Looking for a new v-nailer.

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i-m-chickie

i-m-chickie

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Joined
May 13, 2009
Posts
4,647
Loc
Kissimmee, Florida
Shop came with framing, I bought a needlework shop, didn't mean to become a framer...well, the equipment it came with was and largely IS solid. Nearly all manual stuff, no dust collection, no compressors; however that can change as a move is on the horizon and plans are being laid. And a CMC is being coveted.
Last week or so, right before the last of the Christmas stuff was due and running dangerously low on v-nails, my v-nailer starts kind of sticking, and misfiring, AND the 2 boxes of v-nails I ordered from United arrived and DO NOT fit in my machine (and were a mess in the box!:fire:), well, the ancient Pistorius may have finally bit the bullet.

Now I am looking for a nice machine, rather lady friendly, and I know not what else to even ask...? I haven't even thought of a new v-nailer before. Advice?

I make 12 frames a week on a great week. I do cut my own frames as well.
What does one ask when one starts shopping for a v-nailer?

AMP has a manual machine, should I stay that route, advantages to widening the search to pneumatic...?
 
Chix, are you going to Vegas? You might be able to try out some different machines then?

I have a Cassesse, pneumatic, and love it. Did you try different v-nails? I always stick to brand names and usually get some from LJ (I know more expensive, but fast and easy)
 
The Cassesse CS88 is a sound and well tested little machine. ;)


CasseseCS88.jpg


Most people seem to use it from the back, but the pedal works a cable so you can switch it round if you are a 'front loader'. :thumbsup:
 
Chickie, Dearie,

I bought my Inmes at the show last year and I love it!

Definitely try them out at the show and see what you like.

Only downside: Inmes V nails are a bit trickier to find.

-Sarah
 
Ylva said:
I have the CS89, not sure what the difference is exactly, looks the same
Click to expand...

88 is foot-powered 89 is pneumatic.

I am learning this stuff fast.

Would LOVE to wait until Vegas but my nailer has been down a few weeks already.

Thanks for input folks, keep ideas COMING.
What v-nailer do you use, what do you love about it? Hate about it?
 
if you do much with hardwoods, i would suggest something beefier than the 88 or 89

i dont even think the 89 is worth considering, the clamp is next to useless of the 2 i have used

i went from an 88 to a cs199xl, and man does it make a difference

joints are tighter, its way quicker and also way less issues with stacking wedges in deep frames
 
Chickie, Contact Johnny Wegeman at 407-645-5334. I think he is in your neck of the woods and is an old time freame eguipment and moulding salesman. He may be able to help you resurrect your ancient nailer or help you with the correct fastners or possible even have a great rebuild machine for you. Tell him I sent you and he will give you the old +10% rate he charges me.HA HA No kidding Johnie is a great guy and very knowledgeable.
 
The manual ITW/AMP is a great piece of equipment. I have tried both the ITW and Cassese manuals and both are good so it comes down to price. I currently have 3 of the PILM manuals but have not had time to try them out so I can't say how they would compare.

In the pneumatic I think the ITW/AMP is the way to go. I have used most every brand out there and the ITW is a workhorse. Cassese is very good but very expensive and will leave you with huge repair bills if something gets broken or worn out. If I were to need to replace my VN42 I would go with the VN144 which is the updated model. If you decide on the ITW no matter which one let me know and I will give you a contact for a great price on a new one.
 
What does one ask when one starts shopping for a v-nailer?
Click to expand...

I've put together a helpful list for you...

  • What tools (if any) or process is required to change between different wedge (v-nail) sizes?
  • Do the wedges (v-nails) come in convenient cartridges or loose strips?
  • What adjustments will I need to make (if any) when changing the joining hardwood vs. software timbers? (Pneu Pressure, clamping, etc)
  • How much user effort/input is required to secure/clamp the corner before joining?
  • What is the maximum height of moulding I can join?
  • What is the maximum width of moulding I can join?
  • What are the most common things that can go wrong on this machine?
  • What is required to maintain this machine?
  • Where and who are service & parts available from?

