The Framers Forum

Hi All

we are currently looking at getting either an Alfa M3 or M4 - both are desktop mounted units - does anyone have on of these units, and can anyone tell me the difference, as both Lions and DS Simons cant really tell me the technical differences ?

Best wishes

Hi,
Its been a long time since I used a Minigraf 3, but when I first started that was what I learnt on. I remember it being very easy to use and capable of dealing with all but the widest mouldings.

I now have a 2 position Minigraf 4, I think the new M4's have 3 positions, so you can set these wedge positions and fire the wedges in each corner very quickly, whereas the M3 only has one position at a time.
The main difference being the fence that the corner sits in, on the M3 the wedge block is fixed (during operation) and you slide the fence up and down, on the M4 the fence is fixed and it is the wedge block that is moved to the first position, and then you push a lever and the wedge block moves pneumatically to positions 2 and 3.

The M4 can join slightly wider mouldings. I don't know but there may also be some difference between the pneumatic workings?

I would be surprised if Lion/Simons haven't told you all this already.

Its worth looking through the M3 manual, can't find one for the M4, except in Russian

Minigraf 3 manual pdf

Hi - thanks for your reply - looking at the manual has been very useful thanks

I had an Alpha Minigraf 3 years ago then upgraded to a '44'. I don't know if this is the same as the one you mention, but the 44 is a much more advanced machine than the 3.

I think that if the 4 costs more than the 3, then it seems logical that it is more expensive because it has more features that are a benefit.

we have a mingraf 3. had it for a long time, very pleased, no problems at all, lots of power to spare for the hardest woods too. Top quality machine and easy to use/maintain. You'll be pleased with a Minigraf. It's the best underpinner we have had. The minigraf 3 does everything we need, the 4 looks like it does more, but I cant see any features that would make it better for our average jobbing-frame-shop than the 3.

I think the fence on the 3 is fixed whereas the fence on the 4/44 is adjustable. being able to adjust the angle slightly and the tilt of the fence can make a huge difference when joining various mouldings.
Just that one difference would make it worth spending more, in my experience!