Mount Cutter Wanted / advice

[Nicholas Roberts]

I'm in process of setting up a new framing workshop and, among other things, I need to get a mountboard cutter.

I have been using an old Keencut, but because the mounts we had to cut were often oversize and from extra thick extra dense card I ended up dismantling it and just using the square and beveled blade running on just the ruler, which I think I now prefer.

If anyone has for offer, or could give me advice on any products that are available, for some kind of cutting system with just a long ruler that the blade runs on could you please let me know? Otherwise I'll probably just buy a new Keencut and take it apart again, but it seems a shame to spend £450 on something I'm going to take apart anyway - I'd rather spend £450 on a very good quality ruler mounted blade.

Any advice?

Thanks,

Nick

[mikeysaling]

i don't really understand why you have to take it apart a keencut can do straight and bevel cuts on most thickness card - maybe im missing something. can you explain further .

[Roboframer]

the mounts we had to cut were often oversize

I'm not sure which keencut mountcutters come oversize but the ultimat gold does - costs a bit more than £450 though and second hand 60" ones must be fairly rare.

Give Keencut a call - they'll sell you the cutting arm and head separately - I know because I recently bought one, (60") it came without the measuring scale and start of cut stop (but the'yd no doubt sell you those too) for £200. You could have the old one it's repalcing but you'd need new nylon bearings at least - it's had some real hammer!

[JamesC]

I think Logan do some boards that aren't too expensive where you just basically use a hand bevel cutter but it has a guide rail, few stops etc. Some of the measuring is with a pencil first, one of my framers bought his home one in the other week so I saw one. Maybe £250 to -£250 for a jumbo one. A hand bevel cutter circa £40+ but make sure it can do the thicker boards I would say because not all can to my knowledge.

It's one step up from just getting a ruler with a rail and a clamp for your bench and a handcutter.

I've had a wall-mounted cutter from the start though it's not my expertise. Just thought I'd give you my thoughts.

If you have limited space and funds that should be ok but a real swanky benchtop oversized cutter you are lookign at about a grand. Maybe worth the extra stretch in the long run if you are hoping to grow, unless the outlay hampers you in other areas.

My main framer seems to say one where you can see the cutting blade and where you have got to is a big plus, for avoiding overcuts etc. This is not the case with a lot of cutters but some you can.

I'd talk to a reputable dealer who sells a variety of kit to get the best advice.

[JamesC]

correction £250 - £350. Typo.

Also that probably includes a manual cutter come to think of it.

I also meant to say if you are going to buy second hand then the mountcutter is maybe the last bit of kit I would recommend to buy second hand - they need to be precise and some can be a bit worn or have taken or knock (perhaps in transit if they are sending it). You want perfect corners.

If you do get one it's best to see it in action first and nearly new is better.

Thanks

[mikeysaling]

i may be biased but go for a keencut ulti gold - bought mine from lion as a demo model (but only in one overseas show) cost top dollar but not a problem. will do anything you ask of of it. Try the major suppliers or even keencut and see if you can get a deal - remember you may need the backup if a prob develops and i feel happy with lion - try tabmaster maybe - i'd be wary of e bay unless you can pickit up yourself and see it working - sometimes people selling 'bankrupt' stock don't look after kit like this and it gets thrown around from pillar to post until it finally ends up on e bay or whereever.
buy this 'investment from someone you can trust and pay a sensible price by that i mean not a cheap 'deal'

buy cheap buy twice!!

[Umbro]

There's a Logan 40" 650 Framers edge on ebay at the moment. Worth a look.