ESTERLY SPEED MAT

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FrameDaddy

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Joined
Feb 25, 2010
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15
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Glenview, IL
Newbie framer here looking to upgrade from my hobby level gear to some REAL equipment. I've heard really good things about the Esterly speed-mat cutter except -- for a few rumbles concerning the glass/foamboard/mat sizer function on right side of machine. Some have reported problems cutting out of square on larger (above 20") pieces. Any thoughts? Love the way it cuts windows, and having a wall mounted machine is important to me -- and having a single machine to size matboards and cut glass would be great, but not at expense of accuracy.

Also, any thoughts on the ITW Mitre Mite vs. Cassese CS88? Both are manual machines that I've previously heard good reports on.

Finally, lots of used Beinfang 500x presses on the market. Sale or no sale?

Finally, finally -- a proper introduction. My moniker FrameDaddy refers to my status as an early retired stay-at-home Dad -- two kids, two dogs, shopping, cooking, the whole schmear (plus knocking out the occasional frame for friends and neighbors) -- NOT as a testament to my framing prowess -- yet! Who's your FrameDaddy? Anyway, have been monitoring this website for awhile and thanks to everyone in advance for all the good info. contained here and to administrator for a great site.
 
To rephrase the question -- Does anyone have any feelings pro or con on Speed-mat cutting system? Also, feelings on Cassese CS88 (manual machine) or ITW Amp Mitre Mite manual, or ITW VN2+1?
Finally, Beinfang/Seal 500 TX presses? Am considering purchase (soon) of above and would appreciate input.
Thanks.
 
Before I really opened six years ago, I had bought a SpeedMat Cutter and it was easy enough to use even for a beginner. I did sell it and buy a Chronomat straight line cutter and within about 1.5yr. I moved up to a Wizard. Can't say anything bad about the Speedmat, but it doesn't compare to a CMC.

As far as the press goes, they are workhorses and mainly can be repaired if needed. I had a 550tx when I first opened but have traded up (IMO) to a 4060vac/press.
 
speed mat follow up

j Paul,

Thanks for info. Did you use the sizing bar attachment to size mats and cut glass and foamboard? Only drawback I've heard of was some people saying sizing cuts were sometimes out of square. Important to me because I'd like this to be my "go to"machine for sizing and cutting windows.
 
I didn't use it for sizing mats. One thing to remember though is you can't cut only one side of a mat and expect it to be perfectly square if the blank is out of square to begin with. I would be a little concerned with cutting glass on a multi-use machine though, unless you were dedicated to keeping it perfectly free of debris all of the time. One little stray fragment of glass dust is going to ruin that very expensive or last minute mat, when you don't have any more on hand.
 
Look at getting a Fletcher 3000 for cutting mats and glass to size. It's a wall mounted machine and is a workhorse. I would bet any money that even with a CMC jPaul still has his 3000 for cutting mats to size ;)

An artist in town has an Esterly. I have gone to her to get my big pieces cut. I have a Fletcher 2200 48" model and she has the 60" Esterly. Her's is OLD! When she calls Esterly for help they have to really dig into the archives to get the info about her cutter. And it still works great, she has sold her chopper and all her vises but has kept the Esterly.
 
If you have room for it a Fletcher 3000 dedicated for sizing and glass is the way to go, IMO and there are plenty of deals out there. Be patient and one will show up within driving distance.

( I used to be a contractor and had duplicates of almost every tool you could imagine. Once at a weekend homeshow, I got sucked into buying one of those ShopSmith multi-purpose tools with almost every attachement they had. I though I could replace many of my other tools with it. Long story short, for the weekend guy/gal with once in a while projects it might have worked. For someone that used it all of the time, the change over from one tool to the other, was a pain in the rear. Sold it. ) For a pro. having tools dedicated to the task at hand is the best way to go IMO.
 
I have a CS88, no complaints here. It's been over a year and I'm still really happy with it.
 
shop gear

Finally closed the deal on shop equipment. All used and each only by a single owner and (reportedly) well maintained. Also, each was pretty well recommended on the Grumble. I ended up with a Cassese CS88 -- an Esterly SpeedMat 4060 -- a Seal 500TX press -- and a Morso chopper knockoff. Sure beats the old Logan Frame Shop in a Box -- although I've got to say you can learn to frame on Logan's hobby level equipment. Not always quickly and there's lots of putty involved, but you can build frames that way. Now, on to marketing...
 
fletcher 3000

By the way, the appeal of the SpeedMat over the Fletcher 3000 was simply this -- I'm working in a basement with 7' ceilings -- even with the 48" model, the bottom ledge would have been only around 21"- 24" off the floor. With the SpeedMat, I can raise the whole deal to a comfortable height (I'm 6'1") and not break my back. Agreed that the Fletcher seems to be the superior tool, but I know the Esterly cuts good windows, so if its sizing feature works reasonably well, I'll be happy with the purchase. Thanks to all who responded.
 
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