I’ve decided to invest in a new foot operated underpinner. I was going to buy an alphamachine U200 but Wessex have recommended the A+ automation (manual operation) Gary White of WP recons it’s made by the same people that used to make Alfamachine...
Any thoughts? Advice? First hand experience??
Much appreciated..
Which underpinner?
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Not your average framer
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Re: Which underpinner?
Can you see one working? That might be helpful.
Mark Lacey
“Life is short. Art long. Opportunity is fleeting. Experience treacherous. Judgement difficult.”
― Geoffrey Chaucer
“Life is short. Art long. Opportunity is fleeting. Experience treacherous. Judgement difficult.”
― Geoffrey Chaucer
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MITREMAN
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Re: Which underpinner?
Hi L Frames,
I would recommend a cassese underpinner, I have been using them for over 38 years.
see link below.
https://www.framersequipment.co.uk/cass ... ipment.htm
kind regards
Mitreman
I would recommend a cassese underpinner, I have been using them for over 38 years.
see link below.
https://www.framersequipment.co.uk/cass ... ipment.htm
kind regards
Mitreman
MITREMAN
Jan Stanlick GCF Picture Framing Consultant & Teacher
Working in association with Framers Equipment Ltd, Northampton http://www.framersequipment.co.uk
Jan Stanlick GCF Picture Framing Consultant & Teacher
Working in association with Framers Equipment Ltd, Northampton http://www.framersequipment.co.uk
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Not your average framer
- Posts: 11017
- Joined: Sat 25 Mar, 2006 8:40 pm
- Location: Devon, U.K.
- Organisation: The Dartmoor Gallery
- Interests: Lost causes, saving and restoring old things, learning something every day
- Location: Glorious Devon
Re: Which underpinner?
Cassesse are very popular, ease of obtaining sare parts and consumables is pretty good and they are often one of the sought for brands when they are sold as secondhand items. Their CS-88 is one of the most popular manual underpinners around. I have one myself, it's the second one, I have owned. they are great and I am quite happy to recomment a good condition secondhand CS-88 if you are considering buying one.
Mark Lacey
“Life is short. Art long. Opportunity is fleeting. Experience treacherous. Judgement difficult.”
― Geoffrey Chaucer
“Life is short. Art long. Opportunity is fleeting. Experience treacherous. Judgement difficult.”
― Geoffrey Chaucer
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Justintime
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Re: Which underpinner?
I second what Mark said, the CS88 is the best manual underpinner I have used. Despite moving up to a pneumatic I still keep my CS88 close for joining spacers and fillets where possible. It's a great simple reliable tool.
I realise Jan sells the Cassese CS1, but I have to give you my honest opinion. It was the worst investment I made when I started up. I lost a lot of money when I sold it, but I couldn't have been happier to pass it on. I jumped at a cheap CS88 and immediately discovered that my first year and a half of joining dread wasn't my inabilities, it was that horrendous machine.
If your framing is intended to grow into a serious business, I would strongly suggest you think about investing in a pneumatic now. It's a game changer! The Cassese 199/299's are excellent and come up for anything between £850-£1200.
I realise Jan sells the Cassese CS1, but I have to give you my honest opinion. It was the worst investment I made when I started up. I lost a lot of money when I sold it, but I couldn't have been happier to pass it on. I jumped at a cheap CS88 and immediately discovered that my first year and a half of joining dread wasn't my inabilities, it was that horrendous machine.
If your framing is intended to grow into a serious business, I would strongly suggest you think about investing in a pneumatic now. It's a game changer! The Cassese 199/299's are excellent and come up for anything between £850-£1200.
Justin George GCF(APF)
Insta: georgetheframer
Insta: georgetheframer
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Justintime
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Re: Which underpinner?
Apologies, I see from your instagram that The Frame Shed is already a serious business!! 
Justin George GCF(APF)
Insta: georgetheframer
Insta: georgetheframer
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L.frames
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Re: Which underpinner?
Crumbs, I realise I haven’t been on here for ages! Thank you so much for all the excellent advice!! 
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Fruitini
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Re: Which underpinner?
Prudent to add to this post now that Cassese have folded this summer and been unable to find a buyer for their production machines and stocks. Spare parts including hammers, wedge blocks and stapling cylinders are no longer available (info from TGS). Sadly a Cassese might no longer be the wisest long term investment.