Thread: Do you own a Hammer N4400 bandsaw

Hi bloggs, another question. When ripping, do you just use the fence, or install some sort of vertical pole guide? Is that a solid cast iron fence?

Flyingduck,

With regard to bargaining, I played fairly hardball with David Sharp (QLD rep for Ron Mack). I told him I wanted a high end machine. That I had the money to buy a high end machine. That I was going to purchase either the Meber or the Felder bandsaw. This kind of approach lets reps know that I am not wasting their time. Initially, David offered the Meber SR600 for $4500 (GST incl.) and agreed to waive the freight costs (which are fairly considerable from Perth to Brisbane). I stated that I felt the FELDER was a better machine (of course, the FELDER does cost more), and noted that the Meber did not come standard with a worm drive mechanism to raise and lower the upper blade guide. I asked David to sharpen his offer. After much calculator punching David made a final offer of $3950 (GST incl.) and included the upgraded raising and lowering mechanism. This was back in February. I have no idea if David still has the saw here in Brisbane, or whether prices have gone up or what? But anyone who wants that saw ought to be able to beat David down to $3950 again!

Regards, LuckyDuck

Originally Posted by FlyingDuck

Hi bloggs, another question. When ripping, do you just use the fence, or install some sort of vertical pole guide? Is that a solid cast iron fence?

Hey Flying,

Sounds like you are close to a decision. The fence is only aluminium but a substantial casting. It was easy to add a higher ply fence for resawing tall stuff.

Will advise tomorrow re distance between front of table and blade but is is about half way.

regards,

AD

Flying,

230mm from front of table to blade.

regards,

AD

Hey Flying...

Here's a picture of the outfeed side of my saw, showing the "F-rails" that I added to allow the use of Felder accessory tables. The table shown is 500mm
long, they have longer ones. With the 1 M outfeed side table fixed, I can concentrate on the infeed side, and have no difficulty with 3 Metre + boards.

Greg

Originally Posted by FlyingDuck

I recently saw the N4400 , but it was a bit of dissapointment in terms of its table size and the distance between the front of the table and the blade. This is where you would rest the work piece as it is being fed into the saw, and in my opinion is too small. The table size is 22.5" x 16.5", and is great lengthwise as it runs right up to the throat, but just too small widthwise to give adequate support for infeed of long pieces.
If only the length of the N4400 table was combined with the width of the Jet, I would have found my perfect machine.

Can anybody with a Hammer N4400 comment on their experiences with the table size?
.

Hi Duck,

I've had one since March - see comments in 'what did you buy at the sydney wood show' thread.

I haven't had a problem with the table yet, and I've had 6' boards standing on edge being resawn in the machine. Resaw height is 270mm, by the way.

Cheers,

eddie

Hi eddie

So you have no problems with the table size at all? This is the only thing putting me off. Did you get a table extension at all?

Hi Flying,

No problems so far for me, 'but your mileage may vary,' as they say - if I had a piece so long so I couldn't cut it safely, I'd setup a roller stand in the appropriate locations.

Good luck in the decision.

eddie

Originally Posted by FlyingDuck

I want to saw up logs with the bandsaw, and was looking at an 18" or 21" unit, but the Hammer is only 16.5".

I guess if you have a round log you are limited by the veritcal cutting capacity anyhow. ie. It is only 12", so it doesn't make any difference if horizonal cutting capacity is 16.5" or 21" anyhow, becuase you can't use it.

Hi Guys, I find that if you offset a round log to use the RIGHT HAND mitre track, the upper log curvature gives you slightly more headroom. That is, the curve drops to left to clear that infernal blade tension wheel. I've resawed some hard old Silky Oak & most outback hardwoods without trouble. Only ever found one wood a bi metal blade couldn't cut, Hammer tore away jamming only a axe could chip it. PS Had the top end Laguna 17 inch & unimpressed in many ways compared to the Hammer so sold the Laguna. If considering a large bandsaw purchase my advice would be don't get too hung up on brand- most Carbatec, Jet etc saws work these days, the Hammer simply has the raw power. Other members notes about top thrust bearings getting scored etc are all correct but hey its a cheap consumable part