I live in Houston, my shop (garage) got 5' of water during Hurricane Harvey. I lost all my power tools which I had accumulated over a lifetime. So in the last few months I have been replacing those tools. I had a Hammer K3 table saw and I bought another one, no regrets. The slider becomes so valuable once you get used to it, I couldn't go with a typical cabinet saw. My previous jointer was just a cheap bench top model and the planer was the same. They were purchased when i couldn't afford anything better, and required a lot of work arounds to make a project, but I made them work. Now that I have the K3 saw and the A3 31 combo, work is so much easier. The A3 31 came off the palette completely co-planer and no defects. I spent 30 minutes inspecting it and maybe an hour or so replacing the crappy electrical cord that comes with it. Other than that, it was ready to go on delivery. Looking forward to many years of solid work.
@@matthewhale657 Night and day. My previous machine was straight knives and it sounded like an alarm was going off in my workshop every time the wood passed over the cutters. With the silent power you can still have a conversation while the wood is being planed. *Mine is for sale* BTW-I live in Australia and I am getting out while we're still open and we still can during the summer.
Hello Mathew, I have the same machine here in Portugal, I came upon your review because I wanted to see something about extension tables for the A3 31; It was very rewarding to see someone so happy with the machine , especially because I see you know other machines and woodworkers. I have the 3 phase motor version and the helical cutterhead, and the quiteness is a real improvement compared to the smaller Metabo planer I had before without the helical cutterhead. Thanks for the practical, objective, no boring review, and enjoy your work... !!
My A3 41 and B3 Winner Comfort are arriving today...cant wait as I sold my Delta Unisaw, my Rockwell 13" planer, General 8" jointer, Jessem router table and my miter saw last week. Just in time for X Mass brake and ready for production in January.
Now that you’ve had it for 12 months, how about it? I’m considering selling my PM 8” jointer and Dewalt for this unit. A few things that worry me. Having to crank the bed up and down 6”, having to lock the bed when planing every time you change height while making multiple passes, and loosing some bed length form my PM jointer. Please let me know how you feel about these?
i know im late to the party here but thanks for the review ive been lusting after one of these for a little while now tomorrow before I begin working ill be shimming the beds of my powermatic coplaner, its my 2nd jointer... buy once cry once
Nice review. I have a 12 year old Felder AD741 and also have never experienced snipe (same with the 10 year old Minimax). I never wax my tables. Felder makes a product called Supergleit that cleans and lubricates the table for easy feeding. I don't spray it on just moisten a paper towel and wipe over the surface. Steve
I rub talcum powder on my table saw bed with a chalk board duster. It gets into the surface and makes it pretty slick too. Supposedly prevents condensation & moisture from your hands causing corrosion stains. Like anything, regular application.
Now that you’ve had it for a while, how about it? I’m considering selling my PM 8” jointer and Dewalt for this unit. A few things that worry me. Having to crank the bed up and down 6”, having to lock the bed when planing every time you change height while making multiple passes, and loosing some bed length form my PM jointer. Please let me know how you feel about these?
Mike Sibley they are none issues. The machine is fantastic. You just need to adjust your work flow . Do all your jointing first the switch to planner mode .
I've been looking at Grizzly and Jet combo P/Js and since the price and the Hammer isn't as high as I thought and your review I will definitely be getting this. I do not want to be recalibrating for hours at a time. Thank you!
I’ve got the same machine, only with the spiral cutter head, it’s a dream to use. I’ve had mine for about two years and it’s been flawless. I paid 5200 Canadian Kopecks back then and they’ve gone up a bit since then. A couple of weeks back I put it on Craigslist for 4500 to gauge its value, I got 4 serious calls in one day, so if you can afford the initial hit the Hammer machines are definitely worth it. Cheers
Now that you’ve had it for a while now, how about it? I’m considering selling my PM 8” jointer and Dewalt for this unit. A few things that worry me. Having to crank the bed up and down 6”, having to lock the bed when planing every time you change height while making multiple passes, and loosing some bed length form my PM jointer. Please let me know how you feel about these?
I noticed when you started the machine (at the beginning of the video) that you pressed the start button briefly. This is a no-no for Hammer (and Felder). They warn that you must hold down the button until the motor is running at full speed. If you do not do so, the capacitor will burn out. (I have a A3-31, K3, and N4400 - all have the same warning sticker to this effect).
Mine snipes like crazy. I've been working with Felder for the last 3 months to fix it. I'm waiting to hear back from Austria if they are willing to send someone out to work on the machine.
@@markk4015 I may have gotten a lemon. It is covered under warranty. I am waiting for a new machine now. COVID 19 has impacted this. I'm told that by November I may receive it.
@@wasmithee , thanks for the reply and good luck with the new machine. It's a crappy situation, but at least they're standing behind their product and didn't abandon you after they got the money. That's a good sign.
Besides the snipe, Now that you’ve had it for a while now, how about it? I’m considering selling my PM 8” jointer and Dewalt for this unit. A few things that worry me. Having to crank the bed up and down 6”, having to lock the bed when planing every time you change height while making multiple passes, and loosing some bed length form my PM jointer. Please let me know how you feel about these?
@@mikesibley9339, those surely are drawbacks. It's a solid machine in general. The saw and shaper functions are top notch. The biggest pain for me is repositioning the fence... Not sure why that bothers me so much. I also don't like having to remove the handle for the saw when changing to the planer function... I almost always forget. That said, space is a real issue for me and this u it fits the bill for that need. I'd always choose separates when that is an option.
Anyone had exposure to or know anyone who has bought the Grizzly? This video is making a strong case in my mind for the Hammer. I was just wondering if it was worth considering the Grizzly with spiral cutter head vs the Hammer with straight/indexed knives. The Hammer with spiral cutter is more than I would like to spend. I’m between the Grizzly with spiral cutter, Jet with straight knives, or Hammer with straight knives.
It's not your fault, but almost. I just ordered my A341. I am looking forward to delivering time. I'm also hopefull that setup is as easy as they say. However here in Atlanta where do I get help with the tech part.
Hi Matt I noticed that you have the extension tables for your A331. Lately I been thinking of getting them but I wanted to know if they are accurate I mean are they flat and parallel to the table? Lastly, do you have the 400mm or 800mm, any regrets? Any info will be very helpful… thanks
Hi Eduardo, that extension table is surely the 400mm version, which is the 16´´ Mathew refers; I want go get one also. About the accuracy: I have a band saw from their "sister" company Felder with an extension table, where I can adjust both the height and angle to be perfect - I expect the Hammer version of the table to be similar... Let's hope so !!
