Thanks for the very detailed review. I am seriously considering getting a minimax combo and as You said, there are not many videos up on it so this adds a lot!
Spot on. Hammer A3-41 owner here. SO disappointed. Tables were completely out of whack. Three days I spent trying to get them co-planner. Three solid days. Technical support was pretty much useless. I actually FaceTimed and the kid looked completely bored. To say I was annoyed is an understatement. I thought about having the machine professionally calibrated do it but it’s over $1000. So I will probably end up like you… Taking a complete beating on the machine. I’ve got a it calibrated finally, but I’ve lost total confidence in it. Hoping to get the 41ES which is a real real real jump in price but at this point I’m going for as much quality and bells and whistles that I can. The only reason I did not go with SCM originally was due to lack of information out there. Really wish I had done some more digging I would’ve seen so many bad reviews about the Hammer. Seriously Felder wake up it’s turned me off against your entire line.
Given your difficulty with Hammer, I don't see why you would give them another chance with one of their more expensive machines. I wrote them off when I moved on from the A3/31 I had. Minimax makes larger models.
I got the same machine a few months ago! It performs incredible. I run it without dust collection and instead have a bin on the input end that catches most of the shavings. Hasn't been an issue. Same grip about the plastic pork chop. It annoys me enough that I might make a replacement out of wood. I am pissed though because I found out about the 4 in 1 30GT right after purchasing 🤬 and it's only a little more. I was needing a table saw and shaper too! Well, the 30C has the xylent knives and is already big/heavy enough as it is so maybe it's for the best.
How is surface maintenance with the rougher finish in comparison to the polished cast iron? I'd imagine removing surface rust and applying coatings is more tedious, hard to tell digitally.
I would think removing surface rust is always a lot of work. I've never had to do it. The beds on all my machines may get a bit tarnished, but I've never had outright rust. As for coating. I see no difference. I use Renaissance Wax as a protectant. It goes on just as easy as a polished surface. These beds are not rough. It's not like it's sandpaper.
I recently purchased the FS 41C and will take delivery in a few days. Looked at the same alternatives and came to the same conclusions that you did. The SCM MiniMax rep that you mentioned is probably Sam Blasco. I bought my machine through him and he was very helpful. Although it's a little difficult to see, It appears that your machine may have after-market casters. If so, which ones did you purchase? I would like to have the added mobility but am a little concerned because they will bring the bed height up to about 39". Overall I enjoyed your thorough and articulate review.
The casters are Zambus AC-300 with a 12mm stud. The brand and model was recommended by Sam Blasco. They're excellent casters. A bit pricy but far and away better than any other caster I've ever seen. Given what you just spent on your machine, they're a drop in the bucket. They do raise the machine by about 2.5 inches, which I can live with. I would check with Sam though. Your larger machine may require a different size.
Nice Review! I actually have the FS41e J/P and like it a lot...but I'm having a problem and wonder if you've run into it also.... lately boards are stopping just before exiting in the planer mode. I suspect it's an issue with the pressure rollers (?out feed roller)... Of course the Manual is useless.... Any thoughts? Thanks!
I suspect your guess is probably correct, The tension of the out feed roller is probably off. As for my machine. No such problem, it performs perfectly.
I'm really considering this machine with the Tersa knives, which sounds like a wash with the Xylent depending on who you ask. Do you get any snipe with the thickness planer, or the adjustable rollers do a good job of eliminating it?
If you support the board properly on infeed and outfeed you get practically none. At least with hard woods I use. I never bother with making sure my boards are over long. That’s how little I have to worry about it.
it's footprint is 24". Mine sits about 6" from the wall for a total of 30". But that's because I left off the rear blade guard. It covers the blade when you move the fence forward. But it would need about 12 more inches of clearance in order to work. That's why I left it off.
@@chrisdesautels5394appreciate it. Just took delivery :) absolutely blown away by how quiet it is - I can hear the chips going through the dust hose over the sound of machine. Glad I saw your review before buying a hammer.
