A3-31 arrived: first impressions... (gloat I suppose)

[Nick Lazz]

Well, it finally arrived.... took me two weeks to be ready to actually un-crate it as I was working on the HVAC system; another thread I suppose...

1. Manual, better than some,not as good as others.
2. Yes the fence deflects, however, it does not appear to be troublesome yet.
3. Every....single...chip...is extracted. Wow.
4. It is loud, more so once DC is on and running.
5. Shelix, scmeelix. The cut is absolutely superb! I face jointed 12" maple and no tear out or snipe with absolutely no adjustment. Absolutely ( as far as I could tell) square face to edge.

Overall, I am very impressed with my first impressions of this machine. I forgot to mention: very, very well packaged. Good experience with delivery. May be the best tool in my shop, next to my Clearvue Cyclone DC... have not planed (thicknessed for those European types.. ;) ) yet. Will add to thread once completed for review.

Thanks to those who contributed 4 months ago to help me decide. Very pleased so far!

Nick

[Chuck Isaacson]

I see nothing... I thought that you said you got something...

[Scott Rollins]

congrats. I hope you enjoy your j/p. I am leaning towards the same j/p in my distant future.

[Joseph Tarantino]

good luck with the new tool. from what i saw on the manufacturer's site, it appers to be a very well made tool. what's your impression of the blade guard? on thicker stock, it almost appears a hand could slide between the guard and the blade, or am i not viewing this correctly.

[Myk Rian]

Soo, what is an A3-31?

[Rod Sheridan]

Soo, what is an A3-31?

Hammer 12" jointer/planer................Rod.

[Roger Jensen]

Joseph,

The blade guard is on a spring-loaded hinge so you can raise and lower it to accomodate the wood's thinkness to slide under it.

Roger

[Joseph Tarantino]

could it be raise high enough so a hand could be slipped between it and the blade?

[Roger Jensen]

Sure, but the idea is that you raise it just enough to slide the board under it. Like most safety devices it can be misused.

[Nick Lazz]

good luck with the new tool. from what i saw on the manufacturer's site, it appers to be a very well made tool. what's your impression of the blade guard? on thicker stock, it almost appears a hand could slide between the guard and the blade, or am i not viewing this correctly.

I wasn't sure I would like the blade guard as I was used to the pork chop style, but in my opinion in the little I have used it, it is far better for me.

[Nick Lazz]

I see nothing... I thought that you said you got something...


Okay, I'll post a picture tomorrow... :)

[Darren Brown]

Nick,

How did you move your A3-31 (off the pallet, to its final destination, etc.). I'm expecting delivery of my A3-31 in May and I'm trying to plan ahead.

Thanks,

Darren

[george wilson]

Why would you want to slide your hand under it? I mean,an idiot can ALWAYS find SOME way to hurt himself. we will be using Nerf saw blades some day:)

[Cameron Reddy]

No picture? This is an outrage and the thread should be immediately deleted by the Moderators!! :mad::mad::mad:

An outrage I tell you. An outrage! :mad::mad::mad:

Cameron Reddy

[Mike Gottlieb]

Darren, I used an engine hoist strapped under the base to move mine off the pallets. It was not difficult at all. Good luck with your Hammer - it is a great machine.

[Dennis Lopeman]

Really!? No picture. Now have to google it so I know what it is!!

LOL - no problem.

[Rod Sheridan]

Nick,

How did you move your A3-31 (off the pallet, to its final destination, etc.). I'm expecting delivery of my A3-31 in May and I'm trying to plan ahead.

Thanks,

Darren

Hi Darren, I made a plywood ramp, and then put some pipe scraps under the machine to act as rollers.

You'll love the machine..........Regards, Rod.

[Nick Lazz]

Nick,

How did you move your A3-31 (off the pallet, to its final destination, etc.). I'm expecting delivery of my A3-31 in May and I'm trying to plan ahead.

Thanks,

Darren

I have concrete floors so when it was delivered I had the driver move it with his pallet jack close to its location. Getting it off the pallet was a little tricky, but I made 2 ramps from 2x4 ( about 2' long) and slid / walked it down. I would recommend getting help, as you could tip it over if you're not careful.

Good luck,

Nick

[Nick Lazz]

See attachment for photo...

Nick

[Nick Lazz]

No picture? This is an outrage and the thread should be immediately deleted by the Moderators!! :mad::mad::mad:

An outrage I tell you. An outrage! :mad::mad::mad:

Cameron Reddy

Picture has been posted. :D

[Roger Jensen]

If you ordered the rolling carriage you can mount the wheels while it is on the pallet. It is pretty top heavy so tipping it over is a risk. You can only lift one side about three inches before it starts to feel pretty tippy. I installed aftermarket casters that required lifting the unit up 8 inches or so to drill new holes for the casters. I don't want to do that again...

[Scot Ferraro]

Congratulations on the new machine -- they are awesome and I have been a proud owner for over two years now...hundreds and hundreds of board feet and it works just as well today as it did when it was new.

Scot