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Less

Less

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
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Jun 23, 2002
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Someone offered me a 2 year old 60" Fletcher 3000 for $800 bucks. I've been thinking of getting one.

What do you think? Good price? I guess he has a bunch of other stuff too.

I have an old 48" C&H now.

[ 10-16-2003, 05:49 PM: Message edited by: lessafinger ]
 
This title reads pretty funny. Less is about 68" and shrinking, and his little buddy is...
 
Hey Less,

If it's in really good condition buy it! I would offer him $600-700 and see what comes of it.

Good luck!
 
Less,

What exactly are you looking for here??

Peer approval??

If so, you have my blessings. Otherwise, it's your money, if the mat cutter is in good operating condition, take Cliffie's advice and make a counter offer. If the guy backs off, give him the $800 and smile as you exit his frameshop. :D

Either way, you got a good deal.

Framerguy
 
Yes, Less needs someone to tell <strike>me</strike>him that is a great deal, and <strike>I</strike>he should get off <strike>my</strike>his butt and buy it before someone else does.

UnLess of course you think my old 48" C&H board and glass cutter is just as good.

[ 10-16-2003, 09:53 PM: Message edited by: lessafinger ]
 
Less,

I have used a 48" C&H straight line mat cutter for 15 years and have no reason to look for anything else. (Are you talking about a wall cutter or a table cutter?)

Are you cutting alot of mats that are longer than 48"? If so, then I would suggest buying the longer cutter.

Otherwise, you have my blessings to keep what you have and smile as you exit your shop every evening! :cool:

Now let me get back to my nap.

Framerguy

[ 10-16-2003, 10:11 PM: Message edited by: Framerguy ]
 
WALL - see what happens when you move to Florida - the naps get longer and longer.
 
If I recall a new Ft3000 ain't much more than what this guy wants and was supplanted with the Ft3100 not long after it was introduced, though I think you can still buy either new. Check out the prices on a new one ,Less, before you buy this one.
 
I used a C & H 48" cutter for about 4 years before I added a 60" cutter to the workroom. We were doing a lot of oversized pieces. It's great to have the second cutter, but it shared a table with my 48" cutter for about 3 years until I finally got another table. Before the extra table, it was a bit of a pain to maneuver everything when I wanted to use the larger matcutter, so I procrastinated a bit on the larger frame jobs. (Like I need an excuse to procrastinate!) If you have the space for an extra table, and you do a fair amount of oversized framing, I say go for it!
 
New F-3000 from LJ is $1800, f-3100 is $2150. If you don't need to cut a lot of hardboard the F-3000 is an excellent choice and easier to use. There are other threads on the difference.

Pat :D
 
I think Less is talking about the Fletcher 3000 wall-mounted glass and cardboard cutter.

Less, I paid about $1400 for a new one three years ago and was able to get free delivery. I replaced my old C&H 48" when I moved into a new location that had the necessary ceiling height for the Fletcher. You need at least 8' ceilings, which is not normally a problem. (My old shop was designed for the vertically-impaired.)

It's a marverlous machine and, if it's in good shape, that seems like a fair price.

If you buy it, get a couple carbide glass wheels. They will far outlast the steel ones and give you a beautiful cut with nice, clean edges.
 
Originally posted by lessafinger:

What do you think? Good price?
Click to expand...
I bought my 3100 about 2 years ago for $1300 when it was on sale and got free shipping. If you really want one keep checking United. The $800 is a little past the midway point and close to getting to new price.

Just a thought....
 
Less: It's a good price. I'd counter though and see if you can get it for $700.00 or about half suggested wholesale. It's mentioned above but to clarify the F3000 and F3100. The F3000 is the base unit designed for Framers. Still Fletcher's top seller. The F3100 is designed for sign shops and comes with a wheel that will allow you to cut aluminium. (Big in the sign biz).
 
I really must stay in touch with prices on these things. I bought my FT3000 , oh, about 10-11 years ago and paid about $900.00 for it. That's why $800.00 for a used one didn't sound like such a bargain to me.
Less, they are good tools; both durable and accurate. They are easy to adjust if they do get out of square and Fletcher makes shimming kits so you can tighten up the moving parts as they wear. A single carbide wheel will last years, and the acrylic scoring tool works very well. $800.00 wouldn't be bad for a nearly new 3000, though Less would be better.

[ 10-17-2003, 11:57 AM: Message edited by: wpfay ]
 
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