Ordered a Hammer A3 31

[rmhinden]

I drove over to the Hammer/Felder office in Sacramento earlier today and ordered a Hammer A3 31.  It was nice to see the actual machines.  I tried to not look too hard at the Felder machines they also had on display. 

I considered getting the 16" model (A3 41) but it is more expensive, top is heaver, and that wouldn't arrive until September/October.  Dealer said I could change my mind in the next few weeks and change the order to the 16" model.    Any suggestions on the two models?  The larger model may be overkill for my needs, but the wider bed would be nice.

I also have a Oneida mini gorilla dust collector arriving next week, and the electrician is coming to install 220v for the jointer/planner and dust collector in my garage next Thursday.  I am getting 15' of 5" hose and a 120mm-5" adapter from Oneida as well.  The 15' hose might be longer than I need, but I figured easier to shorten it then try to make it longer.

Now I need to wait until July for the A3 31 when it is supposed to arrive in Sacramento. 

Bob

 

[PanoramaProd]

I have the A3-41, and its a great machine, you are going to love your A3-31!

Its one of those things, you'll wish you had the capacity when you need it, but 99% of the time, it will be fine. Where I live, its not common to get boards larger than 12" wide. I'd say get what you can afford. Your A3-31 will likely hold its value well if you ever need to upgrade.

One thing I really like is the substantial weight of the machine. I was planing a 11 3/16 wire slab of 4" thick maple on the weekend, and once the rollers engaged, it held the 8' long glueup I could barely lift.

 

[online421]

congrats on the purchase.

I think you cant go wrong with the larger machine, I had a 16 inch Robland for 5 years and a change of circumstances I reluctantly upgraded to a 20 inch Felder AD951. at the time it was a big step and I dont really need the extra 4 inch. but in hind sight it is probably the best investment decision ever.

but again, different horse for different course, I use my Felder commercially, if for Hobby use I think Hammer will be just fine.

 

[Max Fracas]

[member=66813]rmhinden[/member].  I bought an A3/41 when I lived in Monterey.  Initially ordered an A3/31, but after thinking about it for quite a while ponied up the extra $$ to get the 41.  The extra width was a plus, but I really wanted the longer tables.  Have been happy with the 41 even though at this point I’ve not done anything with it the 31 couldn’t handle.  BTW, I recently bought a Mini Dust Gorilla to use with it, and like you bought a 15 foot 5 inch hose.  Still figuring out the best way to deal with flipping the hose when going from jointing to planing. 

 

[rmhinden]

[member=63048]PanoramaProd[/member], [member=60639]online421[/member], [member=60639]online421[/member]

Thanks very much for your feedback, very helpful.  I just  changed my order to the A3 41.    I am not completly sure I will need the extra capacity, but I do like the longer tables.  The extra width will be nice if needed.

Now I just need to wait a long time for delivery.

Bob

 

[derekcohen]

I have been using the A3-31 for about 5 years now. I previously had a full length 8” jointer. The shorter table on the A3-31 has not been an issue. I could lengthen the bed with the extension pieces, but have not needed to do so. The 12” width is sufficient for 99% of my needs. Having an extra few inches would not hurt, but I lack the space for the larger machine.

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[rmhinden]

[member=4358]derekcohen[/member]  Thanks for the feedback.  Since I have already changed my order to the A3 41 I will stick with it.

The larger machine will force me to clear out more space in my garage which is a good thing

Bob

 

[bertv]

I bought both kinds of extensions for my A3 31 (actually two of the smaller one, and one of the longer type with the leg).

One of the small extensions I attached to the outfeed of the thicknesser, which is really good. It 'lives' there because it's a pain to take off / put on (not a very good design) and to adjust just so.
The other small one can be used on both planer tables; the same applies to the longer extension. In practice I hardly use extensions when planing (they are more often used on the N4400 bandsaw, that can use the same extensions).

The small extension is 400 mm long (about 16 inches); the longer one is 800 mm (2'8''). You need to add custom profiles to the A3. As usual for Felder/Hammer these accessories are not cheap…

 

[smbobby]

I just recently took delivery of the 341. I waited 5 months instead of two but the wait was worth it. Its not so much the jointer side but the 16" planer is great. I just sold my house so now I get to move this beast.

I did buy the extension pieces and I have the1300mm cross cut fence with the longer slider table.

My only complaint is the jointer sense. It very difficult to get it 90 degrees to the table. Not a great design.

Overall experience has been great

 

[rljatl]

I have never used a drum sander but...

Could you purchase a Supermax drum sander for the difference in cost between an A3 31 and an A3 41?  While not a perfect substitute for a planer, the drum sander might work for those few times the extra width is needed.

