For more information about the Hammer line of jointer planer combo machines, the A3-26, A3-31, or A3-41, visit bit.ly/felderusa
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I love Felder’s customer support they are top notch. I went with the AD941 the control panel is dead on accurate and best machine Iv used hands down.
Agreed on the support for sure!
@@bentswoodworking I agree too. Mine A341 infeed table sometimes wanders of couple of mm (1/8") and then it needs setup. There isn't any manual to set it up by Yourself, so You need to search the internet or find the way the hard way. Of course You can pay almost 10% of the price of machine to have it done by their support, but at this point I would already have paid for another machine - i set it up at least 3 times, once contactor broke down - I diagnosed the fault part all by myself and paid ~30 bucks for new one, while diagnostics and repair would cost me about 300 bucks. But there are things, that make it worth the price - surface quality, and low noise (helical cutterhead of course!).
I just ran on to this review. Thanks for putting your experiences to video. I have owned a Hammer A3-26 for over two years and really use it quite a lot. I appreciate Felder's support team when I have a question about any of the Hammer equipment I have in my shop. Thanks again for the video.
They do have a great staff of people there that are very helpful for sure.
Great overview. Love the 5 minute videos especially when they involve new tools.
I’m enjoying doing them!
Nice very helpful video! Looks like a really beautiful tool! Thanks for the tour Jason!
You’re welcome
I have the hammer A3-41 and it is absolutely fantastic.
Can’t wait for mine to arrive
For anyone looking, its worth noting that the A3-41 comes in a jointer only version if you already have a large planer. The hammer 16" jointer is, to my knowledge, the cheapest 16" helical headed jointer you can get. Model number is A3-41A. The A at the end just signifies the jointer only model. It is the exact same machine, just does not have the planer mechanism parts. I believe it was a savings of around $1000.
Thanks for sharing 👍
Very much appreciate the video. I went ahead and bought their 14” Ambassador bandsaw and it is very nice - quality. I also have went ahead and bought the miter gauge/fence for my SawStop and am looking forward to it. When we move I will be going with the Dust Collector from them. Thanks again for the info!!
You’re welcome!
Love the equipment
Thanks Jason. My 16" Laguna bandsaw (made in Italy) has the same mobility system. I like it a lot since it doesn't widen the footprint and increase the trip possibilities like a mobile base would.
It’s an interesting design. Simple but very useful
Thanks for this man, was just what i was looking for!
Glad you found it helpful!
I can't wait to see impressions of the A3 41. I've been eye balling it for some time
I look forward to to getting it in here.
@@bentswoodworking I have an A3 41, I am very pleased with it. I went back and forth between the 31 and 41, glad I got the 41.
I ordered the A3-41 which is scheduled to arrive in April. Can't wait!
I’m pumped for mine to arrive
Excellent presentation. I plan on purchasing a Hammer A3 and was pondering which model, the 26 vs. the 31 to go with. With your short video, it clarified which model to go with. Thank you.
Just curious, which model are you buying and why?
Interesting machine, thanks for the explanation, I’m looking forward to see how the larger does when you get it.
Can’t wait for it to show up!
excellent as always. thank you.
You’re welcome
Nice video, Jason 👍
Thank you Dean
Hi Jason. I bought the A3-41 with the spiral cutter. Delivery in the UK from Felder was extortionately expensive but I’m very happy with the machine. A few other observations; the tables on the bigger machine are significantly heavier so change over requires a little more muscle. The dust port on the European machines is 120mm which is a real pain as most extraction pipe is 100 or 125mm. I had to add some duct tape around the port so 125 would fit snugly. I bought an extra bade guard which I cut in two and change depending on the width of material. Means I don’t walk into it as it doesn’t stick out very far. Remembering to engage the roller lever is useful! I put a green and red Sharpie mark on the lever as it can be difficult to tell if the lever is in or out. I was getting some snipe if I didn’t look the height gauge. It’s a bit of a nuisance having to undo and do up when you make adjustments but it stopped the snipe. The spiral cutter is very quite and does produce a very nice finish. Enjoy your new machine when it arrives!
I can’t wait for it to get here!
Great video and recap. Fender makes a fantastic machine. In fact, I called them yesterday🤫
Oh man that’s awesome!
Hey Jason, I didn't think about putting the mobility lift bar under my Hammer B3. It doesn't lean up against a wall very well. Thanks! Hammer Time!
Perfect place for it 👍
Man, I’ve had a C3-31 for almost ten years and it never once crossed my mind to store the mobility bar underneath the machine... great tip!!
