Felder v. Hammer

[HowardH]

Later this year, I'm going to order a J/P.  The Hammer a3-41 is about $7000 with the right options and the Felder AD531 is about $8000 but it is a 12" vs. 16" capacity of the Hammer. Seems to me as a hobbyist it would make sense to get the Hammer because of the extra capacity. However, the Felder may be a more robust machine and if one doesn't need to plane anything wider than 12", it might make more sense. Anyone have any comments about the differences between the two?  An AD741 might be a more comparable model with the same capacity but it's about $5000 more than the Hammer. 

 

[online421]

Have you considered SCM/Minimax?

Checkout Felder user group for comments on their under/over combo...

I used to own a Felder AD951.

Just remember Hammer is hobbyist range. dont use it commercially.

 

[HowardH]

I just perused their website and the minimax fs 41c looks like the equivalent but I can't tell if it is more in line with Hammer or Felder series.  It's price point, included the HH and shipping is a lot better than the Felder. 

 

[Rutabagared]

Later this year, I'm going to order a J/P.  The Hammer a3-41 is about $7000 with the right options and the Felder AD531 is about $8000 but it is a 12" vs. 16" capacity of the Hammer. Seems to me as a hobbyist it would make sense to get the Hammer because of the extra capacity. However, the Felder may be a more robust machine and if one doesn't need to plane anything wider than 12", it might make more sense. Anyone have any comments about the differences between the two?  An AD741 might be a more comparable model with the same capacity but it's about $5000 more than the Hammer.

I had the same question before I purchased my Hammer A3-31.  I was going to be near the Delaware showroom so stopped by to visit and put my hands on both.  Honestly, I didn't notice much difference with the fit/finish and the smoothness of the various controls.  Cetrainly not enough to justify the cost difference as a hobbyest.  That made it an easy choice for me.

I've been satisfied with my Hammer for over eight years.  I recommend the spiral cutterhead with carbide inserts and the optional "digital" handwheel indicator and at least one table extension (for the planer bed).  I only rotated my inserts once (last year) and it was not nearly as tedious as I anticipated. 

The only issue I have, and it is a known issue, is the stock sometimes sticks when feeding through the planer.  Waxing the table solves this (or a quick spray/wipe with Blaster Dry Lube to a lesser extent), but it seems to invariably occur during the finish pass (Murphy).  Good luck.

 

[Rutabagared]

Wanted to add that I recall reading somewhere (or being told) that the Hammer line duty cycle was intended to be about 30 hours/week.  I don't recall the Felder's (I tuned it out because 30 is plenty for my needs).

 

[rmhinden]

I own a Hammer A3-41 w/ the Silent-Power® spiral cutterblock, I am very happy with it. 

Besides the width difference, the bed is longer (1800mm vs. 1500mm).    For me the longer bed is more useful than the extra width. 

As a hobbyist (like me), I think it will be more than fine for you.

 

[hdv]

As the owner of a Hammer C3-31 I fully agree with what [member=3075]sawdustinmyshoes[/member] wrote in #3. I don't have the spiral cutterhead myself, but even then the finish of the shaved material is quite good. I have had that machine for about 7 years, I think, and it has been used quite a lot. Never had any trouble with it. Unless you need the automated raising/lowering of the bed when thicknessing I'd recommend going for the Hammer over the Felder. The Felder does feel rather more sturdy, no question there, but I do doubt you'll need that extra beef as a hobbyist. For almost all hobbyists I know the Hammer would be more than sufficient.

My C3 will be sold in a few weeks time and be replaced by non-combi machines (they have already arrived at the warehouse, but need to be delivered yet). And even though my new bandsaw and slider will be from Felder, the JP will still be a Hammer. I think that's says enough about my feelings concerning that machine.