Thanks for the long term review, I place an order for one with the spiral cutting head and a short and long table extension. Should get it in a few weeks, mid Jan 2020. One of the selling points is the "no maintenance" and how well they stay calibrated, it's good to hear from an actual user for five years and a relocation to boot, that it is still running true. I also got the imperial digital planer gauge you have as well, I have heard they are as accurate as you said but did it take any tweaking to get it that accurate? Thanks, Chuck
Now that you’ve had it for 6 months, how about it? I’m considering selling my PM 8” jointer and Dewalt for this unit. A few things that worry me. Having to crank the bed up and down 6”, having to lock the bed when planing every time you change height while making multiple passes, and loosing some bed length form my PM jointer. Please let me know how you feel about these?
@@mikesibley9339 Mike, sadly my experience has been nothing short of a train wreck. It has been unlike anything I have heard from anyone else so I'm fairly confident that it has more to do with happenstance and bad luck than anything else. I have had two new A3 31’s delivered, the second being a replacement for the first, and both have had issues. HAMMER has been outstanding in trying to correct the issues which have been complicated by the pandemic. When they worked, they were pretty darn good machines. And I too worried about the raising and lowering the thickness planer being I have a bad back and leg. I found it not to be much of an issue at all, at least not for myself. I am trying right now to upgrade to a FELDER AD 531, same size, a bit more money, but a lot more robust. I looked at the AD 931 which has an auto lift on the planer but way too much $$$ for me especially being you have to add about 2k to 3k just to add 3 phase for it as well, they don’t import single phase into the US even though it’s available??? They offered to set it up for a reduced price of $350, normally its about $750 depending on your distance from their office, ask about it, it saved my bacon on this being they found the issues to begin with and it was out of my hands fron that point.
@eMRimas Not yet, it was back ordered until January 2021. They contacted me a couple of weeks ago to confirm I still wanted it and that it is scheduled for mid-Jan 2021 delivery. I'm going to their shop in Sacramento, about a 35min drive, where they are going to set it up and I'll test it out before swapping out machines. The A3-31 has been working really well for me with exception of some very faint lines that are only affecting or prominent in some woods I plane. The tech spent a lot of time swapping carbide inserts around on the cutter head minimizing the uneven lines to the point that it is pretty darn good now. (This is was done to mask a defective cutter head ) I am almost hesitant to let it go being I’m used to it now. But it was a great excuse to get that SuperMax 19-38 Drum Sander I've been wanting 😁. The problem is if I ever need to turn or replace an insert, it may be one that was chosen out of the three sets we had at the time to choose from to balance them and won’t line up with the rest. As I believe I said before, my situation must be an unusual alignment of the stars or something, to have two machines be “Bad out of box”, delivered to the same guy is almost unheard of with Felder/Hammer. My biggest take away from this so far is the GREAT tech support from Felder/Hammer. Never once did they hesitate in attempting to correct my problem. But check back with me in late January 2021 and I'll let you know how it went.
Nanoqx, I imagine that at this moment you have already sorted out how easy and clever the digital gauge is, so I am answering only to try to explain it to someone with doubts about it: the gauge is set as follows: before setting the gauge you plan a piece of wood to any thickness you want, say you eyeball to get 1´´; after that you measure the thickness of the board as it came out, you calibrate the gauge to that thickness holding it in your hands and turning it until the thickness you got on the board is read on the dial - it is a gravity operated dial which has no gears connecting it to the machine, (just one tiny fixing screw), so it turns to de desired level ouside the machine!! so simple and clever I was blown away the first time I saw it. The last step it to put the dial in the machine with the thickness value set to the thickness the board that came out, and you are done. Check it out again with one or two plannings more and make minor adjustments and you are done for years of trouble free working.
Hi Derek, nice review. Very helpful since I am considering one myself. Since space is an issue in my shop, i was wondering how far you have to place the machine of the wall in order to be able to put the table up for planer mode. Thanks in advance!
I’ve got the same machine, you need at least 6.5” off the wall to flip it up. I’ve got mine on a 4 wheel dolly and store it under my drawing table when not in use. Yes it’s a great buy, I test listed mine on Craigslist for 4500 Canadian Kopecks and got 4 calls in one day, I paid 5200 two years ago, so it definitely will hold its value. I work in my residential garage, the spiral cutter head is a must it reduces the noise dramatically, cheers.
Hi Derek I am trying to help a bit late, 2 years after ... LOL ... You can buy (or retrofit) the wheel option already built in the machine, as I have it; It comes with a lever which you remove and only use to move it around - the rear side of the machine always rests on the hard plastic wheels, and the refered lever only raises the front side allowing to move the machine very easily. I also keep my machine stored under my lumber rack, it is so easy to get the lever and push/pull the machine back and forth that I would not bother about the wall distance at all !!!
@@skyetube1 hi - i know this post is 3 yrs old but would you happen to have a picture of how you store the A31 under the drafting table and approximate dimensions required to do so? I'm looking at buying the A31 and building a similar table and want to know about how large an opening under the table I need. Thanks
Hi there thanks for the video I am new to woodwork purchased the A3 26 version I am a bit disappointed because I find 2 problems with this machine first is the tables the are not parallel the infeed table is dips down from cutter block towards the end about 0.30mm I spoke to the fielder and the ask me the results of the wood which is I can’t straighten a 2 meter long piece of timber any help with this., second problem the both tables are shrunk down in the middle about 0.15mm Any help or advice I will appreciate thank you very much
I'm glad I found this video. I'm pretty close to placing an order for one of these. How useful do you find the extension wings and what's the max board length you'd attempt to joint w/o them?
@@mmwoodstudio Thanks for the reply. I have one more question: if you had to order it again, would you still order the "Rolling Carriage" or get a different kind of mobile base? I'm thinking the convenience of a mobile base with 4 articulating wheels might be convenient in my space but am not sure if it would be as stable as Hammer's carriage. Thanks again!
@@HelloAnthony yes, I’d order the built in mobile base again, but no straight knives. I’d go with the spiral/helical cutter head. I say yes to the Mobile base built in because you only move the machine once in a while and you can easily adjust the feet to give you a rock steady platform to the surface it’s on. I have a mobile base on 4 wheels with the grizzly in the smaller shop (see latest shop updates) and the mobile base works well, but it looks and feels like an after thought versus something designed to be there.
Thank you for taking the time to do that video. I am seriously looking to acquire that machine. Beside the price difference what made you lean to the A3-31 instead of the A3-41?
Hi Matt. Good video. I just bought one and am getting to know it. Why did you elect for the extension table on the out feed side of the jointer instead of in feed? I just watched another video where the Owner elected for an extension on the out feed side of the planer..... If only we could have extensions everywhere. Curious about your thoughts.
