28 PFM June 2015

Point drivers are pretty simple, but they are essen-tial to most framing jobs. Their majorpurpose is to hold contents

tightly inside the frame. The righttool results in a properly fittedframe that helps keep out dustand other contaminants. Themost important factorsare: strength, ability toadjust to the type offrame, volume of frames,and the kind of pointsneeded for the job.This last statement isespecially importantbecause you need to use the manufacturer’s recommendedtype of points (usually their own) in order to avoid jam-ming and to not void the warranty.

Manual Fitting ToolsThe Cassese Fleximaster can shoot any type of 15mmflexipoints and Cassese hard points. An easy-to-load mag-azine accommodates 170 flexible or hard Cassese points.It has spring-adjusted firing power to match the wooddensity and a comfortable full-grip trigger.

The Fletcher-Terry FrameMaster is a very popu-lar point driver, capable of driving rigid pointsinto hard or soft wood. The gun action is reli-able, firing the point free of the gun andimbedding it into the rabbet at a slight upwardangle so the point exerts downward pressure onthe back of the stack, insuring a tight fit. Thismeans no jamming or double feeding. Its user-

Point DriversA Retail Framer’s Guide

friendly, pressure-setting knob lets you determine the exactpenetration depth in any wood, and the magazine holds100 points. It comes with a new rubber grip handle

ergonomically designed to eliminate hand fatigueand increase ease of use.

Fletcher’s FlexiMaster is similar to theFrameMaster but is designed for flexible pointsused in jobs where changeable artwork or photo-graphs are involved. The driver provides a tight, flatfit with the added benefit of points that can be bent

out of the way to change the frame contents or toopen the framed artwork for cleaning. This toolfeatures a spring mechanism for adjusting thetension to fit the specific wood density. Thelightweight design and full-grip trigger provide

comfortable point firing. The easy-to-load magazine holds170 flexible points. A new rubber grip handle eliminates

hand fatigue and increases comfort.As its name sug-

gests, the FletcherMultiMaster is

designed for fitting oneframe into another. It

fires the uniquelyshaped, bendable Multi-

Points, which are roughlyrectangular, with two barbs

and a 4.5mm roundhole. The barbs hold

the points firmly inthe wood, while thebendable points allowthe frame back to be

Knowing which point driver is right for you can save time andmoney. Here’s a look at what’s available today.

By Jim Hynes

Cassese Fleximaster

Fletcher MultiMaster

30 PFM June 2015

removed and re-fitted. A special feature of the MultiPointis that it can be used to join two frames together whenassembling shadowboxes. This tool can fire points into theside of the lower frame, where a screw can be put throughit into the upper frame. This holds the frames togetherwhile allowing them to be easily dismantled. The easy-to-load magazine holds 167 MultiPoints.

The Fletcher FrameMate is for more delicate jobs,when finesse is more important than sheer strength. Thistool inserts special 5/8”fitting points and brads into wood-en frames up to 3" wide. Squeezing the handle bringsclamping pressure to bear on the brads or points, forcingthem into the wood. A rubber cushion and minimumpressure prevent the tool from marring the outside of theframe, especially small and delicate frames.

There are two models of Inmes point drivers availablein the US. The FI-150 applies 15mm flexible framingpoints and the RI-160M has applies16mm (5/8") InmesFraming Points. Both have a rubber action handle and areequipped with an adjustment tab button, allowing theoperator to make adjustments on the penetration of thepoints, depending on the framing materials.

The Logan Fitting Tool can handle all four types ofinserts that finish framed art. Logan’s unique swivel footdesign drives single inserts including rigid points, flexiblepoints, brad nails, and multi points for stretcher barmounted artwork, such as oil paintings. Each insert isloaded into the turret and then driven choosing the pointtype. The tool has an easy-adjust foot and a patented,rotating insertholder that’s beenredesigned toincrease productdurability. The toolcan be used onboth hard and softwoods.

