Vertical cutters

[FFrames]

Just doing some research on equipment to buy for the new business and am in a bit of a dilema on which vertical cutter to get.

I recently saw this great machine at Fespa, but it's pretty pricey!

http://www.lionpic.co.uk/product/Verdi- ... 621,0.aspx

I wasn't even considering getting a saw cutter, as I haven't seen one that scores glass before, so when I saw this I started drooling.

This will defineitly be a very handy machine for the long run, but not sure if I can justify the initial cost... I was going to get the Keencut Exalibur as I've used that before, but it doesnt really score acrylics that easily nor does it cut dibond very well.

As well as framing, we will also produce aluminium prints and acrylic prints, but will need to order those panels in cut to size, so being able to them them in house will be handy... Although I will need more kit to polish the edges of acrylic panels. Having this will also open up different possibilites, like mounting onto MDF, diabond etc.. So it will def be needed in the future.

Anyone got any thoughts or recomendations for alternatives to this? If you cut rigid boards, what do you use atm?

[robbiez]

Depends on the quantity you are doing.

If you are only cutting 10 to 20 times a day this would be a suitable machine, however it is far from a production machine.

We had one from new but it only lasted a few years before we had to replace it with a sliding table panel saw.

We found it to be incredibly inaccurate, with a few mm difference between the top and bottom of the cut sheet. Our machine never had the pneumatic clamp, just a manual clamp so this version may be better.

Also found the sliding motor mechanism needed stripping and cleaning every week as it became very difficult to slide.

Personally I would go for a sliding table panel saw, and there cheaper.

I haven't seen one that scores glass before

This one doesn't score glass either??

[FFrames]

Thanks for that Rob. Accuracy would be crucial, so will look into that if I go ahead... The clamp was automatic and I believe you can calibrate the horizontal support, so I'd hope it would be spot on!

It won't be for heavy production really (not to start anyway). I dont imagine cutting more that 20-30 panels a week in the begining.

I dont have much space, so I doubt I can squeeze a table saw in, but it mught be worth looking into... Can I ask what you use, or if you got any recomendations?

Oh.. And the glass cutter is part of the right hand blade cutting tool.. the machine just needs an attachement to the back panel so you can snap the glass.

[stcstc]

look at t either the keencut steeltrack or the fletcher fsc

both will cut dibond and score glass, acrylic etc

and cut mountboard, foamcore, foamex etc

[prospero]

As you have noticed, machines that have multiple functions tend to do some things better than others. Ideally, it's best to have one machine to do one job.
You do need a lot of space and a lot of cash though.....

[FFrames]

As you have noticed, machines that have multiple functions tend to do some things better than others. Ideally, it's best to have one machine to do one job.
You do need a lot of space and a lot of cash though.....

Yeah! That's why this one seems appealing.. everything in one and doesnt take too much space!

STC..

Do you mount on dibond too? We had a steel trak at my last work, but the wheels caused tiny bends in the corners when cutting dibond so we never used it.. just brought pre-cut alu panels in instead.

Another thing I'm looking to introduce is mounting onto plyboard, so being able to cut that would be handy. There's an American company that specialises in it.. http://www.plywerk.com/index.php

[stcstc]

yes i do dibond, and yes steel track does funky bends

i have my cut by supplier on computer saw

plywork actualy do carbonised bamboo panels

i do mdf, birch play and bamboo panels

BUT the sheets of bamboo are mental money, its about 190 euros for 8*4 ft sheet!!!!

[FFrames]

Thanks mate.. Actually didnt notice that they used bamboo.. I've seen quite a few photographers show thier work on layered ply, which looked really nice!.. Also not many London printers offer that, so am thinking it would be a good thing to have something a bit different.. (am convincing myself to buy the cutter )

Sorry to ask so many questions, but..

Do you treat the face of the wood before mounting? And, do you always laminate the prints too?

[stcstc]

use birch ply, then you get that nice layered look

i dont treat the face surface, but sand and danish oil the edges, makes the layers stand out even more

for cutting ply though you just need decent table saw, BUT need a score cutting blade for birch ply else you get loads of tear out.

you could just use a plunge saw with a plunge saw straight edge too, could buy decent one for 500-600 bucks from somewhere like axminster tools, i have a joiner who just knocks up everything for me in his workshop, and its cheap as chips and no DUST!!!

YES laminate everything, most i heat seal in my vaum press as you get a tougher finish, but larger ones (have done up to 2.1*1m) i cold laminate using my jetmounter

[FFrames]

Awesome..thanks for the advice! Outsourcing those might be an idea.. If I can find someone local, I might do that!

One last question.. I promise

Just regarding laminating/mounting... we had issues where mounted prints peeled from the corners - like the paper split. This only happened when laminated though... We ended up only using synthetic paper so that wouldnt happen again, but as I just want to offer hi-quality papers, I dont really want to go down that route. Have you ever had issues like that, or do you think it was just a specific paper that might have caused it? .. All mounted using rollers btw.

[stcstc]

more than likely the paper, but could be the film or not enough pressure etc

no point offering high end papers like hanemuhle etc if your gonna stick sticky back plastic on it anyway

I would suggest a good quality gloss it the best bet, i use canson gloss, which is kinda middle of the road price but decent quality

have used synthetic stuff before, i use it to make signage for example. but its more expensive than the gloss for a decent one, with no major amounts better

[FFrames]

Yeah, I think you're right.. It was a fairly cheap paper that we used...I am looking at canson papers and illford atm, but I just need to do some experementing really.. which is difficult without the kit! Hopefully should move into the shop in about a month now though!

Many thanks for all your advice, really appreciated!

[Graysalchemy]

I'm getting photo's printed onto birch ply for a restaurant chain. I have a front loader moulding made out of birch ply so you get 5 mm of birch ply grain against the picture. They look really good but the guy who prints them form my client can never cut them the same size. I end up having to take them to a carpentry business next door to trim them right PITA.

[stcstc]

should get them done by a pro )

sure there are some around lol