Because I feel that I can easily keep the part down on the tables when it is coming across the cutter head. However, I'm worried about the weight as it goes over the outfield table being so much I can't keep the pressure the same through out the cut.
I just got this unit installed in my shop and did few test run. Silky smooth on a piece of southern yellow pine. Can you describe in detail on the dust port fittings you have on? Thanks.
I recently purchased this but with the spiral cutterhead. Its awesome! Do you use the Laguna for the dust collector on it? If so how does it work I need to upgrade my DC soon.
How much do you take off per pass when planing (rotations of the crank)? Just got mine and it does not pull the wood through at a consistent rate. It sputters through. Can't tell if I'm trying to take off too much or too little? Thanks.
Ok hi from 🇨🇦 , i’m building a 16’x20’ garage and looking for a combination tool but can’t know if the 16” wide would be better for a small shop ? In other words , if you could have the 16” would you change or stay with the 12” ? Other question , the hammer is not the only combination tools in the market . I’m looking at the SCM machines and don’t know if i should go with eather hammer SCM or another companie ? Any suggestions would be appreciated !! Thx👍🏼👏
Only had a need once in 10 years for more than 12”. I got a grizzly for the beach shop. Will do a video in 6 months or so when I have some time with it.
Do you think paying 4 K for a 3 year old machine with mobile kit and dial face on wheel, silent power cutter head with 3 good sides on carbide inserts, no tax, lightly used is reasonable? Thanks so much for your opinion
I bought the unit and after a few projects I realize this is a phenomenal machine oozing with quality and enhancing performance. I am so glad I have mine. At a decent price with no waiting and no tax. Minor snipe corrected, one helical carbide cutter moved 90 degrees, comes with circular dial gauge that is simply a terrific performing feature, and the moving bar. I am glad the gods smiled on me when I was shopping as I was looking at many options. The A43 31 model with 12.25 inch capacity is perfect for me in my garage. Matt, thanks for your good information. I admire your Nakashima stuff and as I am Asian, I am partial to designs with an Asian modern influence. For anyone on the fence about the Hammer. Buy it, love it and if you ever sell it you will recover much of what you paid. But after using it, it will be a most precious tool....
They drop ship to you and with a palette jack they put it in your shop if it is easily to get to. Then you get it off the palette and put a couple of parts together and add a plug to the electrical cord.
I have it, and selling it... But only because I changing it in to separate Hammer/Felder Jointer and thiknesser :) Yea and I want a helical cutter head .. TR
How hard was it to set it up for the first time. I watched another youtube vid where, after hours and hours, the machine wasn't set up. He had to get a factory service person to come out. How was yours to set up? Thanks. Great video.
This is interesting because I have just ordered one here in Australia and I asked what set up would be required. The answer I got was that it would come ready from the factory and all I had to do was install the fence and the rolling carriage. I guess we'll see if that's true or not in a few week's time.
Blue Wren I also just ordered an A3-41 and was told the same thing. I'm getting mine in November and plan on doing a video review of the unboxing and set up.
Hi - I've got a second hand Hammer A3-41, the only option at the time for at used machine. There are two handles I do not use, because they do not seem to work: 1. the handle on the left side end to set the forward transport on or off. I can't move it !! 2. the lock of the height of the planer. It doesn't seem to lock. Maybe my specimen has been abused by the former owner, maybe there's a thing I do not understand. Best, Steffen Store Heddinge, Denmark, Europe
hmmm... at least in the US they have service techs that can come to you for a price. To be frank, I never use either of those handles myself, but mine do work.
Cory, I have the A3-31 and would like to have a A3-41, mostly because I'm a guy that thinks bigger is better 😁. Now I'm not a pro, or even a semi pro, but more of a pretty decent intermediate woodworker, and I've built a really beautiful (others have said, not just me) Red Oak bed for my grandson and a pretty darn nice desk for a close friends daughter recently and not once did I come close to ever needing more than the A3-31. My issue is space. In my garage I still need to park my wife’s car and occasionally my Toyota P/U, so space is extremely limited. The difference between the 31 and the 41 just does not work for me. Think about it, if you are going to build a table top you’ll have to glue a few board with a 16” planer too, so what’s having to glue up one, maybe two more boards if you only have a 12” planer. And how often is that going to be an issue? If size and money aren’t an issue for you, then by all mean go for it, but be real about what “you” are going to do with it, not someone else. And remember, there are a ton of REAL wood workers out there making great stuff with 6” and 8” jointers. All the best, Chuck
If its a $2K difference and space is tight I would go A31. Matt is an excellent woodworker who has never been cramped by his 12.25 inch A31. His Nakashima tabletop attests to that. Its sorta like do you want the Porsche Macan or Cayenne? You can buy alot of nice chisels, assorted saws and planers as well as newer clamps and dovetail equipment with a couple of grand. Any decision you make for the A43 is a winner
Can I ask at this late date about the exact specs for the dust shroud port - I see you have some kind of adapter or reducer since the port is 120mm - is that the Felder adapter that they sell or did you come up with a different solution?
Matt, i'm on the fence about getting the A3 41. I wanted to ask, how is the alignment of the infeed and outfeed extension beds? Easy to do to make sure they are parallel and level with the cast iron surfaces? Thanks.
Hi Matthew, my Jet JJP-12 looks like a faithful copy of that machine, but it snipes and I don't think there is any option for table extensions. I was too frugal to pay for the German machine, the Asian version cost $1500 less than the Hammer even with the helical head with 56 (I think) carbide inserts. And the helical head is so much quieter than straight knives! Any idea how the Hammer avoids snipe?
Michael, I think they avoid it in their manufacturing process by making a more robust better engineered piece of equipment. It traveled from Austria to the East Coast. Shipped to me in CA. Then on a moving truck to GA. Besides a few scratches, it performs just as it did on day 1. I should have listened to my Grandmothers advice years ago about this - if you buy the best, you only cry once.
Also... most likely your roller feeders are not at the same height. I think Marc (Wood Whisperer) has a video he did on adjusting his feed roollers on a stand alone planer. That maybe a good place to start.
Ah...my conversion to the "buy quality once, cry once" school is underway, I'm just about there. Quality tools make work more enjoyable and more efficient. Meanwhile, maybe I'll try reading the manual, maybe there's a lock feature or something that I'm not using. Thanks for the review.
I took delivery of the '41 a few weeks ago but, due to lockdown, I couldn't get an electrician in until a few days ago. There's now power to the machine but IT WON"T START! Has anyone had any issues with the wiring on these machines? It's the single phase model and I know about the start button hold down time. Is there something I've missed? Chris
@@bighands69 Hi, the dealer sent a Tech out and traced the problem to the thermal overload switch - buried deep in the motor. It won't reset and is preventing the motor from starting. New motor on the way from Austria!
