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Thread: Advice on Planer Thicknesser
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17th September 2018, 10:35 PM #1Member
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Advice on Planer Thicknesser
I want to upgrade my Jet 8” planer and Dewalt 735 Thicknesser with a single machine. While the the above equipment can produce good results the noise level particularly from the Dewalt 735 for me is unacceptable. I have explored fitting spiral cutter heads to reduce noise but the total cost for both is around $1800 for genuine Byrd products and I have decided I would rather buy a new spiral head combo machine to save space and improve performance.
At one end of the spectrum is the well respected Hammer A31 - with the spiral cutter head at around $6000 plus. For about $2000 less there is Woodman, Rikon, Jet etc... But I’m not convinced these Asian machines are equivalent to the Hammer in any way.
For example the Rikon 300mm planer Thicknesser I saw at the Melbourne show @ $4300 while generally well made had a surprisingly cheap and uninspiring fence. I was left wandering what else has been compromised in the design - table alignment, accuracy of adjustments etc.
At this stage I am holding off with my purchase until I can find a good used A31 or someone convinces me there is a cheaper alternative worth buying. I note respected members on this Forum have invested in the Hammer A31 and have not regretted the investment.
Constructive advice welcome!
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17th September 2018, 11:51 PM #2
I haven't re-read this thread - but there was a discussion on the Jet JPT310-HH vs Hammer A3-31 a while back: Hammer A3-31 vs Jet JPT310
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18th September 2018, 09:46 AM #3Member
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Midnight Man I read the thread and the Hammer A31 appears to be a proven product that has only one downside - cost!
I noticed Felder has an Oktoberfest coming up and will make some enquiries......
The Jet could also be OK if you get a good one - my experience with a few Jet products is they have been reliable and fairly well made - but definitely not in the Felder/Hammer class
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18th September 2018, 10:00 AM #4GOLD MEMBER
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Advice on Planer Thicknesser
If you’re after second hand hammer machines, check out this site : Combination machines
It’s run by Felder/Hammer and I’ve seen some good deals recently. There was a Hammer N4400 for $1000 a few weeks ago. There was also a A3 31 with straight knifes also, from memory around the $3000 to $3500 range.
You can’t go wrong with the A3 31, it’s a beast. I’ve owned both the straight knife and silent power/spiral models and you’ll be happy ether way. The silent power obviously gives a nicer finish and is very quiet, but both great machines.
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18th September 2018, 02:09 PM #5Member
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18th September 2018, 03:19 PM #6GOLD MEMBER
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The Jet is a nice machine, I was close to getting one a while back as Hammer didn’t have the silent head back then (2011). I do recall some owners having issues with table flatness on the Jet.
But I ended up waiting a few months when the silent power head was released and I haven’t looked back. I initially took delivery of a straight knife A3 31 as they stuffed my order up, so I got to use it for a few months while the S/P model came from overseas. I’m glad that I got to compare the two, plus they gave me a good discount on a bandsaw for the stuff up.
It might even be worthwhile to call your local dealer and ask if they have any second hand machines for sale. I recently visited my Felder dealer and they had a few used machines for sale, presumably from customers trading in their older models for the latest machine.
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18th September 2018, 05:44 PM #7Member
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I am currently awaiting a call from James at Felder following a visit to the Nth Coburg showroom last week.
it will be interesting to see what deals are on offer. I know they have a used A31 for sale but it is the non helical head version. I wil only go for the helical head version.
The FB510 is also under consideration - a very serious bandsaw!
I will also explore the NSW Oktoberfest discounts........
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18th September 2018, 06:28 PM #8
Note that the factory/agents cannot retro fit the helical head on the A3-31 with straight blades. It remains straight blades only or possibly an aftermarket Byrd kit. Persevere and get the A3-31 with helical heads. It is worth it.
Regards from Perth
DerekVisit www.inthewoodshop.com for tutorials on constructing handtools, handtool reviews, and my trials and tribulations with furniture builds.
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18th September 2018, 07:47 PM #9Member
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18th September 2018, 08:27 PM #10
WT, the reason is, I imagine, that all the Hammer/Felder machines are built to order. Few machines are purchased off the agent's floor. The factory in Austria is focussed on getting personalised machines out the door, and an order can take 3 months (or more) to complete. They likely lack the capacity to do re-fits.
Regards from Perth
DerekVisit www.inthewoodshop.com for tutorials on constructing handtools, handtool reviews, and my trials and tribulations with furniture builds.
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19th September 2018, 09:57 AM #11Member
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Just out of interest is anyone using the Powermatc 15 inch Thicknesser?
An option for me is to supplement my Jet 8’” jointer with a Byrd cutter and just buy a good Thicknesser keeping the total cost under $5K.
The Powermatic seems to be proven and well built @$4K.
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19th September 2018, 07:38 PM #12SENIOR MEMBER
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Have you tried Robland? I used to own a Robland combination machine, I think it is a good alternative to Felder/Hammer/SCM/Minimax if you are working to a budget. My Robland combination machine is made in Belgium. when new they are about half price of Felder combination machine.
I now operates separate machines, I have only sold the Robland because it can no longer keep up with my working pace, I really wanted to keep the Robland but I have no space.
Robland also offers spiral cutter cutter head.
In terms of noise reduction, you really have to go Spiral cutter block to reduce the noise. my thicknesser planer on my Robland had a Tersa 410mm wide cutterhead (straight knife). it was very noisy compare to my current JP combo (AD951 with silent cutter block). The noise from the silent cutter block is so little under load that it is almost the same as my 8 yo $399 Ryobi floor standing drill press I bought from Bunnings.SCM L'Invincibile si X, SCM L'Invincibile S7, SCM TI 145EP, SCM Sandya Win 630, Masterwood OMB1V, Meber 600, Delta RJ42, Nederman S750, Chicago Pneumatics CPRS10500, Ceccato CDX12
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20th September 2018, 10:18 PM #13Member
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Albert thanks for the heads up!
I am considering all options as I have noted that the fence design on the Hammer A3 31 is a tad underwhelming at the price point. I am investigating Robland and SCM alternatives - SCM older machines appeal for their build quality. Trouble is retro fitting a helical head is prohibitive especially to larger machines.
Did I say parting with 5K plus is not an easy decision and I want to make the right investment.
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20th September 2018, 10:24 PM #14
I agree that the fence on the A3-31 appears "light weight" since it is extruded aluminium. However it is more than satisfactory and I have never had an issue with it moving - either twisting or losing position. It has reinforcing at the appropriate sections. What you have to keep in mind is that it is designed for light weight because it has to be lifted when changing over from jointer to thicknesser, and in reverse. A heavy cast iron fence might not work in this design.
Regards from Perth
DerekVisit www.inthewoodshop.com for tutorials on constructing handtools, handtool reviews, and my trials and tribulations with furniture builds.
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20th September 2018, 10:34 PM #15Member
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