Does anyone else use a Fletcher 3100

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Larry Peterson

Larry Peterson

SPFG, Supreme Picture Framing God
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When I went to Decor Expo earlier this year in NY, I talked to the Fletcher rep about cutting Acrylic (see next thread). When I told him I had a Fletcher 3100, he gave me a funny look :eek: and asked why I had a European model. Why didn't I use the 3000 like everyone else?

My reasons for owning the 3100 are that I cut an awfull lot of corregated cardboard for shipping (frames and eBay). I have seperate Pilar Post/blade assemblies for cardboard and matboard to make switching between mat/cardboard very quick. The 3100 doesn't use the revolving turret like the 3000. It has seperate assemblies for mat, glass, plastic and hardboard. You change out the assembly (in about 10 seconds) for each of the types of material you wish to cut. I have two mat assemblies, one for cardboard and one for mat.

I never cut mat with the cardboard assembly, and vise versa. When a mat blade is replaced, it goes into the cardboard assembly where it can live on until it can't cut cardboard anymore.

One of the reasons I like this is that I can swap between cutting cardboard/mats in about 10 seconds.

The rep's question has been in the back of my mind for awhile. I don't use the hardboard cutter assembly which is why the 3100 is designated for the European market, but the rest serves me better than the 3000 would. I see that they don't even show the 3100 on the Fletcher-Terry web site so I'm curious if any one else uses the 3100 or if I have the only one in the states.
 
Nope...I got one. I got a deal so it was cheaper than the 3000 but I'd still buy it instead. Never liked the turret on the 3000. Seems like such a pita to change the various blades on it. I had an old C&H G60 years ago and I really liked that but I sold it when I closed my retail shop (we all make mistakes!) would have bought another but like I said I got a really good deal.

I like to back my mirrors with 1/8 plywood and the hardboard cutter cuts it like butter.

[ 08-01-2003, 07:43 PM: Message edited by: Frank Larson ]
 
The 3100 has to be the best investment we have made over the past 12 months.
As has been mentioned previously in this thread, the ability to change the blade assembly units quickly and effortlessly is a huge bonus.
We also use the glass gutting blade (that came with it) for cutting all our UV glass. Very accurate and simple to use. A real winner!!
I am surprised to hear there are so few of these machines in circulation.
 
I also was told by the Rep on the NY show floor that it was the European model, and that I wouldn't "need it". This was back in '98. But it was in many supplier catalogs. Even back then Larson stocked it.

It seemed to be an advantage to have a longer blade depth which allows cutting thicker board, such as two 1/8 foamcore. However, I do expirience some blade wobble and have wondered if the 3000 blade works better.

I have used the hard board cutter for a piece of masonite and it was a PITA.

Overall it is one of my favorite tools.
 
As a distributor we quit selling the
F3000 five years ago. We will present and show all the features and benefits of the F3100 over the F3000. Only then, if the customer insists, will we sell the F3000. I think Fletchers lack of a "sales effort" on the F3100 into the picutre frame trade is just typical of their marketing efforts the past 10 years. I like the company, the people that work their and their products, but they have "missed the boat" so often the past 10 years.

A simple example. The F3100 should have a vertical measuring tape on it like the F3000 and all their previous wall cutters. We attach a free one all the F3100s we sell to make it more convenient for the user. But will Fletcher take the hint when we mention this - no. I think the reason Fletcher is a struggling company that has missed on so many launched products is because they do not listen.

Alan Sturgess

[ 08-08-2003, 11:00 AM: Message edited by: Alan Sturgess ]
 
Alan, I love the idea of a verticle measure.

When thinking about doing this myself, it seemed that using a paper tape with the inch marks would not last long before fading or scraping.

What type of tape are you using?
 
For what it's worth, when I ordered my wall-cutter from L-J about three years ago, they carried both. My rep said, "You want the 3000, of course."

If L-J is no longer selling the 3100, I'm not surprised.

BTW, I bought the 3000 and have been very happy with it. I've never seen a 3100, so maybe I don't know what I'm missing.

Wouldn't be the first time.
 
I have a 3100 and love it.

Like mentioned above, the only thing that I like about the 3000, that mine does not have, is the verticle ruler. I didn't notice that till I helped a (Framer) guy mount his, while vacationing down in FL.

I believe at one point, I was over at a gallery in Salem, and the framer there mentioned some things his 3000 would not do that mine would.I don't remember what it was, but there was something. Mabe it had something to do with cutting thicker boards.

Mark
 
Here are the prime features of the F3100

- will cut through 3 layers of corrugated cardboard at one time depending on the cardboard thickness.
- will cut through ½” gatorboard, foamboard or similar substrates
- will cut throught sintra (the hard signboard material) like cutting through butter using the rolling wheels cutter.
- Cuts up to 63” high
- Will cut through 3mil masonite or mdf type of board with the rolling wheel cutter head.
- Cuts through Coroplast or similar plastic corrugated materials better than the F3000.
- The cutting blades last 2 to 3 times longer than those on the F3000 and are about ½ the price if you know where to buy them. The blade used in the F3100 is a STANLEY #91 blade about 21 or 22 thousands of an inch thick. You just have to do your homework and make sure that you find it the correct length. This is the “original” trapezoid shaped warehouse shipping knife blade, but depending on who makes it, there are different lengths. Fletcher may tell you that the F3000 blade can be turned around and the other side used but when turned around it last very few cuts before needing to be replaced. The F3100 blade, because it is so long, can be reversed and as many cuts obtained from each end of the blade.
- Will cut through 40 thou thick aluminum sheet for those not satisfied with cardboard or foamboard for backing in your frames.
- Better and wider rubber material on the back of the hold down clamp, not the cheap foam as on the F3000

Your work is as good as your tools and the F3100 is definitely a better tool – too bad so few in the industry know about it.