Now that you’ve had it for a while now, how about it? I’m considering selling my PM 8” jointer and Dewalt for this unit. A few things that worry me. Having to crank the bed up and down 6”, having to lock the bed when planing every time you change height while making multiple passes, and loosing some bed length form my PM jointer. Please let me know how you feel about these?
@@mikesibley9339 Will do. New motor arrived and was fitted on Friday! Feels like I've had the machine for months and haven't used it.... oh wait - that's exactly the situation 😄. I'll run some timber over/through it at the weekend and let you know. Cheers
I just bought the A3-41 which is one size bigger than this machine. It was on sale because they were having a big convention. All in including taxes and shipping it was $7000.00. I think this one would be $1500 cheaper.
Well if you want to go there: he was very innovative- Blitzkrieg, best war machines, atomic program, mobilization of the entire population, obsession with perfection, etc ...and before you ask I live in a country where the facts and truth are still more important than political correctness, not talking so as to not offend, fear of what we say. Also, we don't lose our jobs, get socially ostracised and get locked up for talking about and stating facts.
NO you are not. It is pure gabage. Flame me if you wish fellows, but it is the truth. For a machine that cost this much, should ALWAYS make the fence base AND fence out of cast iron.
pat dee Have you actually used or even touched one before? I was also concerned about the fence but after testing one out I am surprised to say having a lighter fence like this is actually a huge benefit. As long as the mechanism to move and hold the fence is well thought out and easy to use then it is awesome.
The main reason I did not buy the A 41 jointer/planer was the poor fence; AND you have to crank the planer height MANY times EVERY time you go from jointer to planer and vice versa. That killed it for me. To each his own.
Yes, to each his own. I noticed the same things but found the fence to be great and realized I was being nitpicky about having to turn the wheel for 30 seconds to switch to planer mode. I mean really? I figure it will help me to not be so lazy.
The fence really is quite adequate for its purpose, I know being used to a cast iron fence it does seem flimsy but like the euro style blade guard, it works fine, but its different. And as for having to crank the planer handle to switch modes, many woodworkers like myself just don't have the space for two large machines so this isn't a problem.
Nanoqx Now that you’ve had it for a while now, how about it? I’m considering selling my PM 8” jointer and Dewalt for this unit. A few things that worry me. Having to crank the bed up and down 6”, having to lock the bed when planing every time you change height while making multiple passes, and loosing some bed length form my PM jointer. Please let me know how you feel about these?
@@mikesibley9339 I'm sorry for not responding sooner, but for those looking for information here's my two cents. I have had the Hammer A3-31 and now the Felder AD-531, both similar style machines. It does sound arduous to crank the bed up and down when switching between planer and jointer, but if you think about it, you really don't do it that much. First off, it really isn't that hard, I have two separate spinal conditions that make bending, kneeling, or squatting extremely hard, and as much as I would prefer a better solution, I have not really found it to be that bad. Secondly, you plane and joint all your wood, or as much as you can first, then thickness plane it. So, it's not like you are switching back and forth between each board, just once, usually. I have found that the space that these machines save for other equipment is easily worth a few moments of raising and lowering the bed. I hope this helps someone who's trying to decide on this style of planer/jointer. 😎
I live in Houston, my shop (garage) got 5' of water during Hurricane Harvey. I lost all my power tools which I had accumulated over a lifetime. So in the last few months I have been replacing those tools. I had a Hammer K3 table saw and I bought another one, no regrets. The slider becomes so valuable once you get used to it, I couldn't go with a typical cabinet saw. My previous jointer was just a cheap bench top model and the planer was the same. They were purchased when i couldn't afford anything better, and required a lot of work arounds to make a project, but I made them work. Now that I have the K3 saw and the A3 31 combo, work is so much easier. The A3 31 came off the palette completely co-planer and no defects. I spent 30 minutes inspecting it and maybe an hour or so replacing the crappy electrical cord that comes with it. Other than that, it was ready to go on delivery. Looking forward to many years of solid work.
Hopefully it will give you many years of great service!
Got One!! I looooove it.
It is accurate and stays accurate.
My Silent Cutter leaves the wood perfect.
Agree with everything Mathew says.
Glad you like yours too, Marisa!
What are the sound levels on the straight knife version vs the Silent power cutter head?
@@matthewhale657 Night and day. My previous machine was straight knives and it sounded like an alarm was going off in my workshop every time the wood passed over the cutters. With the silent power you can still have a conversation while the wood is being planed.
*Mine is for sale* BTW-I live in Australia and I am getting out while we're still open and we still can during the summer.
Hello Mathew, I have the same machine here in Portugal, I came upon your review because I wanted to see something about extension tables for the A3 31; It was very rewarding to see someone so happy with the machine , especially because I see you know other machines and woodworkers. I have the 3 phase motor version and the helical cutterhead, and the quiteness is a real improvement compared to the smaller Metabo planer I had before without the helical cutterhead. Thanks for the practical, objective, no boring review, and enjoy your work... !!
Appreciate it, Pedro. Where in Portugal? My favorite country in Europe… love to get a small place there one day.
Olá Pedro, where did you buy the Hammer in Pt? I am moving to Portugal and this is on my list. Muito obrigado
@@eagasi actually I bought it second hand, but from a guy who had bought it from a company called BEFE
@@mmwoodstudio sorry !!! I did not see your answer until now !!!
I live in Porto, one of the largest cities in the country, north, by the coast.
@@pedrolanhas4120 Encontrei! Muito obrigado Pedro!
thanks a lot for your review of hammer, i am looking forward to get one. you had 5 years trouble free in commercial use . so it will last me life time
congrats on your new purchase.
My A3 41 and B3 Winner Comfort are arriving today...cant wait as I sold my Delta Unisaw, my Rockwell 13" planer, General 8" jointer, Jessem router table and my miter saw last week. Just in time for X Mass brake and ready for production in January.
How are you liking them so far?
Nice overview of the machine Matthew.. Thanks for putting this video together.
:)
I have the A3-41 on the way. I can't wait!!!
Now that you’ve had it for 12 months, how about it? I’m considering selling my PM 8” jointer and Dewalt for this unit. A few things that worry me. Having to crank the bed up and down 6”, having to lock the bed when planing every time you change height while making multiple passes, and loosing some bed length form my PM jointer. Please let me know how you feel about these?
Amazing build quality. I just placed an order for a felder AD941.
I drool every time I see that machine.
