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Any comments? I'm particularly interested to know about tracking on jobs up to and beyond 8 ft. long, repeatability (ie. can it make outlines and letters that actually line up correctly and equally when overlapping?), cutting sandblast resist accurately without getting jammed up, Registration Mark Sensor option (does it work well?).
Probably a million other things as well.
Mine is basically dead and I need something pretty quick. I need Tangential ability for cutting sandblast resist.
This comes with the Registration Mark Sensor and I can get the 30" for $2900. I currently have a 24".
Thanks for any comments.
[ January 25, 2006, 08:47 PM: Message edited by: Amy Brown ]
-------------------- Amy Brown Life Skills 101 Private Address Posts: 3502 | From: Lake Helen, FL, USA | Registered: Feb 2001
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Amy... I like it. Gaphtec calls their registration mark sensor Registration Mark Sensor...OPOS is Summa's name for their system. At $2900, it's a steal. hk
-------------------- Howard Keiper Independent Contractor Benicia, Ca. thekeip@comcast.net
I don't have the model you asked about but I do have a 4100-75 and highly recommend graphtec plotters.
I have had this thing for well over 5 years and it hasn't been late for work one day yet. Tracking over 8 feet is possible with mine but over that and call the baby sitter.
I don't blame graphtec for that as much as I do friction fed in general.
You won't go wrong with a graphtec, and for 2900.00 thats a great price.
[ January 25, 2006, 08:33 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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I have been wondering the same thing about that model. I have had various dealers tell me that they are on sale for $2800-$2900. My six year old 24" cutter is tracking with an arc, as you can watch it start straight then arc right then come back left. That really sucks for doing long race car graphics. I'm seriously considering purchasing that model. Give me the sales pitch Howard that will push me over the top.
[ January 25, 2006, 09:30 PM: Message edited by: Dana Blair ]
-------------------- Dana Blair Blair Signs Wooster, OH www.blairsigns.com
If sign makers go on strike, is there anything written on their picket signs? Posts: 835 | From: Wooster, OH, USA | Registered: Jul 1999
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Dana... If the medium tracks either direction but then recovers, its a problem with the way it's wound...not the cutter. I don't think there is any other cutter on the market (with due regard for the Summa) with anywhere near the versatility of the 7000. Perfect?..no...but almost perfect. It's one and only weakness would have to be tracking; and we'll probably end up correcting that too, more than likely the way Summa and Mutoh have done with the flanges that stick in the ends of the rolls. I think we're loathe to do that though, because we didn't invent it...Graphtec likes to invent. But in fact, 25-30' is realistic; again, largely dependent on the vinyl. Given that, the machine is simply glorious in what it can do, and is now warranted for four years (through various promotions, one of which is in effect now)and that includes the "bullet-proof program", wherein we will not only provide a loaner, but pick up the freight charges for the swap. Graphted is not in the warranty business, and we don't intend to be...this is classic Graphtec. $2900?...unbelieveable. Jump on it.
-------------------- Howard Keiper Independent Contractor Benicia, Ca. thekeip@comcast.net
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I got a 24" CE3000 graphtec 2 years ago (my first plotter) all I can say is it a wonderful machine. I've used it many times to make paper patterns plotting with a pen for my gym floor projects (50'long) and it tracks straight every time. I'm sticking to Graphtec.
-------------------- Gonzalo Curiel Peewee Signs & designs Oroville Ca 95965
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Amy... It comes with a general purpose blade and it's holder, good for vinyls and most materials up to about 0.010". For thick materials you'll need a 30* blade, and that requires a different holder. The holder costs $95 and the blades come in a packsge of two for $110. The dealer may not be aware of the warranty...it's not a permanent thing and is available as part of a promotion or promotions we run periodically, and requires a visit to our website to register. hk
-------------------- Howard Keiper Independent Contractor Benicia, Ca. thekeip@comcast.net
I cannot speak for that particular model, but,I do, however, have the FC5100 ***LOVE IT*** And I am a Gerber Baby thru & thru, but for the price and warranty offered by Graphtec, it's a no brainer!
""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3487 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
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Am... The promo applies to cutters purchased between Jan 3 through Mar 31. We'll need the usual: warranty card and proof of purchase, etc. The website is: www.graphtecusa.com/warranty
Incidentally, the offer applies to CE 3000mk II machines too..warranty period goes from two to three years hk
-------------------- Howard Keiper Independent Contractor Benicia, Ca. thekeip@comcast.net
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Amy B.... I've been using an FC 3100 (24" Graphtec) for several years now, and just upgraded to the 7000.
After Howard helping me install some upgrades in firmware for the pounce tool, it works great.
The only problem I've encountered is with the material sensor in the back. When the material is moved fast toward the back of the machine it tends to lift up and the light sensor stops the plot. I didn't know what was happening, until the tech support staff ganged up on it promptly and provided a fix.
I've been cutting rubber with multiple outlines that are all in registration and making pounce patterns and cutting vinyl and not finding anything but perfection. I have not done anything longer than nine feet long so far, and in that short length, tracking is about as right on as a pin feeder.
Another new feature that I'm enjoying is that it can cut off the vinyl after the plot, separating it from the roll stock.
I've had this cutter for three weeks now, and it's becoming a good friend fast.
-------------------- The SignShop Mendocino, California
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6722 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Great! I'm sold. Thanks again Howard and my Letterville friends for all the input. I can't wait to try it out. Now I just need to figure out where I'm going to put it. It's a lot bigger than my other one!!!
Thanks again!
-------------------- Amy Brown Life Skills 101 Private Address Posts: 3502 | From: Lake Helen, FL, USA | Registered: Feb 2001
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Amy... I talked with you earlier this week on the phone about the Graphtec.
I recently purchased the FC7000-100 Cutter. It is the 42" model.
After hearing about the current promotion - I can say that I am very disappointed that they seemed to end a good promotion right before I purchased my cutter & then ran another right after - I guess I have bad timing!
All kidding aside - I am very pleased with my cutter. It seems to cut & track very well.
There are only 2 "bugs" that I have found.
1 After plotting, I ise the auto sheet cut feature that cuts the current plot off & makes the machine ready for the next plot. Randomly, as the head is traveling left (it is supposed to go all the way to the left - then back to the media to be ready to cut) it stops and alarm sounds signaling a position error or something. This is supposed to happen if something blocks the head as it is moving, but there is nothing there.
2. Sometimes after doing the auto sheet cut, the blade (sheet cutoff blade) will remain in the down position - causing it to drag over the vinyl cutting & tearing it as it goes. After cutting the sheet - the blade is SUPPOSED to raise as to not interfere with the media.
I'm sure that when I get time to call tech support about these issues there will be some sort of fix.
As far as the warranty issue - It was just bad timing on my part, but it does suck that I was right in between promotions & do not get the extra years of waranty on this machine. I have never owned a graphtec before now, but it seems like a good machine. You would think that if Graphtec is confident in their product to offer a 4 year waranty - they would do it all the time instead of just during a promotion.
Good luck with whatever cutter you choose.
I think you would be happy with Graphtec.
Mike
-------------------- Mike Stowe Signs Unlimited Mishawaka, IN info@pwcgraphics.com Posts: 208 | From: Mishawaka, Indiana USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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