Repaired. Hammer A3 41 Planer Thicknesser

[@MrShanestain]

We have this machine at our local MakerSpace and have had the same problem. I’m not an electrician but since the space has replaced their machines capacitor, they now instruct all members to hold down the on power button for east least 3 seconds when starting up machine to keep capacitor from overheating again. Easy way to prevent this problem from happening again:) I am from Canada so maybe our electrical different but I thought I would pass this on in case it helps:)

[@rodsheridan7048]

Those instructions are in the machine manual. Felder/Hammer single phase machines do not have a centrifugal starting switch in the motor. The machine has a start and run capacitor and a start and run contactor. To start the machine you press and hold the start button, this latches the run contactor closed, and closes the start contactor, putting the start capacitor in the circuit. When you release the start button, the start contactor drops out and the run capacitor stays in the circuit. Failing to hold the start button until the motor has accelerated causes the capacitor to fail, and reduces motor life.

[@GypsyLillies]

Great video... got so involved in that, I burnt my spuds!

[@GTWoodshop]

🤣

[@craigstephen5700]

Very entertaining I must say Graham. Definitely gave me a few laughs. Well done on the repair.

[@nicolassimard5847]

I wish to thank you for this video. Looking for a Hammer in a year or so from now, this valuable information to me. Coming from industrial automation, I have never seen so many motor contractors cramped in such a small box. That’s not a state of the art control panel !

[@GTWoodshop]

Glad it was helpful! 👍

[@michaelnorman5640]

Back in business!

[@johnterdik4707]

Great repair. I think I would have cut the wires near the capacitors and joined the wire from the new capacitors to the wire I just cut. This would avoid the problems of removing the overly stuffed box. I replaced the cutter head with knives with a Shelix head on my A3-31. It was a huge effort, before starting I watch several videos and discovered differences in the videos due to changes in the machine as Felder changed things over time. Also, Felder documentation was far from good. If I were to replace my A3-31 I would go with two stand alone units. Most of my projects are on the small side and results in frequent changes between the two modes.

[@sekiwiorydziury1457]

Hello. This is an amazing machine. When set up properly, it will do a great job

[@bradbarnes8692]

Nice job

[@markgillett1472]

I had a similar problem with a blown startup capacitor on my dust collector motor, and like you I knew nothing about this, but I watched a few YT videos, bit the bullet, bought some electrical connectors, and a new capacitor online. It was a daunting task at the start when I knew nothing, but having fixed one machine, the next time it happens on any machine, I will be 'in the know', and very able to fix any machine with a similar problem like a pro. As people have said, these startup capacitors do blow, and have to be hidden away where they are 'safe', so there's no real way of making them 'easily accessible' to get at when they need replacing. I did feel your pain, as I went through the same process, but feel I now well able to change this part on any of my machines, with much less fear, ha ha.

[@GTWoodshop]

I'm now a member of the same club. 😁

[@denisoriordan6739]

Just my tuppence worth, Graham. Those capacitors are there to make a machine designed to be fed 3 phase electricity useable on single phase. They store huge amounts of energy that gets released very quickly. Life changing quickly. Don’t eff around with them. While there is no polarity, wiring is important, because there is an input side & an output side. You spent enough money on the machine, get them to send out a tech to fix it.

[@GTWoodshop]

Thanks Denis.

[@rodsheridan7048]

That's not correct Denis, they are single phase motors with a start and run capacitor, they are absolutely not three phase motors.

[@jbuitendam9236]

well done man 👍👍👍

[@SteveMonk1956]

Well done, you not only fixed your planer but you also overcome a few fears. I'd forget the tea and have a whiskey. But don't use any machines for a while after :-)

[@GTWoodshop]

Damn good idea. 🤣

[@extremewoodworker]

Glad you are up and running again. Capacitors do fail and have had to replace a few myself (bandsaw and AC unit). I agree expected replacement parts should be more accessible but the same can be said for car maintenance items such as oil filter and spark plug access. I have often thought "What were they thinking?" when they designed this. Steve

[@GTWoodshop]

Thanks Steve, bit of a learning curve for me but delighted to have my machine back. 👍

[@wguerra]

If you allow me and if you accept suggestions in terms of easy car maintenance (oil filter), I can indicate the Subaru brand.

