They've Been Together for Quite a While and Separation for Marc Fish

The test of time

Hammer it was diagnosed that there was an incorrect bracket. This must have happened at the factory and missed quality control. A new part was on my doorstep before 9am the following day. Great service. Setting up The blade runs on cast iron top and bottom wheels, which are fitted with long-lasting tyres. It has two sets of guides, one located under the table and one mounted on the adjustable guard. These are made up of two toolless side bearing guides and a rear thrust bearing. These are easy to adjust and can be set to very fine tolerances and locked in place. The saw table is made of substantial cast iron, which can be tilted up to 45° with the socket wrench provided. I recommend a sacrificial table insert when using the machine in this mode. The machine comes with a massive 4hp motor available in single and three phase. The motor easily provides enough power for anything we’ve wanted to put through our machine. The N4400 capacity is excellent for a bandsaw in its price F&C bracket.

DREAM Tension The range of blades the machine can iley a accommodate are between 6mm and 25mm although the specification Team states 20mm. We’ve been using 25mm for as long as we have had

Courtesy GMC/Anthony B the machine without any problems. The small size will easily cut a 15mm radius and the larger ones are perfect They’ve been together for quite a its versatility makes it indispensable. for deep re-saw work, cutting veneers Having had our Hammer N4400 or producing laminates. while and separation for Marc Fish bandsaw for nearly six years I feel The machine has a tensioning we’re in a great position to review the window that’s clear and easily read. and his Hammer N4400 bandsaw machine and offer our thoughts. I have to say that I’ve never had The product came nicely packaged, much confidence in this style of looks extremely unlikely with maintenance tools and tension measurement so have had comprehensive instructions. After these checked. It’s also best to n our workshop the one machine I unpacking our bandsaw and have the blade tested with a meter. really wouldn’t want to lose would attempting to fit the two blades that The large blades that we use on Ibe my bandsaw. My students often came with the machine I found that this machine are tungsten carbide, ask what machines would they need the 6mm blade would not fit. This tipped and available through Allied to start up their workshop and are was a little annoying, however these Tooling. They’re not cheap but the surprised when I don’t instantly say things happen and it’s how a company two combined make an excellent “a table saw.” The right bandsaw is deals with incidents like this that is team. I had a representative from a real benefit to any workshop, important. After a short phone call to Allied Tooling come down to check

66 F&C182 www.woodworkersinstitute.com TESTS & EQUIPMENT Hammer N4400 bandsaw

The heavy cast iron drive wheels are factory balanced and fitted with a The tooless blade gides are easy to access above and below the table durable rubber tyre the tension of the machine with the F&C Verdict new blades compared to that of the original ones and there was a This is a very rugged machine discrepancy. The tungsten carbide that has not skipped a beat in blades need a lot more tension so six years. I bought it for use in a the scale guide in this instance is not workshop occupied by four makers an accurate indicator of the setting. of varying ability. It’s now used on I wouldn’t say this is a fault of the a daily basis by a group of seven manufacturers but a dual scale might professionals and students. I fully be something they would be prepared expect to be running the same to consider. If the guides are set up machine in six years time and in correctly with the TCT blade, I can which case will gladly add to this cut veneer less than 1mm thick or rip review. sequential laminates from the same board that do not need thicknessing Pros afterwards. Such is my confidence in Powerful motor this machine and blade combination. Solid construction Reliable guides Fence Tensions to accept TCT blades On my version of the bandsaw the fence is a little basic so I upgraded Cons to a Kreg bandsaw fence kit. The None advantages of this over the supplied unit is that it has an adjustable The numbers measuring scale and the old fence Motor power 3 phase/4hp has no scale fitted. This is not the Single phase/4hp case with the new N4400, as Hammer Max cutting height 275mm have modified this component. Max cutting width 420mm Dust extraction is through a 100mm Table size 420 x 575 outlet at the bottom of the machine. Fly-wheel speed 850rpm As such it relies on gravity and a certain amount of downward force Accessories generated by the blade. The dust is Extension table/support removed from the casing when it falls Circle cutting jig in front of the port. Once again we Lifting trolley and wheels upgraded by installing a flexi pipe that Sanding belt attachment hovers above the table, which we can easily adjust to where it’s needed. Price £1366 for single phase plus This is a common fault with all delivery bandsaws and not unique to Hammer or this machine. F&C TCT blades are the perfect upgrade to the N4400 From www.ukhammer.co.uk www.woodworkersinsitute.com F&C182 67