Hello,
I recently purchased a Hammer A3/41 jointer/planer. I’m having a hard time getting the outfeed and infeed tables into coplainer. I’ve spoken with Felder techs a few times and not getting much help. I’m trying to avoid the $4000 cost to have a Felder tech come out. Anyone know a machine tech near Seattle?
Thank you!
Rob
Replies
Hey Rob, have you reached out to https://www.equipmentsalesandsurplus.com/
Though they don't service Felder, they may have a lead for you.
best of luck.
Have you tried youtube as well, I've been surprised how much info is out there. Some good, some bad but may be worth searching.
Thank you! I will try them. I’ve watched every YouTube video and spent hours trying to calibrate it and it’s not working.
$4k really! Fly in from Austria? Do they bring strudel for that? Seems excessive for a $6000 machine. It would be cheaper to trailer it down to Sacramento yourself. And I thought I wanted one of those. Service and support I guess needs to be considered before you buy a machine. Having 4 service centers ,N,S,E & W might work in Austria but not in a country this large. 18 hour drive to the repairman doesn't really work does it!
I have a combo machine, not a Hammer although that's what I was looking for but with the plague and the wait and finding a good deal on a Grizzly I went for that. I fussed and fussed trying to get it coplaner. One side of the of the outfeed table was factory set with no adjustment and they gave a specific dimension for that. When I realized that their number was off, and actually in machinest terms, way off, I tossed the book and getting it coplaner then became quite easy.
For a "technician " I would first try calling places that sell or service woodworking machinery in your area or machinery of any sort. They might be able to help you or direct you to someone who can.
I started out buying derelict machines and rebuilding them because i was poor and in all honesty I'm not particularly great at it but these machines are for woodworking and they're not that complicated, they aren't Spaceshuttles or sewing machines even and the tolerances are somewhat forgiving. You don't need a Felder technician or even someone that has ever seen a Felder. What you need is someone that is mechanically inclined. There are people that could spend two minutes looking at your jointer and just get it. It could be the kid down the block building hotrods.
Applaud your spirit! I will say to @dminnery that if you're going to attempt it yourself, you might benefit from a dial indicator and magnetic base. That allows you to definitively measure how out of plane the two surfaces are across a wide area and make appropriate adjustments. In my experience, beats a straightedge and feeler gauge every time.
Did you ever find a technician? I just bought a used A3-41 at an auction (2019 model) and I want to get everything perfect before I start using it. I am in Olympia, so close to you.
This is not directly responsive to your question but, in the event that it might be helpful, here is an A3 31 owner’s description of his process for adjusting his machine.
https://www.rpwoodwork.com/blog/tag/jointer-planer-combo/
Thank you. This should be a big help. I scored an A3-41 2019 model for $2250 at a recent auction that will deliver week after next. Excited to put it to use.
Last year I shopped for one of those and before I pulled the trigger I watched many youtube videos for setup. It completely discouraged me from buying one. Then I saw what it would cost to service one and that was all I needed to see. If I was younger I might have a go but being an elder there's no way I'd want to take that on.
Unfortunately we're stuck with Asian made goods which might be the best we see as we regress into the future.
I’m pretty sure the adjustment process is similar for other combination machines with lifting tables. The principles are the same regardless of country of manufacture.
A dedicated jointer would be easier since the adjustments are usually topside and you don’t have to lift the tables.
I recently had a chance to look at a WoodMizer MP160. It has topside jointer table adjustments since the tables are fixed.
Hammer was the only combo machine I’d consider.
For that sort of money I would just buy a new joiner!
I would suggest for you to go down to the local Capenters Union Hall and ask for the services for a millwright's shop. They could send you in the right direction for someone to services your equipment.