A cutting question

[Marc Lizer]

Or should that be a question of cutters.

We have a Fletch 3000 wall unit , and a Dhale table cutter. Both ready for retiremnt into secondary units.

The 3100 seems to be worlds better than the 3000, and could replace both units in one.

Any opins?

What about a Fletch 3100 in comparison to a Keencutter?

The 3100 is most like which model, the 1000, the 3000 or the 5000?

[Jerry Ervin]

I have a 3100 and would not think of buying anything else. It is work horse of a cutter. You can cut small gauge metal with it.

What I liked most was the way you change the blades from one type to the other. Very quick and very ez.

I also have one of the old tables that I don't use anymore.

[AWG]

Have to second Jerry on this one. I have a 3100 as well and have used a 3000 in the past.

Wouldn't get a 3000 if a 3100 was available. When you come out here stop by and I'll show you.

Tony

[Larry Peterson]

I have a 3100 as well and think it's great. There was another thread on the 3100 in August at http://thegrumble.com/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=005233

(edit: I fixed the link for you. marc

[ 11-06-2003, 08:52 PM: Message edited by: Marc Lizer ]

[Larry Peterson]

As a followup to the previous thread on the 3100; Some were talking about the lack of a vertical ruler on the 3100. I added a Starrett Measure Stix Self-Stick Tape Rule to my 3100 and it works fine. It's thin enough that it doesn't get in the way of your cutting.

[smitten]

We retired on of our 3000's to do only glass and broght a new 3100 to do mats and backings only.

Solved alot of our squaring and calibration problems with just that move. Glas doesn't have to be as perfectly cut as the paper goods do and glass wears the ledge so quickly it rarly stays square for long.

[katman]

My 3100 is a great piece of equipment. More cutting options than the 3000. I was amazed at how well it handles things like masonite and gatorforam. I'll be getting another cutter soon for a different location. Been considering the 3000 cause of the price difference but will probably stick with the 3100.

[John Ranes II, CPF, GCF]

Originally posted by katman:
........I'll be getting another cutter soon for a different location. Been considering the 3000 cause of the price difference but will probably stick with the 3100. katman,

If you're adding a second machine, then consider the F-3000 as that second cutter, as richm is doing.... We retired one of our 3000's to do only glass and broght a new 3100 to do mats and backings only.The advantage of having an F-3000 is that it is a better glass cutter than the F-3100 because it can more easily cut small pieces of glass (under 1/2 inch). The F-3000 has a complete anvil, one half on each side of the score line, where the F-3100 only has the left portion.

John
Consultant to The Fletcher-Terry Co.

[ 11-07-2003, 10:08 AM: Message edited by: John Ranes II, CPF, GCF ]

[Ron Eggers]

I think it's interesting that a lot of folks who have used both seem to prefer the 3100, yet the 'official' line seems to be that most framers should get the 3000.

I'm not just talking about John's statement above. When I was looking for a new cutter three years ago, my L-J rep said something like, "Of course, you'll want the 3000." L-J sells both.

I got the 3000 and I am very happy with it, but it sometimes sounds like nobody wants to sell a 3100.

[John Ranes II, CPF, GCF]

Originally posted by richm:
....and glass wears the ledge so quickly it rarely stays square for long. Richm,

The material rest will wear out from glass and glass schards wearing away at the surface.

I would recommend that you discard that small cleaning brush that Fletcher supplies with the machine (F-3000 & F-3100). It works, but a draftsmans brush from one of the major suppliers does a better job. We keep one permanetly labeled and hanging beside the machine.

http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:SZs4QhgHXVgC:image.misterart.com/grouppix
With it's bigger surface area, one sweep removes all debris in the channel. The narrow design of this brush also allows you to reach behind the vertical tubes with ease!

Regards,

John
Consultant to The Fletcher-Terry Company

[John Ranes II, CPF, GCF]

Originally posted by Ron Eggers:
......my L-J rep said something like, "Of course, you'll want the 3000." L-J sells both.
.................but it sometimes sounds like nobody wants to sell a 3100. Ron,

I think what you're observing is simply a sales rep trying to direct the customer in the correct direction. If the customer is unhappy latter, then the rep's advice is what will be remembered! :( With that in mind, your LJ rep recognizes that for "most" framers, the F-3000 is the better choice, and I concur.

But if the framer making a single machine purchase cuts any large degree of Gatorboard products, "Masonite" ie MDF or sign plastic, then the F-3100 would be the choice.

If you're a large frame shop and have the luxury of having two machines......get one of each! :D

John

[katman]

Thanks John. Sounds like a good reason to go with the 3000 and I'll save some cash, too!

[Larry Peterson]

My compeling reason for getting the 3100 is that I cut a lot of corregated cardboard in addition to mat board. I got a seperate pillar post assembly so that I can use different blades for each. Cutting cardboard with the mat blade will dull it too quickly so I didn't want to use the same blade for both. When I change out a mat blade, it goes in the stack to be used for cardboard where it will serve well in it's second life. I couldn't have done this with the 3000.

I knew about the 3100 not having a second anvil but wasn't concerned by that. I have done stained glass for many years and my running pliers for stained glass takes care of the small cuts.

If you don't have a compeling reason for spending the extra bucks for the 3100, then the 3000 is a good choice.