Thread: Best value combo thicknesser jointer

Never having done a review before, so bear with me.

The Hammer A3 31

Configuration:
Single Phase
Clock Wheel Thicknesser adjuster
Wheels and Bar

Additionally I needed to get a 20 Amp power point fitted and plug attached to the machine.

Initial set up was straight forward, once I had power, I had dressed some old pallet timber (need to buy a stud finder, bloody nails) regardless of the errant nails the end result was excellent.

Changing from Planer to Thicknesser and back is simple and hasn't required any find tuning so far.

The blade change is quick and simple. Each blade has two edges and despite nails they are still good for first pass on recycled timber.

Am I happy with my purchase, you bet. In fact my next purchase is likely to be the Hammer Band Saw, once SWMBO gets over this one.

I will post up some pictures shortly

Sounds a good tool. How do you feel about the fence when using it in jointer mode?

There is some flex in the fence along the left to right axis, this has not effected the achieving a true 90 degree face as it stays true on the up and down axis.
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does anybody know if you can get hellical cutters for the hammer A 310?
if so, where from?
can you fit them yourself?

I have been reading this thread this morning and wonder if anyone out there is aware of brands like Wadkin, Barker,Wolfenden,Robinson,White,Startright Sedgewick etc.

These are all first class industrial quality machinery which is easy to maintain and unless its physically damaged the bearings, belts, tyres etc are all available.

Buying and rebuilding gear like this has to be a better bet than the Chinese and even Tiawanese/Brazilian stuff from Scary Forbes and Carbacrap.

Most of these companies made large production gear but they also made smaller quality stuff for Patternshops,Schools and Cabinetshops.

Other local lesser companies like Hyco/Woodfast, Premo, Thornley etc made usable to a price machinery.Unless in very good nick chasing this stuff is debatable.

Wadkin even had a 'lesser brand' Wadkin Bursgreen after buying Burs and Green out to get their Delta rip off tilting arbor table saw after WW11. Delta first produced this in the '30s till then the tops tilted.

Any of this gear would last a life time(or two) and a lot is out there if you know what to look for.

Most is 3 phase equipped but on bandsaws, jointers and table saws etc it is straightforward to change motors and switchgear.

I am reorganising my workshop and will have a Wadkin 12 inch under and over to sell off. It's 3 phase and the jointer tables don't lift up when using the thicknesser.

I will also have some of these other machines to get rid of also in the future.

12 inch Barker jointer(3 phase). 10 inch Woodfast jointer(1 phase).
10/12 inch Wadkin Bursgreen tiltig arbor table saw(3 phase).
and maybe a Wadkin or Woodfast 12 inch thicknesser(3 phase).

Ping me if you are interested in any of these.
I am very disorganised in my 'shop at present re demoing these but hopefully should be a bit more sorted come Xmas.

H

Originally Posted by misd669

does anybody know if you can get hellical cutters for the hammer A 310?
if so, where from?
can you fit them yourself?

Hi misd, RDG International would be one supplier of helix cutter blocks, Robert Gregory is the blokes name, not sure if they would have one off the shelf for a hammer, but if u can supply him with a detail drawing of the existing cutter block he will make to suit.
Don't have contact details atm but google I think will find him, he also advertises in the wood review.
No reason u cant fit it yourself if u have some mechanical ability or u know some who does....warranty issues would be worth checking on tho
Peter