:)
i know im late to the party here but thanks for the review
ive been lusting after one of these for a little while now
tomorrow before I begin working ill be shimming the beds of my powermatic coplaner, its my 2nd jointer...
buy once cry once
Nice review. I have a 12 year old Felder AD741 and also have never experienced snipe (same with the 10 year old Minimax). I never wax my tables. Felder makes a product called Supergleit that cleans and lubricates the table for easy feeding. I don't spray it on just moisten a paper towel and wipe over the surface. Steve
I've used Supergleit as well. Both work great. Maybe I'm just old fashioned and wax my tabled :)
I rub talcum powder on my table saw bed with a chalk board duster. It gets into the surface and makes it pretty slick too. Supposedly prevents condensation & moisture from your hands causing corrosion stains. Like anything, regular application.
I have the A3 41 with the silent cutter block and I love it.
Awesome!
Now that you’ve had it for a while, how about it? I’m considering selling my PM 8” jointer and Dewalt for this unit. A few things that worry me. Having to crank the bed up and down 6”, having to lock the bed when planing every time you change height while making multiple passes, and loosing some bed length form my PM jointer. Please let me know how you feel about these?
Mike Sibley they are none issues. The machine is fantastic. You just need to adjust your work flow . Do all your jointing first the switch to planner mode .
Oh man I like that. The two in one is awesome and to have a 12” jointer too going from a 4” to a 12 1/2” yeah i’m game
Do it!
Thanks for your experience (5 years!) review of this product! Time to start the spare change jar....;)
I've been looking at Grizzly and Jet combo P/Js and since the price and the Hammer isn't as high as I thought and your review I will definitely be getting this. I do not want to be recalibrating for hours at a time. Thank you!
I’ve got the same machine, only with the spiral cutter head, it’s a dream to use. I’ve had mine for about two years and it’s been flawless. I paid 5200 Canadian Kopecks back then and they’ve gone up a bit since then. A couple of weeks back I put it on Craigslist for 4500 to gauge its value, I got 4 serious calls in one day, so if you can afford the initial hit the Hammer machines are definitely worth it. Cheers
Now that you’ve had it for a while now, how about it? I’m considering selling my PM 8” jointer and Dewalt for this unit. A few things that worry me. Having to crank the bed up and down 6”, having to lock the bed when planing every time you change height while making multiple passes, and loosing some bed length form my PM jointer. Please let me know how you feel about these?
I noticed when you started the machine (at the beginning of the video) that you pressed the start button briefly. This is a no-no for Hammer (and Felder). They warn that you must hold down the button until the motor is running at full speed. If you do not do so, the capacitor will burn out. (I have a A3-31, K3, and N4400 - all have the same warning sticker to this effect).
You are right. 90% of the time I remember to do that...this was one of those other 10%
Me too :)
Cheers, Derek
How's it holding up these days? Still, love it? Any issues?
I love my Hammer A3 31. I do have it with the Silent power spiral cutter, it is amazing.
And no snipe at all.
Awesome!
N4 Wood what’s the noise level with the silent power head?
@@matthewhale657 I would say about half of the Dewalt lunchbox planer i had before. There is a noticeable difference.
I bought a Hammer A3 41, but it hasn't arrived yet. But it's about to. I'm anxious to put it in use.
That's awesome. Congrats!
Nice review. If I ever lose my 16” jointer, something like this would be great.
Hopefully you wont!
Many thanks!
Can you comment on the dust collection for each operation?
Thanks for your honest and awesome video... now I'm sold. Oh and I also subscribed!!!
Do you ever feel you wish you bought the 16"? or want to upgrade to it now?
what a beast
That she is.
Hello, I just found your video. I have already ordered the same machine. My question is are you still satisfied with it? Is it in daily use?
Mine snipes like crazy. I've been working with Felder for the last 3 months to fix it. I'm waiting to hear back from Austria if they are willing to send someone out to work on the machine.
Will, did you ever get the snipe problem solved? I'm guessing you wouldn't be quick to recommend the machine.
@@markk4015 I may have gotten a lemon. It is covered under warranty. I am waiting for a new machine now. COVID 19 has impacted this. I'm told that by November I may receive it.
@@wasmithee , thanks for the reply and good luck with the new machine. It's a crappy situation, but at least they're standing behind their product and didn't abandon you after they got the money. That's a good sign.
Besides the snipe, Now that you’ve had it for a while now, how about it? I’m considering selling my PM 8” jointer and Dewalt for this unit. A few things that worry me. Having to crank the bed up and down 6”, having to lock the bed when planing every time you change height while making multiple passes, and loosing some bed length form my PM jointer. Please let me know how you feel about these?
@@mikesibley9339, those surely are drawbacks. It's a solid machine in general. The saw and shaper functions are top notch. The biggest pain for me is repositioning the fence... Not sure why that bothers me so much. I also don't like having to remove the handle for the saw when changing to the planer function... I almost always forget. That said, space is a real issue for me and this u it fits the bill for that need. I'd always choose separates when that is an option.
Hi, why did you change?
Thanks for the review. What adapter did you use for the dust port and how well did it do?
I have an adaption for a 100mm diameter suction tube and it works perfectly, never had any issues with that whatsoever.
Anyone had exposure to or know anyone who has bought the Grizzly? This video is making a strong case in my mind for the Hammer. I was just wondering if it was worth considering the Grizzly with spiral cutter head vs the Hammer with straight/indexed knives. The Hammer with spiral cutter is more than I would like to spend. I’m between the Grizzly with spiral cutter, Jet with straight knives, or Hammer with straight knives.
It's not your fault, but almost. I just ordered my A341. I am looking forward to delivering time. I'm also hopefull that setup is as easy as they say. However here in Atlanta where do I get help with the tech part.
I haven't had any real problems tech wise on the unit since I bought it. Just ordered supplies from them directly.
Did you get your A3-41?? I just ordered mine a few weeks ago. They say I will receive it in mid November. I can't wait!
hey mathew, what is the distance from the wall behind to the very front of the machine , leaving space for raising the table please?
Hi Matt I noticed that you have the extension tables for your A331. Lately I been thinking of getting them but I wanted to know if they are accurate I mean are they flat and parallel to the table? Lastly, do you have the 400mm or 800mm, any regrets? Any info will be very helpful… thanks
Hi Eduardo, that extension table is surely the 400mm version, which is the 16´´ Mathew refers; I want go get one also. About the accuracy: I have a band saw from their "sister" company Felder with an extension table, where I can adjust both the height and angle to be perfect - I expect the Hammer version of the table to be similar... Let's hope so !!
Thanks for the long term review, I place an order for one with the spiral cutting head and a short and long table extension. Should get it in a few weeks, mid Jan 2020. One of the selling points is the "no maintenance" and how well they stay calibrated, it's good to hear from an actual user for five years and a relocation to boot, that it is still running true. I also got the imperial digital planer gauge you have as well, I have heard they are as accurate as you said but did it take any tweaking to get it that accurate?
