Thread: Upgrading my Bandsaw to a ???????

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the Hammer N4400 a 17" bandsaw and not an 18" plus???

Originally Posted by Big Shed

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the Hammer N4400 a 17" bandsaw and not an 18" plus???

17" (440mm) wheels, 310mm cutting height and a 3000w motor (20amp, 4 Hp)

Originally Posted by Pat

17" (440mm) wheels, 310mm cutting height and a 3000w motor (20amp, 4 Hp)

I guess metric is not my strong point

oh well how about 17+ inches

either way does anyone have any experience with these machines?

is brand xx smooth running? plenty / or lack of power ? reasonably quiet?

I like heavy duty so the more cast iron the better.

Steve

Steve,

Earlier this year I purchased a N4400, never had a bandsaw of my own before this. I have the following comments:

1) generally well built with a fair amount of cast iron and weight
2) blade was easy to align on the top wheel but was not aligned on the bottom wheel, needed extra instructions from distributor to correct, otherwise setup was fairly straight forward
3) 5inch dust port is only a 5inch connector screwed on to a 4inch dust port into the base cabinet
4) saw runs smooth and quiet
5) seems to have plenty of grunt but I've not used it in anger and have never resawn wood
6) mitre gauge is a disgrace, I recommend strongly against purchasing a Hammer version

Good luck, let us know what you decide to go with.

Gareth

I'll be buying a bandsaw in the New Year and I'm fairly sure my money is going on this Laguna
Seems to have all of the goodies.

Originally Posted by GarethR

Steve,

Earlier this year I purchased a N4400, never had a bandsaw of my own before this. I have the following comments:

1) generally well built with a fair amount of cast iron and weight
2) blade was easy to align on the top wheel but was not aligned on the bottom wheel, needed extra instructions from distributor to correct, otherwise setup was fairly straight forward
3) 5inch dust port is only a 5inch connector screwed on to a 4inch dust port into the base cabinet
4) saw runs smooth and quiet
5) seems to have plenty of grunt but I've not used it in anger and have never resawn wood
6) mitre gauge is a disgrace, I recommend strongly against purchasing a Hammer version

Good luck, let us know what you decide to go with.

Gareth

I have to generally agree with your comments on the N4400
As with your point 3 I added new DE ports If you interested the thread is at https://www.woodworkforums.com/f27/mo...-n4400-175331/
And point 6 The salesman did not want to sell me his mitre fence So I made one see pic
Also the plastic table insert soon broke ...made one of them too.
It is a good strong, rigid machine and I have not slowed it even on large hardwood logs

R

Originally Posted by GarethR

Steve,

Earlier this year I purchased a N4400, never had a bandsaw of my own before this. I have the following comments:

1) generally well built with a fair amount of cast iron and weight
2) blade was easy to align on the top wheel but was not aligned on the bottom wheel, needed extra instructions from distributor to correct, otherwise setup was fairly straight forward
3) 5inch dust port is only a 5inch connector screwed on to a 4inch dust port into the base cabinet
4) saw runs smooth and quiet
5) seems to have plenty of grunt but I've not used it in anger and have never resawn wood
6) mitre gauge is a disgrace, I recommend strongly against purchasing a Hammer version

Good luck, let us know what you decide to go with.

Gareth

Thanks for the feedback Gareth, this information is very useful.

Its hard to make judgements based on pictures and spec sheets so hearing from people that have them is a bonus.

Sounds like even the best name machines have some niggly issues and for the money I would have expected more from Hammer.

I have to admit that the Laguna LT18 does look the part with all the bells and whistles but the shipping is a killer from QLD to Perth adds 400$.

Also this brings up the issue of support if something goes wrong... long way to go for spares or help

decisions decisions

Steve

Hi Steve

Where about in Perth are you? I have the Hammer, which I purchased about 5 years ago after a generic 14" machine. I do not foresee upgrading it ever. It was a clear winner over the equivalent Jet and Carba-tec. Anything made in the East is not going to hold a candle to it.

If you want to look at it, you are welcome to visit me in Rossmoyne over the weekend.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Originally Posted by stevepay

Sounds like even the best name machines have some niggly issues and for the money I would have expected more from Hammer.

