Pneumatic vs. Manual Underpinner

Create a Post
O

oljohnboy

Grumbler
Joined
Jul 21, 2009
Posts
31
Loc
North Carolina
Hello everyone, I need help deciding on an under pinner. I have found a Cassesse CS89 for $800. Around 10 years old and serviced by a Cassesse certified tech. I want to know first if this is a good machine, or if I should play it safe and get manual, that way there is less to tear up. Will I be able to produce the same results with a manual machine when I stack nails in large mouldings? I will not be a high production shop.....yet. Big decision for me, don;t want to start off on the wrong foot. Any suggestions on underpinners would be very helpful.

Thanks!
 
I can only bring one perspective to the table since I don’t have a pneumatic underpinner.

I have been using a manual Pistorius VN-J for nearly twenty years without any problems. Very little maintenance except for lubrication. But, as you point out, for very hard woods like maple and oak, it won’t do as good a job as would a pneumatic one. I still use the standard vise/glue/brad system for hard woods.

A foot operated manual system would probably give you a bit more “oomph” at driving nails, but I don’t believe that the clamp/vise system is any more “grippy” than my manual hold down and vise clamp.

You will need a compressor for a pneumatic driver, of course. If you already have one, I’d say go with the Cassesse if you’re sure that it has been given a clean bill of health.

If you don’t already have one, buying one will be an additional expense, and another thing to maintain. It will also eat up some valuable floor space in your shop. In this case, I’d go with a manual underpinner.
 
As framing tools go, an underpinner is a major purchase. Try to buy a machine that will serve your purposes, not only today, but ten years down the road. A professional-grade, well-maintained underpinner would probably last twice that long.

Generally, a pneumatic underpinner requires very little maintenence, and needs only a clean, dry, lubricated air supply -- best provided by an air filter/lubricator mounted directly on the machine. On the other hand, dirty, wet air can kill any pneumatic machine in just a few years.

Manual underpinners typically require routine cleaning and lubrication at their many wear points. That is, the maintenence routine is more involved and time-consuming than for a pneumatic machine.

Casesse makes good underpinners. If you can get a good used one at a good price, go for it. You should shop around, as you may find other models in better condition at better prices.
 
To answer your own question, find out the nearest repair person of each of your machines.

Assess the labor rate (include travel time). Also look at how complicated each machine is. The less complicated, generally the easier they are to troubleshoot and maintain. Now compare the prices of replacement parts.

While being 10 years old isn't ancient for a solid machine, maintenance does increase as a machine ages. You can get a new machine for about the same.
 
Create a Post
Back
Top