Opinions Wanted Jiffy Joiner Manual Underpinner

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aviary framer

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Jul 9, 2008
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Silver Spring, Maryland
I am looking at possibly purchasing a used Jiffy Joiner,manual style, Model 1700. (I can't upload a pic because it is too big and the attachment was not allowed. but this is a pic link: http://www.frame-square.com/page8.html).

I wonder if anyone has used this model and what the experiences and opinions have been. Is it something you would buy based on what you now know? Is it easy to use, have some poorly designed feature, etc.? Thanks for any advice.
 
I have never used or seen one but looks like a toy. I own 2 Frame Square saws and they are great pieces of equipment but v-nailers may be a different story. Are you an experienced underpinner user or is this your first experience.
 
Have to agree with Jeff "looks like a toy". IMO I would stick with the tried and true models from Cassesse or ITW AMP. just a thought... Joe B
 
Had one, used it for 10 years.

Actually, it's built along the lines of other FrameSquare equipment and uses the same FrameSquare clamping mechanism as their saws and clamps. It uses leverage of an eccentric cam to drive the v-nails. It has automatic stops for the innermost and outtermost vnails. Anything in between is variable.

Some hardwood profiles are a bit problematic.

Uses Pistorius or other generic V-nail.

In 10 years, I replaced the driver once. The springs which hold the v-nails in the cartridge do tend to get overstretched every 3-4 years but are easily replaced.
 
When I was pricing a vnailer the manual model was close in price to a pneumatic. So I went with the pneumatic.

The stand is option on that machine, it looks like a thin hand operated handle for inserting v-nails, and the foot stand is actually, from the description a knee operated clamp. I envision a lot of body contortions to drive vnails into hard wood. Repetitive Stress injuries could abound.
 
Bob Doyle said:
the foot stand is actually, from the description a knee operated clamp. I envision a lot of body contortions to drive vnails into hard wood. Repetitive Stress injuries could abound.
Click to expand...

uses the same FrameSquare clamping mechanism as their saws and clamps, but it actuated by the knee (continuous pressure not needed) and released by hand. It uses leverage of an eccentric cam to drive the v-nails. That 'thin' handle is a 1/2" hardened steel rod. I didn't have any aches in my 10 years of using it.
 
Sorry Rick. Looks can be deceiving. It "looked" like the cheapy model on sale at Dick Blick. Glad to hear that it works well for you. I would expect it to work well for the OP.

I'm glad I got the pneumatic. When I was looking the manual model was close to the same price as the pneumatic, due to "show specials" on the pneumatic. I would have gone with the manual model, but don't regret going for air :)
 
Thanks

Thank you very much to all who replied, especially Rick B., who actually owned one of these machines. You are very kind to be so helpful. I have been in picture framing since 1993, and the only joiners I have used have been Cassese models, most recently a pneumatic. At one point I used a manual Cassese and really liked it - it was easier to use than I expected and the silence (vs. the pneumatics) is exquisite. I'm starting another thread related to another model of joiner which I am also exploring. I have not bought a joiner before, so I appreciate the advice.
 
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