Combination machine
Encyclopedia
A combination machine is a woodworking machine
that combines the functions of two or more separate machines into a single unit. For example, a combination machine might consist of a tablesaw with a side mounted jointer
. Another common example of this type of machine is the jointer-thicknesser (also known as an over-under) which combines the function of a jointer with that of a thicknesser
.
These disadvantages are offset by the small size of the machine footprint and potential cost saving and so they are very popular with hobbyists and workshops in which space is limited.
.
Originally invented by Dr. Hans Goldschmidt of Atherton CA. in 1947 and made by the Magna Corporation in the late 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, the ShopSmith Mark V was resurrected in the ShopSmith Corporation in 1972 by the late (December 2008) John Folkerth, former Chairman of the company.
ShopSmith also manufactures and markets a variety of add-on tools that can be run by the base unit motor. Some of these tools include a band saw, wood shaper, jointer, belt sander, strip sander, scroll saw and thickness planer.
One of the unique features of the ShopSmith MARK V is its method of speed control. Rather than multiple pairs of pulleys or an electronic speed control, the Mk V uses a Reeves-type continuously variable transmission
consisting of two variable diameter pulley
s controlled by a dial and worm gear. Not only does this give theoretically infinite speed variation between the maximum and minimum speeds, it is also simple enough to be serviced fairly easily by a hobbyist.
The Shopsmith is well-known among lawyer
s in the United States
. An injury suffered by the user of a Shopsmith gave the Supreme Court of California
the opportunity to create the modern rule of strict liability
for defective products
in 1963.
, a thicknesser
, a jointer
, and a mortiser
. These machines generally have 3 motors, one for the table saw, one for the shaper, and one shared by the thickness planer/jointer and mortiser.
European combination machines are geared for the serious hobbyist or professional woodworker or cabinet maker. They are constructed of cast iron and heavy gauge steel, weigh from 1000 to 2000 lbs., and range in price from around $5,000 to over $30,000 (2010, U.S. dollars).
Manufacturers include Felder (Felder and Hammer brands), Kitty, Knapp, Lurem, Mini-Max, Robland, Rojek, Veba and others. Rojek and Robland manufacture entry level models, Hammer, Lurem, MiniMax and Veba mid-range models, Felder and Knapp high-end models. Robland purchased Knapp from the Metabo group in 2000.
The European combination machine allows efficient processing of both rough-cut timber and sheet stock (i.e. plywood). The sliding table can work in conjunction with either the table saw or the shaper. Outfitted with an 8-foot sliding table and outrigger, a single person can cut 4'x8' plywood very accurately and efficiently. Changing between most functions takes only a few seconds.
The sliding table allows a straight edge to be cut on rough lumber, without the use of a fence. It also allows a cut to be made accurately at any angle across a sheet of plywood in just seconds - something that cannot be done nearly as easily, if at all, on a table saw. Used in conjunction with the shaper, the sliding table allows molding, door panels, rails and stiles, to be milled quickly and more accurately than a stand-alone shaper.
Woodworking machine
A Woodworking machine is a machine that is intended to process wood. These machines are usually powered by electric motors and are used extensively in woodworking...
that combines the functions of two or more separate machines into a single unit. For example, a combination machine might consist of a tablesaw with a side mounted jointer
Jointer
A jointer is a woodworking machine used to produce a flat surface along a board's length....
. Another common example of this type of machine is the jointer-thicknesser (also known as an over-under) which combines the function of a jointer with that of a thicknesser
Thicknesser
A thickness planer is a woodworking machine which is used to create boards that are of an even thickness throughout their length and flat on both surfaces....
.
Design
Some combination machines run all of their functions from a single motor; others may use more than one. Cutter heads are often shared: for example a jointer-thicknesser may use the same cutter head for both functions. The machines rely upon well thought-out designs which allow the user to switch from one function to another easily.Advantages
One rationale for the production of these machines is space saving. A combination machine takes up much less space than the equivalent separate machines. Most European machines have a sliding table that tends to make them safer than typical North American table saws. Even though top end combination machines can be quite expensive, there usually is a cost saving over separate machines of similar quality.Disadvantages
There are a number of disadvantages of combination machines. Set up time is increased when moving from one function to another and back. In many cases, machine settings are lost during the change over and have to be re-established when changing back. In some lower end machines, there may be compromises in design which limit the function or robustness of the machine. Finally, they represent a single point of failure in that a mechanical problem with the machine will generally mean that none of the machine's functions are available.These disadvantages are offset by the small size of the machine footprint and potential cost saving and so they are very popular with hobbyists and workshops in which space is limited.