Thanks for the very detailed review. I am seriously considering getting a minimax combo and as You said, there are not many videos up on it so this adds a lot!
thank you for this video. I’m going to pick mine up next week. This helped A LOT! awesome 👏🏾
Spot on. Hammer A3-41 owner here. SO disappointed. Tables were completely out of whack. Three days I spent trying to get them co-planner. Three solid days. Technical support was pretty much useless. I actually FaceTimed and the kid looked completely bored. To say I was annoyed is an understatement. I thought about having the machine professionally calibrated do it but it’s over $1000. So I will probably end up like you… Taking a complete beating on the machine. I’ve got a it calibrated finally, but I’ve lost total confidence in it. Hoping to get the 41ES which is a real real real jump in price but at this point I’m going for as much quality and bells and whistles that I can.
The only reason I did not go with SCM originally was due to lack of information out there. Really wish I had done some more digging I would’ve seen so many bad reviews about the Hammer. Seriously Felder wake up it’s turned me off against your entire line.
Given your difficulty with Hammer, I don't see why you would give them another chance with one of their more expensive machines. I wrote them off when I moved on from the A3/31 I had. Minimax makes larger models.
Excellent review, appreciate you sharing and it's great to see you are happy with your machine, it's a substantial investment.
I got the same machine a few months ago! It performs incredible. I run it without dust collection and instead have a bin on the input end that catches most of the shavings. Hasn't been an issue. Same grip about the plastic pork chop. It annoys me enough that I might make a replacement out of wood.
I am pissed though because I found out about the 4 in 1 30GT right after purchasing 🤬 and it's only a little more. I was needing a table saw and shaper too! Well, the 30C has the xylent knives and is already big/heavy enough as it is so maybe it's for the best.
How is surface maintenance with the rougher finish in comparison to the polished cast iron? I'd imagine removing surface rust and applying coatings is more tedious, hard to tell digitally.
I would think removing surface rust is always a lot of work. I've never had to do it. The beds on all my machines may get a bit tarnished, but I've never had outright rust. As for coating. I see no difference. I use Renaissance Wax as a protectant. It goes on just as easy as a polished surface. These beds are not rough. It's not like it's sandpaper.
@@chrisdesautels5394 gotcha, makes sense. Appreciate your insight
I recently purchased the FS 41C and will take delivery in a few days. Looked at the same alternatives and came to the same conclusions that you did. The SCM MiniMax rep that you mentioned is probably Sam Blasco. I bought my machine through him and he was very helpful.
Although it's a little difficult to see, It appears that your machine may have after-market casters. If so, which ones did you purchase? I would like to have the added mobility but am a little concerned because they will bring the bed height up to about 39". Overall I enjoyed your thorough and articulate review.
The casters are Zambus AC-300 with a 12mm stud. The brand and model was recommended by Sam Blasco. They're excellent casters. A bit pricy but far and away better than any other caster I've ever seen. Given what you just spent on your machine, they're a drop in the bucket. They do raise the machine by about 2.5 inches, which I can live with. I would check with Sam though. Your larger machine may require a different size.
Nice Review! I actually have the FS41e J/P and like it a lot...but I'm having a problem and wonder if you've run into it also.... lately boards are stopping just before exiting in the planer mode. I suspect it's an issue with the pressure rollers (?out feed roller)... Of course the Manual is useless.... Any thoughts? Thanks!
Reach out to Sam Blasco of Minimax. He'll probably be able to tell you what to do.
I suspect your guess is probably correct, The tension of the out feed roller is probably off. As for my machine. No such problem, it performs perfectly.
I'm really considering this machine with the Tersa knives, which sounds like a wash with the Xylent depending on who you ask. Do you get any snipe with the thickness planer, or the adjustable rollers do a good job of eliminating it?
If you support the board properly on infeed and outfeed you get practically none. At least with hard woods I use. I never bother with making sure my boards are over long. That’s how little I have to worry about it.
are there two roller speeds? would that left lever continue upward for a different speed?
Just one roller speed.
How big is the footprint when pushed up against a wall? (ie how far off the wall does it protrude?)
it's footprint is 24". Mine sits about 6" from the wall for a total of 30". But that's because I left off the rear blade guard. It covers the blade when you move the fence forward. But it would need about 12 more inches of clearance in order to work. That's why I left it off.
@@chrisdesautels5394appreciate it. Just took delivery :) absolutely blown away by how quiet it is - I can hear the chips going through the dust hose over the sound of machine. Glad I saw your review before buying a hammer.