Cassese CS199/299MXL vs Alfamacchine Minigraf 44

[Miranda Smith]

So... my favourite thing is purchasing new equipment!!

We need a new underpinner (V Nailer)

I am pondering either a Cassese CS199MXL (or CS299MXL2) vs an Alfamacchine Minigraf 44.

We currently have an old Minigraf 44.

Anyone able to provide feedback on these machines?

I am also interested in the amount of servicing these as we are several thousand miles from the nearest servicing person for both machines.

or is there something better than both? Like Inmes?

 

[stcstc]

i have a caseesse 199 from new, about 2 years old, and have had to do absolutley nothing to it

rock solid, quick to use and easy to teach someone to use too

 

[Jeff Rodier]

The 44 looks similar to the VN42 that i use and I make a ton of frames on it. Only repair it has ever needed was a $40 regulator that took 10 minutes to replace. I have used the Cassese nailers in the past and they are great machines but are very expensive to repair (at least in the U.S.) when they need work. Over here there is also a very large difference in price with the Cassese being much more expensive for comparable versions.

If I were to buy another new one t would definitely be another VN42. These things are work horses and the v-nails are quite a bit less expensive as well. Parts are very expensive for the Cassese machines over here as well. The 90 degree hold down clamp with the silicone pad works on every profile and won't mark up any finishes. The hold down clamp on many of the machines are options so that is one thing I would be sure to have configured.

 

[osgood]

I had a Minigraf 44 and changed to a Cassese 3099 Ultra about 6 years ago. The difference in joining is like the proverbial chalk and cheese! The 44 was OK, but the Cassese is way ahead!

 

[Framing:]

I have the CS199 it works great.

 

[David Waldmann]

Having nothing to compare it to, I would still NOT recommend the INMES 5P. Granted, we have only hardwoods, and many of the profiles are too tall and thin to be underpinner friendly, but I am just not satisfied with the quality in the joints. The only thing we use it for now is basswood strainer - it seems to do a decent job on that.

Depending your space and the reasons for upgrading Miranda, I would suggest you consider ADDing a Hoffmann dovetail joiner. Having the second machine will increase your capacity and give you better joining options for a wider range of profiles. Cost wise you are looking at similar to a lower-medium priced underpinner. The Australian distributor is way over in Melbourne but I highly recommend the machine as being both well designed and built, and should need very very little maintenance or repair. IMO it is the BEST production joining option for hardwoods, especially tall thin ones. We have two.

 

[i-FRAMER]

Hi Miranda,
I also have the old minigraph, and spent hundreds trying to renew it, made no difference when it was just that old. We purchased the 299mxl a few ago and have only had a couple minor issues easily fixed by ourselves. As you know we are also 2000km away from our nearest suppliers. Recently it has a another problem, which although we may be able to fix it, more difficult and waiting for a service technician to come our way. our issue at the moment is the clamps not clamping properly, which means the right length of moulding can move and therefore can cause the joins not to be as flush. to get to it though we have to disassemble the whole top plate, and if anything was to happen while trying to fix it, we would be without our vnailer for days.
Overall, until recently the quality and strength of the joins are great.
I believe the newer models are better then our old version.
For a few hundred dollars in may pay to fly to Brisbane, and get the Suppliers to demonstrate their machines, they have them all set up in their show room. You may be able to negotiate the cost of your airfares with them, if you say you will be buying one while you are there.

 

[ARTY]

We kept our old v nailer and after looking around decided to buy a new Alpha "the Boss" best move we ever made with no issues as yet X fingers seven odd years. Just keep the lubrication in the air lines up to scratch. All the best.