Customer Reviews

Logan STUDIO JOINER Logan Framing Tool Hardware

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I have used this joiner for over 2 years, and have made over 1500 frames. It works fine if you read the directions, and use the frame vise provided with the unit. Logans customer service is outstanding! I damaged the unit on a couple of occasions, due to using excessive force. I contacted Logan to order replacement parts, and both times yhey sent the parts free of charge! The second time was even beyond the stated warranty period. The level of customer service alone would entice me to purchase Logan products in the future.

I unsuccessfully framed a couple of picture frames. They came out just fine if it were for a weekend framer who could excuse 1/16" of uneven gap at each corner. The problem occurs when I had to flip entire frame while the corner is unstable. The kit comes with two pieces of spacer that should hold two frames so that the right angle V-shape is held stably. But they are hard to be used beneath the frame in the exact position they need while the joiner it self has such a small base board lacking any support to hold joining two pieces with the correct angle with the joint in the tightest contact. It is very frustrating as I struggled to stabilize the pieces together while I was pushing the V-nails into the frames. It has no suggestion of using frame clamp but the frame clamp to keep 4 pieces together must be used in conjunction of polyurethane glue such as gorilla glue otherwise joined pieces come lose a little. As I flipped the joining frames up side down, I could not see what was going on with the connection of V-nails. That just kills me. That was the gamble I always lost. I would purchase a joiner that does not require flipping a frame up side down. In fact, Logan has a higher line of joiner which offers the function. It also offers longer built in frame support to position two frames in stable places. I have eyes on Bench Master Frame joiner too. Now I have to think of how to get rid of the Studio Joiner. I paid less for this inexpensive model but it did cost me more.

I have used the logan studio joiner Logan STUDIO JOINER Logan Framing Tool Hardwaremany times with excellent results, but not by following their directions or using the worthless vice. The key is to use a strap clamp, and support the work on all sides. For absolutely perfect frames a miter trimmer is the ticket!!. By using the strap clamp you just move the joiner to each corner. No flipping of the frame. The drawback on the logan (either one) is the size limitation of the moulding width. I am going to sell my logan and get the benchmaster with the pushmaster. It will give me the ability to do octagonal frames. The pushmaster can be used independently, meaning moulding width is not an issue.

I don't often get moved to review an Amazon purchase, but this is such an irksome product I am posting my $.02 in the hopes that I might help some prospective buyers to avoid the frustration this device has caused. me. I didn't expect it to work as quickly as a pneumatic industrial V-nailer, but I expected similar accuracy, and that was a mistake. I can cut frames all day that lay on a flat surface and all four corners align perfectly, so I know my technique is adequate. However, the way this joiner works, the vise applies more pressure to the back side of the frame, resulting in perfect corners from that side with no gaps. However, when you turn it over, the corners on the front are another story. I usually get one or two corners with 1/32 to 1/16 inch gaps and almost have to put the corner putty in with a trowel. On top of that, the process of clamping and flipping and all that makes it easier to damage the frame, so even more touch-up is required. Sometimes you get what you pay for, and this is one of those times. I recommend to anyone considering this device to bite the bullet and get the Logan Pro-Framing F300-2 Pro Joiner instead.

Logan describes this frame joiner as "economical" but it is better described as cheap. It is a semi-adequate unit if you can buy it on sale and you don't require precisely made frames. The error tolerance is about 1/16 inch. There is no easy way to stablize the frame when flipping it.

The customer service support at Logan Graphic is very poor. I bought a V-groover that proved to be factory defective and per Logan Graphic instructions sent the unit to them - their response has been customer nonservice. Nearly two months and ten emails later I have yet to receive a replacement unit.

this product is very good. excellent. I recommend it. will not regret your purchase. muy buen producto y funciona muy bien

I read a lot of reviews on this product that are negative. I experienced the same problems with this joiner as many of the others who are complaining. However, with practice, I find this to be a good product. Don't expect perfect corners immediately - it takes practice. Most of the complaints are that as you are pressing the V-nails into the back, the front is spreading, leaving a gap. The reason is lack of support under the frame, and there is a simple solution for this. Using two pieces of the same scrap frame material, make a simple corner joint, BUT MAKE IT BACKWARDS. The result is that you have a corner with a mirror image contour that you can put under your frame corner to provide overall support no matter where you put the V-nail. Using this method, I rarely use Logan's support bracket that comes with the joiner.
Also, watch the calibration of your saw - you MUST check the 90 degree vertical and 45 degree miter angle of the saw with a carpenters square. It has to be perfect; these corners are super-sensitive to very small angle errors. Otherwise you will get joints with gaps no matter how good you are at using the joiner. Don't depend on your saw to remain calibrated forever. With use, it drifts. Check it often. I check mine every 50-75 cuts.
And finally, use Logan's suggestion of coloring the edges of the joints with wood stain. It hides minor joint errors. I use a stain pen - it's easy to use and doesn't require opening a can of stain every time I want to join a corner.
I've been using the joiner for roughly 6 months - I have no problems getting good joints.

I just got the logan jointer and it is a very heavy duty machine. Some reviews said the plunger sticks (and it does) but there is an easy fix. Take two screw holding the handle on, slide the bit off, then slide the handle off and turn the actuating handle over so the dimple is on the top. Reassemble ,end of problem I have contacted Logan about this and they were happy to hear it. About the gap in the miter, sanding the end of the miter closes it up. Also use the largest nail possible. The package deal turned out to be a very good deal. I would recommend this tool.

If you have no immediate dead line to adhere to this baby works. The extra steps of lining up the v-nail to the angle where the moulding meets can get cumbersome if you are doing 20 frames a week. If you are doing 3-4 frames a week, it works just fine. It is an easy nailer to make mistakes on if you don't take your time. But compared to other nailers that cost 2 and 3 times as much, I am satisfied with this little unit.

I've made about 240 frames with it so far, and this nailer fits the bill from half inch, to four inch frames.

I do not get a gap, as was said in an earlier review, however if the frame is thicker i do have to sand more to remove the gap.

Use the soft vnails for soft wood and the hard ones for hard wood, and I think you will do fine. You have to use it as the directions say, or mistakes and anger will occur.

Side note: Logans intermediate mat 450 cutter. Way worth the price. Its paid for itself and then some!

The Logan Studio Joiner is very easy to use. The cd that is sent with it for educational purposes is great. As long as you follow the instructions the joiner works well. Once in a while the mechanism that will seat the v-nails will stick a little but it is easy to adapt to it.