Replies

1. 
   Rich14 | Nov 25, 2006 05:10pm | #1

   Don't have one yet. Sometime after the first week in Feb., I'll try to give some feedback. I don't anticipate being disappointed! Rich

2. 
   JMartinsky | Nov 25, 2006 08:22pm | #2

   Dear T,
   Have you looked at Minimax? I think that they price out a bit better, but I'm not sure. I looked at one a while ago and was very impressed.

   Best,

   John

3. 
   nikkiwood | Nov 25, 2006 10:00pm | #3

   Do you have a link for the Hammer J/P you're talking about?

   I assume you have also been looking at the MiniMax version.

   ********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

1. 
   Rich14 | Nov 26, 2006 12:18am | #4

   I've compared the comparably-priced Hammer and MiniMax machines quite a bit. A decision between the two comes down to a matter of personal choice. There are differences between the two machines in certain minor details and there certainly are distinctive "personality" differences, but they are both high-end, compact, excellent pieces of equipment. The Hammer tables can be extended easily, the Minimax has a Tersa head on which knives can be changed out in less than 30 seconds each (Hammer quick change is a tortuously-long 60 seconds each), Hammer has somewhat higher level of finish. Neither "out-performs" the other in any meaningful way.

1. 
   nikkiwood | Nov 26, 2006 09:23am | #5

   What have you learned about Hammer customer service?Minimax is getting high marks around here.********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

1. 
   Rich14 | Nov 26, 2006 05:30pm | #6

   Nothing yet. As I indicated, my equipment won't arrive until early February. But I discussed some of the problems others have described in this Forum with the national sales manager, Eric. As always there are 3 sides to every story. A's version, B's version and the Truth. Rich

1. 
   nikkiwood | Nov 26, 2006 06:59pm | #7

   Do you have a link for the Hammer you bought?I have an Inca J/P, which as you probably know, is no longer imported or supported in this country.It is a perfectly wonderful machine, but one day it will die, and I will have to move quickly to replace it. So far, the Minimax is the leading candidate, but I don't know much about the Hammer, which is the reason for all the questions.********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

2. 
   JerryPacMan | Nov 26, 2006 07:22pm | #9

   A link to Felder/Hammer is below.  Their is a J/P comparison in FC, a UK publication that picked the Hammer as the best buy.  You will have to create a login to read and print the review.

   http://usa.felder-gruppe.at/ 

   Life is what happens to you when you're making other plans .

3. 
   nikkiwood | Nov 26, 2006 07:50pm | #10

   Thanks.Very interesting review; covered machines I've never heard of -- i.e. KDR, Sedgwick.********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

4. 
   Rich14 | Nov 26, 2006 09:47pm | #11

   Here are some links:http://usa.felder-gruppe.at/andhttp://usa.felder-gruppe.at/?page=maschinen_details&xat_code=8e496d7a4bb0bf507868&parent=e44e4143145156c16db4I got the C3-31 Kombination machine (that's the way they spelled it on my sales contract) with the "Comfort" sliding table (78"). (12" Sliding table-table saw w/scoring assembly; 12" jointer/planer; shaper; horizontal mortiser). They also included a bit of accessory equipment.(Others reading this may have seen other messages a few weeks ago from me regarding my having decided to get the MiniMax. After that post, Hammer/Felder got in touch with me again. It's a long story, I ended up ordering the Hammer and I'm very satisfied with my purchase. It comes down to a personal choice at this level. The comparable MiniMax equipment is every bit the equal in performance. I guess I like red painted graphics on the chassis rather than blue. And I'll have to learn German-Austrian rather than Italian to operate!)Rich

5. 
   JerryPacMan | Nov 26, 2006 11:23pm | #12

   I think you will be very happy with the Hammer combo, I love my Hammer K3 saw/shaper combo.  Also, I do like the red paint better than the blue. 

   Life is what happens to you when you're making other plans .

6. 
   Rich14 | Nov 27, 2006 02:45am | #14

   Jerry, Thanks. I've never used a shaper before. I've already realized I can dispose of a number of jigs for the saw and router and do the jobs much more accurately with the shaper.

7. 
   nikkiwood | Nov 27, 2006 01:03am | #13

   I didn't realize you were getting one of the full blown combos (I thought it was just the J/P they sell).From the reports I have read around here, it is a heckuva machine. Good luck with it.********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

8. 
   Rich14 | Nov 27, 2006 02:47am | #15

   Thanks. As the salesman said, "You know, this is going to be your last saw!" Of course, I can always lust after a full-blown Felder model!

4. 
   NumberNine | Nov 26, 2006 07:20pm | #8

   I bought the Hammer 12" J/P in August. I'm very happy with it. It is a really beautiful machine. I had concerns about the fence as I'm used to using industrial 16's with everything cast iron. My concerns proved unfounded as it has worked just great.

5. 
   Hastings | Nov 27, 2006 05:57am | #16

   I have just taken delivery of a Felder combination machine. The first machine was damaged in shipping and Felder couldn't have been more professional. The first machine went out production and a replacement was not available. They upgraded and honored all the promises made at IWF in Atlanta.

   I think you will find the folks at Felder/Hammer fair and reasonable, as I did.

   Good luck!

6. 
   Jamie_Buxton | Nov 27, 2006 06:11am | #17

   I've had a Hammer A3-31 jointer/thicknesser for eight years.   It is a good machine, and  I've surfaced miles of lumber with it.   However, I must admit I'm PO'd at Hammer right now.   They've had knives for it on back order for eight weeks now.   The machine is worthless without knives.

1. 
   RickL | Nov 27, 2006 08:00pm | #18

   I thought the knives were the Tersa style. Can't you just order them from Tersa???

1. 
   tcbaldmtn | Nov 27, 2006 09:10pm | #19

   Thanks for all of the positive feedback.  I work at a local woodworking store and can get equipment cost + 11%.  I checked with a couple of the machine reps and the cost of a 12" jointer is approx $3400.  I was in the market for a planer also.  I think I'll go with the Hammer this spring.

   Now the big question the 12" or the 16"?

1. 
   Rich14 | Nov 27, 2006 09:24pm | #20

   All other things being equal, bigger is always better. In the case of these machines, going to the 16" model does not increase the mass of the overall equipment exponentially as is often the case with "conventional" machines. The 16" model is "slightly" bigger overall, yet gives all the service of the bigger dimension.

   And the fence is better on the 16".

   If you can jusify the cost, you won't regret it.

   Rich

2. 
   Jamie_Buxton | Nov 28, 2006 06:25am | #21

   Hammer knives are not the same as Tersa.   They are quick-change throwaway knives, but aren't the same shape as Tersa.  Esta is said to be a second source for Hammer knives, but their minimum order is 10 sets.

1. 
   RickL | Nov 28, 2006 03:14pm | #22

   http://www.grizzly.com/catalog/2006/Main/55

   Grizzly sells the Esta blades in smaller amounts