Hammer A3 41 Spiral Head

[warmtone]

I was wandering if anyone was using the Hammer A3 41 with the new silent head?
Feedback on experience with this machine appreciated.

[Chris Parks]

There would be far more who have used its smaller brother the A3-31 and from my experience of the 31 you will not be disappointed at any level. Very quite, easy to convert and the accessory digital in handle gauge is dead on accurate after calibration. Perhaps someone here has one and could show you a machine in operation. It might be a good idea to negotiate into the purchase for a technician to check the factory settings after delivery as the documentation is sparse in that area.

[warmtone]

There would be far more who have used its smaller brother the A3-31 and from my experience of the 31 you will not be disappointed at any level. Very quite, easy to convert and the accessory digital in handle gauge is dead on accurate after calibration. Perhaps someone here has one and could show you a machine in operation. It might be a good idea to negotiate into the purchase for a technician to check the factory settings after delivery as the documentation is sparse in that area.

Thanks - I was going to buy the A3 31 but an opportunity has arisen to buy the 41 at a very good price.

[FenceFurniture]

Thanks - I was going to buy the A3 31 but an opportunity has arisen to buy the 41 at a very good price.Well you should do it, without question. Chris is on the money, the A3-31 is a helluva machine, and anyone who has one lusts after the 41 - mainly for the extra thicknessing width, rather than jointing, but the extra bed length is good for jointing longer pieces. Even so, you would do well to get at least one extension table for the jointer infeed, and another for the thicknesser outfeed will be something you wished you had (permanently mounted, as mine is now).

I imagine you'll improve your triceps when lifting the tables up to change it over......

[uzzi]

Also with the A3-41 in 3 phase, you get a 4kw or 5.5hp motor as well. In single phase, you get the same 3kw/4hp motor as the A3-31.

[Albert]

I had a single phase 2.2kw 410mm wide thicknesser/planer before, and it was straight knive cutterblock(Tersa), never had issues with it being under powered, Given the nature of the spiral head I think you should be ok with 2.2kw motor.

[scuzyboy]

I have had both the 2007 hammer A341 straight knife and now the spiral A341. The earlier integration was a way better made machine so much closer to the Felder range in build quality in regards to tables and smooth operation and the only reason I upgraded was for the spiral head and took the downgrade in build quality for it as to go down the path of getting the Byrd spiral head and upgrade myself was the same price as getting a 2016 factory made A341. The new one is still a good machine and ding the larger tables and cutting the better option for me as I use for planning a full 400mm piece of timber. If you think you will ever need the extra width over A331 then get it.
Cheers
Peter

[warmtone]

I have had both the 2007 hammer A341 straight knife and now the spiral A341. The earlier integration was a way better made machine so much closer to the Felder range in build quality in regards to tables and smooth operation and the only reason I upgraded was for the spiral head and took the downgrade in build quality for it as to go down the path of getting the Byrd spiral head and upgrade myself was the same price as getting a 2016 factory made A341. The new one is still a good machine and ding the larger tables and cutting the better option for me as I use for planning a full 400mm piece of timber. If you think you will ever need the extra width over A331 then get it.
Cheers
Peter

Hi Peter I find your comments interesting re build quality. Overall the A3 41 presents as a very well engineered piece of Kit with the the magnificent Felder spiral cutter.

But a few details let it down - such as the plastic wind handle on the Thicknesser table. At the price point this is disappointing - clearly they are cutting costs to save what $20? :no:

I have been also considering buying an older 2004 SCM plane knife machine of similar size - with a better fence for 1/3 of the price. If it wasn’t for the price of the Byrd head around $2500 landed I would have gone for the industrial build SCM.

[scuzyboy]

Yes such a shame we have the AUSTRALIA TAX on parts otherwise I would still have my old hammer. The SCM is a good solid machine but I found the accuracy of the hammer for Guitar making was more consistent and repeatable


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[warmtone]

Well you should do it, without question. Chris is on the money, the A3-31 is a helluva machine, and anyone who has one lusts after the 41 - mainly for the extra thicknessing width, rather than jointing, but the extra bed length is good for jointing longer pieces. Even so, you would do well to get at least one extension table for the jointer infeed, and another for the thicknesser outfeed will be something you wished you had (permanently mounted, as mine is now).

I imagine you'll improve your triceps when lifting the tables up to change it over......

I had a closer look at the A3 41 yesterday and can confirm it is a Beast compared to the 31......
Worlds apart from the Jet 8” jointer and “screaming” De Walt 735 which I don’t miss.
I took the opportunity to try the weight of the tables - and yes there is a bit of weight to lift - but not unreasonable as it is well sprung. The fence also seems a bit more substantial and overall I was very impressed.

[Chris Parks]

The fence has come attracted a fair amount of criticism on the 31 by some owners but I don't have any major problems with it.

[warmtone]

Thanks all who have responded to this thread and the encouragement to stretch beyond the A3 31.

After much deliberation I have pulled the trigger on the A3 41 with digital handwheel .....
I’m sure it will provide much inspiration and superb results! :)

[Albert]

Congrats on the purchase.

A3 41 with silent cutter block will probably be the last JP Combo you will ever need :)

[djeddy]

Agreed. I was about to pull the trigger on an A3-31 but had to abort because of timing issues. I'll revisit the question in January, probably. I'm sure you'll enjoy your -41. It's a pity there aren't more on the secondary market but I suppose nobody wants to let theirs go! :U

[warmtone]

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