Which CMC is better and CMCs with Vacuum bed or without.

[FaamPicFraming]

Hi everyone,
I would like to make an investment and purchase a CMC machine (regular size bed - barely get jumbo mount orders) and have three questions.
Please kindly share your experience.
Q1) Which brand Valiani or Gunnar do you recommend and what model?
Q2) Is a vacuum bed useful in the mount-cutting process (a useful option to have) or is it useless?
Q3) Which one is easiest for repairs and replacements in the UK?

In my team, I have experienced graphic designers so we look forward to cutting complex mount designs + large-volume mount cutting for standard sizes.

Thank you
Ama

[Justintime]

As far as Gunnar goes, it depends on your budget. I opted for a budget of around £5k and found a very good F1 Hybrid. Even though I didn't buy it from Gunnar, the customer support was/is second to none. Once I had found a machine, they were able to give me a rundown of its service history and workload so far and advise on value. A brand new vacuum bed Aiox is likely to be in the region of £23k. The vacuum bed will certainly have advantages of less wastage, better design, updated drivers etc. For Gunnar, you need to speak to Sarah at Gunnar UK.

[FaamPicFraming]

Hi George,
Thank you so much for sharing your informative advice. May I know how long you have had your F1 Hyrid? Going from bevel to straight cut do you need to change the blade cartridge yourself or does it interchange automatically? Also, if I ask you what is the one thing about the machine that you dislike, what would it be?

[JKX]

Valiani was sold to a Belgium company called summa last year. They intend to expand the UK market

https://bigpicturemag.com/summa-acquires-valiani/

Simons are still the main distributor but mainline are also doing the entry level machine and some accessories now.

I had a val from 2009 - 21 and it never let me down - the software did but I upgraded and V studio is great. I have no experience of vacuum beds.

Cons (for me) poor support - not one software update in all that time before I upgraded it. Pros, well built with easy basic maintenance.
If the new owners establish a “Valiani UK” like we gave a gunnar uk - that would be good. At present they depend on independent engineers.

Given my time over I’d lash out a bit more wonga and go for a gunnar, their support is unrivalled.

I’d also go for a jumbo model again - I also didn’t get many single frame orders requiring jumbo boards, but my manual cutter was jumbo so it seemed daft to not replace it with the same.
The big advantage of a jumbo CMC though, is to cut more mounts per sheet, plus you’d feel a bit daft subbing larger jobs out, possibly to a framer with a manual machine, after lashing out 20 grand or so!

[Justintime]

Bought in 2021. It automatically realigns the blade from straight to bevel.
My only complaint is that it does not cut deeper. For instance I would like to cut 5mm bevelled foamboard for some jobs, I think 3.5mm is technically it's deepest. It may be the same with all machines I don't know. I find the software very intuitive and Gunnar will offer free training regardless of where or who you bought it from!

[Justintime]

As far as subbing-out goes, I get Wessex to cut any jumbo mounts and undermounts I need (2 or 3 a year?) relinquishing any profit on those parts of the job.

[JKX]

I kept my 60” keencut for a back up and for training, (plus a complete cutter bar and head just for bevelling 5mm foam board for deep wrapped bevels) so if I was only worried about the odd oversized job I could have gone for the standard size CMC but the jumbo version came in handy, regularly for other uses. My advice would be only go for the standard size if space is an issue or you know for sure you would have no use for the bigger version.

I think the wizards come jumbo as standard???

[David]

Hi Ama

First, I’ve had a Gunnar since 2008 (I think - it’s a long time ago), still got it, never regretted it and still think I made the right choice.

1. Gunnar – I have an F1 Hybrid, an F1 was on here very recently for £3500. The newer Aiox will be around £25K if you also need a computer and compressor.
2. A vacuum bed means less wastage as you can cut closer to the edge, apart from that I’ve not used one.
3. Maintenance and backup from Gunnar is brilliant, no one else comes close.

When I was looking the three main points that I went for the Gunnar was the intuitive software, UK based dedicated backup and the fact the machine could change from bevel to straight cut automatically but you need the Hybrid model for that. The machine comes with an extensive list of standard templates and if you want to get really creative producing your own designs is relatively easy with practice, it’s all in the standard software. As Justin said speak to Sarah, even if you are not buying from Sarah direct and are interested in a Gunnar talk to Sarah.
Mine is a Jumbo size but very rarely use the full size.

If you want to see what you can do getting creative on a Gunnar please take a look at my website:

https://www.silverstoneframing.com/

Good luck, David.

[FaamPicFraming]

Hi David, George and John,

Thank you so much for your informative and educational comments and for sharing your valuable experiences with me. If you happen to be passing through Twickenham or Whitton, please do pay us a visit and we can have some Persian tea together. Our address is 131 Percy Road, Whitton, Twickenham, TW2 6HT

Many thanks
Ama