Opinions Wanted Fletcher 3000 vs. Onyx 90

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I

IFrameDoU2

Grumbler in Training
Joined
Aug 11, 2009
Posts
9
Loc
N. Barrington, IL USA Earth Milky Way
Looks like you can buy a new Onyx 90 for the price of a good used Fletcher 3000.

Anyone know the difs. betw. them, and if the Fletcher is really worth the money? (Or if the Onyx is worth anything at all?!?). I know you get what you pay for, and FT seems to be the standard, but sometimes you are also paying more for the name. The Onyx does look to be well built. Looking for real ease-of-use and quality impressions.

Thanks!
 
Fletcher works flawlessly and lasts for decades. Now its your call on new and shiny or a lifetime of service.
 
I've never used a Fletcher, but I seriously doubt you could go wrong with a used unit, or certainly a new one if you have the bucks. My Onyx does everything I need it to. Granted, it wouldn't survive being run over by a semi, but I haven't had one of those crawling up my wall lately.
 
I would wager that many of us have never seen an Onyx so we can't really give a good opinion. That's the case with me. However, I would also wager that many of us will give you the opinion anyway. That's also the case with me!

Having never seen an Onyx, I would be looking at the durability and quality of the bushings and the track before buying it. Our Fletcher unit still has the original bushings and it's got to be 20 years old. I did have to replace the tracks a couple times because the glass wears an uneven groove in them and it is relatively expensive. But after all this time it still cuts square. Without new track bars it wouldn't cut square though.

I use the terms "bushings" and "track bars" to try and describe the parts but I don't know if those are the proper terms.

Looking at a photo of the Onyx the only other concern I'd have right away is that I don't like how small the support piece looks. Though thinking about it, the large triangular support on the Fletcher is what gives me the most difficulty when cutting Museum Glass so now I'm just confusing myself.
 
There is a video half way down the page in this link

It has two measuring arms but only one production stop.

The cutting head is not counter-balanced.

The interchangeable tools are small and easily misplaced.

No twin wheel cutter for heavy boards.

Glass wheel has to be placed on the glass instead of above it.

Manual pressure has to be applied instead of a ratchet system (seems like)




Those are the cons I see immediately over my Keencut Excalbur, not as easy and not as fast - probably not as durable either, but for the price it's not a bad machine at all.
 
Grumbler In Training

I have use a Fletcher 3000 for most of the 13 years that i have been framing, but opted for an Onyx 90 when opening my own shop (for price, of course!).

The pros are: 1) PRICE, 2) Customer Service, which was quite good, 3) Ability to cut 1/2" board easily, which the Fletcher wasn't designed for, 4) Mat Cutting Blade is a standard X-Acto, so replacements are easy to find.

The Cons: 1) Not having all the tools in one turret is a a bit of an inconvenience 2) The blade flexes more than the Fletcher, so I scored-then-cut sometimes to ensure straight edge

Overall, I think that the Onyx is very well made (and attractive), and if you're on a tight budget, it works great.
 
The two companies I have seen that sell the onyx are less than reputable.

The main website has a spotty record at best. (bait and switch)

The other site is from a fellow grumbler on here that tried to represent himself as having no affiliation with the main site but was really trying to push the onyx product that they sold.

The fletcher will last forever and parts availability will never be a problem, you may not find parts for the onyx if either site goes under in the next few years.

You really do get what you pay for.

Bob
 
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