There are plenty of considerations, and nothing beats a "test drive" to see what you would feel more comfortable with most - so if you can make it to WCAF to compare different brands & models, it would be best.

The quality of your craftsmanship is important to your business reputation, so just buy a machine based on a "special deal" or "price" alone - buy something will offer consistently perfect joins and won't compromise your quality.

Cheers,

Jared
 
I have the VN 144 Jeff mentions. It reliably makes high quality corners.

Jared's points are well taken;
V nails are placed into cartridges, which slide in and out with no need of tools.
Once in the cartridge nails do not require further handling; they are readily available. I do not change settings or nails for hard/soft woods
Maintenance requires almost daily removal of glue from the machine surface.
The top clamp and th nail drive are on a two stage trigger in the handle; sometimes the machine does not like you to rush the second trigger pull.
I have yet to reach height or width limits of this machine.

The VN 144 is a good, safe, reliable machine that makes superb corners. It will bring your customers back for more.
 
It's a shame that you're about 9000 miles from me, Chickie, because I've got a Cassese 3099 Ultra (computerised) to sell! The shipping cost would be a bitch!

I had an Alphamachine Minigraph 44, which I think is the same as the VN 44 or 144 or whatever it is and it was a good machine, but the Cassese joints are tighter! It's extremely reliable and no parts have ever worn out or broken!
 
Have you tried the generic v-nails from Decor before you call it quits with your v-nailer? I have a pnematic Pistorius and have had good luck using them. The only difference is that they are loaded glue side up. I can send you a 10mm strip to try out if you want. :)
 
Cathy. Before you start splashing out on new kit, think about getting your existing machine overhauled. They do get a bit tired even if they don't get an enormous amount of use.

My venerable Euro manual gradually developed a few annoying habits. Sticking, etc. It then occurred to me that it hadn't had hardly given it any TLC for nigh-on 20 years except for scraping a bit of dried glue off here and there. One day I stripped it all down and gave it a good clean. Dirt and oil will clog up moving parts. After that it went like new.
 
prospero said:
Cathy. Before you start splashing out on new kit, think about getting your existing machine overhauled. They do get a bit tired even if they don't get an enormous amount of use.

My venerable Euro manual gradually developed a few annoying habits. Sticking, etc. It then occurred to me that it hadn't had hardly given it any TLC for nigh-on 20 years except for scraping a bit of dried glue off here and there. One day I stripped it all down and gave it a good clean. Dirt and oil will clog up moving parts. After that it went like new.
Click to expand...

In the throes of inventory on the shop, and Laura (Liberty Fame Chick) has kindly offered a strip of the correct Pistorius sub nails for it. Presently the feeder is stuck in the upright (having fed a v-nail) position and will NOT go back down. :icon19: I have the spartan manual out trying to take it apart and deep clean and oil it, I would rather hold off until Vegas so I can tries some machines out and know which is the right fit for my ladies shop.
The move hasn't happened...yet. And things have been bumpy so the added heavy expense is daunting, but manageable. But good golly miss molly life is interesting these days. POOP!
 
Chickie,

When I got my VN 2+1 I got it with the show special, so it was about the same price as a manual vnailer. Ask for a show special, or a floor model. As your favorite rep if he/she knows of anyone closing or upgrading and willing to sell a used v-nailer. I like my pneumatic nailer and as the salesman said now I have ready access to an air gun for whatever you use air for :)

The "great little compressor" is still running just fine for me. At the $250 price it was a great buy. (I got it on-line, didn't go with the cheap discount stores and have not seen the problems that the others have said they were plagued with...)
 
Chix, I had a similar problem once (operator error here), where the hammer got stuck and some v--nails were somewhere they shouldn't be and my Casesse was easy to take apart and put back together. After some cleaning and oiling, it worked perfectly again.
 
Well, gonna leave the gals to inventory, go on a lunch run, get some steel wool for the machine's nether regions that have never been cleaner, a big honkin' Allen wrench to take the table off and see if I can realign the feeder and I will betcha those STUPID "oh, these will work in your machine" vnails has one stuck in the feed. :mad:

I still do need to look a new machine, but I gotta make frames NOW!