Nice have a blessed day
You too
This is what I’d love to have
It’s a great machine
Great review, thanks. When you switched to planer mode was the infeed on the side where the handle is? I was wondering how you'd add an infeed table if you wanted a little more room since I didn't see any extrusion there. Since seeing Jay's, I've been interested in getting one of these, thanks for the review.
The infer for the planer is on the outfeed side of the jointer. There is no extrusion on the indeed side, but there is on on the outfeed side.
Great video Jason!!! I’m 99% ready to buy the A41. After speaking with Felder/Hammer salesman, I noticed the wheel you have to raise the planer table is an add-on as well as extension tables. I think for the mobility based I may go with a non-EOM 360 mobility base like Bora or other as I have a 1 car garage footprint. All in all, what add one do you recommend. It’s a big purchase ticket item as I’m just a DIYer and paying extra for accessories adds up. Any comments for a argument to purchase a stand alone 12” jointer? I know space will be an issue to have two dedicated machines but it seems to be lower cost even after adding accessories to a stand alone machine. As always your feedback is greatly appreciated. BTW, i ordered the “Metric” t-shirt. Can’t wait until it comes in the mail!! 👍🏼
Glad the Hammer machine worked out for you 👊🏼
so how is the machine working for you? i'm asking because the reviews i usually saw were mixed at best about this machine...
Thanks so much for the great review, Jason! You spoke a little bit about the bed length on this particular unit. Once you put the extension kit on the beds, how would you say it handles an 8-foot piece of lumber?
It’s a bit challenging but not unmanageable
The problem would be actually jointing a long board flat with a short bed in the first place the long flat beds like on my jointer are long to help joint long boards those extensions dont look flat, i seen several people using them, like jay bates and couple others. I like felder table saws but how accurate or those in the first place, most tools i see that do multiple things dont do any one job well.
Went to a woodworker in my village this week to see the A3-31 in real live. Wow..... it's an amazing machine. Now I only have to decide if I save some money on the 26 because I have a feeling till now the 26 is 'large' enough for me. Second, I don't have 400v in my garage to it has to be the version with 220v. According Felder this isn't a problem. If anyone know about this, please reply.
I used 220 with a 20amp circuit. No issue.
Hi Jason, I have the very same machine it is awesome for a small shop! On another note what is the flooring on your shop floor? Is it vinyl or polished concrete? Or something else maybe? Keep up the excellent work ! Blessings. Andy.
Look to me like epoxy floor with metal flakes.
It a polyurea concrete coating. Check out my 5 garage mods video. There is more info about it there 👍
Jason, have you ever measured the footprint of the machine in the most compact configuration - like if you wanted to store it along the side of a garage but didn't want a big assembly job each time you used it? On the website they give some of the measurements but they don't specifically show. I was especially interested in how deep it is.
I haven’t. But, if you dig around on the site they have very detailed specks on the size for each machine
@@bentswoodworking I know Jeff has now seen my video but anyone else feel free to check out my quick video on the machine footprint off the wall. The quick answer is about 22.5" best case. kzhead.info/sun/erCnhLWKpoNqgnk/bejne.html
I don’t have a Hammer but I do have a 10” combo with a helical head and it definitely makes me a better woodworker than I know I am. Also have you thought about doing a 10min Tue for things you can’t fit in a 5min Friday? 😛
Lol, it’s 5ish minute videos. 🤣
Crap! Getting mine in two weeks. 5 month wait. I didn’t order the extension kit. Hopefully that’s an easy fix and they aren’t back ordered. Did you find that you kept them off most of the time? Great video
I did keep them on usually. However, the larger models have longer beds. Depends on the model you got.
Hey, Jason at the 4:00 mark you talk about that extension piece. You said it comes in a kit with two. So that price on their site is for two? Is that the same for the longer ones?
I’m not sure if it is sold as a kit.
Don't be put off by the sticker price. The A3-41 is the best bang for buck when you compare the space saving to the cost of comparable individual machines. The only drawback to the machine is that if you don't get the dial indicator, the stock scale isn't the most precise. Other than that small gripe, the A3-41 is a fantastic product
Looking forward to getting it in here
Congrats with your A3-41. I have the 26. Have you ordered the 41 with the silent power cutter? I can recommend it.
I do have the silent power head in the 41 now
BuiltFixed - have you ever measured the footprint that it has if someone were to store it along the side of garage but didn't want to take it entirely apart? I was especially interested in how deep it is (how far it would stick out away from the wall).