Then you would have two complementary machines for the additional cost of the wider planer.

 

[rmhinden]

My A3 41 arrived this morning.  It's now safely in my garage waiting to be uncrated, taken off the crate, and set up. 

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It's been a long wait, but I am very happy it is here.

Bob

 

[ben_r_]

Nice! Congrats! I never got to see my A3-31 all crated up like that! Still had to wait for it to get shipped to the warehouse, but I was luckily able to drive and pick it up to save shipping costs.

 

[deepcreek]

[member=66813]rmhinden[/member]

Rockler sells schedule 40 pvc to 4" hose adapters that fit the 120mm dust ports with no modifications.  I had Oneida make me a 5 to 4" adapter for the end of a 5" hose.  That way I can connect to my other machinery that have standard 4" ports.

Also, the Portamate PM-3500 is a nice mobile base for this machine.

I have a Minimax FS30 which is very similar to the Hammer A3-31.  I considered the FS41 (16" bed) but decided that it was just too big for my limited shop space.  I have no regrets at all.

 

[threesixright]

Hi Bob,

Awesome, congrats! One is on my list as-well (the 31). Let us how its going!?

Rog.

 

[ben_r_]

I considered the FS41 (16" bed) but decided that it was just too big for my limited shop space.  I have no regrets at all.

I went through that process too with the A3-41. Thought long and hard on it and ultimately the extra couple grand it would have costed and having limited shop space made it not feasible. That and I couldnt recall or think up an upcoming nor past project that I absolutely needed to plane or joint over 12". So the A3-31 has been more than perfect for my shop.

 

[rmhinden]

For an update, my A3 41 is now up and running.  Milled my first board.  All seems good.

To get it off the pallet, I built a ramp to use with a pallet jack I rented.    I used the wood that Felder used for the frame around the machine and even reused the screws.    I only needed to add a piece of 1" x 36" x 48" plywood.  I even got fancy and cut 5 degree angles on the support boards, probably wasn't needed.

A friend came over to help get it down the ramp and off the pallet.  It was easier that I thought it would be.  All under control.  It was harder than I expected to use the pallet jack to raise each side to add the mobility kit.  Required several steps to raise it up, add blocking, lowering, and repeat

Finished the assembly, aligned the fence, cleaned it up, put some paste wax on the beds, connected dust collection, plugged it in, and fired it up.  Sounds good, not as loud as I was expecting.  I milled a rough oak board I had around.  This was the first time I had used an euro style guard, it worked well.  I will do some more practicing to get the hang of shifting pressure from the front table to the back, but doesn't seem too hard.  I jointed the face and one side, then set it up in planer mode and did the other face.  I am pleased with the resulting finish.  The silent head cutters do their job.  Dust collection works well.

Regarding dust collection.  I have been using MagPorts for a while and really like them. I have them on the 5" hose from my Mini Gorilla dust collector, on my table saw, router table, and now Hammer A3-41. To add one on the Hammer with its 120mm dust fitting port. I got a 5" Flexible Pvc Rubber Coupling with Stainless Steel Clamps, these are too big for a 5" connection, so I cut a section out of it and glued it back together with CA glue. Then I put several layers of Silicone Rubber Self Fusing Tape on the J/P 120mm output to make the diameter larger.  I wasn't sure it was going to work, but I think it came out very well.  The magport system works very well when converting the machine from jointer to planner mode and back again.  Very easy to move the dust collection hose.

Overall I am pleased with the A3 31.  It's large, but I have room for it in my garage.  The large beds are very nice.  The mobility kit works, probably not as well as full casters, but should work for me.  The installation instructions could be better, but I got good support from Felder when I had questions.  As has been noted in online reviews, the fence seems on the light side for these machines, but appears to work well.  I did have to reset the stops to get to 90 degrees to the base, but wasn't too hard. 

I have some birds-eye maple around that I have had for several years.  I plan to see how it does on that. 

If someone in the SF bay area wants the ramp I built, please PM me.  I don't think I will be needing it again

Pictures below.

Bob

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[Max Fracas]

Looks great.  I like the Magport idea and have ordered a couple of them.  Thanks!

 

[ben_r_]

Looks great! And Thanks for mentioning the MagPort! I’d never heard of those!

 

[bertv]

Quote: The installation instructions could be better, but I got good support from Felder when I had questions.

There are a few video’s on YouTube that show you how to do the set up.

 

[rmhinden]

Quote: The installation instructions could be better, but I got good support from Felder when I had questions.

There are a few video’s on YouTube that show you how to do the set up.

I think I watched all of them

Bob