Recommend Manual Underpinner

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FrameArt

FrameArt

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Mar 18, 2008
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Just discovered that Cassese is no longer☹️ Have been using a Cassese CS 79 for the last 25 years with total success, but concerned about hammer and parts i went to order new ones when i discovered.
Recommendation for a quality manual joiner, not seeing much out there. Thanks!
 
The AMP U200 (sold by Fletcher-Terry) is probably a good bet. I don't have personal experience with this particular model, but I have been using their pneumatic ones for decades, and have been very happy with them.

Manual Underpinner | AMP U-200 | Fletcher Business Group

AMP U-200 manual underpinner is an entry-level frame assembly machine is ideal for retail framing or graphic shops
www.fletcher-terry.com www.fletcher-terry.com

:cool: Rick
 
As it says, it is an "entry-level" level joiner. I'm not familiar with other manual joiners so I can only give you my 2 cents worth on this one. It is my backup joiner. My main joiner is a U-400. I had to use the U-200 while the U-400 was down.

There are two things I don't like about the U-200. Other manual joiners may suffer these same two issues.

The knobs to adjust the stops are too small for my ancient hands. I have to use a vise grip to loosen/tighten them. They need to be larger.

The lack of a front clamp is my biggest issue with the U-200. You have to hold the moulding in place with your hands. For flat caps that isn't a problem but curved, hilly, swan and other similar mouldings are difficult to join. Enough so that I took several moulding down while I had to use the U-200 while my U-400 was under the weather. If you are going to join such mouldings on the U-200, you are best off gluing the mouldings first before joining. If I was going to use a U-200 as my primary underpinner, I would select the mouldings I offer with care.
 
Thanks for the replies.
I saw two manual underpinners videos today and the Fletcher looked the best and a trusted brand. From the video i would think the knobs grew or someones hands are very ancient! The demo video showed the nail distributor being opened and closed with an alen wrench as if a necessary operation to insert the v-nails? I hope this is not so as I change sizes constantly and even on the same frame., but it looks like this is the only choose; or maybe Cassese brand or technology can make a come back? cheers
 
The two knobs I talked about are shown below. They are perhaps an 1" to 1 1 /4" in diameter. If you change vnails a lot, perhaps you won't like this. Hard to turn especially when it is tight to the carriage like shown for the top knob below. You are right that it takes and allen wrench to change. The U-400 make this a breeze to do what you want. But is $1900 for the u-200 vs $6600 for the U-400.

u200Knobs.webp
 
If your Cs79 does everything you want it to then it’s cheaper to keep it working for the next few years whilst the parts are still available, only Cassese made decent foot operated Underpinners all the other brands on the current market are poor by comparison.

www.underpinner-spares.co.uk

Cassese Cs59, Cs79 Parts

Range of spare parts for the Cassese Cs59 and Cassese Cs79 foot operated underpinners, large selection, low prices, quick and easy secure online ordering and we ship to over 105 countries.
www.underpinner-spares.co.uk www.underpinner-spares.co.uk

Mark
 
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Underpinner Spares said:
If your Cs79 does everything you want it to then it’s cheaper to keep it working for the next few years whilst the parts are still available, only Cassese made decent foot operated Underpinners all the other brands on the current market are poor by comparison.

https://www.underpinner-spares.co.uk/collections/cs59-cs79

Mark
Click to expand...
Hi, Mark.
We have bought Cassese parts from you in the past when Cassese shut down and I bought a few things just in case.
We have 2 CS299 machines.
We are very high volume for high end design companies.
One machine we use every day and the other I just found locally and we bought it for $300, just possibly for extra parts but it actually works so we have back-up
It came with 3 extra original hammers and some pads..:cool:
Just the 3 hammers alone are about $300 without the whole machine.
We picked up the local one without shipping, it was only about a 20 mile drive.
We can't really shut down for even a day as we have to meet tight installation deadlines for the design companies and the installers.

We also are lucky to have tons of original Cassese vnails in every size in the cartridges.
We have a Mitre Mite VN2+1 as an extra/extra back-up that was in the shop originally.
I'm a 55 year framer and I'm very familiar with these machines and I've done repairs on some of them.

Thank you for your support and help in the Grumble.:thumbsup:
 
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Thanks i would like to get supporting parts if i can. I found that link yesterday and was a little discouraged on prices like $375 for wedge distributor block and not positive if that comes with the hammer @ $107. and it is a UK website; where is it shipping from.
 
I ship from the U.K,

Its highly unlikely a Cs79 would ever need a new wedge block as the machine would fall apart well before the wedge block wore out, the standard wearable service parts on your model are:

Wedge Hammer
Pedal Cable
10mm cartridge spring (very important this is changed on a regular basis)
Hammer ball catch
Wedge Distributor Block Screw Kit

Cost $155 + shipping - which is far cheaper than a new machine.
 
Cost $155 + shipping - which is far cheaper than a new machine.
Framing equipment parts: www.underpinner-spares.co.uk

Thats good info and list provided. I just discovered i do have a new wedge hammer, but will look at other items listed; replaced the pedal cable once in its 25 yrs. I use to go through wedge hammers semi-annually along with other items listed before i got my Hoffmann that I use for hardwoods, especially cap and floaters ect... Its been harmony and quality for five years now working the two together.
Patrick
 
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