@@jeffa847 Hi Jeff. I just made a video showing the space needed and a quick overview of the machine. See the link: kzhead.info/sun/erCnhLWKpoNqgnk/bejne.html
Just wondering if there are any updates on the use of A3-41? I am in the market for a smaller shop to upgrade both my planer (Dewalt 13") and jointer (old Delta 6"). I am torn between going with a combo like the A3-41 or stand alone units. Thinking the combo unit is the way to go?
It’s incredible. I will do an update video down the road.
@@bentswoodworking I like your content and you have an incredible shop. I think you just put me over the top and I will order the A3-41. Was close to ordering the PM 8" parallelogram jointer and then later update the planer but I am just a hobbyist don't really care if it takes me a minute or two to switch over. The flow, space and additional width capacity seem to make sense to me. People complain about the flex of the fence, the time to crank up and down for changeover and a couple other minor issues. I am a Festool guy also. Just got into woodworking a year or so ago at age 62 and have the TS55, CT26, Domino 500, MFK-700, 1400 router, CMS router table, an mft and a mft 3 , RO 90 and a few other misc. things. I have been very happy to buy quality and buy it once and that is what I hope to accomplish with the Hammer planer / jointer. Thanks!
Sorry but one other quick ? With the 41 would you still get the 16" ext table kit?
Does anyone know if the table extensions are compatible with the Jet JJP-12HH? To me, they look almost identical. I reached out to Felder too but thought I’d check here for a quick answer.
I’m not sure
Looks high quality but I just don’t think the short tables cut it personally. Never used it though
The extensions definitely help
Curious how bad is the snipe in planer mode with this machine?
Minimal to non existent
I have the A3-41 and so far the three things I dislike are (1. The instructions. 2. The fence and how it slides 3. The blade guard is annoying and in the way if you move the fence forward as it sticks out in the way of your groin). Aside from that, I love the machine and it's made a HUGE different in my shop.
Oh I take that back, the mobility base is awesome if you are trying to move in tight spaces (aka small shop).
With the blade guard I actually will get a couple extra and make shorter ones for different applications.
@@bentswoodworking that’s a great idea actually.
What are you replacing the machine with then?? Same or different??
Same machine, larger capacity. A3-41
I have the jet version on this unit. Helical head. So far it's been a great machine. Not sure I would have bought it new but I found one at 1200. Was scratch and dent from jet. I personally would find a used 20 inch planer and a used 8 inch jointer. The fit and finish of this unit looks better. But really almost identical.
I'm a complete newbie. Please don't roast me for this. I'm getting into woodworking.. Wondering truly what's the best reason to have a Jointer planer if I'm mostly building cabinets with plywood to start with..
Where a jointer and planer would be good for you with cabinets is if you were doing face frames and doors where you needing to mill lumber for those applications.
@@bentswoodworking Even if I were to do a plywood cabinet or when I use a bit more classy or rare material?
MY biggest issues with felder is I mentioned I had to disassemble the machine to get it into my basement and they said no :(.
That’s a bummer 🤦🏼♂️
my main question about combos is, does jointer need tuning after you do the changeover? The Grizzly, for example, requires lifting in and outfeed separately, so maybe that makes it worse. What is your experience? and if you can proffer a guess on the Grizzly type, what would you say?
I was extremely pleased with the combo. Never any concerns about it needed to be adjusted
That's great for moving
Curious why the combo machine when you have such a large shop?
I wouldn’t say I have a large shop. I had to plan my layout with the possibility of my wife parking in the garage. I’m glad I went to a combo machine.
I forgot about the wife’s parking situation 🤣
You can send me the old machine Jason.
🤣
The customer service sounds awesome, but I have contacted them twice for a quote without a response.....
PURCHASERS AWAITING RESIDENTIAL DELIVERIES - Be prepared to move your equipment from curbside to your shop. Some Freight Companies are no longer backing up driveways, and insist on dropping freight in the street. Even if every other past freight driver has backed up your driveway with no problem, be prepared for this situation and have transportation ready! Also, even if you paid for "delivery", be prepared to pick the item up at the terminal, ESPECIALLY if inclement weather is expected. Felder will send you several emails about having a pallet jack available, but it's unclear to what extent you need it. DO NOT IGNORE THAT RECCOMENDATION, since once it leaves Felder's facility, you are at the whim of the trucking company and the drivers. Some companies and drivers are experienced and reasonable, do not count on your driver being experienced and reasonable. BE PREPARED WITH ALTERNATE TRANSPORT AHEAD OF TIME!
So it is a sponsored video. Certain they wouldn’t send me a machine to use while I waited for the machine I ordered.
It’s not