Thanks, Chuck
Now that you’ve had it for 6 months, how about it? I’m considering selling my PM 8” jointer and Dewalt for this unit. A few things that worry me. Having to crank the bed up and down 6”, having to lock the bed when planing every time you change height while making multiple passes, and loosing some bed length form my PM jointer. Please let me know how you feel about these?
@@mikesibley9339 Mike, sadly my experience has been nothing short of a train wreck. It has been unlike anything I have heard from anyone else so I'm fairly confident that it has more to do with happenstance and bad luck than anything else. I have had two new A3 31’s delivered, the second being a replacement for the first, and both have had issues. HAMMER has been outstanding in trying to correct the issues which have been complicated by the pandemic. When they worked, they were pretty darn good machines. And I too worried about the raising and lowering the thickness planer being I have a bad back and leg. I found it not to be much of an issue at all, at least not for myself. I am trying right now to upgrade to a FELDER AD 531, same size, a bit more money, but a lot more robust. I looked at the AD 931 which has an auto lift on the planer but way too much $$$ for me especially being you have to add about 2k to 3k just to add 3 phase for it as well, they don’t import single phase into the US even though it’s available??? They offered to set it up for a reduced price of $350, normally its about $750 depending on your distance from their office, ask about it, it saved my bacon on this being they found the issues to begin with and it was out of my hands fron that point.
@@toolchuck Have you moved to the AD 531?
@eMRimas Not yet, it was back ordered until January 2021. They contacted me a couple of weeks ago to confirm I still wanted it and that it is scheduled for mid-Jan 2021 delivery. I'm going to their shop in Sacramento, about a 35min drive, where they are going to set it up and I'll test it out before swapping out machines. The A3-31 has been working really well for me with exception of some very faint lines that are only affecting or prominent in some woods I plane. The tech spent a lot of time swapping carbide inserts around on the cutter head minimizing the uneven lines to the point that it is pretty darn good now. (This is was done to mask a defective cutter head ) I am almost hesitant to let it go being I’m used to it now. But it was a great excuse to get that SuperMax 19-38 Drum Sander I've been wanting 😁. The problem is if I ever need to turn or replace an insert, it may be one that was chosen out of the three sets we had at the time to choose from to balance them and won’t line up with the rest. As I believe I said before, my situation must be an unusual alignment of the stars or something, to have two machines be “Bad out of box”, delivered to the same guy is almost unheard of with Felder/Hammer. My biggest take away from this so far is the GREAT tech support from Felder/Hammer. Never once did they hesitate in attempting to correct my problem. But check back with me in late January 2021 and I'll let you know how it went.
Nanoqx, I imagine that at this moment you have already sorted out how easy and clever the digital gauge is, so I am answering only to try to explain it to someone with doubts about it: the gauge is set as follows: before setting the gauge you plan a piece of wood to any thickness you want, say you eyeball to get 1´´; after that you measure the thickness of the board as it came out, you calibrate the gauge to that thickness holding it in your hands and turning it until the thickness you got on the board is read on the dial - it is a gravity operated dial which has no gears connecting it to the machine, (just one tiny fixing screw), so it turns to de desired level ouside the machine!! so simple and clever I was blown away the first time I saw it. The last step it to put the dial in the machine with the thickness value set to the thickness the board that came out, and you are done. Check it out again with one or two plannings more and make minor adjustments and you are done for years of trouble free working.
Hi Derek, nice review. Very helpful since I am considering one myself. Since space is an issue in my shop, i was wondering how far you have to place the machine of the wall in order to be able to put the table up for planer mode. Thanks in advance!
I’ve got the same machine, you need at least 6.5” off the wall to flip it up. I’ve got mine on a 4 wheel dolly and store it under my drawing table when not in use. Yes it’s a great buy, I test listed mine on Craigslist for 4500 Canadian Kopecks and got 4 calls in one day, I paid 5200 two years ago, so it definitely will hold its value. I work in my residential garage, the spiral cutter head is a must it reduces the noise dramatically, cheers.
Tnx CG!
Hi Derek I am trying to help a bit late, 2 years after ... LOL ... You can buy (or retrofit) the wheel option already built in the machine, as I have it; It comes with a lever which you remove and only use to move it around - the rear side of the machine always rests on the hard plastic wheels, and the refered lever only raises the front side allowing to move the machine very easily. I also keep my machine stored under my lumber rack, it is so easy to get the lever and push/pull the machine back and forth that I would not bother about the wall distance at all !!!
@@skyetube1 hi - i know this post is 3 yrs old but would you happen to have a picture of how you store the A31 under the drafting table and approximate dimensions required to do so? I'm looking at buying the A31 and building a similar table and want to know about how large an opening under the table I need. Thanks
Hi there thanks for the video I am new to woodwork purchased the A3 26 version I am a bit disappointed because I find 2 problems with this machine first is the tables the are not parallel the infeed table is dips down from cutter block towards the end about 0.30mm I spoke to the fielder and the ask me the results of the wood which is I can’t straighten a 2 meter long piece of timber any help with this., second problem the both tables are shrunk down in the middle about 0.15mm Any help or advice I will appreciate thank you very much
Hi Matt! Question. Can you adjust the extension tables so that they are Co- planer with the outfeed bed?
Yes. It takes a little bit of time, but yes.
I'm glad I found this video. I'm pretty close to placing an order for one of these. How useful do you find the extension wings and what's the max board length you'd attempt to joint w/o them?
They are useful when I use longer boards. I've jointed boards up to 6 feet long with them
@@mmwoodstudio Thanks for the reply. I have one more question: if you had to order it again, would you still order the "Rolling Carriage" or get a different kind of mobile base? I'm thinking the convenience of a mobile base with 4 articulating wheels might be convenient in my space but am not sure if it would be as stable as Hammer's carriage. Thanks again!
@@HelloAnthony yes, I’d order the built in mobile base again, but no straight knives. I’d go with the spiral/helical cutter head. I say yes to the Mobile base built in because you only move the machine once in a while and you can easily adjust the feet to give you a rock steady platform to the surface it’s on. I have a mobile base on 4 wheels with the grizzly in the smaller shop (see latest shop updates) and the mobile base works well, but it looks and feels like an after thought versus something designed to be there.
Thank you for taking the time to do that video. I am seriously looking to acquire that machine. Beside the price difference what made you lean to the A3-31 instead of the A3-41?
Price and space at the time.
MM Wood Studio thanks for the info. One more question: Am I right to assume that there is no snipe in planer mode, since the bed is a one solid piece?
