Hammer N440 or ACM Star 400

[Matthew N. Masail]

I can buy either of these band saw's as Hammer is now being imported to Israel (yeay!). both are the same price... the ACM comes with a 3HP motor and not 1.5 as the site says. The Hammer has 4HP and a little more capacity, but I have no idea about the guides, build quality, materials on both. I know ACM makes the Hammer and I'm sure they are both excellent, but which one should I choose?

http://www.ukhammer.co.uk/gb-en/products/bandsaws/bandsaw-n4400.html

http://www.acmitaly.com/Apps/WebObjects/Acm.woa/1/wa/viewProduct?id=730&lang=eng

Thanks, this is likely to be a final decision unless I decide to save and go for a cheaper saw, but I don't think I will.

[David Kumm]

Matthew, are you sure ACM still makes the Hammer? Felder has begun making some of their own and sourcing others elsewhere-I believe. The Star is the lighter ACM. I would look at the weight of each saw and how the wheels are made. If the wheels are both similar in design, the heavier saw will have the heavier frame. Most other items on a saw can be adjusted or compensated for. A strong frame is to me the single most important factor when buying. I believe the Felder guys have been liking the new Hammer saw but I have no experience with it. I had the older ACM 440 which was a step up from the star at the time and it was an average resaw machine but a great scroll type unit. Would not really tension a carbide blade over 1/2" wide. If you resaw you want a heavy frame. Dave

[Van Huskey]

I think David is correct that the Hammer is built in Austria now, for a while they were still sourcing some of the parts from Italy but I think that is over now, in any event that makes little difference since either place makes fine machines.

For ME this would be simple I would get the Hammer for several reasons:

1. the extra HP is always welcome
2. the extra capacity
3. Felder is very good about customer care (at least in North America)
4. the guides are going to be very similar, what we call European guides


The N440 is called the N4400 in the US http://www.hammerusa.com/us-us/products/bandsaws/bandsaw-n4400-equipment.html despite the fact the picture does not show it is does have a foot brake here NOW. I suspect the Euro version may still come without one since the laws are different on several things like that. I am pretty sure the Star does not have a foot brake, if the N440 does it is one more reason to get it.

We don't have the Star line imported here, we have/do have similar but different models imported here they change things around to appeal to the US market as they appear to do for you, the 1.5hp on the standard 400 would be considered underpowered here as it appears to be there since it is imported with a larger motor. The Hammer imported here has significantly heavier wheels also.

The one key to my advise is checking how closely the N440 compares to the N4400 we get here, but in the end unless it is a vastly different machine I am going for the Hammer.

[Matthew N. Masail]

Thanks guy's! Van, I'm sorry, I wrote N440 but I meant N4400. I'm pretty sure this is the UK version http://www.ukhammer.co.uk/gb-en/products/bandsaws/bandsaw-n4400.html but I'll go look at it before though just to make sure.
I got the info that they were made by ACM from this forum, so I'm may no longer be true at all, in truth it doesn't really matter to me. Thanks again!

[Van Huskey]

Thanks guy's! Van, I'm sorry, I wrote N440 but I meant N4400. I'm pretty sure this is the UK version http://www.ukhammer.co.uk/gb-en/products/bandsaws/bandsaw-n4400.html but I'll go look at it before though just to make sure.
I got the info that they were made by ACM from this forum, so I'm may no longer be true at all, in truth it doesn't really matter to me. Thanks again!

The UK N4400 seems to be the same saw we used to get here, and the picture on the US site still shows the same as the UK site, the US version now has a foot brake but the UK site does not list the foot brake in the specs like it does on the US site. Either way it doesn't change my choice, I would rather have the Hammer.

I really am glad you have been able to find better quality options, if nothing else it gives you choices!

[Matthew N. Masail]

I really am glad you have been able to find better quality options, if nothing else it gives you choices!

Yeah (-: I jumped with joy when someone mentioned that Hammer is being Imported. and thanks man, you have been of great help for me I really appreciate it.