NEWBIE NEEDS HELP WITH A SEAL PRO 48 CUTTER

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MrMonster

Grumbler in Training
Joined
Feb 6, 2009
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Hello,
and thanks for allowing me to join.
I am new to mat cutting and framing as I have a large collection of vintage movie posters and stills wit signatures I want to finally frame, without the incredible costs of having a shop do it.

I recently purchased a used SEAL, PRO 48 mat cutter, a wall mount unit that came complete with a squaring frame.
I have been told it was made by Fletcher for Seal and is basically a Fletcher 2100. In comparing this and a 2100 they are almost twins.
It uses Fletcher blades and the heads look nearly alike.

It cuts only a straight cut, and I would like to cut bevel cuts also.

Does anyone here know if the Fletcher 2100 cutting head will work on the Seal? Would anyone know the diameter of the head rail?
Here are photos of my Seal and the head minus blade.
Thanks to all.
Donald Bowman
 

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Welcome to the Grumble Don.

I personally don't know anything about that particular machine, but perhaps someone else will be able to answer your question.

After you invest in all of the proper machinery and acquire all of the knowledge to do a truly professional job, you will understand why custom frame shops have to charge so incredible prices.
 
Hi, and welcome to the Grumble! I don't know the answer to your question, but hopefully someone on here will. If your posters have any worth as collectibles, I hope you take care to use conservation materials, techniques and glazing when you frame them. Good luck and have fun! :)
 
Welcome MrMonster

I have a fletcher 2100. looks very similar to your machine.
My mat cutter has a blade holder on both sides of the head. I see only one on yours. It is the silver lever thingie on the right. Maybe your machine doesn't have but one silver thingie. ????????????????

:icon9: :icon9:
 
This unit is a trimmer,made primarily for the print/graphics/signmaking industry.I would suggest contacting customer service at F-T great people,in my experience.BTW,my 2 cents...I wouldn`t expect it to be a good candidate for a matcutter makeover,but that`s just me. L.
 
Welcome to the Grumble!

I can't answer your question about your matcutter. But have you ever cut mats before? Or done any framing? Are you a woodworker? I think you underestimate the 'simplicity' of framing. I know I did before I became a framer. You probably don't realize how much goes into framing something properly.

Are your posters of any monetary value? I would strongly advise against doing it yourself without any experience. I am not sure how big your collection is. Are they all the same sizes and do you want all of them framed with the same moulding? Most framers will offer a nice quantity discount in that case.

I can't see where you are, if you are close by, feel welcome to walk in. As you will hear from many other grumblers on here if you happen to live close to them. I understand the need to save money (don't we all) but maybe knowing why framing costs what it costs, will give you a better understanding.
 
Looking at the pictures I have questions about the machine.

It looks like the hold down bar is bent the wrong way. It looks like the measuring arm is on the wrong side, or that you'll need one for the left if you want to cut mats. You'll need to get a new fletcher head as that ne is missing the bevel blade side.

The base is too small and I don't see a mat guide bar.

Too many parts missing on this unit to really cut mats. In order to bring it to that level you will be spending $5-600 (ball park guess) and have a cobbed together machine.

EBay purchase? Complain on-line about the seller. If you spent more than $1-200 and thought you were buying a mat cutter I'd bring it back, you didn't get one. More like you got a VW Bug when you were wanting a Porsche. Same basic machine and components, but not the same animal at all!

You could keep it and use it to cut mats to size, but it is a poor repacement for a Fletcher 3000 or 3100 as it can't cut glass.
 
On second look the hold down bar is upside down! Who did this to it! You need to remove the bar at the hinges and put the top end on to the bottom end. Then spin the head and cutter bar around. Still missing the rest of the base on the left hand side, and you have no mat guide bar or left hand ruler. And still only have half a cutter head. Probably not too expensive to get into a real working condition, More like a Bug to a Karman Ghia comparison than a Bug / Porsche!

All parts can be bought from United, or you can look for a Fletcher 2000/2100 in real functioning condition!
 
Newbie update

Hello,
and thanks for all the support.
There are a lot of questions to answer so here goes..
Yes, I will be using archival materials.
I do have some good wood working skills, as I replaced every foot of molding in my house including coping all the joints.

It cost me $100.00 total so there is room to add to it for missing parts.
And yikes!! it was delivered put together back asswards, thanks for the sharp eye, I have put it back together correctly and it wasn't tweaked and is holding flush and square. By eyeballing the head and the base, there is a channel cut into the right side to accommodate the blade for a bevel cut.

From looking at a lot of photos of fletcher machines, this does appear to be basically a Fletcher, and the head from the back appears to use the blade magazines which of course is missing. It currently has a piece of hardwood to back up the blade.

So The list of parts is not too bad, versus the purchase price.but the number one thing is will the Fletcher 2100 head work on this rail?
and any suggestions as to who I should buy from?

I was able to cut some thick foam board backers for some posters I have here, and they came out sharp, straight, and square.

Thanks,
Donald,
Ellensburg Wa.
MrMonster is online now Report Post Edit/Delete Message
 
Newbie with a mat cutter, RUN!!!

Hello, again.
To correct the last post, I meant there is a another cutting channel (it looks like one) on the LEFT side of the cutter rail that appears to be for the bevel cut.
The rail the head rides on is, 15.7 MM in diameter or .618 in.
If anyone has a fletcher and is able too measure your round rail the head glides on, It will help before I buy a cutting head.
Thanks again for all the help.

Donald
 
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