need advice on joiner purchase

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sedonaframesmith

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I find that the CornerLock 4000 thumbnail-type joiner that I have been using for the past 20 years or so has become obsolete and when I tried to replace it with the Nielsen Thumbnail counterpart that too had been discontinued. Since I have not paid attention to joining systems in a long time, I find myself in need of guidance. I have always been leery of underpinners as it seems as though virtually all of the frames that come into my shop for repair have been joined by underpinners. I am a low-volume (perhaps 12 frames per week), one-man shop and am more interested in strength of the corner bond than in speed. I would appreciate any suggestions on what to look for as well as any information that might be out there on availability of plastic wedges (especially 3/8") for the CornerLock 4000 to get me through the transition.
 
Check out Hoffmann Dovetail machines. They are what the two you mentioned aspire to be:
http://hoffmann-usa.com/machinery/dovetail-joining-machines
There are a couple used ones around (I'm selling my X-15 once I get it cleaned up and I think Rob Markoff has one as well, a larger model I think). Check eBay and the Commercial section of the Grumble.
 
An underpinner is the most popular method of joining frames. It's fast, produces strong corners, provides corner control, and gives clean results. The reason most of the frames you see that need repairs have been joined with an underpinner, is because that vast majority of professionals use an underpinner.

Are they perfect? No. Some frames join better using a different method, but an underpinner is the hands-down frame joining winner for most framers, so you may want to give it another look.
 
If you have been happy with the results of a Thumbnail type system, they will have to pry your cold dead hands off a Hoffmann.
 
I very much appreciate the helpful responses so far to my plea for help and would be interested in hearing more. To Paul Cascio especially, I hop;e that I didn't give the impression that I wouldn't consider a v-nailer, it is mostly what I have been thinking about, trying to gauge what size/features would be important. I am intrigued by to mentions of the Hoffman joining system which I have not heard of before and will try to research it further as well. Thank again.
 
Your unfortunate perception of underpinners runs contrary to the experience of most framers. Underpinning is the most popular method of professional frame joining, and for good reason. Most models are fast and easy to set up and operate, providing strong miter joints in nearly all mouldings of typical rabbet depth, although underpinning is not the best method for deep shadowboxes. Anyway, a good underpinner is a wise, long-term investment for many professional framers.

The Hoffmann dovetail routers are fine machines, and their inserts are much stronger than the Cornerlock or Thumbnail inserts. The model X-20 I purchased at WCAF-2013 makes excellent miter joints for deep shadowboxes, which is the reason I purchased it.

Generally, a new underpinner costs more than a new dovetail router, but v-nails cost less than dovetail inserts. Over time, the total cost of operation may be about equal, so it is best to select the joining technology that works best for your needs. Note that there are lots of good used underpinners on the secondary market at competitive prices, but very few Hoffmann dovetail routers.
 
I'm curious. How skinny can a moulding be an still use a thumbnail? Can it be used on a 1/2" or 3/4" wide moulding?
 
The smallest Hoffmann key will join a 5/16" wide moulding (that's the measurement where you are routing, not the face).

That said, 5/16" is really pushing it. Your setup needs to be very precise, and I've never tried it on softwoods, which I suspect may not fare so well.
 
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