[@markjervis8558]

Jobs a good one 💪

[@thistleman5]

Hi Graham. Fully agree with your comment re Hammer v Felder. My initial thoughts when I was equipping my workshop was to go down the Hammer route. However after visiting Felder UK I re-evaluated. Even though the hammer felt pretty solid the Felder machinery was much heavier and robust. The difference between Hammer and Felder 500 series did not appear that great whilst there seemed to be a major change between Hammer and Felder 700 series. The Felder 900 series was better still but at a very significant price increase. For me the sweet spot was the Felder 700 series. The item that really showed up the differences between the various options was the sliding table on the saws. The Felders were so much smoother than the Hammer equivalent. As I work in a domestic setting and was limited to a single phase I settled on an AD741 planer/thicknesser, a FB510 bandsaw and KF 700 S Professional saw/spindle moulder. Fortunately no problems to date and for me the ultimate machine combination

[@GTWoodshop]

Good to know thank you. 👍

[@ryanackland9330]

I have just ordered my A3-31 and B3 Winner Comfort. Who did you use for delivery, did you use Felders delivery service or your own? I live on Bodmin Moor and didn’t know if you used a local firm. Loving your videos and teaching, I am now fully subscribed 👍

[@GTWoodshop]

Hi Ryan, I picked up the A3 41 in my van by I had the saw delivered, I let Felder sort the Delv company and they did a good job. Welcome aboard and hope you enjoy the new kit. 👍

[@ryanackland9330]

That’s great info, thank you very much. Yeh I’m really excited, it’s taken 15years to be able to afford such machines, I’m sure it will be worth it. Thank you for sharing your views, opinions and insights into your journey with your Hammer machines. All the very best for the new year, and hope you and your family have a fantastic Christmas👍

[@horacionochetto8454]

Great job! Now I have 2 questions. Would you buy another hammer machine? And in the past, did you depress the on button till it fully spun up? I herd that if this process isn't done, it lowers the capacitor lifespan.

[@GTWoodshop]

Hi Horacio, probably not and I thought I did, well, at least some of the time. Obvisouly not enough.

[@jimpackard8059]

The reason the condensers are located where they are is because it is the cheapest option. If you pay a cheap price for a machine which he has done, buying a Hammer , you get what you pay for.

[@firehorse74]

Hi Can i ask a question as a new woodworker, can you straighten redwood by putting it through the thicknesser?

[@GTWoodshop]

Hi Firehorse, you can straighten wood / flatten wood using a thicknesser but its easier and quicker using a planer. 👍

[@firehorse74]

@@GTWoodshop hi thank you for the reply I had put it on my planer but it just planned the middle due to warping

[@davidmanger5193]

Interesting your thoughts about Hammer now that you’ve had them for a little while. I remember saying when you put out your teaser video as to what brand of saw you were buying that I didn’t think it would be a a Hammer as it was a sideways move. I have the Hammer A3 41 and B3 winner comfort and as you say they are not cheap but there does appear to be some cost cutting. The bearings on the sliding table of the saw are not overly smooth and the knobs and handwheels are rather cheap and plasticky. You say that people are delighted when they change to Felder products as there is probably a significant increase in quality to match the significant price hike. However, I wonder if these are 3 phase machines which, and I’m only guessing, may not suffer the same capacitor issues as single phase ones. I’m starting to get a bit of snipe when thicknessing and the manual says to call an engineer to resolve. I may well do this as my last attempt to adjust it failed miserably and required the engineer to come out three times! Long term I too may consider Felder machines or change brand completely. SCM get pretty good reviews.

[@GTWoodshop]

Hi David, I was told by a Felder engineer that you have to have a 2mtr accurate rule to set the tables, but they cost around £800!!! not good.

[@louishayworth9023]

107 for a 15 quid part is still outrageous

[@GTWoodshop]

Agree.

[@wguerra]

What would it cost Felder to make a detailed video showing how to do this repair?

[@jimpackard8059]

Why would they do that ? It is a job that should be carried out by a competent electrician.