I’ve got the same machine, and I can attest, no snipe.
Hi Matt. Good video. I just bought one and am getting to know it. Why did you elect for the extension table on the out feed side of the jointer instead of in feed? I just watched another video where the Owner elected for an extension on the out feed side of the planer..... If only we could have extensions everywhere. Curious about your thoughts.
Because I feel that I can easily keep the part down on the tables when it is coming across the cutter head. However, I'm worried about the weight as it goes over the outfield table being so much I can't keep the pressure the same through out the cut.
How close can you get it to the wall and not have to move it to transition between planer & jointer?
I just got this unit installed in my shop and did few test run. Silky smooth on a piece of southern yellow pine. Can you describe in detail on the dust port fittings you have on? Thanks.
It's just a reducers from 5" to 4"
Have the spiral head. Good maschine.
Awesome!
What can you tell me about hooking up your dust collection system.I just had the A3-31 and K3 Winner delivered .
Thanks
John J
I have the exact machine but with the helical head. I do get snipe from the planer. Is there something I could be doing wrong?
Hmmmm.... One of your rollers could be applying more pressure then the other.
I recently purchased this but with the spiral cutterhead. Its awesome! Do you use the Laguna for the dust collector on it? If so how does it work I need to upgrade my DC soon.
I do use my Laguna on it. I'll be doing a video on that soon. Long story short, I have a PLUX 1.5 HP and for 1 machine at a time it works great.
Awesome can't wait for that video! Thanks!
How much and wheres the best deal for a new one
How much do you take off per pass when planing (rotations of the crank)? Just got mine and it does not pull the wood through at a consistent rate. It sputters through. Can't tell if I'm trying to take off too much or too little? Thanks.
Ok hi from 🇨🇦 , i’m building a 16’x20’ garage and looking for a combination tool but can’t know if the 16” wide would be better for a small shop ? In other words , if you could have the 16” would you change or stay with the 12” ? Other question , the hammer is not the only combination tools in the market . I’m looking at the SCM machines and don’t know if i should go with eather hammer SCM or another companie ? Any suggestions would be appreciated !! Thx👍🏼👏
Only had a need once in 10 years for more than 12”. I got a grizzly for the beach shop. Will do a video in 6 months or so when I have some time with it.
Do you think paying 4 K for a 3 year old machine with mobile kit and dial face on wheel, silent power cutter head with 3 good sides on carbide inserts, no tax, lightly used is reasonable?
Thanks so much for your opinion
I bought the unit and after a few projects I realize this is a phenomenal machine oozing with quality and enhancing performance. I am so glad I have mine. At a decent price with no waiting and no tax. Minor snipe corrected, one helical carbide cutter moved 90 degrees, comes with circular dial gauge that is simply a terrific performing feature, and the moving bar.
I am glad the gods smiled on me when I was shopping as I was looking at many options. The A43 31 model with 12.25 inch capacity is perfect for me in my garage.
Matt, thanks for your good information. I admire your Nakashima stuff and as I am Asian, I am partial to designs with an Asian modern influence.
For anyone on the fence about the Hammer. Buy it, love it and if you ever sell it you will recover much of what you paid. But after using it, it will be a most precious tool....
What product are you using at 4:25 to polish the tables?
I really like Felder/Hammer products !
I hope to get some of their machines for my shop as well.
But a little bigger and powerfull than this beauty 👌🏻
Go for it!
Those do look like great machines. How does the shipping work, Mathew?
They drop ship to you and with a palette jack they put it in your shop if it is easily to get to. Then you get it off the palette and put a couple of parts together and add a plug to the electrical cord.
OK, thanks Mathew.
Be sure the truck has a pallet jack, you can't get the thing off the pallet even with two guys without it.
Thanks Ed.
Just out of curiosity, are they still sending these out of the factory with that really short power cord?
Peter Peter yes!
the machines Hammer are really very quiet and accurate?
Yes they are quieter and very accurate.
thank you
I have it, and selling it... But only because I changing it in to separate Hammer/Felder Jointer and thiknesser :) Yea and I want a helical cutter head ..
TR
How hard was it to set it up for the first time. I watched another youtube vid where, after hours and hours, the machine wasn't set up. He had to get a factory service person to come out. How was yours to set up? Thanks. Great video.
Took a few hours.
This is interesting because I have just ordered one here in Australia and I asked what set up would be required. The answer I got was that it would come ready from the factory and all I had to do was install the fence and the rolling carriage. I guess we'll see if that's true or not in a few week's time.
Blue Wren I also just ordered an A3-41 and was told the same thing. I'm getting mine in November and plan on doing a video review of the unboxing and set up.
SuburbanHobbyist Thanks, I look forward to seeing it.
Hi - I've got a second hand Hammer A3-41, the only option at the time for at used machine. There are two handles I do not use, because they do not seem to work:
1. the handle on the left side end to set the forward transport on or off. I can't move it !!
2. the lock of the height of the planer. It doesn't seem to lock.
Maybe my specimen has been abused by the former owner, maybe there's a thing I do not understand.
Best,
Steffen
Store Heddinge, Denmark, Europe
hmmm... at least in the US they have service techs that can come to you for a price. To be frank, I never use either of those handles myself, but mine do work.
I'm debating between the A3-41 (16" wide) and A3-31 (12" wide) models. How often do you find yourself wanting to plane/joint something wider than 12"?
Cory, I have the A3-31 and would like to have a A3-41, mostly because I'm a guy that thinks bigger is better 😁. Now I'm not a pro, or even a semi pro, but more of a pretty decent intermediate woodworker, and I've built a really beautiful (others have said, not just me) Red Oak bed for my grandson and a pretty darn nice desk for a close friends daughter recently and not once did I come close to ever needing more than the A3-31. My issue is space. In my garage I still need to park my wife’s car and occasionally my Toyota P/U, so space is extremely limited. The difference between the 31 and the 41 just does not work for me. Think about it, if you are going to build a table top you’ll have to glue a few board with a 16” planer too, so what’s having to glue up one, maybe two more boards if you only have a 12” planer. And how often is that going to be an issue? If size and money aren’t an issue for you, then by all mean go for it, but be real about what “you” are going to do with it, not someone else. And remember, there are a ton of REAL wood workers out there making great stuff with 6” and 8” jointers. All the best, Chuck
If its a $2K difference and space is tight I would go A31. Matt is an excellent woodworker who has never been cramped by his 12.25 inch A31. His Nakashima tabletop attests to that. Its sorta like do you want the Porsche Macan or Cayenne? You can buy alot of nice chisels, assorted saws and planers as well as newer clamps and dovetail equipment with a couple of grand. Any decision you make for the A43 is a winner
How much cost
SONO IN PROCINTO DI COMPRARLA.