The LoganF500-2 Dual DriveElite works like acommon staplegun, driving eitherrigid or flexibleinserts into the rab-bet of wood framesto properly securethe glass, artwork, Logan F400

PFM June 2015 31

and backing material into the frame. The Dual Drive Elitefires either rigid or flexible points into all types of woodmoulding and features a tensioning knob for harderwoods. An improved comfort grip and and easy pullaction makes the Dual Drive Elite better than ever as the

must-have tool forany shop. This tooluses points F53,F54, F55, and F56.

The 888 Man-ual Point Driver forflexi and rigidpoints is a versatilemanual tool. Thistab gun accommo-dates both flexi-

points and rigid points, allowing a framer to use one toolfor both applications. The rugged steel ergonomic con-struction gives this tool durability under heavy use.

Pneumatic Tools The AMS Standard-Fire Flexi Tab Tool inserts one Flexi-Point or Rigitab per press of trigger into wood mouldingsto quickly clip frame load into frame. The nosepiece isdesigned to allow Flexi-Point insertion almost horizontally.After firing, just slide the tool over to the next point ofinsertion rather than lifting away from frame for speedand efficiency. Tabs are inserted at an angle, which meansthey need to be pressed down to complete assembly. Thistool is lightweight and can be loaded quickly without

change of workposition.

The AMSAuto-Fire Flexi TabTool includes allthe advantages ofthe Standard-Fire#SFLX1 tool, but itis automatic formass productionworkshops. This

tool has a repetition trigger that, while pressed, will con-tinually fire Flexi-Points or Rigitabs into moulding asadjusted with its speed control. The nosepiece has rollersto enable smooth and quick movement over the back offrame.

The Cassese CS 6.15A FlexPoints Pneumatic Gun is

AMS 1AMS Standard-Fire Flexi Tab Tool

Logan 500

32 PFM June 2015

the company’s lightweight gun,designed to useCassese “regular” or“arrow” flexpoints.This tool is idealfor medium andcontract framers.Its Quick Slide fea-ture allows foropening two sides. The weight is .550 kg and is designedfor a maximum of 70 psi.

The Cassese CS 6.25 FlexPoints Pnuematic Gun isan exclusive pneumatic gun designed specifically to useonly 25mm Cassese flexpoints. This makes it ideal for bigframes, mirrors, or poster frames. This tool is also eco-nomical as one 25mm flexpoint can easily replace fourregular 15mm flexpoints. The weight is .750 kg and isdesigned for a maximum of 70 psi.

The FletcherPneumaticFrameMaster andFlexiMaster workand look like theirmanual versions.They fire tight andflat to the surfacebut provide superi-or holding powerdue to theincreased pressure. The FrameMaster uses Framer’s Points

in stacks of 250 and the FlexiMaster uses points in stacksof 425. There is no ‘pull-back’ required; just slide the driv-er along the moulding for continued firing. The ergonom-ically designed trigger eliminates hand fatigue.

The Inmes FP-150 Air-Op FlexiDriver fires 15mmflexis, Standard orSemi-Rigid points.The magazine takesstrips of up to 300flexi points. Itsnose plate quicklyloosens to clearjams and it has arubberized handgrip and safety catch on the operating trigger.

The Omer 53 Air fires both 15mm Standard andBendable flexible points. This light weight reliable tool isideal for high vol-ume production. Itproduces low noise,no recoil, fast airrecycle; and is easyto use. This durablegun is built to holdup under volumeproduction condi-tions and drives atlow air pressure.Pressure can be Omer 53 Air

AMS Standard-Fire #SFLX1

Cassese 6.25

Fletcher PneumFlexiMaster

PFM June 2015 33

adjusted on each to regulate depthof insertion.

The 888 Pneumatic FramersPoint Tool has a special nose plateattached to ensure that tabs are notdriven completely into framingmaterials, which means the tabs arekept extended about 50 percentabove the installed surface.

This gun fires 5/8" flexi-pointsand rigid points. This gun is avail-able both in a premium and aneconomy version.

The versatile 888 PneumaticFramers Tab Tool can dispense bothflexi-points and rigid points, allow-ing a framer to use one tool for bothapplications. This tool is used forflexi-tabs that allow the artwork tobe changed. ■