Thread: Hammer A3 31 Thicky/Jointer - a good machine, but buyer beware of certain aspects

Hi Gareth

It is hard wired now. However before Dale did this I had only just received the machine (literally a day before, hence my post to the forum) and wanted to just get it going. Then Dale offered his expertise, and I decided to wait until he determined the need for a 20A connection or not. If 20A was called for, then I would have connected the 20A plug I purchased to the existing short cable from the A3-31, and then connected this to the long cable to the Hammer 4400 bandsaw. I was hoping not to have to swap out cables (one 20A outlet only) and that the A3-31 would work on 15A. It does!

Regards from Perth

Derek

Originally Posted by derekcohen

Many thanks once again for your expertise Dale. It was great to meet you and swap stories. I trust we shall do this again.

Pleasure mate. Maybe when the "Plywood palace" is a little more complete we can reconvene again to sharpen some planes or discuss the finer points of German brewing.

Or both..

Originally Posted by derekcohen

To all - one of the actions that Dale took was to replace the cable I used to connect to the short supplied Hammer cable. I had purchased 15A rated cable (the highest they had) at Bunnings. Guess what? It was not 15A but only about 10A. (Dale changed this out for 20A cable). Buyer beware!

You mean Bunnings sold you underspecced, cheap, mislabelled rubbish?

Well I never!

Yeah. I was surprised as well!

Regards from Perth

Derek

I've now got a solution to get the thicknesser table down to 170mm in 5.5 seconds of bugger all effort. See here.

Thanks for posting this on the A3 31, it may be a few years old, but as far as i know the design hasn't changed

Its a good overview of what to expect and know i now some of the pitfalls, while minor in the grand scheme of things,

i'd rather know that find out upon delivery and plan ahead, I'm not a fan off the unknowns and surprises.

Any change on your views after all this time?

Cheers,

Bryn

All good, it's a wondèrful machinè. Buy onè

Agree ++

Must have the silent heads and digital gauge.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Originally Posted by derekcohen

Agree ++

Must have the silent heads and digital gauge.

Regards from Perth

Derek

+1 on that, a totally awesome machine.

It's an absolute workhorse as well. I put 4000lm of 200mm rough sawn Marri through mine in 3 weeks this January. Took it from 25mm to 19mm in 2 passes (3mm cut each side). The inserts are still sharp... didn't miss a beat.

Hi there Fence Furniture
I would also highly recommend purchasing the special Torque wrench as I made the big mistake of tightening up the cutter screws too tight and I had to drill them out.
Cheers

I am leaning towards the A3 31, so far the reviews are decent, I've read quite few over the last 3 months, and most have been postive... I did want a A3 26, due to space issues, but the price difference is minimal for the HP increase and resale value.

The Rolling Kit, Silent head and the Digital Gauge are a no brainer for me, just looking at the Extension Table kit for the outfeed as well as that extension table would also work with the N4400.

Although i am temped to bite the bullet, cry and get a C3 31 Combo...

Still deciding on that....

Originally Posted by Woody1

Hi there Fence Furniture
I would also highly recommend purchasing the special Torque wrench as I made the big mistake of tightening up the cutter screws too tight and I had to drill them out.
Cheers

Like this.....https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/a/to...ench/102677583


Standard equipment for those who work on push bikes.

No doubt about it, the C3-31 comfort is a great piece of gear.

The rip capacity is just over 600mm which is a bit of a pain but other than that I don't have a word bad to say about it. I've had mine for 3 years now and use it extensively almost every day. It's remained bang on accurate with no adjustment in all the time I've had it.

Plenty of power, accurate, quiet and reliable. I've got the scriber and the dado kit and use them both a lot.

It's not cheap but it's awesome value particularly if you're stuck for space.

Originally Posted by bryn23

I am leaning towards the A3 31, so far the reviews are decent, I've read quite few over the last 3 months, and most have been postive... I did want a A3 26, due to space issues, but the price difference is minimal for the HP increase and resale value.

The Rolling Kit, Silent head and the Digital Gauge are a no brainer for me, just looking at the Extension Table kit for the outfeed as well as that extension table would also work with the N4400.

Although i am temped to bite the bullet, cry and get a C3 31 Combo...

Still deciding on that....