MI SEMBRA UN OTTIMO COMPROMESSO TRA PREZZOME PRESTAZIONI. GRAZIE PER AVERLA RECENSITA.
Hi Matthew, is your A3-31 the single phase or three phase model?
It is single phase running on 220
Can I ask at this late date about the exact specs for the dust shroud port - I see you have some kind of adapter or reducer since the port is 120mm - is that the Felder adapter that they sell or did you come up with a different solution?
Fielder makes an adapter for it
Drooling too :)
:)
Matt, i'm on the fence about getting the A3 41. I wanted to ask, how is the alignment of the infeed and outfeed extension beds? Easy to do to make sure they are parallel and level with the cast iron surfaces? Thanks.
It took me a few hours to get it right. A bit of trial and error.
Thanks for the quick response. Once it's done initially, though, you don't have to really re-do it much do you?
Nope. Not once it is set. Unless you hit it hard with something.
Hi Matthew, my Jet JJP-12 looks like a faithful copy of that machine, but it snipes and I don't think there is any option for table extensions. I was too frugal to pay for the German machine, the Asian version cost $1500 less than the Hammer even with the helical head with 56 (I think) carbide inserts. And the helical head is so much quieter than straight knives! Any idea how the Hammer avoids snipe?
Michael, I think they avoid it in their manufacturing process by making a more robust better engineered piece of equipment. It traveled from Austria to the East Coast. Shipped to me in CA. Then on a moving truck to GA. Besides a few scratches, it performs just as it did on day 1. I should have listened to my Grandmothers advice years ago about this - if you buy the best, you only cry once.
Also... most likely your roller feeders are not at the same height. I think Marc (Wood Whisperer) has a video he did on adjusting his feed roollers on a stand alone planer. That maybe a good place to start.
Ah...my conversion to the "buy quality once, cry once" school is underway, I'm just about there. Quality tools make work more enjoyable and more efficient. Meanwhile, maybe I'll try reading the manual, maybe there's a lock feature or something that I'm not using. Thanks for the review.
Good tip, I'll start there.
where is the best place to buy one ??
They only sell direct.
I took delivery of the '41 a few weeks ago but, due to lockdown, I couldn't get an electrician in until a few days ago. There's now power to the machine but IT WON"T START!
Has anyone had any issues with the wiring on these machines?
It's the single phase model and I know about the start button hold down time. Is there something I've missed?
Chris
Have you got power actually running to the machine as is your connection/socket live. And have you contacted Felder?
@@bighands69 Hi, the dealer sent a Tech out and traced the problem to the thermal overload switch - buried deep in the motor. It won't reset and is preventing the motor from starting.
New motor on the way from Austria!
@@Hawthorn-nz
Good at least it is being sorted.
Now that you’ve had it for a while now, how about it? I’m considering selling my PM 8” jointer and Dewalt for this unit. A few things that worry me. Having to crank the bed up and down 6”, having to lock the bed when planing every time you change height while making multiple passes, and loosing some bed length form my PM jointer. Please let me know how you feel about these?
@@mikesibley9339 Will do. New motor arrived and was fitted on Friday! Feels like I've had the machine for months and haven't used it.... oh wait - that's exactly the situation 😄. I'll run some timber over/through it at the weekend and let you know.
Cheers
How bout the price?
I just bought the A3-41 which is one size bigger than this machine. It was on sale because they were having a big convention. All in including taxes and shipping it was $7000.00. I think this one would be $1500 cheaper.
how much ?$$$
Right now, $4,100.
us.feldershop.com/en-US/en-US/en-US/Planing/Machines/Hammer-A3-31.html
Is there in india
German machines are the best!!!
It's Austrian actually.
Marisa Aguilera yeah youre right :/
Everything from austria is suberp like the hammerjointer, hitler, etc...
Well if you want to go there: he was very innovative- Blitzkrieg, best war machines, atomic program, mobilization of the entire population, obsession with perfection, etc
...and before you ask I live in a country where the facts and truth are still more important than political correctness, not talking so as to not offend, fear of what we say. Also, we don't lose our jobs, get socially ostracised and get locked up for talking about and stating facts.
Marisa Aguilera find ich gut 😉
It's Austrian, btw. Generally German, Austrian, and Italian machines are very well made.
Świetna prezentacja, aż skusiło mnie do nagrania swojej :) naprawdę dobra maszyna. zapraszam ruclips.net/video/8kai-GAtbqU/видео.html
; k
Am I the only one who thinks the fence is not that good like the rest of the machine?
NO you are not. It is pure gabage. Flame me if you wish fellows, but it is the truth. For a machine that cost this much, should ALWAYS make the fence base AND fence out of cast iron.
pat dee Have you actually used or even touched one before? I was also concerned about the fence but after testing one out I am surprised to say having a lighter fence like this is actually a huge benefit. As long as the mechanism to move and hold the fence is well thought out and easy to use then it is awesome.
The main reason I did not buy the A 41 jointer/planer was the poor fence; AND you have to crank the planer height MANY times EVERY time you go from jointer to planer and vice versa. That killed it for me.
To each his own.
Yes, to each his own. I noticed the same things but found the fence to be great and realized I was being nitpicky about having to turn the wheel for 30 seconds to switch to planer mode. I mean really? I figure it will help me to not be so lazy.
The fence really is quite adequate for its purpose, I know being used to a cast iron fence it does seem flimsy but like the euro style blade guard, it works fine, but its different. And as for having to crank the planer handle to switch modes, many woodworkers like myself just don't have the space for two large machines so this isn't a problem.
Nanoqx Now that you’ve had it for a while now, how about it? I’m considering selling my PM 8” jointer and Dewalt for this unit. A few things that worry me. Having to crank the bed up and down 6”, having to lock the bed when planing every time you change height while making multiple passes, and loosing some bed length form my PM jointer. Please let me know how you feel about these?
@@mikesibley9339 I'm sorry for not responding sooner, but for those looking for information here's my two cents. I have had the Hammer A3-31 and now the Felder AD-531, both similar style machines. It does sound arduous to crank the bed up and down when switching between planer and jointer, but if you think about it, you really don't do it that much. First off, it really isn't that hard, I have two separate spinal conditions that make bending, kneeling, or squatting extremely hard, and as much as I would prefer a better solution, I have not really found it to be that bad. Secondly, you plane and joint all your wood, or as much as you can first, then thickness plane it. So, it's not like you are switching back and forth between each board, just once, usually. I have found that the space that these machines save for other equipment is easily worth a few moments of raising and lowering the bed. I hope this helps someone who's trying to decide on this style of planer/jointer. 😎