The Shopsmith
The Shopsmith is a lathe-based multi-tool that uses a single motor to perform lathe, tablesaw, and drill press functions. Variations include horizontal boring and disc sanderSander
A sander is a power tool used to smooth wood and automotive or wood finishes by abrasion with sandpaper. Sanders have a means to attach the sandpaper and a mechanism to move it rapidly contained within a housing with means to hand-hold it or fix it to a workbench. Woodworking sanders are usually...
.
Originally invented by Dr. Hans Goldschmidt of Atherton CA. in 1947 and made by the Magna Corporation in the late 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, the ShopSmith Mark V was resurrected in the ShopSmith Corporation in 1972 by the late (December 2008) John Folkerth, former Chairman of the company.
ShopSmith also manufactures and markets a variety of add-on tools that can be run by the base unit motor. Some of these tools include a band saw, wood shaper, jointer, belt sander, strip sander, scroll saw and thickness planer.
One of the unique features of the ShopSmith MARK V is its method of speed control. Rather than multiple pairs of pulleys or an electronic speed control, the Mk V uses a Reeves-type continuously variable transmission
Continuously variable transmission
A continuously variable transmission is a transmission that can change steplessly through an infinite number of effective gear ratios between maximum and minimum values. This contrasts with other mechanical transmissions that offer a fixed number of gear ratios...
consisting of two variable diameter pulley
Pulley
A pulley, also called a sheave or a drum, is a mechanism composed of a wheel on an axle or shaft that may have a groove between two flanges around its circumference. A rope, cable, belt, or chain usually runs over the wheel and inside the groove, if present...
s controlled by a dial and worm gear. Not only does this give theoretically infinite speed variation between the maximum and minimum speeds, it is also simple enough to be serviced fairly easily by a hobbyist.
The Shopsmith is well-known among lawyer
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
s in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. An injury suffered by the user of a Shopsmith gave the Supreme Court of California
Supreme Court of California
The Supreme Court of California is the highest state court in California. It is headquartered in San Francisco and regularly holds sessions in Los Angeles and Sacramento. Its decisions are binding on all other California state courts.-Composition:...
the opportunity to create the modern rule of strict liability
Strict liability
In law, strict liability is a standard for liability which may exist in either a criminal or civil context. A rule specifying strict liability makes a person legally responsible for the damage and loss caused by his or her acts and omissions regardless of culpability...
for defective products
Product liability
Product liability is the area of law in which manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, retailers, and others who make products available to the public are held responsible for the injuries those products cause...
in 1963.
European Combination Machine
Several companies in Austria, Italy, France and Belgium manufacture what is commonly known in North America as a Euro(pean) combination machine, which typically contains a sliding-table saw with a scoring blade, a shaperShaper
A shaper is a type of machine tool that uses linear relative motion between the workpiece and a single-point cutting tool to machine a linear toolpath. Its cut is analogous to that of a lathe, except that it is linear instead of helical...
, a thicknesser
Thicknesser
A thickness planer is a woodworking machine which is used to create boards that are of an even thickness throughout their length and flat on both surfaces....
, a jointer
Jointer
A jointer is a woodworking machine used to produce a flat surface along a board's length....
, and a mortiser
Mortiser
A mortiser or morticer is a specialized woodworking machine used to cut square or rectangular holes in a piece of lumber, such as a mortise in a mortise and tenon joint.-Square chisel mortiser:...
. These machines generally have 3 motors, one for the table saw, one for the shaper, and one shared by the thickness planer/jointer and mortiser.
European combination machines are geared for the serious hobbyist or professional woodworker or cabinet maker. They are constructed of cast iron and heavy gauge steel, weigh from 1000 to 2000 lbs., and range in price from around $5,000 to over $30,000 (2010, U.S. dollars).
Manufacturers include Felder (Felder and Hammer brands), Kitty, Knapp, Lurem, Mini-Max, Robland, Rojek, Veba and others. Rojek and Robland manufacture entry level models, Hammer, Lurem, MiniMax and Veba mid-range models, Felder and Knapp high-end models. Robland purchased Knapp from the Metabo group in 2000.
The European combination machine allows efficient processing of both rough-cut timber and sheet stock (i.e. plywood). The sliding table can work in conjunction with either the table saw or the shaper. Outfitted with an 8-foot sliding table and outrigger, a single person can cut 4'x8' plywood very accurately and efficiently. Changing between most functions takes only a few seconds.
The sliding table allows a straight edge to be cut on rough lumber, without the use of a fence. It also allows a cut to be made accurately at any angle across a sheet of plywood in just seconds - something that cannot be done nearly as easily, if at all, on a table saw. Used in conjunction with the shaper, the sliding table allows molding, door panels, rails and stiles, to be milled quickly and more accurately than a stand-alone shaper.