// Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ's

Original Graft Crafters were CNC machined from solid material and supplied with a green general purpose guide block with multi functions (i.e. able to make different graft cuts - rind, wedge, cleft grafts and chip buds). These required tensioning down with a lockdown knob system. Initially SCIONON tools were largely selling to users in the NZ Kiwifruit Industry where a large amount of orchard reworking was taking place, prior to the PSA problem. SCIONON worked with that industry to develop a guide block more suited to kiwifruit grower’s needs, capable of cutting the preferred blunt cleft graft used. What eventuated was a block dedicated specifically for cleft cuts making it quicker and easier to shape the bunt cleft graft widely used to restructure vines. These blocks were machined from a solid white material.

A new injection moulding manufacturing process necessitated an upgrade in design and style allowing more functions and components to be added to the Graft Crafter. The die enables SCIONON to manufacture the full set of components to make up all the assembly configuration modules possible. Both the original general purpose block and the new kiwi block were also improved. The block colours changed with the old style green block being replaced with a new improved yellow block and the white kiwi block being replaced with the improved green version. These new blocks are designed to be a friction fit, ‘push on pull off’.

These new blocks are designed to be a friction fit - ‘push on pull off’ to allow quicker rotation of the block when working with varying material diameters. It is necessary that this block remains firm under use. They may be tight at first but will be easier to rotate as they  wear in. In cooler conditions perhaps the fit may have altered (tightened through  contraction of the central hole). If necessary place a bit of lube oil on the block pin before  inserting, also gently pry the blocks off with a screwdriver to assist removal. If the block ever  becomes a loose fit (which is undesirable) through use, replacement base and guide blocks  are available. Alternatively a solution is to ream out the block pin and retro fitting the tensioning knob system (as used on original builds) to the Guillotine Base Block (GBB). 

The DSU is an accessory for the GBU units or for independent use. It mounts on to the base of a standard 210mm – 250mm drop saw. It allows users to cut lager graft wood material between 10mm – 25mm in diameter. The LGB footprint mount acts as a guide to allow users to cut material using the drop saw blade. Rind, cleft and wedge style cuts are possible in addition to whip & tongue or cleft graft assembly using the TSU footprint mount to make the split cuts. The DSU1 is supplied with 1 LGB and 1 TSU footprint mount and the DSU2 is supplied with 2 LGB footprint mounts. The LGB is considered a consumable part in this application.

The FMU combines the GBU, DSU & TSU in a modular pack. Extra LGB & TSU footprint mounts are supplied to enable all possible assembly configurations. This provides for independent multiple station use when desired. This pack is the most cost effective way of obtaining all the components required for the various modular assemblies and applications.

Primarily the TSU is used as a footprint mount for fixing the main guillotine base block (GBB) to a work surface and forms part of the GBU3. With the splitter blade fitted it doubles as a device enabling split cuts to be made in various materials to enable whip and tongue and cleft grafting at the bench. It can also fix to the DSU or can be used independently if desired.

Yes all new injection moulded parts manufactured to date are compatible with original solid CNC builds. The new 4-way guide blocks can also be retro fitted to the GBU & GBU0 using the original lockdown tensioning system. The lockdown tensioning system can also be fitted to new models if desired.

Try to work with the straightest material possible. If your wood is curved try to align it so that the curve is in line with the handle while making whip cuts for rind or whip and tongue grafting. When cutting clefts using the kiwi block make the first cut with the wood positioned in the rear recess, with any slight curve facing towards the handle. Rotate and realign the wood in the front shallow recess and make the second cut.

For New Zealand Customers - PGG Wrightson Ltd - Fruitfed Supplies & Farmlands Co-operative have reseller distribution rights in New Zealand. Visit www.fruitfed.co.nz or www.farmlands.co.nz for store locations.

