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We decided to get a new vinyl cutter. The one we got now is driving us insane! It refuses to cut straight to anything over 4' It just does'nt keep the vinyl in place for longer pieces. Don't know if this is common problem or not with other cutters. It does'nt matter how straight we align the vinyl, the cutter has a mind of it's own. Sometimes it ends up as much as an inch off.
Well, the cutter was affordable at the time, it's time for something better... I'm sure you heard it all before but, what cutter should we get this time, We need at least a 30" one... that can keep the vinyl straight for at least 12' What would you recommend .Thinking about a Roland or a Graphtec....
Would appreciate your input.. Thanks
/David
-------------------- David Nyman Nyman Signs 100 South 8th Street Escanaba, MI 49829 Posts: 80 | From: Escanaba, Michigan USA | Registered: Nov 2002
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Graphtec has a straight track guarantee and a 3 yr bullet proof warranty with free loaner service. I too am shopping, and it will be a Graphtec from Advantage Sign Supply in Grand Rapids. Close to home for you too.
I can speak from personal experience, their service and support is second to none. Call Bryan Koets @ 800-522-3698. He is truly a man of his word. Not a your "typical salesman". Just my .02
""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3485 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
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I have a 24" Roland. Last week I did 3 10 foot stripes. 1 was off 1/32". I can live with that. Not sure if this will help, but I feed a few feet through the cutter, line it up, then feed a few more feet & see if it's still on or not. If it is, feed it back to the beginning of the roll & see if it's on that way.
-------------------- Chris Welker Wildfire Signs Indiana, Pa Posts: 4254 | From: Indiana, PA | Registered: Mar 2001
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posted
Thanks Rick, We will definately check that out. Appreciate the information.
Kissy our cutter was off by a good inch. Makes for a nightmare when your cutting 15 ft of lettering. We have talked about purchasing a Roland for the next one, but heard equally good things on Graphtec.
The funny thing is on the last job we did and the one and only strait piece got chewed up by the dog! Never never leave a dog alone with masked lettering!!
Jenna and David
-------------------- David Nyman Nyman Signs 100 South 8th Street Escanaba, MI 49829 Posts: 80 | From: Escanaba, Michigan USA | Registered: Nov 2002
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did you change yer pinch rollers? is there any dirt or in the grit roller? Do you roll of some slack material before you cut?
What brand of cutter is it?
thank you..
-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5274 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
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posted
Thanks Rick, We will definately check that out. Appreciate the information.
Kissy our cutter was off by a good inch. Makes for a nightmare when your cutting 15 ft of lettering. We have talked about purchasing a Roland for the next one, but heard equally good things on Graphtec.
The funny thing is on the last job we did and the one and only strait piece got chewed up by the dog! Never never leave a dog alone with masked lettering!!
Jenna and David
-------------------- David Nyman Nyman Signs 100 South 8th Street Escanaba, MI 49829 Posts: 80 | From: Escanaba, Michigan USA | Registered: Nov 2002
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-------------------- -------------------- Dave Cox C2 Media Services (Formerly That Sign Guy) dave@c2mediaservices.com -------------------- Full Color Printing Posts: 295 | From: Sacramento CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Ops missed your post Curtis. Its just a plain and simple no-name(if there is one we have yet to find it)start up cutter. It works great for smaller jobs, which we expected we would have just starting out. But our business grew much faster than we anticipated and this cutter is just not cutting it.
David
-------------------- David Nyman Nyman Signs 100 South 8th Street Escanaba, MI 49829 Posts: 80 | From: Escanaba, Michigan USA | Registered: Nov 2002
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posted
Summa is another brand worth a close look, David.
Going by memory, their standard "SummaCut" plotters are guaranteed to track 26 ft with remarkable (can't remember the spec) accuracy.
Again - from memory - Summa's "Pro" plotter will track a guaranteed 40 feet with remarkable accuracy.
If you're doing (or plan to be in the future) any wide format printing and cutting, I would suggest two important considerations:
Go with the SummaSign Pro equipped with their OPOS optical positioning system
Consider getting a wider machine...54" or 63" rather than 30". Companies peddling 30" inkjets are forcing you into a material width that you might regret.
2 cents from the peanut gallery...
[ August 03, 2004, 01:52 AM: Message edited by: Jon Aston ]
-------------------- Jon Aston MARKETING PARTNERS "Strategy, Marketing and Business Development" Tel 705-719-9209 Posts: 1724 | From: Barrie, ON, CANADA | Registered: Sep 2000
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ya if yer goona go big, get a 48". You can always cut smaller. but never cut bigger, and u can cut for yoru buds when they need a big cut. and charge them ..
-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5274 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
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if you look at rolands....get a hands on with a cm-300, cm-400....this rolands CAMMPRO machines...priced with the sumas and graphtecs....but made to cut from corel all day long.
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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I have a graphtec 30" plotter 4100-75 i'ts been a work horse, never could get it to track 12' though even though it was told I could over and over again.
If you want total tracking get a sprocket fed plotter, I cut a 50yard roll of 30" material on my old Gerber while I was sleeping.
All depends on what you have to spend and how bad you want a plotter to track.
Remember friction fed will always leave room for error in tracking, it's a flaw in it's design.
[ August 03, 2004, 12:45 PM: Message edited by: Bob Rochon ]
-------------------- Bob Rochon Creative Signworks Millbury, MA 508-865-7330
"Life is Like an Echo, what you put out, comes back to you." Posts: 5149 | From: Millbury, Mass. U.S. | Registered: Nov 1998
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In case of off site service, how much does a loaner cost? And shipping to the repair facility? Can you afford to be without it for 10-14 days plus ship time without a loaner?
I am sure the product is good, but, any of them can break down. And when they do, you find out who is superior, not while it is up and running. Advantage has shown themselves superior whether it's Gerber or Graphtec. Make sure you shop the dealer as hard as you shop the product.
[ August 03, 2004, 01:49 PM: Message edited by: Rick Beisiegel ]
""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3485 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
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