underpinner query

[BriggyBoy]

Hi

New to the forum and framing. We have a cassese cs 20 and it'a bit flimsy for our needs we were looking to upgrade to an alfamachine u300p or perhaps something similar?

Any advice greatly appreciated - we are only framing with 2 different polcore 35 mm moulds and wont need it for anything else as we only frame for ourselves.

Thanks

[Not your average framer]

Some of the later Cassese machines are reputed to be less solid than some of the earlier machines such as the CS-88 and the CA-89. The trouble is that evenually the availablity of spares for older machines will no doubt cease to be available, because of something called planned obsolescance. It's not in manufacturers interest to keep these older machine going for ever, if they wish to continue selling newer machines. Unfortunately, the market for underpinners is a mature market and this creates a downward pressure on the prices for new underpinners, because of the strong drive for market share, which is driving lower prices. The weak point with all cassese underpinners is the fact this the hammer blade are essentially construct from a bent piece of metal.

Many other manufactures in this market are producing machines with hammer blade machined out of something more substantial and these machines are much more robust, but they also cost more as well. Time will tell, but Cassese may eventually be killing their own market. There are very good reasons why underpinners made by Alfamacchine and other companies cost more, because the cost more to manufacture. Because of the higher prices many of the companies producing these more solidly made underpinner, normally have to accept that they will never become manufacturers who will dominate the market share race, by many customers who know the difference will gladly pay the extra for something really solid and durable. So the choice is yours, something which is designed with planned obsolescacne as part of the companies marketing plan, or something built to be the best.

Not always an easy choice for some of us, as we all have our financial limits! It is of course still largely true that we generally get what we pay for and that's that.

[BriggyBoy]

Thanks for reply. We are trying as best we can to operate a little production line and the cassese certainly feels like the weak link.

I notice some machines going we'll in to the high thousands but that seems to be for extras like computerised memory which we dont need as we basically have two frames. Are there any others in the alfamachine mould that might work? Would be looking to spend in the 5k mark

[Not your average framer]

Yes, They also make a manual underpinner, which is quite moderately priced. There are some older secondhand machines which come up from time to time, which are still worthwhile foe less money, a lot depends up on what your priorities are, but there are various framers around who are happier to opporate with older equipmene. Some of the older underpiinners seem to go on for ever.

[Gesso&Bole]

The Alfamachine 300 and 400 are both quality machines, I don't think you would go far wrong with either of those. If you are running a serious business I wouldn't fiddle about with second hand equipment, or a manual underpinner.

[BriggyBoy]

Thanks for this yes we have no wish to get used and are fortunate enough to (just) have enough to get it right. The more we look at the 300p it looks like the thing for us