International customers - Please see our distributors page

The standard SGC6-GBU3 has a packed weight of 1.3 kg and is shipped door to door via International Economy Courier as standard method. The SGC4-FMU1 has a packed weight of 2.1 kg. This service aims for a 4 to 10 day delivery depending on destination and local clearance. This service ranges in price depending on world zone. View the following link for more details regarding delivery. Where Economy Courier service is unavailable Express Courier service is used. www.nzpost.co.nz/sending-internationally/delivery-zones

Currently once our Export Invoice is issued payment can be made direct to our NZ nominated business bank account or to our Pay Pal e-mail account, prior to shipment.

The SCIONON website has full secure e-commerce shopping facilities.

 SCIONON Grafting Shears are a unique and versatile hand held grafting tool developed to make it easier to consistently create a wide range of common grafting cuts in scion wood and stock material in a safe and controlled manner - without the use of a knife. They are a commercial grade product supplied foruse in the horticultural nursery and orchard industries.

Original Grafting Shears – SGO0-10 jaws were water jet and CNC machined from Bisalloy 400 material and assembled specifically to prepare whip & tongue grafts with the jaws set up to cut live plant material of up to 10mm in diameter. Through trial and error, what evolved was a multi-function tool for general purpose use able to make several different graft cuts - rind, wedge, cleft and whip & tongue grafts and to prepare chip & ‘T’ buds in wood up to 13mm in diameter. These Grafting Shears have the model code SGS1-13.

Eventually a jaw set-up dedicated specifically for chip bud removal and blunt cleft grafting was developed making it quicker and easier to prepare these grafts in larger diameter graft wood. These Grafting Shears have the model code SGH2-16 and are capable of preparing all the above grafting cuts in hard woods up to 16mm in diameter.

SCIONON also worked with the NZ kiwifruit industry to further refine these tools to develop a jaw set-up more suited to kiwifruit grower’s needs; capable of cutting the then preferred blunt cleft graft in the larger diameter scion wood. These Grafting Shears have the model code SGK3-19 and are capable of preparing softer cane woods up to 19mm in diameter and harder woods up to 16mm.

Stainless steel 304 plate material is now used to manufacture the jaws for all builds. This enables SCIONON to manufacture the full set of jaw components to make up all the assembly configuration models possible for a specific range of grafting cuts, providing easier use for users. An upgrade in design and style provides more functions with adjustments now able to be made to the shears jaw set-up on the SGS1-13, SGH2-16 & SGK3-19 models. The original SGO0-10 general purpose Grafting Shears are no longer manufactured. The new improved models are supplied with spare blades and fixings and all adjustment tools.

All models are capable of producing the full range of cuts, but depending on jaw set-up and use application, are most suited to preparing 2 or 3 specific cuts in a wide range of wood sizes and materials.

SCIONON is still researching and developing new ways to utilize its range of grafting tools to assist users in use applications.

Just tell us what material and sizes you will be grafting and the types of grafts you will be doing. We will be happy to advise you of the right tool choice for your needs. Alternatively use our new  product comparison feature to help guide your choice.

Some materials cut well, but others damage easily due to the size and structure of the material and the way the shears work. A lot of material can be cut if it is lignifying and at least 8 -10mm in diameter. Examples are kiwifruit & persimmon. Further experimentation is necessary to discover the limits.

Yes parts manufactured to date including all replacement blades and rest plates are available to fit the original SGO0-10 builds and subsequent models.

The pins are used to pin stock or scion wood material at the side when creating whip & tongue grafts. They are also used to grip stock material to split the end when cleft grafting or peeling ‘T’ buds.

Over time the screws can become seized in place, so it is important not to over tighten them. Releasing the tension when storing the tool for extended periods and placing a nickle based oil on the screw threads when fitting a blade after sharpening or cleaning can help. Replace any screws with worn heads to avoid stripping the socket head.

If the screws are seized in place, try heating the area around them with a lighter or similar heat source to break the seal. If this fails the screw can be carefully drilled out, without damaging the retaining threads, using a 2.5mm HS drill bit, and a new M3 x 6 screw fitted when the blade is replaced. If the retaining threads ever beome stripped, a 3mm hex nut can be used to hold the screw in place. Spare screw fixings are supplied, attached to the tool jaws and are available from specialty hardware stores.