Onyx 90 cutter

[The Underpinner]

Hi All,

I've been on the lookout for an wall mounted cutter to assist in cutting down my glass & acrylic materials, the Excalibur/Fletcher models were obviously my first consideration however they are both rather expensive. There is currently a Fletcher 3100 on ebay however the description says its hardly used, whereas the attached photos clearly indicate significant usage i.e. the anodising is heavily worn around the levers etc. so I am a bit hesitant to bid on this item.
I was browsing the web and discovered that DIY Framing are offering a Onyx 90 wall mounted cutter that appears to handle the same media, but at £900 inc VAT appears at first sight to be a more affordable option.
As I'm currently in the process of kitting out my frameshop, I would appreciate any feedback from the forum members whom may have experience off or know of this type of cutter.

regards
Allan

[Roboframer]

There was quite a good topic here http://theframersforum.com/viewtopic.ph ... 47&p=25045 and there's more on The Grumble.

But the gist is that you get what you pay for, it's 'OK' but inferior to the excalibur and the Fletcher.

[The Underpinner]

Roboframer,

Thanks for the link, much appreciated. This will obviously require some more thought, before choosing what is best for myself. Does the fletcher 3100 require the glass cutting wheel to be positioned on the glass or is this similar to the Ecalibur 5000? I've used the 5000 before and I do know that it is a more than capable system.

regards
Allan

[Roboframer]

I have no experience of the FT but I understand that you have to change from blade to glass wheel (etc) by removing one and inserting the other, whereas the Keencut is just a turn of a knob - nothing to misplace.

[The Underpinner]

It does seem more similar in ways to the Onyx 90 system than the Excalibur 5000, decisions, decisions.
As I mentioned I'll need to look further into this when I get home, I'm currently about 60miles off the West African coast; my full time work at the moment is operating Remotely operated vehicles around 1mile under the sea; can't wait to get the frame shop open and spent some time on dry land. Still have access to the forum though, keeps me sane

thanks again Roboframer

regards
Allan

[Jonny2morsos]

A 5000 has gone on ebay today. Here is the link:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Keencut-Excalibur ... 2c52b3afde

Good luck.

John.

[DEEPJOY]

Hi

I nearly choose the Onyx 90 but the fact that everyone on the forum was a Fletcher or Excaliber fan, I could not bring myself to do it. In the end I chose the Fletcher 3100, this was based on recommendation, price and the fact I could steal a little more head height with Fletcher as my garage ceiling height is a problem. Also, second hand values on the 5000 and 3100 are good, I am not sure what the Onyx would be like should you ever need to get out of the product

I think when I was looking the Onyx was around the £700.00 mark, which was a mile difference than the competition. The best deal you will get on the Onyx is if you wait for the 'FOCUS ON PHOTOGRAPHY' show at the NEC, I think it is is in either February or March. As an exhibitor, DIY Framing usually discount the product range at this show and I think, you do not have to attend to take advantage of the discounted price.

I had a great deal in the end on my Fletcher, which made it the right decision at the time.

Regards
Deepjoy

[The Underpinner]

Thanks again for the continued responses, I'll be keeping an eye on the Excalibur 5000 on Ebay (I'm sure I won't be alone), this does seem to offer the most functionality/ease of use compared to the other offerings, although I was surprised to read the Keencut manual that states when cutting acrylic the cut material requires to be removed from the cutter prior to breaking. I didn't know that?

regards
Allan

[DEEPJOY]

Hi All

It is a while since we visited this subject, but I have some news regarding the Onyx 90.

DIY Framing are selling this product at the Focus show at the NEC in March, for an amazing £450.00. I think if I was still in the market, this would be a no brainer to get one.

Regards
Deepjoy