Major Combination Machine Manufacturers

[woodsy11]

G'Day Folks

Greetings from Australia

I'm establishing a new woodworking shop and wish to purchase, preferably a 5 in 1 machine, i am relunctantly willing to spend between $10,000 to $16,000.00 to achieve this.
However i'm "very green", that is new to this whole process, and not even aware what is available in the market place. Can anybody suggest a few manufactures that i could look at.
I have already traveled to the Minimax showroom in Melbourne and indeed the Felder showroom to look at some Hammer machines.
I studied the Laguna website, but only seen a picture of the corresponding Robland machine.
Can anybody suggest other machines i might consider in this price range, my intention is make furniture but the space in my shop is restricted so a combo seems to offer the best compromise.
I particularly interested in hearing from people with "Hands on experience" with such machines, who can offer a critical performance based opinion.


Cheers Woodsy11

[JMOHNIKE]

The only tool that I have had experience with is the Shopsmith. I own and still use one but I also have the seprate tools. There are different types of "all-in-one" tools. The advantage of the Shopsmith is it take up less room. Its best feature is the drill press. The saw is a tilt top, (not safe in my opinion) and it is too high. The lathe set up is too low, hard on the back. Likewise the band saw is high. The individual, "add on" tools are pricey. You can purchase stand alone tools for less cost. One thing to keep in mind on any combo tool if a motor goes out the entire tool is down, kind of like the all in one printer, scanner and fax machines. You might consider, individual tools, which are mobile. My table saw, radialarm saw, band saw and shaper are all mobile. My portable planer is in a cabinet and set up when needed. The only tools I have which are not mobile are my lathe and drill press.
Just food for thought and I hope it give you some ideas, good luck and enjoy the craft.