I have to admit that the Laguna LT18 does look the part with all the bells and whistles but the shipping is a killer from QLD to Perth adds 400$.

I expected more from Hammer too. My choice boiled down to the Laguna or Hammer, oddly enough I was probably pushed toward the Hammer because of the advertised 5inch dust port.

Shipping seems high though, is that through your own carrier or the sellers?

Regarding the mitre fence, I did not bother with the Hammer version. It looked flimsy.

I had a spare mitre head from a table saw. The slot in the Hammer is shallower and narrower than others. I found that the steel arm from a cheap F-clamp was ideal - just a snitch to file off the width. This was easy to connect to the mitre head I had.





Regards from Perth

Derek

Originally Posted by GarethR

I expected more from Hammer too. My choice boiled down to the Laguna or Hammer, oddly enough I was probably pushed toward the Hammer because of the advertised 5inch dust port.

Shipping seems high though, is that through your own carrier or the sellers?

Gareth,

The rate was quoted by the guys at Gregory, I haven't looked at other options yet. does seem steep but on reflection Qld to Perth is a long way

however I have been having second thoughts on the LT18 as the supplier is so far away and support would be limited.

Derek,

Thats a very generous offer, I live in Bassendean so I may take you up on that offer as I have only ever seen the machine at the wood show

Another thing... isn't it funny how when you are killing brain cells deciding on what to buy you often get help just at the right time from the oddest places, I just received my latest edition of the Australian woodworker magazine in the mail and the cover article is a Band-saw survey

very helpful. interesting the Laguna is made in China, wasn't aware of that.

I haven't heard from anyone who owns a BP500?? not sure if thats a good sign.

Steve

Originally Posted by derekcohen

Regarding the mitre fence, I did not bother with the Hammer version. It looked flimsy.

I had a spare mitre head from a table saw. The slot in the Hammer is shallower and narrower than others. I found that the steel arm from a cheap F-clamp was ideal - just a snitch to file off the width. This was easy to connect to the mitre head I had.





Regards from Perth

Derek

Derek,

I like what you've done there very simple and yet very effective. It does of course raise the question why after producing such a solid bad-saw why they would skimp on the mitre gauge? and the smaller slot is annoying as now I don't know if my carter log mill will fit ... must check that.

Damn just when you think you're making progress on a decision ...

I wonder if this is covered under decision fatigue

Thanks again guys for the imput

Steve

Originally Posted by stevepay

Derek,

Damn just when you think you're making progress on a decision ...

I wonder if this is covered under decision fatigue


Steve

No, it is known as "paralysis by analysis". I am a long time sufferer!

At the recent Wood Show in Melbourne I had a good look at the Hammer Bandsaw, as I have done at the last 2 Wood Shows. Mainly because people keep citing them as a "top of the range" bandsaw. Pricewise it certainly is top of the range, I have reservations about whether the hype and marketing matches the reality.

As a moderator of this forum I read a lot of posts, and the Hammer bandsaw comes up regularly. What also comes up regularly are various issues with it, the fence, the mitre gauge and other isssues.

One of the deal breakers if I was in the market for a bandsaw (which I am not, I am a very happy and satisfied CT 4300 owner) is the non-standard mitre slot. Having owned a bandsaw with a non-standard mitre slot (BAS350) I vowed I would never buy a bandsaw again that didn't have a standard mitre slot again.

My CT4300 accepts the same mitre gauge as my standard tablesaw mitre gauge, it accepts my Incra 1000SE and even accepts the mitre gauge supplied with my Woodfast 300mm disc sander! This means I can use any aftermarket mitre gauge and use any aftermarket accessories for standard mitre gauges to make up my own jigs.

I also had a very close look at the Laguna range of bandsaws and to say I was impressed is understating it.

Very well put together, great finish and some really neat features. Particularly liked the table insert insert, no wobbly injection moulded little plastic inert here,. Instead a very substantial machined aluminiuplate with levelling screws no less!

If I had to choose between the Hammer and the Laguna it would be a no brainer, Laguna all the way.

Yes, the $400 delivery is somewhat off putting, but look at it this way, it is only $100 more than the Hammer (assuming the $2700 inlcudes delivery) and you are getting a lot more bandsaw IMHO.