V-NAILER HELP!

Jason

CGF, Certified Grumble Framer
Joined
Dec 3, 2004
Posts
198
Loc
Iowa
I am thinking about purchasing a v-nailer. I am looking at the new Fletcher 5600 and the ITW/AMP VN2+1. Anyone have either one of these machines? I certainly would like the good and bad points of both. I am currently using a thumbnailer and have read on previous posts that after a while the nails pop out and ruin the frame. Is this true? Obviously I want my customers to not have this issue, so I think a v-nailer may be a better route. Again, I would appreciate any thoughts on either one of these machines. Best.
 
I have the VN2+1 also and can't imagine being without it now. It works great. It did take me a day or so to get good at using it, and I still have times where I knew I should not have hurried when using it. I guess everyone has those days. But the bottom line is it does the job and does it very well.
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A v-nailer is the way to go, Jason. It's another one of those purchases you will never regret. Sure, you'll have a problem here and there, but you will learn to deal with it. Just make sure that you get machine that enables you to glue and nail at the same time on most profiles, rather than having to glue each corner and let set up in a vise. Also, try to get one that will accomodate wide and tall
profiles.
 
With regard to the thumb-nailer:

For some time, I was having some of my chop vendors thumb-nail some of the chops that I knew would be a pain to join. Out of hundreds of thumb-nailed chops, I had (I think) three come back with broken inserts.

As far as I'm concerned, a 1% failure rate is unacceptable, so I don't use the thumb-nail service any more.

Besides, if you've ever actually nailed your thumb, you know it's unpleasant.
 
Jason -
You will really appreciate how much a v-nailer will improve your work-flow and the quality of your joins. Thumb-nailers are okay, but I think we all have experienced problems with them (chipping out, etc) - We use a Cassesse v-nailer, but the ones that you mentioned are fine. Try them before you buy to see which one feels more comfortable.
 
Hey Jason,

I have used both at two other shops and when I opened my own I bought ITW/AMP VN2+1. It has great adjustments for frames not quite square and no electrical or oiling needs.
Both are very good at what they do but the one I purchased I got a great price for online.

Good luck.
 
Originally posted by Jason:
...I am looking at the new Fletcher 5600 and the ITW/AMP VN2+1...I am currently using a thumbnailer and have read on previous posts that after a while the nails pop out and ruin the frame. Is this true?
Jason:

The Thumbnails won't just "pop out" if the frame is properly glued, but the plastic inserts can break if the frame suffers an impact sufficient to knock the the glue joints loose -- allowing the frame to fall apart.

V-nailing is definitely a better way to go. Like other major framing tools, most of us don't get to use a lot of V-nailers, so we tend to really like what we learn to use well.

The VN2+1 is a good machine, and has been around a long time. I had one in the early 90's and traded it for a VN-42.

The Fletcher 5600 is very similar, but a newer design. Both are Italian machines, and well made. However, I think you'll find that the Fletcher is lower priced. The VN2+1 has not faced such direct competition before, and Fletcher is aggressively promoting their new product line.

Other than the price difference, Fletcher machines have the advantage of their extensive distribution network. When you need V-nails or accessories, you can buy them from almost any Fletcher-Terry distributor.

About six months ago I sold my VN-42 in favor of the Fletcher 5700. No regrets, and I like all of the extra features.
 
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