multi-cutters

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Fletcher is the most commonly used. They come with height of 48" or 60". Get the 60" now or you will need it the day after you new investment arrives.
 
I prefer the Fletcher to the Bainbridge, is it the BMG 6000, or is that the big mother gun in Doom :). I haven't used any of the new ones. They look like they could be contenders. But for my money I'd go with the F3000 or F3100. Probably F3100 were i buying today.

call the folks that are advertising in the commercial threads. They have good prices...
 
I would go with the Fletcher also. Whether you choose the 3000 or 3100 depends on what you will be cutting.

I have the 3100 because I cut a lot of cardboard in addition to matboard and foam core. Cardboard will dull a blade in 2 seconds so I got the 3100 and an additional pilar post assembly. I can change from cardboard to matboard cutting in just a few seconds. I can't do that with the 3000.

You needs may vary. Take close look at what you will be cutting and get the one that suits your needs best.
 
The Fletcher 3000 and 3100 wall cutters have been the framing industry's workhorses for at least a couple of decades, and either of them would be a good choice for routine framing uses.

That said, I have replaced my old 3000 with a Fletcher FSC. Of course it will do everything the 3000 and 3100 will do, and more. As well as glass and acrylic, it will cut foam board, Gatorfoam and Sintra up to 1/2" thick. It comes standard with a laser sight, and an extremely sturdy & stable tripod-type floor stand, so you don't need to wall-mount it.

The FSC also will cut and V-groove aluminum composite material, which may become much more popular for framing in the near future. I'm cutting, v-grooving, and folding shadowboxes out of 4 mm ACM. Very handy and very cost-effective if you have the tools.


I am a customer and occasional consultant for Fletcher-Terry.
 
Jim, I would like a way to be uber accurate on the measuring side, I think a laser light on the cutting pillar is nice, but unnecessary. I don't think seeing where the line is gonna be made is all that helpful if I am an 1/8 or a 1/4" off :) I also had someone learning to cut, she was measuring on the wrong side of the number repeatedly, 10 1/2 needed was being cut at 9 1/2. Wasn't helpful :)

Could a production stop with a magnifier built in be an option or add on for the cutters.


PS I know you don't work for them :) but maybe you could pass the idea on. With fewer young people getting into framing, at least with hand tools and cutters, Fletcher will have to cater to us old curmudgeons and our failing eyesight :)
 
Bob:

The laser sight is helpful if you are cutting on a line instead of using the measuring scale. By the way, the laser sight is now available as an after-market accessory for the 3000 and 3100 machines.

The scales on the FSC are as accurate as the scales on a 3000 or 3100 machine, and because the machine is heavier-duty, it may hold adjustments better than other machines.

Yes, the FSC comes with handy production stops, but you have to provide your own magnifier.:eek:
 
I can see the laser being useful for cutting fome core that has a print attached. I have used the F3000 for that purpose.

My neighbor has a table saw with a 4 foot table on it. The cutting guide has a bubble magnifier that is really handy :) If I could get one for the F3000 I would in a heartbeat :) I think it would require installing a second measuring tape on the front of the F3000 and be offset so that the numbers line up with the location of the magnifier. Can I get a spare measuring tape sent to me to attempt setting up this "invention" of mine?
 
Bob Doyle said:
Can I get a spare measuring tape sent to me to attempt setting up this "invention" of mine?
Click to expand...

Several woodworking suppliers sell measuring scales in various increments, with or without adhesive. You could take apart a cheap pocket scale, as well.

I'm not sure I'd want a magnifier on the horizontal scale, which is just a little above knee high. Would it not require perfect alignment of the eye with the magnifier?
 
Probably, the one I have seen, on the table saw, has a red line that you use to line up with the numbers. Could be a prism, so that it could be 45 degrees or angled in such a way as to be best seen while standing.

Wouldn't want it to be variable, KISS principle, fewest areas to muck up... :)
 
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