Thread: Info on older models of Hammer N4400 Bandsaw

Hi Belstaff, I can't answer most of your questions, but I have the N3800 and I'm very happy with it. It is a year old now and the electric brake does the same thing, it keeps humming for a while after the blade has stopped. A bit off putting at first but I'm used to it now and I assume it's normal.

Good luck, Peter

I don't know a bucket about the specs, but the N4400 has evolved quite a lot over the years - and has increased in cost markedly.

From memory when I last talked to Stefan, he said that the motors had increased in power over time. There have also been a lot of minor improvements. If you search through the bandsaw forum a bit more, I think there was a thread on this not long ago.

All in all, you're right in saying that his assertion over the current price for the N4400 is a case of charging the apple pie price for a slightly older granny smith.

From my own research, the current N4400 is good for a 25mm blade as per the felder/hammer website.

If you're really stuck for help after having a thread search, ring one of the Stefans at Felder in Emu Plains and they should be able to give you a pretty decent run down.

Originally Posted by themage21

I don't know a bucket about the specs, but the N4400 has evolved quite a lot over the years - and has increased in cost markedly.

From memory when I last talked to Stefan, he said that the motors had increased in power over time. There have also been a lot of minor improvements. If you search through the bandsaw forum a bit more, I think there was a thread on this not long ago.

All in all, you're right in saying that his assertion over the current price for the N4400 is a case of charging the apple pie price for a slightly older granny smith.

From my own research, the current N4400 is good for a 25mm blade as per the felder/hammer website.

If you're really stuck for help after having a thread search, ring one of the Stefans at Felder in Emu Plains and they should be able to give you a pretty decent run down.

Thanks for the confirmation. I was starting to think the motor had been replaced. I think I'll wait for the later versions with the more powerful motors, although judging by the asking price of this example, the 3.5 and 4HP versions will probably still command prices around $2500. Thanks again.

Originally Posted by 3 toed sloth

Hi Belstaff, I can't answer most of your questions, but I have the N3800 and I'm very happy with it. It is a year old now and the electric brake does the same thing, it keeps humming for a while after the blade has stopped. A bit off putting at first but I'm used to it now and I assume it's normal.

Good luck, Peter

Thanks Peter. Now that I know about the hum, I won't let it put me off if I come across another N4400 or N3800.

Hi,
I have a Hammer bandsaw that I bought back in 2007ish. When I posted photos of the wheels, various forum members commented that the rubber on their wheels was a different colour. Hence the poster above who said that Hammer 4400 bandsaws have evolved is quite correct.
Hum - I get a hum for about 10 to 20 seconds when I turn off the bandsaw - I think it is the electronic braking system and not something wrong. Mine has the 4HP motor so the 2.5HP motor must be a very early model of the 4400.
My research has lead me to believe that Felder get the bandsaw frame made by a major Italian bandsaw manufacturer and it is shipped to their factory in Austria where it has the electric bits and other trimmings like the guides added. The guides have gone from the standard European side disk guides (which are quite sloppy as you observed) to the bearings style and now there are the optional ceramic guides.
My main piece of advice would be to only buy the Hammer 4400 bandsaw that you have inspected in person and seen running - that way you know exactly what you are getting. My Hammer as shipped to me had some minor things that I corrected, e.g. bottom wheel was slightly twisted on its axle so blades would not stay on, and given the $$$ I paid, this was extremely vexatious.

I bought my 4400 around 2010. It has been very reliable.

Mine is 4 hp (the new ones are 3.5 hp) and single phase running on 20 amp. As far as I can tell, the resaw capacity is close to 11 1/2". Also, as far as I recall, the maximum recommended blade width is 3/4". Lastly, the table tilts to 30 degrees (and not 45 degrees, which is on the latest model). This is not an issue since I have not needed to tilt the table yet - although it would be nice to know I could if I wanted to do so. The "narrow" blade is not an issue. I use a 3/8" 3 tpi bi-metal blade for everything, including resawing. A narrower blade will not generate as much heat. You do not need wider for resawing. What you need is tension and sharp. The Hammer delivers tension, and I sharpen my own blades. If you want a dedicated resaw bandsaw (this is a hobby, right?), then get one that uses an 1 1/2" wide blade. Of course, that will not go around corners

I paid about $2100 for the saw from the agents in Perth. They delivered, set it up, and that was all that was needed.

I added wheels, and made a resaw fence add-on. The fence is solid and accurate. It does not compensate for drift, but then I have never experienced drift (if the blade drifts, then either the blade is not sharp, you are pushing the wood too fast, or both).

It is a fantastic bandsaw. I came from a 14" generic Taiwanese saw from Carbatec. I cannot see the need for a further upgrade, ever. And I build serious furniture.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Originally Posted by paul.cleary

Hi,
I have a Hammer bandsaw that I bought back in 2007ish. When I posted photos of the wheels, various forum members commented that the rubber on their wheels was a different colour. Hence the poster above who said that Hammer 4400 bandsaws have evolved is quite correct.
Hum - I get a hum for about 10 to 20 seconds when I turn off the bandsaw - I think it is the electronic braking system and not something wrong. Mine has the 4HP motor so the 2.5HP motor must be a very early model of the 4400.
My research has lead me to believe that Felder get the bandsaw frame made by a major Italian bandsaw manufacturer and it is shipped to their factory in Austria where it has the electric bits and other trimmings like the guides added. The guides have gone from the standard European side disk guides (which are quite sloppy as you observed) to the bearings style and now there are the optional ceramic guides.
My main piece of advice would be to only buy the Hammer 4400 bandsaw that you have inspected in person and seen running - that way you know exactly what you are getting. My Hammer as shipped to me had some minor things that I corrected, e.g. bottom wheel was slightly twisted on its axle so blades would not stay on, and given the $$$ I paid, this was extremely vexatious.

Thanks Paul. You're much more forgiving than me. I'd classify a bottom wheel twisted to the point that bladeswon't stay on as a major problem.

Originally Posted by derekcohen

I bought my 4400 around 2010. It has been very reliable.

Mine is 4 hp (the new ones are 3.5 hp) and single phase running on 20 amp. As far as I can tell, the resaw capacity is close to 11 1/2". Also, as far as I recall, the maximum recommended blade width is 3/4". Lastly, the table tilts to 30 degrees (and not 45 degrees, which is on the latest model). This is not an issue since I have not needed to tilt the table yet - although it would be nice to know I could if I wanted to do so. The "narrow" blade is not an issue. I use a 3/8" 3 tpi bi-metal blade for everything, including resawing. A narrower blade will not generate as much heat. You do not need wider for resawing. What you need is tension and sharp. The Hammer delivers tension, and I sharpen my own blades. If you want a dedicated resaw bandsaw (this is a hobby, right?), then get one that uses an 1 1/2" wide blade. Of course, that will not go around corners

I paid about $2100 for the saw from the agents in Perth. They delivered, set it up, and that was all that was needed.

I added wheels, and made a resaw fence add-on. The fence is solid and accurate. It does not compensate for drift, but then I have never experienced drift (if the blade drifts, then either the blade is not sharp, you are pushing the wood too fast, or both).

It is a fantastic bandsaw. I came from a 14" generic Taiwanese saw from Carbatec. I cannot see the need for a further upgrade, ever. And I build serious furniture.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Thanks Derek. It's interesting to see how much the price has increased, and knowing the rrp of your model will give me a better idea of fair market value of a 2nd hand unit.