Long time since I have been here...hope all is well in your world.
Am finally at the end of hand lettering and now I have to get a vinyl cutter. My guy that I used for cutting has now taken on another profession and does not want to cut any more vinyl....so...here I am doing something that I hoped would never come, but I am forced to face it.
What, in your best opinion, is the best cutter for an old sign-dog like me to start with? I have looked at Graphtec, Roland and US Cutter. Must have ability to use a pen for patterns.
Not wanting to retire yet (Am now 74) so I need to keep the business going.
Any help would be much appreciated.
Jackson
-------------------- Jackson Smart Jackson's Signs Port Angeles, WA ...."The Straits of Juan De Fuca in my front yard and Olympic National Park in my backyard...
"Living on Earth is expensive...but it does include a free trip around the Sun" Posts: 1000 | From: Port Angeles, Washington | Registered: Jan 1999
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Jack, I settled on Graphtec long ago and am pleased with that decision. We don't do any printing, so I can't speak on that side, but for cutting, pen plotting, and making pounce patterns, I'm happy. I think I bought this one fifteen years ago and had another for a dozen years before that. Not too big a learning curve if you don't need to learn a graphics program at the same time. Glad to hear that plotters work that far north.
-------------------- The SignShop Mendocino, California
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6712 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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GET A SUMMA!!!! I have one. I have been beating the crap out of it 8 days a week since 2005. Plus, the real good good part is that they are located in Seattle. You just drive out and pick it up. AND if it ever needs repair, you just drive it back to Seattle for repair. You get to talk (Threaten) to the technician right at his face. When you first get there, you get to "Test Drive" a few machines right on the spot. What more can you ask for. They may even have some refurbished machines, ya never know.
-------------------- Signs by Alicia Jennings (Mudflap Girl) Tacoma, WA Since 1987 Have Lipstick, will travel. Posts: 3812 | From: Tacoma, WA. U.S.A. | Registered: Dec 1999
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-------------------- Signs by Alicia Jennings (Mudflap Girl) Tacoma, WA Since 1987 Have Lipstick, will travel. Posts: 3812 | From: Tacoma, WA. U.S.A. | Registered: Dec 1999
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Thank everyone. Checked out both of them. Really like the fact of getting one local (Seattle is local) and being able to go yell at the tech when needed. Haha
Rick...plotters work here, just gotta keep 'em outta the rain. Haha
I will let you know if I have any questions...y'all are the best.
-------------------- Jackson Smart Jackson's Signs Port Angeles, WA ...."The Straits of Juan De Fuca in my front yard and Olympic National Park in my backyard...
"Living on Earth is expensive...but it does include a free trip around the Sun" Posts: 1000 | From: Port Angeles, Washington | Registered: Jan 1999
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Jackson, as always, everyone has their own favorite plotter. I always used Rolands because of the easy setup to work with and cut from CorelDraw.
But, in the case of your location, I would agree with Alicia. Having an actual product company that is located within driving distance would be perfect!
As Rick mentioned, learning the design software is the big thing. Making sure the plotter will work with your preferred design software is the next big consideration.
Will it work with CorelDraw, Illustrator, Signlab etc. or whatever your current software that you are comfortable with is a big question to ask.
Good luck with whatever plotter you choose.
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6712 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I have been in business 23 years now and have used one 20 inch Roland (one of the first Camm-1 cutters) for about 2 years and then we switched to a 24 inch Graphtec. It lasted over 10 years but I needed a larger plotter/cutter and bought a 30" Graphtec and it is still going strong. I worked for a sign supply company in the early 90's in St. Louis and sold Roland, Graphtec, Ioline and a few others. The Roland was a good base model but the Graphtec was always the Cadillac. It has held up to daily use for many years and miles of vinyl and paper patterns. If Graphtec is available in your area, I would consider comparing it to Summa before I made a final decision.
-------------------- Steve Luck Sign Magic Inc. 2718-b Grovelin Godfrey, Illinois 62035 (618)466-9120 signmagic@sbcglobal.net Posts: 870 | From: 2718-b Grovelin Godfrey, Illinois 62035 | Registered: Dec 2004
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I'd go local as well. I looked at other plotters and Summa was going to be my choice but I ended up keeping my Roland. It has lasted.... lasted beyond Roland's willingness to supply standard maintenance parts, like the cutting strip. I ended up having to make my own because no one has them any more. I ended up finding a very thin plastic strip nearly identical to regular cutting strips with adhesive backing that was 1/2 inch wide. I cut it down to my 1/8 inch width using my vinyl slitter. One strip from Roland when they were available, was around $12. I can make 40 strips out of the material I found and it was $12 plus freight. I guess I should quit complaining because Roland did me a favor in this case. If you want to start making your own just message me and I'll give you the link to the company. The strip I made has worked flawlessly.
-------------------- Dave Sherby "Sandman" SherWood Sign & Graphic Design Crystal Falls, MI 49920 906-875-6201 sherwoodsign@sbcglobal.net Posts: 5396 | From: Crystal Falls, MI USA | Registered: Apr 1999
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