[@brian2831]

The new Capacitors have arrived and this scares me! Should I really be doing this? No i have machines from 1960 with the original capacitors but not made in china Hammer should have sorted this.

[@GTWoodshop]

Wow, thats impressive.

[@neilarmitage6632]

Why didn't the Hammer dealers fix it ?

[@GTWoodshop]

Hi Neil, not under warranty.

[@neilarmitage6632]

@@GTWoodshop even though. It's better to pay your local felder dealer repair centre. Then the responsibility is theirs to get it correct. I'm 350 km away from my Felder dealer. I have Felder and Hammer machines. The dealer installed them. Set them up. Calibrated them. And they service and maintain them regularly like you would expensive motor vehicles.

[@GTWoodshop]

@@neilarmitage6632, would love to, but they're 300 miles away which increases the cost considerably, I tend to call them when I'm unable to remedy the situation myself.

[@jrumbel]

The capacitors should have been plug and play. No wiring, just plug in. If they are likely to fail, at least make the change over easy.

[@georgeg8856]

Capacitor melting... that amateur hour crap. I've got motors that are 40 years old and never had that happen. Should be have been covered.

[@jimpackard8059]

For the life of me, I cannot understand why he did not employ a competent electrician to tackle this job. He could easily have blown up some expensive components or worse still had an accident.

[@Coffeesurgeons]

A huge mountain out of a molehill I'm afraid. There is no polarity indicators as capacitors are not polarised they can go either way round. it was mentioned in a comment you replied to on the last video. Trace the wires swap them over, not rocket science. a lot of whinging for something that is a normal part of maintaining your equipment really. les time whining would mean quick swap over and simple job. Seriously... The reason they aren't on the outside of the machine highly easily accessible it to keep you alive when its running.. you cant really have it both ways but hey. and you could have save a heap of money if you took the blown one out and went to an electrical wholesaler.. its a simple cheap part. IUnderstand you are not electrically minded.. but if that's the case be prepared to pay a service tech to fix it or call an electrician rather than moan and complain about a manufacturers machine and bag it unfairly because of your lack of knowledge. to be honest I think you owe the company an apology for speaking badly about perfectly good equipment. The only thing they have done wrong is by far overcharge you for the part.

[@GTWoodshop]

Hi CoffeeSurgeons, just being honest. As I asked in the vid 'Is this normal? Is this difficult because I don't know? Apparently so. You live and learn. I'm just really pleased to have it up and running again. Thanks for watching. 👍

[@brian2831]

coffeesurgeons you are indeed a moron no one should mess with capacitors unless they know they would get a nasty shock from them. The firm should have maned up and fixed item

[@TheDaniel85]

Perfectly good parts should not fail this quickly, it's not the first time Felder has been caught putting sub standard electrical parts in their Hammer line.. A while back they tended to burn out the braking resistors for the motors because they were not up to spec. If anything, Felder should have replaced these ones for free... My guess is that these caps were a second source due to savings or regular part shortage and not enough verification was done on the part..

[@frankvanderwal4571]

Congratulations Graham! You are the proud owner of a non-smoking Hammer machine!😊. I’m still surprised by the fact that your capacitor failed as I am to read it from @extremewoodworker that his failed as well. For me, capacitors, if well sized, should be able to run for years and years. Thát bothers me that the engineers at Felder/Hammer has cut cost (by a tiny fraction) resulting in a failing (and smoking) machine. As capacitors are not on my list of frequently failing parts, I can imaging that Felder tugged them away in a spot that wasn’t easy to access, but again, as they sized them poorly it resulted in a nasty job (and an entertaining video…) As I mentioned in my comment on your previous Felder video, I’m als a proud owner of some Hammer stuff and your last remark (anout their budget line) made me think. Fortunately, my stuff still runs, but found a couple of small annoyances along the way that shouldn’t be there for products in that prices range. Simpel and silly things like if you use the supplied bolds and nuts on the Hammer bandsaw, one could open the door to clean the inside and replace the saw. That, in comparison to Festool, where everything is well thought of, puts Felder/Hammer in a strange position. Anyway, Graham, I’m glad to see that you are up and running again and let’s hope these capacitors are there to stay! Cheers,__Frank

[@GTWoodshop]

Thanks Frank.