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Its been a really long time since I have posted here but look around from time to time I have a question about plotters. I am looking to buy one soon really soon and I have a couple of options what might you guys suggest and have you used them
However, I think you'd be better off to sub out the vinyl cutting until you can afford to buy a brand name. Initially, I bought a strange name cutter (not from SSKY however) and the frustration at getting it to run, wasted material when it screwed up (SignGold ain't cheap) was worth far more than the money I saved on initial purchase.
And if you get a 15", you will (probably sooner than later) kick yourself for not getting the 24".
At least with a brand name, if you have problems after hours, someone here can help troubleshoot. If you're starting this while working another job, your problems WILL be after tech support hours.
-------------------- Chris Welker Wildfire Signs Indiana, Pa Posts: 4254 | From: Indiana, PA | Registered: Mar 2001
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Corey, for what it's worth, I would stay away from most if not all of these plotters. Stika in particular does not have a good reputation with some of the regulars here. The software mentioned is also among the lesser known, as is the brand of vinyl. You might be further ahead to look for a refurbished brand name plotter for the same money---at least it would have a more solid reputation behind it.
I think everyone here has a favorite brand based on their own experiences. My own plotter is a 24 inch Ioline, and it has been bulletproof for almost nine years. Summa, Graphtec, Roland are among the better known-- and that's where I would start looking.
Good luck with it.
bill preston
-------------------- Bill Preston Fly Creek, N.Y. USA Posts: 943 | From: Fly Creek, N.Y. USA | Registered: Jan 2000
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"amen"...kissymatina, and "amen" again on 15" versus 24"....
most newer 24" plotters (for unpunched media) cut variable sized sheets or rolls up to 24" and that means the ability to plot/cut on smaller sized scraps of vinyl....
Who else in letterville has been one or two letters short of finish plotting a job and run out of vinyl?
Was "Stika" an itty bitty Roland plotter? Name Brand 15" tangential plotters (most all for punched material) sure are workhorses, tho, and especially for sandblast stencil...
[ January 07, 2005, 08:16 PM: Message edited by: Jimmy Goines ]
-------------------- Jimmy Goines Goines Signs Register, GA Posts: 25 | From: low country | Registered: Dec 2004
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I cant add anything to this except all the above responses are exactly right. Very good advice. ANd Kissy, I get all my vinyl, tape, etc. from SSK. Good people.
-------------------- Maker of fine signs and other creative stuff. Located at 109 N. Cumberland ave. Harlan, Ky. 40831 606-837-0242 Posts: 4172 | From: Ages-Brookside, Ky. Up the Holler... | Registered: Jul 1999
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-------------------- Jack Wills Studio Design Works 1465 E.Hidalgo Circle Nye Beach / Newport, OR Posts: 2914 | From: Rocklin, CA. USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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-------------------- Harris Kohen K-Man Pinstriping and Graphix Trenton, NJ "Showing the world that even I can strategically place the pigment where its got to go." Posts: 1739 | From: Trenton, NJ, USA | Registered: Jun 2001
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Just my 2 cents worth. I would ask around about signwarehouse.com. I know more people with bad comments about them then people with good comments. Just keep your options open and good luck.
-------------------- Pat Phipps Custom Trophy & Design Glenn Dale. MD ______________________ _ "A Man Don't Learn A Lesson Less It Costs Him Blood or Money " Posts: 78 | From: Glenn Dale, Maryland | Registered: Feb 2003
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with all due respect, if those prices are pushing your price limit, just forget the whole idea until you can afford to do it right. I know that sounds abrasive, but I'm only saying it because I think its good advice.
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Thanx for all the help I think i am more confused then before I will keep doing research for a lil while before I get one and i ill talk to some others about what they think to again thanx for all of your help
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