Thread: Hammer A3 26 Planer/Thicknesser

I'd also like to try one out and see how it performs. Does Hammer have a demo area at their showroom?

Hey Andy

Yes they do have a demo area (showroom Emu Plains) and are quite accomodating. I went down to check the A3 31 which wasn't active at the time but they put some Spotty through the Felder combo machine - perfect.

Can't tell you anything about the 260 except that it's cheaper. The do have regular specials, and will inform you of them. Prolly best to start with a phone chat and then let them pester you with emails (not too often, and always polite).

I'd reckon that the answer to "are you still happy with them" would be a uniform "yes", but that's for others to say. I can say I've never heard anything less from owners, and I've done a lot of reading. Owners of the 4400 Band Saw rave about them - AlexS is one, as is Luca from Roma (that's Rome Roma).

I went down there a year ago, and they were just starting to talk helical heads - had sent one to NZ.

Originally Posted by FenceFurniture

Hey Andy

Yes they do have a demo area (showroom Emu Plains) and are quite accomodating.



I'd reckon that the answer to "are you still happy with them" would be a uniform "yes", but that's for others to say. I can say I've never heard anything less from owners, and I've done a lot of reading. Owners of the 4400 Band Saw rave about them - AlexS is one, as is Luca from Roma (that's Rome Roma).

.

i have the n4400 bandsaw and the a3-31 and, yes, i am still happy with them

i decided on the a3-31 rather the 26 even though, at that stage, i wasn't sure why i would want the extra width but felt the extra power was worth having ...

since then i have found the reason for the extra width doing some bread/cheeseboards

as one would expect there are pros and cons with them as with anything ... the cons are quite minor to me and relate to the fence on the n4400 (well documented and easily fixed) and the dust extraction set up on the a3-31 (easily setup with a hacksaw and some plumbing fittings and pipe from the local hardware)

the only other con of the a3-31 for me was setting it up to go and i am still not entirely sure that i have it 100% correct ... when i get a chance i will go to felder and have a look at one there ( i am sure it would also help if you have mate to hold some things as you do it but for me i am by myself and several hours drive from felder) ... the felder people were good enough to (phone) talk me when i had troubles

i have to say the results ARE 100% and it is very easy to convert from planer to thicknesser and back again

hope that helps ... feel free to pm me if you have specific queries

regards david

Andy, I have the a3-31, no complaints, 26 was not available when I bought. Mine has never missed a beat and gives good finish. I am planning on the bandsaw next, Ross.

Nice to hear some feedback. Is yours single or three phase? I'll be getting single phase. If you have single phase, do you need to change the plug?

Andy

As usual I can't get prices from the website unless I use the US site. Prices in USD are:
A3 26 $2500
A3 31 $3000
A3 41 $5000

so that means that an extra 50mm width is $500 and an extra 100mm width is $2000. Makes the A3 31 the most attractive by far (unless you have a chronic space issue).

Originally Posted by groeneaj

Nice to hear some feedback. Is yours single or three phase? I'll be getting single phase. If you have single phase, do you need to change the plug?

Andy

mine is single phase ... some time back when i had an electrician in for something else, i had two 20amp circuits added to the shed (already had 1 x 15amp and 1 x 10amp) .. the machine arrived with no plug and i just bought a 20amp plug from the local wholesaler ... the bandsaw arrived with a european 16amp plug and i just made a short cord to a 15amp plug for that

(note that any electricians would say in an ideal world that i should have got a licensed electrician to have done that ... i am sure they are correct and i am not necessarily suggesting you follow my lead, so to speak)

regards david

Originally Posted by FenceFurniture

As usual I can't get prices from the website unless I use the US site. Prices in USD are:
A3 26 $2500
A3 31 $3000
A3 41 $5000

so that means that an extra 50mm width is $500 and an extra 100mm width is $2000. Makes the A3 31 the most attractive by far (unless you have a chronic space issue).

the a3/31 and 3/41 have the 4hp motor as well teh a3/26 has a smaller motor ... for me it was a no brainer to go for the 31 ... the new a3/41 planer was about the same price as the 31 but was not a combo model and so you would still need an equivalent thicknesser as well ... the hammer one (called a3/41 thicknesser) was as much again


regards david

Yes the extra 50mm width cutting capacity and 280mm length in the tables sounds tempting. From what iv'e seen online the A3 31 is $4330 and the A3 26 is $3177

New Hammer Combination Machine for sale - Hammer A3 26, 28724

New Hammer Planer/Jointer for sale - HAMMER A3 31 Planer Thicknesser, 11751

I know it's not direct from Hammer/Felder but it gives you an idea of Australian pricing. Iv'e also read someone paying 4K for their A3 31, and iv'e heard $2600 for the A3 26 so price obviouslly does vary.

Does anyone know if Hammer has specials during the wood shows? And if so what is the general % that they have off their tools? Surely I can get some sort of discount if I buy a Bandsaw too.

I really need to use these machines before making a purchase. I'll give them a call and hopefully organise something.
I either go down the path of a combo machine, or get two seperate machines (as I do now). I never really liked the idea of a combo machine, but the Hammer seems very fast and easy to change between operations.
I have until the end of the year to make the decision so I got plenty of time to research!


Andy

Mine is single phase, had electrician fit 20 amp plug plus he also fit a much longer cord to the machine. Bought Jan 2009, paid $4231 plus GST. Ross

Originally Posted by groeneaj

Yes the extra 50mm width cutting capacity and 280mm length in the tables sounds tempting. From what iv'e seen online the A3 31 is $4330 and the A3 26 is $3177

New Hammer Combination Machine for sale - Hammer A3 26, 28724

New Hammer Planer/Jointer for sale - HAMMER A3 31 Planer Thicknesser, 11751

I know it's not direct from Hammer/Felder but it gives you an idea of Australian pricing. Iv'e also read someone paying 4K for their A3 31, and iv'e heard $2600 for the A3 26 so price obviouslly does vary.

Does anyone know if Hammer has specials during the wood shows? And if so what is the general % that they have off their tools? Surely I can get some sort of discount if I buy a Bandsaw too.

I really need to use these machines before making a purchase. I'll give them a call and hopefully organise something.
I either go down the path of a combo machine, or get two seperate machines (as I do now). I never really liked the idea of a combo machine, but the Hammer seems very fast and easy to change between operations.
I have until the end of the year to make the decision so I got plenty of time to research!


Andy

Hi Andy,
I think I've been to each of the last 12 or 15 wood shows.

from what I recall, Felder/Hammer are not regular exhibitors.
However, if they are there you should be able to talk them into a good deal on the floor stock late on Sunday arvo.

you will need to decide between 3 phase and 20 amp motors.
given the cost of running dedicated 20 amp circuits from the switchboard to the shed, 3 phase from the street, might not be too exy.
Besides, I know of a place near you that already has 3 phase available to the shed.

Does anyone know the prices for the extension tables and digital scale for the thicknesser?


Thankyou

Andy

Originally Posted by groeneaj

Does anyone know the prices for the extension tables and digital scale for the thicknesser?


Thankyou

Andy

can't be sure now and can't find the invoice ... as i recall the scale was about $50 ...the infeed/outfeed table about $150 but you should also be aware that whilst the table suits both planer and thicknesser you need to get an extra bracket (which i haven't done yet) as it comes with only one

regards david

I hope this is what your'e after:

#part No. 01.0.202 Digital control wheel for height and angle adjustment for thicknesser in mm $101

#part No. 12.1.311 ALU-system-hand-wheel for digital gauge $65.

I have them on my quote as options for a3-31.
Cheers