V-nailer info

[kelly]

I am starting a homebased framing business. I have a manual chopper, mat cutter, Fletcher glass/mat cutter and lots of misc. tools I have acquired from buying out other shops and hobbiest.

Two questions what type of manual V-nailer should I be shopping for?

I bought a Thumbnailer with a manual Jyden chopper. I really wanted the chopper. What exactly are Thumbnailers for?

Any help would very appreciated!

 

[Rick Granick]

The Thumbnailer is a device which routs a special groove in the mitered ends of wood mouldings so that they can be joined with plastic inserts. This is supposed to take the place of v-nails. However, it is less than ideal because the routing removes a relatively large amount of wood and leaves small areas that are vulnerable to breaking, resulting in a weak joint. A more professional version of this approach is provided by the Hoffman dovetail machine, but it is much more expensive. With your setup you would probably be best off with a v-nailer of some kind, either manual or pneumatic. There are many good ones, including many used ones on the secondary market- check the Commercial Posts thread here on the Grumble. Avoid any joining tools by Logan, though, as they are more hobbyist-grade and not suited to professional production.
Rick

 

[Gil Lopez-Espina]

Two questions what type of manual V-nailer should I be shopping for?

I bought a Thumbnailer with a manual Jyden chopper. I really wanted the chopper. What exactly are Thumbnailers for?

Hi Kelly - I'm new to this forum as well and do frames exclusively for my art and photography work. I'm sure other more experienced members will provide additional info. I don't use a thumbnailer, but do have a manual V-nailer by Fletcher, their 5500 underpinner. Although Fletcher handles this product in the USA, it is actually made by PILM in Italy http://www.pilm.com/Pilm_mechanical_Underpinners.php?prd=000008&lgn=EN. This machine is solidly built, easy to use and should last years. There are two drawbacks I have experienced, but probably you will find the same dilemma with other machines. First, there are too many levers and controls to adjust every time the nailer needs to move forward or backwards when adding additional V-nails. Secondly, please be wiser than I was, when you are ready to purchase any machine, make sure to buy the table or arms usually sold as an option for joining long pieces of moldings. Without this option attached, you will always be needing someone to physically help with larger frames and, even with help, it is a pain to keep all parts of the frame leveled. I actually ended up designing and making my own support arm system since I'm no longer living in the States.