I have been looking to pick up an additional 24" cutter. I have been thinking of the graphtec CE3000MK2-60. Then I ran across the Designtech 60 at SSK Signs and it sure looks like the same thing only a little slower. Does any one know if they are the same? Any feedback on either model?
Posted by Kissymatina (Member # 2028) on :
I know nothing about these particular cutters, but save yourself a lot of headache and go with the brand name. Graphtec has a great reputation, many members here as owners (comes in handy if you have issues) not to mention a great representative here who is pretty good about answering any questions.
Posted by Stevo Chartrand (Member # 2094) on :
I'd do what Kissy says and try and stay with a brand name.
Stevo
Posted by Curtis hammond (Member # 2170) on :
me three. Ive seen too many posts on different places that talk about how great their cheap cutter is,, The next words are how it will not track, will not handle thicker material. cannot get support, cannot find certain settings, and then when its sold,,, the new buyer has to pay $250 bux to re-register it to get parts and support..
Name brand.. the only way to buy..
Posted by Mike Stowe (Member # 324) on :
I do a bunch of biz with Sign Supply of Kentucky (ssky) & I can tell you that they are great people! Email Jetty (you can get his direct email on their contact page) - I am almost positive that the Designtech is a 24" Graphtec with their name on it. They do the same thing with teh Mutoh printers. I Bought the Mutoh Falcon Outdoor 36" printer from them, but it came with their name on it (printech 36) They told me it was just a re-branded Mutoh & when it arrived, it had all the Mutoh manuals, drivers & documentation. The Mutoh package from another vendor was approx $12K. I got the same printer from SSKY for Under $9K & it is the same thing. They also have EXCELLENT support.
I was so happy with their service & prices, I just purchased a Graphtech FC7000-100 42" Cutter.
Sorry to be so long winded, but SSKY.com will treat you right.
Good luck in whatever you choose. Mike
Posted by Howard Keiper (Member # 1250) on :
The Designtech-60 is, indeed, a Graphtec. It is NOT equivalent to the CE3000-60 Mk II, however. It is more akin to something between the CE2000-60 and the CE3000-60...both of which have earned their stripes. hk
Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
So, if someone buys a Graphtec with another name, can they get support from Graphtec? Do they get it from where they bought it? What if they buy it from an individual? Although I seldom need the support, I decided long ago that that is a major part of what I buy and depend on when I need it.
Posted by Howard Keiper (Member # 1250) on :
Good question.
SSK buys a special version of the machine manufactured to their spec by Graphtec. Other than the fact that it is made by Graphtec, it, as an OEM product, loses all Graphtec identity. We don't provide any sort of support for it. It simply doesn't belong to us. hk
Posted by Curtis hammond (Member # 2170) on :
Ever wonder why some machines lose their ability to run true while others do not? Some use genuine metal bearings and springs and thick drive belts. They last a long time and keep their accuracy.
Others use cheap thin plastic bushings and plastic tension bars and thin drive belts. These plastics stretch or constantly wear and lose their accuracy at a continuing rate.. The machine becomes inconsistant. Those that run a machine just a couple times a month to make a few little stickers have nothing to worry. But, those that run a machine to earn a living will soon suffer.
Personaly, I never dreamed I would be doing contour cuts. But now that I do I am so happy I have a name brand machine that can handle the accuracy needed.
Posted by Howard Keiper (Member # 1250) on :
By the way, my e-mail address is: thekeip@comcast.net.
I will update my profile.
Posted by mark zilliox (Member # 3873) on :
Mike s. ! hi we bought the same machine you mentioned fron SSK about 8 months ago. works good, it's fast, tech support was great-to help us get it running out of the box ( Jeremy, i think is the inhouse "guru") The only not-kuhl feature is when you place a scrap in the cutter, it pays out the length slowly, but rewinds like a marlin fish biting a live bait ! wide open ! so if you have say 3 ft. or more watch out baby ! fish ON ! other than that it's dig pad is simple to operate. honest ! MZ ( don't buy from signwarehouse ! fyi.) hey. i served my country SW people !
Posted by Howard Keiper (Member # 1250) on :
Mark... Guess what? You can control that. You can set the amount of pre-feed, control it's speed, and the rewind speed...or turn it off altogether if you want. You get to the rewind speed through the OPTION 2 menu (I think...maybe OPTION 1). If it's in AUTO mode, it takes it's cue from the cutting speed you selected; otherwise, you can set whatever speed you like. hk
Posted by Howard Keiper (Member # 1250) on :
Mark... Oops...The info I gave you works for the FC machines...but you can still do what you want in the CE. You'll want to find "pen up speed" from the menu and set it. hk
Posted by Mike Stevenson (Member # 3371) on :
Howard do the parts in the designtech have graphtec part numbers on them or can you crossreference them if I would need parts? Or does everything have to go through SSK Signs?
Posted by Stephen Faulkner (Member # 2511) on :
you can buy a Summa D60 for $2000.00
at that price for anything "brand name" backing it up.... why settle for less.
Posted by Glenn Thompson (Member # 1851) on :
I tried the D60 and sent it back. Had to upgrade to the D750 SL pro to get the summa that i would be happy with. It is worth the extra bucks for the far less hassle. . I guess like everything else, you et what you pay for.
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