Jet - 12" Planer/Jointer with Helical Head
- Thread starter o2b4wln
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rjboch
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- Jun 21, 2019
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While I have yet to purchase one, a planer/jointer combo is on my shopping list and I will likely pull the trigger sometime in 2022. I have spent a considerable amount of time researching similar units as the Jet (price point $3,500-4,500) and my impression is that the Hammer A3-31 (Felder-Group) is a great unit to consider. As with you, shop size is a consideration, and I don’t have room for separate units and I have read multiple times that the Hammer helical head (Silent-Power spiral head) is amazing. As for the Jet, I have read reviews that the build quality and casting are somewhat lacking. However, as with current supply-side issues, its going to be sometime before you get a new machine delivered. Felder’s website says 7-9 months and from what I’ve seen for the Jet…it looks like early Fall.
There have been plenty of posts on this site regarding the Hammer and many of the youtube woodworkers appear to be big fans. “Bent’s Woodworking” channel recently did an unboxing of his new A3-41 (this guy is apparently living the dream...while in Army, he is also buddies with Sedge, sponsored by Festool, etc).
Again, disclosure, I have yet to purchase one…
There have been plenty of posts on this site regarding the Hammer and many of the youtube woodworkers appear to be big fans. “Bent’s Woodworking” channel recently did an unboxing of his new A3-41 (this guy is apparently living the dream...while in Army, he is also buddies with Sedge, sponsored by Festool, etc).
Again, disclosure, I have yet to purchase one…
I've had the jet for 5 years and it is a great machine, the only thing I don't like is the fence.Well, not so much the fence, but the fence hinge has 2 pins in it and they wiggle out on mine then the fence is off. I check the fence for square before each time using it.
I wish the tables were longer, but that is the compromise for a smaller machine. The finish it leaves on any piece of wood is great, I put 4 heavy duty casters on it using the 4 holes that held it to the pallet it came on.
I'm only on the second side of the cutters, and I plane rough sawn red and white oak.
I wish the tables were longer, but that is the compromise for a smaller machine. The finish it leaves on any piece of wood is great, I put 4 heavy duty casters on it using the 4 holes that held it to the pallet it came on.
I'm only on the second side of the cutters, and I plane rough sawn red and white oak.
jonnyrocket
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- Jan 8, 2018
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- 195
[member=60525]NChander[/member] I bought one of these for the same reasons you did. And just after I got it set up and started using it, Peter Parfit from New Brit Workshop did a video on the same unit that he just bought.
Overall I really like it. As mentioned, the fence is the only part that I don’t like. Mine has a slight cup or dish to it on the vertical axis so I have to use a square that is similar in height to the stock that I will be running to make sure it is set at 90 at the height of my stock. But I plan to take it and have it ground flat at some point and then all will be perfect.
But the helical head on this unit is awesome.
Overall I really like it. As mentioned, the fence is the only part that I don’t like. Mine has a slight cup or dish to it on the vertical axis so I have to use a square that is similar in height to the stock that I will be running to make sure it is set at 90 at the height of my stock. But I plan to take it and have it ground flat at some point and then all will be perfect.
But the helical head on this unit is awesome.
o2b4wln
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- Feb 27, 2016
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- 31
Thanks for all the replies, for some reason I thought the Hammer version was much more expensive than the Jet version; might have to revisit that option.
The shipping times certainly are disappointing but I guess such are the times we live in, might just have to make the purchase and start the clock.
Thanks again.
The shipping times certainly are disappointing but I guess such are the times we live in, might just have to make the purchase and start the clock.
Thanks again.
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2011
- Messages
- 4,550
Hi [member=60525]NChander[/member]
I have the Jet machine and it is brilliant. However, I am told that finding stockists seems to be an issue in certain parts of the world.
Peter
I have the Jet machine and it is brilliant. However, I am told that finding stockists seems to be an issue in certain parts of the world.
Peter
I don't want to bash Jet as I have no experience with the unit but I can't recommend a Hammer A3-31 enough. I've had my Hammer for probably 3 or 4 months now and this machine is everything I expected and then some. The euro blade guard takes some getting used to but I think I have it figured out. I bought the extra digital height gauge readout on the handwheel for the planer and am so glad that I did. The thickness of my boards are dead on what the readout says I'm adjusted to. The Silent Power Cutterhead is also amazing. The finish is great and I get zero tearout on really figured woods, which I'm not at all used to. I do believe that straight knives that are freshly sharpened will give you a better finish overall but they do not last even a quarter as long. I'm a heavy hand tool user so all my surfaces get a pass with a smoothing plane (NOT SANDPAPER if I can help it) therefore my surface doesn't have to come out glass smooth from the planer. This is the reason I chose the spiral cutterhead instead of the straight knives. I'll take the lack of tearout over surface finish from a machine any day. The fit and finish of my machine is perfect. It looks as good as it performs.
Outside of the machine being amazing, the customer service is probably the best in the business. I would say this has to be the reason for the massive popularity in their products of late. I originally was considering the SCM version of the this machine and I couldn't figure out how to actually talk to the company about it. I also couldn't figure out how to get replacement parts or accessories. Calling Felder about their machines was a dream. There is always a person that actually wants to talk to you about their machines and so far they all are very knowledgeable.
I did have to wait for like 6 months to get my machine but the wait was well worth it. Place your order now and you wont regret it, I promise! I'm just a happy Felder customer and have no skin in the game.
Outside of the machine being amazing, the customer service is probably the best in the business. I would say this has to be the reason for the massive popularity in their products of late. I originally was considering the SCM version of the this machine and I couldn't figure out how to actually talk to the company about it. I also couldn't figure out how to get replacement parts or accessories. Calling Felder about their machines was a dream. There is always a person that actually wants to talk to you about their machines and so far they all are very knowledgeable.
I did have to wait for like 6 months to get my machine but the wait was well worth it. Place your order now and you wont regret it, I promise! I'm just a happy Felder customer and have no skin in the game.
I wondered that as well. My best guess is that since the bed has to tip up when in planer mode, the combination of the increased weight and strain on the hinges would require a complete redesign of the conversion mechanism. They do offer aluminum strut extensions for the jointer table, but those weigh a tiny fraction of what a two-meter cast iron table would.
