higher by a paper sheet then square it
- Lock the riving knife right behind tooth peak
- Service the planer bed screws then wax
- Check the shaper spindle for runout
Deep supervision by your eyes and ears will catch drift before it grows.
That method feels like an approximate gradient each small fix pushes the next one closer to true.
Wax on iron will ensure smooth glide through the seasons.
Sample Workflow
Let us build a small cherry table to show how tasks line up.
You can copy the plan or adjust as you need.
Day One
- Joint one face on all boards
- Joint one edge
- Plane near final thickness
- Rip to rough width
- Stack with spacers for rest
Day Two
- Crosscut to near length on the slider
- Glue the top in groups your slider can hold
- After dry scrape glue then run one clear pass on the saw edge
- Bring top to final width
Day Three
- Cut legs on slider with stop block
- Mortise legs and rails with the slot table
- Mill loose tenons
- Dry fit base
Day Four
- Shape edges on shaper using a light climb pass then a full pass
- Cut bevel on bottom of the top if you want light look
- Drill oversized screw holes in rails
- Glue base
Day Five
- Sand
- Ease edges with block plane
- Apply oil or film finish
That flow cuts change overs fewer flips mean calmer work.
Real Sound and Feel
Every tool has a voice.
The robland x31 hum is low and steady.
The saw whistles a sharp pitch when the blade nears full speed.
The jointer thumps once as knives meet grain then settles into a smooth song.
The planer growls yet the chip roar masks most tone.
The shaper sounds like a prop plane starting a slow roll.
The mortiser buzzes like a large drill yet the cut feels gentle.
You will soon read cut quality by ear light hum means sharp edges while a squeal begs for fresh knives.
Touch matters too.
Cast iron warms a little under shop lights.
Boards slide like they skate on ice once wax cures.
The hand wheel feels firm with no slack.
Small cues guide each motion and those cues save time.
Environmental Notes
Keep the machine on a slab if you can.
Wood floors flex and may shift alignment.
Use rubber pads under feet if your floor slopes.
Hold dust level low so iron stays bright.
Cold air shrinks metal so check fence square early on winter mornings.
Summer heat swells lumber so leave planed boards to rest before final pass.
Dry chips ignite fast so empty bags often.
Simple habits keep shop safe.
Pros
- One machine saves floor space
- Sliding table feels safe
- Twelve inch jointing plus planing handles wide boards
- Shaper finish beats router finish
- Slot mortiser speeds strong joints
- Three motors mean no belt shift
Trade Offs
- Mode swaps take minutes if you bounce jobs
- Blade height lever needs fine feel
- Metric slots limit ready made jigs
- Manuals can be thin
- You will craft jigs often
Markers When Shopping Used
Grab a light and these notes before money leaves your pocket.
Power
- Match motor voltage to your shop
- Run each motor under no load
- Listen for grind
- Smell for heat
Tables
- Look for deep pits not color stains
- Set straightedge across jointer beds
- Check saw top for twist with feeler strip
- Slide carriage and feel smooth travel
Parts
- Guard
- Shaper fences
- Mortiser table
- Crosscut fence
- Spare belts or knives
Wear
- Spin cutter head by hand and listen
- Inspect belts for cracks
- Peek into electrical box for tape lumps
Move Plan
- Load with pallet jack
- Strap carriage so it cannot slide
- Mark each removed bolt with tape
Price runs wide clean gray body units cost more yet older green body units can be a deal if they stay aligned.
Upgrades Worth the Time
- Hand wheel on blade lift lever
- Digital readout on planer crank
- Helical head for jointing that cuts quiet
- Four wheel feeder for saw and shaper
- Zero gap insert for clean rips
- Strong cyclone dust unit with short pipe run
- Smooth floor pads so you can pivot the base
Use clocked maintenance and your machine will sing for decades.
Dust Management
A shop vacuum will choke.
You need a collector that moves at least one thousand cubic feet per minute.
Use four inch hose to the cabinet.
Use a clear hose to the guard if you add one.
Seal every joint with metal tape.
Open one gate at a time.
Your lungs stay clear.
Your floor stays clean less sweep time more build time.
Safety Habits
- Push sticks for rips
- Use slider for crosscuts wider than eight inches
- Keep riving knife tight and aligned
- Clamp parts on mortiser
- Feather aids on shaper for slim stock
- Stop and reset mind before any mode swap
Safety lives in rhythm not speed.
Common Questions
Can the robland x31 run a dado set
Yes many versions can yet always check arbor length and guard width first.
How heavy is it
Between 1100 and 1400 pounds which adds cutting stability.
Does it need three phase power
Most North American imports use single phase two hundred twenty volts.
Is change over slow from joint to plane
Tables swing and hood flips so plan to mill all boards then move on.
Are parts still sold
Yes belts knives and bearings stay on the market.
Does the slider stay square
If you lock cams and clean rods it holds for months.
Will a shaper beat a router in daily use
Yes especially on heavy profiles.
Is it fine for a new woodworker
Patience and clear steps matter more than years of experience.
Start with scrap and gain feel.
Quick Troubleshooting
Burn on shaper
Speed too high or cutter dull or feed slow.
Planer snipe
Lift outfeed a hair or lighten last cut.
Hollow joint
Raise outfeed table tiny bit.
Slider out of square
Clean rails then set fence again.
Fence drift
Check locking cam and wax the rail.
Maintenance Calendar
After each build
- Brush chips
- Wipe dust from rods
- Spot oil ways
Weekly
- Wax tables
- Check belt tension
- Vacuum cabinet
Monthly
- Check alignment points
- Inspect knives for nicks
- Add dry lube to planer posts
Yearly
- Swap belts if cracked
- Pull covers and deep clean
- Listen for bearing noise
- Run full setup sequence again
Handy Shop Tools
- Straightedge at least four feet
- Dial indicator with base
- Digital caliper for thickness checks
- Push blocks that grip well
- Metric hex key set
- Chain hoist for top removal
- Spare knives and belts on shelf
Spend once and the kit pays back every year.
Decision Check
Answer plain questions.
- Do you crave wide jointing yet fight for floor room
- Does a smooth sliding carriage feel safer to you
- Will you group tasks so mode swaps stay low
- Are you happy to tweak metric parts with a smile
- Do you enjoy making a jig on a slow Sunday
If you nod at three or more then the robland x31 will fit your life with utmost grace.
Use it.
Grow with it.
Build pieces that make family and friends smile.
Closing Thoughts
Wood moves slow yet hearts race when a board glides over bright steel.
I still hear that first long cherry plank hiss across the jointer knives.
I still feel that easy slide of the table saw carriage and the calm thunk as the blade shut off.
I smile each time the mortiser drops a pocket in one clean plunge.
Your shop can feel the same.
Set up a robland x31 with care.
Keep it clean.
Treat blades like good kitchen knives.
Soon your work will carry a quiet confidence every edge will land crisp and every panel will sit flat.
Boards will meet at corners that look grown not glued.
Friends will run a hand across a finished top and pause because smooth wood begs touch.
That pause is the best praise I know.
Care for your craft and your craft will care for you.
See you in the shop.