posted
I'm sure this question has been posted before but I'm unable to find it in the search...I have used 30 degree plotter blades that I need to have sharpened. Where do you get your blades sharpened?
Thank you for your help.
Paula
-------------------- Lee & Paula Iverson United Graphics Sign Co. Kingsford, MI piverson@chartermi.net Posts: 30 | From: Kingsford, MI USA | Registered: Jul 1999
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posted
Lee if you go to merchants and click on Signcraft-then go to links.There is someone in Florida that sharpens knives but you have to have at least5 or more to sharpen.
-------------------- Randall Campbell Randy's Graphics, 420 Fairfield N. Hamilton Ontario Canada Posts: 2857 | From: Hamilton Ontario Canada | Registered: Jan 2002
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-------------------- Lee & Paula Iverson United Graphics Sign Co. Kingsford, MI piverson@chartermi.net Posts: 30 | From: Kingsford, MI USA | Registered: Jul 1999
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My full time job is in the Tool and Die field. Over the years I've learned alot about cutting steel with cutters. I started my own sign Co. to try something new as a hobby. When I purchased my Graphtec cutter I received (5) blades. I still have a new two new ones left, but after the first one got dull I took it to work to see what I could do to sharpen it myself. It was interesting to find out that the blades I have where not CARBIDE. Carbide is not magnetic. My blades would stick to a magnet. Do yours? My blades look like they have somekind of chrome plating on them, which would make them last longer. I have not had to buy new blades yet but I am curious if anyone who has purchased blades, if the new blads stick to a magnet? Carbide is very hard and brittle. It will chip very easy. I'm curious, does the cutters you have get dull or do the chip? I would think that if the cutter were carbide that they would last for ever. We are cutting vinyl not steel. Has anyone determined that a particular vinyl is harder on blades than others? When it comes to cutting steel, speed kills. Does anyone adjust cutting speeds for certain vinyls, like the foils? How much does it cost to get blades sharpened?
Enough for now, I will follow up on this topic! I'm not sure if I answered your ?, but you sure got me thinking again about the "blades" again.
posted
Plotters with swivel knives need to have steel in them so the magnet in the blade holder can keep the knife from falling out when the cutting head is lifted. If you look real close you will see the braize line where the carbide part of the knife is attached to the steel part, probably about 1/8th inch or so at the tip of the blade.
A friend of mine used to have his blades resharpened, but he told me he went through a blade a week. He was cutting about twice as much vinyl as me, but my new blades usually last a several months. I don't know though if he was using too much pressure thus wearing the blade prematurely.
I'd like to know if any of you that have resharpened blades feel they are just as good as new.
Also, I noticed a big difference in longevity of the real Roland blades over the cheaper no name blades. Any one else?
-------------------- Dave Sherby "Sandman" SherWood Sign & Graphic Design Crystal Falls, MI 49920 906-875-6201 sherwoodsign@sbcglobal.net Posts: 5396 | From: Crystal Falls, MI USA | Registered: Apr 1999
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posted
I used to have my blades resharpened. There was a place here in Dallas that did it for around $5.00 each. They did not seem to last as long as new ones. I then bought a quantity of blades from GBC Sign Warehouse for not much more than the sharpening cost. That is the route I use now.
-------------------- David Harding A Sign of Excellence Carrollton, TX Posts: 5084 | From: Carrollton, TX, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I sent off a blade to bits and bits and they did a good job. I can't find their contact info anywhere though. I have to say, it took a while to get back (I think they were punishing me for not including shipping, so I guess I deserved it).
I think overall it's a better idea just to buy new blades. Less hassle, not much more money.
-shane
-------------------- Halo Graphics Clearlake Oaks, CA http://www.halographics.com ntshane1@halographics.com Posts: 308 | From: Clearlake Oaks, CA | Registered: May 2001
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