posted
I imagine Howard will pop in with the most detailed behind-the-scenes point of view. Until then I will say that I am very happy with my 24" graphtec, & was reading a topic the other day where several regulars here seemed to have a graphtec. I am wondering what type of work leads you to need a 48" plotter?
posted
If the big one is anywhere near as good as the 24" you'll never have a problem. I'm stating to wonder wether I should get one myself.
-------------------- Drane Signs Sunshine Coast Nambour, Qld. dranesigns@bigpond.com Downunder "To err is human, but to really foul things up requires a computer" Posts: 965 | From: Nambour, Qld. Australia | Registered: Nov 1998
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quote:Originally posted by Doug Allan: I imagine Howard will pop in with the most detailed behind-the-scenes point of view. Until then I will say that I am very happy with my 24" graphtec, & was reading a topic the other day where several regulars here seemed to have a graphtec. I am wondering what type of work leads you to need a 48" plotter?
Well, your right....I probably wont even use the 24" capability. I got a pretty good deal on it. Hopefully it works perfectly when it gets here. If your wondering what I paid. $1,400 Shipped. Now the tedious task of collecting clippart and finiding the best deals on Vinyl...
Are the Graphtec's easy to learn?
-------------------- Steven Arbiv Los Angeles, CA
Graphtec FC3100-120 48" Cutter....Is it good? Posts: 3 | From: Los Angeles, CA | Registered: Sep 2002
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posted
I think they are easy to learn. I adjust force for different vinyls & occassionally run the test cut that cuts 2 shapes in 1/2" sq. corner, just to check weedability after changing settings. Other then those things & swapping 30 degree blades for 45"s or for plotter pens, it is about as complicated as making breakfast in the microwave. (which is also a machine full of buttons I never use & don't want to learn if everything is going ok already)
[ September 04, 2002, 04:33 AM: Message edited by: Doug Allan ]
posted
I recently got the FC5100 and really like it. It is so easy to use, but I'd have to agree with Doug in that it has far more capabilities than I will probably ever figure out how to use...
-------------------- Kenneth Sandlin Author of "Wide Format Printing: An Introduction and Buyer's Guide" PO Box 1295 St. Augustine, FL 32085 kennethsandlin@msn.com http://wfprinting.tripod.com Posts: 116 | From: Jacksonville, FL | Registered: May 2002
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quote:Originally posted by Doug Allan: I think they are easy to learn. I adjust force for different vinyls & occassionally run the test cut that cuts 2 shapes in 1/2" sq. corner, just to check weedability after changing settings. Other then those things & swapping 30 degree blades for 45"s or for plotter pens, it is about as complicated as making breakfast in the microwave. (which is also a machine full of buttons I never use & don't want to learn if everything is going ok already)
Why do I need to switch from 30° to 45° blades?
-------------------- Steven Arbiv Los Angeles, CA
Graphtec FC3100-120 48" Cutter....Is it good? Posts: 3 | From: Los Angeles, CA | Registered: Sep 2002
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posted
you could pretty nearly get by without changing blades at all, but for thick material like sandblast mask there is a different blade. You could also use it on reflective but it is not neccessary. Trouble is if your plotter is like mine it doesn't come with the other blade holder needed. That cost around $90 I think. As for the degrees I quoted I was mixing memories of my old Roland & many other plotters that have a steeper angled blade to go into deeper material, while the top of the cut is less distance offset from the pivot point-of-entry of the blade. I don't know if it was 30 or 60 degrees. Guess it depends if measured from shaft of blade or material being cut. Anyway the graphtec has a thicker diameter shaft (1.5mm instead of .9mm for the thicker sheets) I also use the pen for plotting patterns on paper.
posted
Steve... I can't speak to everyone's preferences, but in general the 30* blade (that is, the included angle is 30*...some call it a 60* if measured from the horizontal)is used to cut materials thicker than 10-12 mils or so...like sandblast stencil, for instance. All Graphtec's are shipped with a 45* general purpose, .9mm blade (the CB-09, which uses a blue tipped holder). We use that for almost everything from "normal" vinyl(s) to ordinary reflective, most metal poly's, fine detail work in most normal materials. There is a heavy duty version of this (the CB-15),still 45* but 1.5mm dia., and requires a different holder, which will have a red tip. The 30* blade requires this holder. Use the CB-15 for heavier reflectives. There is still another blade not so much used, which is exactly opposite the 30*, the CB-15S, a saphire blade used for very fine detail in thin materials like foils, rubylith, etc. You will want to use this if you do a lot of foil work...Sign Gold, for instance, but you'd better do a lot of it because it costs $85 a shot...the results are spectacular. Until you get familiar with your machine try to use Graphtec blades exclusively. When you know what to expect, then go for whatever suits you.
BTW, Graphtec CB-09 blades ALWAYS come equipped with a spring. hk
-------------------- Howard Keiper Independent Contractor Benicia, Ca. thekeip@comcast.net
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