Thread: Minimax Genius SC1 & Hammer K3

G'day PeterL,

I went through this exercise several years ago. My final choice was between the Minimax or the Hammer C3-31 Comfort. I had a Triton for many years before this and was quite happy with it but inaccuracy and continual fiddling with settings was getting to me so I decided to upgrade.

IMO the Minimax wasn't in the same league as the Hammer. From the sheer engineering point of view, the Hammer was far, far superior (in price too, mind). At that time, I wanted a combination machine and setting up the planer blades for the Minimax, would have, had me fiddling and fiddling again. I'm not sure whether this is still an issue or not.

Once the settings on the Hammer are established, that's about that. Extremely rarely do I have to make adjustments. And the Hammer allows one to adjust just about everything on the machine without much difficulty. The fence on the H is not an engineering miracle but one copes. The 'Comfort' set up allows for very rapid angle adjustments and the mitre setting is spot-on. The H (Felder) dust collection system is, as far as I know, one of the very few systems to be rated for use indoors - I know many others are used in the shop but I was particularly focussed on the inadvertent inhalation of fine particles and possible subsequent respiratory system damage and the RL-125 (expensive) was the system I decided on. There is zero dust particle emission from the exhaust! Finally, small items? Depends on how small but remember you're working with a 310+mm diam blade being driven by a 4hp motor On the other hand, that 4hp motor with a good blade will eat anything you can throw at it timberwise.

Hope this has been helpful ...

Cheers
Brian

Thanks Brian thats just the information I needed , much appreciated
PeterL

Does the C3-31 have standard width mitre slots yet???

A friend has an older one (and very happy with it too), but laments the fact that standard accessories won't fit the mitre slots.

Mr Brush,

The sliding table on my machine does have a mitre slot but I've only ever used it for fitting a featherboard so I'm not sure what size it is. When you say 'standard size', from what I've seen when looking at buying mitre track, there are several sizes (widths) from which to choose but I guess one size is the "most" common?

When cutting mitres with the Comfort setup, the entire pushrail adjusts (to various pre-determined) angles and essentially, if your initial setup is 90* to the blade, all other cutting angles will be as stated. Dead accurate!

I'd say nominally 3/4" (19mm) mitre slots are pretty much standard, and the C3-31 certainly doesn't have those.....

Don't worry - if I'm ever able to justify upgrading my tablesaw, a decent sliding table will be somewhere near the top of my requirements !! The Felder/Hammer webpage can be found in my web browser 'Favorites' in a folder marked 'Lotto Win'.....

If your machine has a 4hp motor (3kw) you'll need a 20 amp socket and wiring upgrade, with your dusty on a separate circuit. Talk to a sparky. I have my Felder combo and Hammer bandsaw on the one circuit with separate 20 amp sockets- only use one at a time.Wiring is rated to 32 amps on each circuit. I put earth leakage circuit breakers on each but was advised this was probably overkill Dusty on separate wiring circuit (hard wired) as this runs with either machine. All of these motors are 4 hp. Even with this the lights dim on startup (momentarily) Have dusty under house so little dust inside. Took the switch off the dusty and mounted it it inside- almost as good as a remote!
Felder have 20 amp circuit as part of their warranty conditions

Originally Posted by Peterl

Minimax Genius SC1 & Hammer K3
do any members have experience with either of these two machines , or suggestions for machines which would compete with these ?................

I'll let you know more about the Hammer in 6 - 8 weeks - just put my order in for a C3-31
This thread was one of the many bits and pieces I googled and read while making the decision to go with the Hammer. Hardest thing was choosing to spend so much money on something I've never seen - the tight-##### in me wasn't happy about that but I know once it's in the shed that will be long forgotten!!!

Hey Vern, we'll have to compare seeing as we are "up the road " from each other. I have the K3 comfort coming in a month or two.

Originally Posted by TTIT

I'll let you know more about the Hammer in 6 - 8 weeks - just put my order in for a C3-31
This thread was one of the many bits and pieces I googled and read while making the decision to go with the Hammer. Hardest thing was choosing to spend so much money on something I've never seen - the tight-##### in me wasn't happy about that but I know once it's in the shed that will be long forgotten!!!

Look forward to hearing your thought Vern once you have in place.

I had a close look at this at the Brisbane show and was suitably impressed. I was trying to haggle agood deal for their demo model but they would not move.
Will be on my shopping list

Originally Posted by jenno

Hey Vern, we'll have to compare seeing as we are "up the road " from each other. I have the K3 comfort coming in a month or two.

No worries - I was actually looking at a K3 originally but decided I needed more machine in my limited space so it made sense to get a combination instead - ours are probably coming out on the same boat so they'll be like old mates by the time they get here

Originally Posted by Jim Carroll

Look forward to hearing your thought Vern once you have in place.

I had a close look at this at the Brisbane show and was suitably impressed. I was trying to haggle agood deal for their demo model but they would not move.
Will be on my shopping list

Maybe that's why I got the deal I did! I made an offer before the show but didn't get a response until after the show was over. A couple of grand over what I was wanting to get a combination for but anything less than the Hammer just didn't have the features and quality of build. Currently trying to come up with a design for my first furniture project with it - want to give it a full workout as soon as it gets here. My only concern is the power drain - my 3HP bandsaw already dips the lights when I power it up so the 4HP motors on the Hammer might reset the neighbours computer

Certainly need to get good power to the shed, may be worth an upgrade before the combo arrives to make sure nothing gets cooked.

As I mentioned the warranty provides for a 20 amp circuit, so you will need an upgraded supply-thicker cable to the machine, not just a bigger plug. I was lucky to be able to run it under the floor, and did the placing of the cable to save $ but even then the bill was over $1000.( $360 labour and $560 parts- I put in 2 earth leakage devices in the switchboard )
Incidentally I priced a 20 amp plug and socket - over $90. A sparky may be able to get a better price. They are not stocked by Bunnings

Yes the upgrade is a must for the electrics. I initially had 4mm square running to the shed. I dug a trench following that and laid 16mm to the shed which I will, with advice from lecky mate, all the bits n pieces for PM 1900 dusty and new K3 comfort. 15amp for dusty and 20 for saw. Thats two separate circuits and another for lights as well. Mate gets 75% of most stuff so hoping not to big a cost. Still only renting haha . It's exciting tho.

Hey Vern I got my deal at the Brissy show. Derek says if you buy a machine before show time that he usually gives the discount to those buyers as well but does it at show time. Got quite a good deal as I have been doing the rounds with him for a year now. Biggest killer will be freight to Nebo tho.

If you get the Hammer, give consideration for "preparation for dado"- which is a modification of the saw spindle which has a removable 'boss' so that a trenching blade can be fitted. Can't really be fitted afterwards.
Works a treat.
Not sure if other dado blades can be used.