Felder AD941

[Llama]

A long time ago in a galaxy far far away, a guy ordered a Felder AD941. So many things have happened since then! Anyway, I've waited for the day my machine to arrive. And today is that day!

Fresh off the truck!!! I almost had a heart attack when the pallet moved a little...

I had to talk the delivery guy into helping me move this thing to the inside of my shop. He was a good guy, so he helped. I called a few people, and got help unloading this thing from the pallet. Just walked it off the pallet... nothing fancy.

Should be wired up tomorrow night. I will be making a video review on my channel, and leave a link here for those interested.

If you have any questions about it, or how I arrived at the decision to buy this machine let me know.

Thanks,
Mel

 

[live4ever]

Well, let me be the first to say congratulations.  What a fine looking machine that is!

I'd love to hear about your decision process, and especially what led you to this machine over the A3-41.  Did you go with the spiral head?

I'm going to be shrinking the shop space unfortunately and will need to go combo in the near future. 

 

[jpmeunier]

On a scale of meh to insanely jealous, I'm pretty close to insanely jealous.

 

[Llama]

Well, let me be the first to say congratulations.  What a fine looking machine that is!

I'd love to hear about your decision process, and especially what led you to this machine over the A3-41.  Did you go with the spiral head?

I'm going to be shrinking the shop space unfortunately and will need to go combo in the near future.

I hope this helps...

Here was my my thought process:

I was going to buy the A3-41 that my friend Matt K was kind enough to review for us. Then I got to thinking about the bed length and the pirate ship hand wheel.

Then I learned about the electronic mechanism to raise and lower the planer beds with digital readout. I needed this... I plan on having this machine for hopefully the rest of my life, and the thought of that pirate wheel really turned me off.

So, that brought me up to the Felder AD741 because Hammer does not (yet) offer that feature on their line. So I was set on the AD741.

Then something great happened... The almighty AD941 went on sale.  [eek]

So, in the end I bought the AD941 with spiral head due to the increased bed length (nearly 8') and upgraded planer mechanism. (not only the electronic mechanism, but the AD941 has a better design which is much more robust than the AD741.) The AD941 also included a little maintenance kit, the Euro comfort guard, and shipping assistance. (credit towards shipping). I ended up with the AD941 for less money than the AD741 would have cost me. Plus the extras were icing on the cake.

The Hammer units are certainly geared toward the hobby guys looking for a really nice machine. The Felder equipment is what you'd see in a pro shop. Meant to really take a beating over the years. Truly a no compromise machine. All of this comes at a price.

Then we can get into why I chose to buy a combo unit if you want

 

[rljatl]

Very nice machine.  Congratulations!

I purchased a Hammer A3 31 with spiral head combo machine October 2015 and have been very happy with it. Of course, the AD941 with that electric lift would have been fantastic.

Just recently talked to Felder about the Hammer N4400 bandsaw.  Started asking questions and discovered that the Felder FB510 bandsaw was only about $600 more than the N4400.  (Sale prices)

So, like you, I could not resist and now have a Felder FB510 on the way.  Should be delivered early October.  October was my choice.  Needed some time to save some funds.  ;D

BTW, my understanding is that the Hammer line is considered hobby level, Felder 5 series is pro level and Felder 9 series is industrial.  These terms are not official and just something I picked from forums and Youtube videos.  Then, they also offer the high end Format 4 line.  So, YMMV.

 

[Llama]

The way the rep told me was anything under 16" just get he Hammer... and most people make the jump to the Felder because of the power drive lift.

She did say the Hammer was hobbyist, Felder is more pro/industrial and the Format line was really the Felder with all the upgrades as standard.. think heavy duty industrial. Whatever that means.

There are differences throughout the lines. The 941 has a more robust planer table configuration. Not to say the 741 isn't good, just the 941 is more robust. The 941 also has an almost 8' jointer bed.

 

[live4ever]

Thanks Mel, your reasoning is helpful and I could see myself traipsing down the same path.  Now, I'm just a professional hobbyist, and even the Hammer would be plenty good enough for me considering most of my stationary is currently Grizz.  Would I want the power lift mechanism and the additional build quality improvements of the Felder?  Heck yeah.  But I also would be cognizant that the price difference between the Hammer and AD9 might buy me that bandsaw upgrade I've also been lusting after.  Granted, I don't really know realistic [sale] prices at the moment because I've not begun chatting up the reps...but I know my jaw will still hit the floor.

Decisions, decisions.  Still gonna be a way off for me, but at this point I do know I'll want 16".  Have to convince el capitan (la capitana?) that I'm really suffering in the downsized digs first though.  [big grin]

Looking forward to your video review.

 

[jpmeunier]

What is the "sale" price for an ad941 w/spiral if you don't mind me asking. PM if you don't want to share openly.

 

[Llama]

I paid $11,138 delivered for my machine.

 

[live4ever]

Okee, Hammer for me. 

 

[RKA]

Okee, Hammer for me.

LOL!!  I expected 5 figures, but the low end of 5 isn't bad at all.  But your response sent coffee up my nose...ick! 

[member=36071]Llama[/member]
Congrats on the new machine!  Please do share your video once you get it up an running.  It costs us nothing to watch a video...only IF we act upon that.  [smile]

 

[live4ever]

Okee, Hammer for me.

LOL!!  I expected 5 figures, but the low end of 5 isn't bad at all.  But your response sent coffee up my nose...ick! 

[member=36071]Llama[/member]
Congrats on the new machine!  Please do share your video once you get it up an running.  It costs us nothing to watch a video...only IF we act upon that.  [smile]

It's going to cost me a Euro bandsaw, lol!  Take yer time on that video Mel.  [tongue]

 

[Llama]

I should have my power done tonight... Video will be up soon, maybe tomorrow!  [big grin]

 

[egmiii]

Congrats dude!

My AD941 showed up yesterday as well, so I'm sharing the same high right now. Unfortunately my low is coming when I have to move it into my basement shop. That is NOT going to be fun!

 

[Llama]

Congrats dude!

My AD941 showed up yesterday as well, so I'm sharing the same high right now. Unfortunately my low is coming when I have to move it into my basement shop. That is NOT going to be fun!

How about no?  [eek]

I was sweating when we moved it off the pallet! Went well, no incidents.. but wow.. into a basement? ugh

I'd love to see some pics! Post them here if you want!  

 

[egmiii]

AD941 is in the pallet on the left. Couple other items came in as well... [big grin]

[attachimg=1]

 

[Llama]

Interesting! Your pallets are different.

Also ... wow!! Nice equipment!!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[egmiii]

I visited the Delaware showroom a couple times. Everything comes in from Austria on just the base pallet wrapped in a yellowish plastic. I'm a one day trip via freight, so they just built a frame and wrapped it in plastic. That way fork lift guys can see what is inside and balance the load properly. Yours might have taken a longer journey and required a bit more protection. I'm shocked they didn't have you pick it up at the terminal, opting for liftgate delivery instead. I had a 700 pound smoker delivered via liftgate. Swore I'd never do that again after 3 of us saved it from crashing down.

 

[Llama]

I was very nervous and actually argued with the delivery guy.

 

[Llama]

Got the fence installed... fairly straight forward process. Very short video showing the blade guards.