The measuring tape. – you can easily find these in “flat” metal with peel and stick backings. They sell them at any GRAINGER or another great mail order source is LEE VALLEY . The ones I get are made by STARRETT the tool people.


Alan Sturgess

[ 08-08-2003, 03:35 PM: Message edited by: Alan Sturgess ]
 
I read with some interest about the lack of a vertical rule on the 3100. As a woodworker. I have used stick on metal rules on a number of pieces of woodworking equipment and they are great. They will work well on the 3100 also.

I happen to have an extra one on my workbench and am going to put it on my 3100. For any one else interested you can see them at Starrett Measure Stix Self-Stick Tape Rules . They come in 1/2" and 3/4" widths and in lengths from 4' to 6' for us folks and 2m to 4m for our friends across the pond and up north. They are cheap too ($6.88 to 12.80 on the site above).

They are thin enough that you aren't going to catch your boards on them either.

[ 08-08-2003, 03:43 PM: Message edited by: Larry Peterson ]
 
Alan beat me to the punch by 2 minutes for links about the measuring tapes available. I will second all that he says about the 3100. I cut a lot of corregated on mine and can cut three sheets on 200 LB corregated at a time. I have a second blade assembly just for cardboard so I can use one blade for mats and another for cardboard. My retired mat blades are used in the cardboard assembly after they are replaced in the mat assembly.
 
For those that would like to see what we have been talking about with the blade assemblies, I have posted some pictures here.

3100-1.jpg



In this picture are (in order from left) the Acrylic Assembly, two blade assemblies (one for cardboard and one for matboard), the glass assembly and the gatorboard assembly.

3100-2.jpg


The rear of a blade assembly. The 'C' means this is my cardboard cutter.

3100-3.jpg


The front of a blade assembly. The 'M' means this is my matboard cutter.


3100-4.jpg


A blade assembly inserted into the 3100. To change an assembly, you turn the knob (dial?) on the right a couple of turns, pull the old assembly out, put the new assembly in and retighten the knob. Estimated time to completion, less than 10 seconds. That's all folks.
 
This is actually pretty amazing!!! Just yesterday, I had a 3100 delivered to me from Don-Mar and they said they had two in stock. UMS also has them listed in their catalog. From the blurb about it in Uniteds catalog, I decided on it rather than the 3000. I currently have a C&H BG 6100. It will also cut 1/2" foam core but just barely. It's main drawback is that the ruler for the glass is above the ruler for everything else and if you are in a hurry or it's 9:30 at night, you will invariably use the wrong ruler. Other than that, it's been ok. It is now for sale. I can't wait to set up my NEW 3100!!! Thanks for the positive revues. :D :D
 
Larry & Eric,

The response that both of you received from a Fletcher-Terry representative in New York, was probably to confirm that the F-3100 was the machine you had or wanted, over the F-3000. The reason being is that the F-3000 is still the machine of preference within the North American framing market.

BTW, the F-3100 is indeed displayed on The Fletcher-Terry website

As has been pointed out, the F-3100 was primarily designed to satisfy many International customers where MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard) is part of their everyday use. The F-3000 just could not cut some heavy and thick material, hence the F-3100 was created.

Because many framers have mistakingly assumed that the F-3100 is the newer and more improved version of the F-3000, the question is often asked by reps, especially at U.S. and Canadian trade shows, "Which do you want?". You'll note that both models are shown, side-by-side so that comparison and evaluations can assist in the decision making process.

The F-3100 does indeed have some advantages. As Frank pointed out, the pillar posts are as easy and quick to change as the turret on the F-3000. The thicker blade and deeper material rest does allow you to cut thicker Foam centered boards including some Gator board products. The additional 3 inches in height over the F-3000 is a minimal difference. (63 Vs. 60 inches cutting capacity.)

The F-3000 does have some advantages as well. Perhaps the most significant is it's design for cutting glass. It has a full anvil with slope on both sides of the score line. This makes it easier to snap small pieces of glass, even as narrow as 1/8 inch. (The F-3100 lacks this, in that the right side is missing to accomodate the slot for the large pillar posts that cuts MDF.)

As most North American framers use more glass than MDF, that is why the F-3000 is shown <u>first</u> to framers at trade shows. In New Zealand, Lance, distributors typically stock only the F-3100


Because the F-3100 has advantages for framers who use lots of gatorboard, MDF or Sign plastics, Fletcher-Terry offers both and typically shows both at trade shows. <u>The choice is yours.</u>

Regards,

John
Consultant to The Fletcher-Terry Co.

[ 08-09-2003, 08:47 AM: Message edited by: John Ranes II, CPF, GCF ]
 
Hello John,

When I went to the Fletcher-Terry web site to look for the 3100, I started at the main page where there were several categories to choose from including "Framing" and "Hardware/Glass" and "Signs& Digital". Each category has an image showing part of that selection. The "Hardware/Glass" image shows a 3000 so I naturally clicked on that. After drilling down through that section I got to the Product category page where there is a selection for Wall Machines. When I clicked on that, it showed a link for the 3000 but not the 3100.

I went back this morning and looked at all the selections. The "Framing" section does indeed show both. The "Glass" section shows the 3000 but not the 3100. The "Sign & Digital" section shows the 3100 but not the 3000.

This seems a little confusing to me. I'm sure that FT has reasons for not showing both machines in all three categories, but I'm sure that there are other people like me that looked in the glass section because of the image and saw only the 3000.
 
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