Keencut Futura??????!!

[Townsend]

I got a newsletter e-mail from Lion and on the little diagram accompanying it there is a rather mysterious offering. On the corner of their stand there is a table 'A' which is listed as "Keencut Futura Mountcutter New". Anyone know what this is? I asked last year and Keencut told me there was nothing new in the pipeline. I can't find it on their site, nor can I find a Kencut Futura in Google. Someone, please solve this mystery for me. I know I can ring them in the morning, but curiousity is getting the better of me!

[Lee Tandy]

Well spotted.

Come along to the Lion stand in Hall 4 at the Spring Fair and all will be revealed.

[stcstc]

ah go on you know you want to tell us now:-)

[Tudor Rose]

or is it like at motor shows where they have concept cars? - a concept mountcutter perhaps?

[Not your average framer]

Perhaps it's a CMC?

[Townsend]

Yes. There is a new product to replace the old Ultimate Gold I think. Just for fun, what would you like to see on such a machine? Let's see what we actually need. My No. 1 would be changeable blade cartridges for quick changes when cutting boards of different depths. I seem to spend half my time lately fiddling about with blade depths and stop positions.

[Not your average framer]

An accurately calibrated blade depth adjustment would be nice, so that you can easily return to different settings for different board thicknesses. Mind you when I get my CMC, I won't be needing to upgrade my manual cutter.

[Townsend]

"The Ultimat Futura builds on the unique versatility, advanced design and precision of the Ultimat Gold by utilising new technology to deliver a sliding action that is smooth, accurate and with no discernable friction under load. Amongst other new features, the Ultimat Futura utilises switchable magnetic blade holders which make changing blades and holders for different depths of cut a simple, fast operation."

That is from the horse's mouth fellow framers, and for those of you who have not yet converted to a CMC I am sure that is all good news. See you at the Fair!

[mikeysaling]

Just received my No 48 LION - brilliant as usual. The Keencut upgrade from 'gold' to 'futura' looks very interesting - anyone else thinking of this upgrade and which new features are of particular interest.

[Ricky]

I had a look at the Futura when a the fair very nice glide action.the sales person was still trying to eliminate the overcuts while I was there
So I only had a brief look,
What they could'nt tell me was if there was an upgrade for my 62" ultimat

[mikeysaling]

I'm sure Lion can give you a quote for that - the prices in the 48 catalogue are for ultimat gold .

Actually 'glide' wise i never have a prob with my gold (40 inch) - maybe larger versions are less 'glidey' if that is a word. must say changable blade holder would be good though.

[Jonny2morsos]

I heard there are only three Futuras to have left the factory so far and they are all at Springfair!

[Not your average framer]

I'm up for upgrading my old original Ultimat, if this can be done. I think I'll leave the Ultimat Gold as it is for now.

[Custard]

I'm kicking myself that when I bought my Ultimat Gold I got the 1200mm version instead of the 1500mm, I've subsequently turned down several well paid jobs because I couldn't produce a large enough mat. I guess I'll get a reasonable used price for my 1200mm Ultimat Gold, so I'm seeing the Futura as a "second chance" to get it right!

[John Ranes II, CPF, GCF]

I'm kicking myself that when I bought my Ultimat Gold I got the 1200mm version instead of the 1500mm, I've subsequently turned down several well paid jobs because I couldn't produce a large enough mat. I guess I'll get a reasonable used price for my 1200mm Ultimat Gold, so I'm seeing the Futura as a "second chance" to get it right!

Custard,

I'm surprised that you might "turn down" the sale due to the size of your mount cutter. In this day and age, would it not be feasible to source out a fellow framer nearby who has either a 1500mm manual cutter to do the work for you? Or one nearby with a CMC? What about one of your suppliers?

When these options are at our fingertips, we can still produce a decent profit on the entire framing package to utilize outside sources, regardless if it be frame restoration, mounting or simply cutting a mount.

Regardless of brand, I would still recommend the 1200mm sized mount cutter as the default size for most frame shops.

John

[CanvasChris]

I'm up for upgrading my old original Ultimat, if this can be done. I think I'll leave the Ultimat Gold as it is for now.

Lion are quoting for the upgrade:
1000... £323
1200... £340
1500... £374

[mikeysaling]

hi chris - i think the prices are for u gold - not earlier versions - i'm sure lion could quote though.

[Bagel Framer]

Lion are quoting for the upgrade:
1000... £323
1200... £340
1500... £374[/quote]

What do you mean by an upgrade please? I spent what seemed like hours this afternoon changing the blade depth on my UG 48 today and changeable blade holders would be a godsend. It could also be a case of a bad workman blaming his tools too.

Sean

[CanvasChris]

@ Mikeysailing Brochure says all Ultimats

@BagelFramer... Lion brochure 48 ...available online if you have got one yet... page 51

says upgrade to the new slideway, cutting head and stop system.

[Bagel Framer]

Ok,

So if I'm singing from the same hymn sheet as you Canvas Chris it would appear anyone whose got an Ultimat can upgrade their machine to those specific parts of the futura, therefore getting the interchangeable heads?

I'm specifically just stocking/showing Colourmount's boards in a bid to use the same board which (in theory) is the same thickness every time therefore all I need do is change blades periodically, but everyone knows it's not as simple as that and the same boards do vary.

I don't produce or cut thick boards to save on the painstaking adjustments that are required - I should also add that I had/have the kind offer of a Ultimat Gold 48 consultation from a local framer if I ever get my act together so I should stop bleating really