When life gives you lemons... ferment those babies and get schnockered!!
 
osgood said:
It's a shame that you're about 9000 miles from me, Chickie, because I've got a Cassese 3099 Ultra (computerised) to sell! The shipping cost would be a bitch!

I had an Alphamachine Minigraph 44, which I think is the same as the VN 44 or 144 or whatever it is and it was a good machine, but the Cassese joints are tighter! It's extremely reliable and no parts have ever worn out or broken!
Click to expand...

Aw thanks big O! I do believe it is fixed. Took every moving part apart, cleaned it oiled it, reassembled it successfully, and the driver (the thingy that drives the v-nails in) which I think go kinked up with a misfired ill-fitting v-nail, has been filed free of a teensy kink. Just ordered some v-nails from a company called 888 manufacturing (said they were guaranteed to fit it right)...nonetheless, I will be trying out new v-nailers and soon.

Goodness my old Pistorius looks sparkly...I almost painted her pink.
 
i-m-chickie said:
Just ordered some v-nails from a company called 888 manufacturing (said they were guaranteed to fit it right)...
Click to expand...

888 is Peter Ackerman's new company. He will be debuting his new line of hardware (made in his own factory) and also his own line of Vises - including a 7" capacity vise that will sell for about $80 as a show special and also a multi angle vise like the old Bartons.

I know he will stand behind anything he sells.
 
I'm about to order a case of v-nails, offsets, some vises and point drivers from them. Peter has made the best v-nails in the past so I'm not worried about ordering a full case of one size to try them out.
 
Rob Markoff said:
888 is Peter Ackerman's new company. He will be debuting his new line of hardware (made in his own factory) and also his own line of Vises - including a 7" capacity vise that will sell for about $80 as a show special and also a multi angle vise like the old Bartons.

I know he will stand behind anything he sells.
Click to expand...

Rob, no wonder he was so hard to get hold of. He contacted me via this site, and he and I have played phone tag for a few weeks. BUT, there is nothing like a great endorsement, over a customer service rep just selling an item.
I will look forward to more business with him, he was ever so helpful on the phone.
 
We bought our vn42 from Johnny from Florida, at one of the trade shows. He was able to beat the best price at the time, which was from United. Great guy, and maybe you'd save on the freight too.

I'm not sure how local he is to your city.

Mike
 
Mike Labbe said:
We bought our vn42 from Johnny from Florida, at one of the trade shows. He was able to beat the best price at the time, which was from United. Great guy, and maybe you'd save on the freight too.

I'm not sure how local he is to your city.

Mike
Click to expand...

I did talk to him too Mikey. He was ever so informative, many people have sung his praises. He is in Maitland which is just on the other side of Orlando, and he offered to buzz one down to me when I was ready.
I go great encouragement to overhaul/ clean my old girl...and it has paid off. STILL looking at new, but with less urgency as at least I can make a frame now.
 
Well fixing what you have is even better! That's wonderful.

Hope to see you at the show!

Mike
 
I have an older VN2+1 which still works very well. I do not like the AMP branded "power twist" v-nails, and get better performance with generics. I used to buy them from V-Nail.com when they were around, and so far the best I've found currently are the ones from Decor (#621 10 mm hardwood). I look forward to trying Peter's v-nails. The wording on his web site stresses a focus on maintaining (or, restoring) high quality of hardware, as well as good value.
:cool: Rick
 
i-m-chickie said:
Rob, no wonder he was so hard to get hold of. He contacted me via this site, and he and I have played phone tag for a few weeks.
Click to expand...

I spoke to him in China a few nights ago. He and his wife moved there to oversee the factory and get everything up and running. With the time difference, I can see how you might be playing "tag".

He was very enthusiastic about the quality of his new offerings. We will be giving out samples in the Installation class and also showing his new vise in the Framing Oversized Art class. There are going to be some "show specials" too - but I bet if you ask nicely, those who aren't at the show can also get the "show discount" :).
 
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