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It helps to know the kind of work you want to do. What might work for some people would be innadequate for other people.
You get what you pay for. The ones that Sign Warehouse sells are probably the cheapest. If you do any amount of business, you'll probably want to throw it away after a year, but it will get you started. Also, smaller cutters cost less than bigger cutters. A small one will limit the kind of work you can do. A cheap one wont be as accurate (especially for cuts over 8 feet) and wont be able to cut heavier materials (such as sandblast mask or reflective material), but it will be able to do 80 to 90 percent of what most people need.
I have a 24" cutter (mines an American made Ioline, but there are plenty of other good ones). It is capable of doing almost everything I've tossed at it. If I did a lot of large trucks, for instance, then I'd have to have a bigger cutter.
You might consider a better quality, larger cutter and finance it.
-------------------- :: Scooter Marriner :: :: Coyote Signs :: :: Oakland, CA :: :: still a beginner :: :: Posts: 1356 | From: Oakland (and San Francisco) | Registered: Mar 2001
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posted
Get at least a 24" cutter. And whatever you do do not buy it cuz its cheap. Cheap is cheap for a reason. Acheap cutter will cost you more in the logn run Plus, if you are already in the bizz you will find lots of work for it.
I own a Anagraph AE60E and I really like it. It's quiet and runs all the time and will cut as fast as the vinyl can handle it. Best of all... all the software can drive it.
-------------------- 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: 5278 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
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Although I am a Summa D60 owner now, my first cutter was a vinyl express 15". I bought it new and used it for several years with no problems at all, and the guy I sold it to uses it every day for cutting "stickers" and still no problems. Go figure. Little bugger just wont quit. If you go for a 24", I recommend the Summa D60. For price and quality, you cant go wrong. Just my humble opinion.
-------------------- 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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Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6806 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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There's a company by the name of Exacto that makes a cutter model #11 and it does a good job at nearly any size. It not fancy and computerized but its reliable and works well even if its a little slow. I've run mine at speeds of 36" a minute. Also if the power goes out on you it still runs as long as the light is good. Its the cheapest I've seen and been around for a long while. Blades are cheap too compared to the computerized ones. 100 blades will run you about $20.00
-------------------- Bob Stephens Skywatch Signs Zephyrhills, FL
posted
If you can locate yourself a good used Gerber GS15 or HS15, that might be the way to go. These machines are serious workhorses and can cut through anything. The sprocket feed has it's advantages and disadvantages. Gerber still supports and repairs them for reasonable costs. I wouldn't nesessarilly call them cheap, but cheaper than a new one.
-------------------- Glenn S. Harris
....back in the sign trade full time. Posts: 293 | From: Baton Rouge, LA, USA | Registered: Jul 2001
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