Spindle moulder advice

[markturner]

Hi, I am considering buying one, needs to be compact and I want the best possible quality for the money........any comments on a Hammer F3 3 phase machine? Been looking at new itech ITWMBUWS1000TA for similar money. Both come with power feed and sliding table........

Looking to spend up to £2.5K

 

[HOJ]

Looking to spend up to £2.5K

I would advise if this is your budget for a machine, have you made an allowance for the tooling.

 

[Gary B]

Are you sure the Hammer F3 comes with a power feeder for £2.5k?

 

[Cabinetman]

Yes tooling is expensive! Are you going to be putting lots and lots through it? You may not need a power feed, I certainly have never bothered with one.
Personally I would have a look at second hand Sedgwick or SCM, good solid machines.

 

[johnnyb]

I would suggest a medium duty. Used. Complete with everything Inc sliding table, ring fence, power feed, tenon plate, micro fence even a tilting spindle. And as people have mentioned as much tooling as possible. The actual machine is 1/3, 2/3 is the other bits.
A power feed is totally essential for serious use imho. A tilting spindle much less so.
Scm t50 or t55 is a super recommendation. Sedgwick sm4 is good and fairly common. Hammer are not brilliant just OK. Felder are quite a lot more. It's basically a shaft with bearings and a motor. So the extras are really important to its versatility.(especially tooling)

 

[johnnyb]

A t40n is a bit more compact. Still 3kw though.

 

[markturner]

The hammer I was looking at does, its a used one, but only a few hours......looks brand new . Tooling would be extra I guess. Will look at the recommendations

 

[Ollie78]

Keep your eyes on ebay, do you have 3 phase ? because they are normally cheaper.
Power feed and sliding table are pretty essential for joinery work.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/15644963...CmoU11pn5b/Nwn0UGI+Qdr7w==|tkp:Bk9SR77po_jdZA

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/16706082...j2D3YISiL5B/UIAK7rJ7azWIM=|tkp:Bk9SR8Dpo_jdZA

 

[markturner]

Thanks, I had seen both of those, what are thoughts on itech? looks a nice clean compact package with all the bits....I do have 3 phase from a convertor, which I could split the supply from, was tempted by the newer itech over the sedgewick, though the latter seems to have a great rep....

If I was choosing between the Hammer and the itech, which would you say is best?

 

[deema]

If choosing between the two you’ve asked the question about I would chose the Hammer. It’s a better built machine IMO. Just be aware Hammer and Felder machines have a trend of being subject to scam selling. Not saying the one you’ve found is.

 

[markturner]

Well, I am really dithering....the itech is new and unused, the Hammer, a 2004, but not much used...its also £250 more. Both have feed and sliding carriage.....really cant decide. What are the itech like? I have not seen any reviews.....I know the hammer will be good, just wondering if saving £250 and getting a new machine trumps the hammer......the hammer is nearly twice the power though.....also looking at a nearly new sedgewick sm4 for another £700 above the hammer....