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Looking to purchase a vinyl cutter for the first time. looking at the Roland Stika 15" cutter. Is this a good starting machine. I do custom automotive paint jobs and do some graphics and pinstriping. would this make a good addition to my small shop??
-------------------- Raymond Van Overbeke JIL -GIG products 11438 19 Mile Rd.Sterling Hgts Mi. 48314 rayvan2@juno.com 810-739-5341 Posts: 4 | From: Sterling Hgts Mi | Registered: Nov 2001
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Raymond..The Stika may be a fine strting cutter but if you do any amount of cutting you will soon see that you need a 24" cutter. Just my humble opinion. By the way, I happen to love Roland cutters.
[ December 23, 2003, 10:16 PM: Message edited by: Dave Grundy ]
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
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unless...I SAY unless you will never ever do anything on a large scale or quantity....yea go haed and get it...but you would be better off getting a used PNC-1000 or CX-24
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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Raymond, I'm with Mr. Grundy....get a 24"...it's the standard. I really think you'd quickly regret getting a 15". And I doubt there is a huge price difference.
I've had 2 - 24" cutters, don't cut a ton of stuff, but have always been glad for the 24" when I do. I now have a 30", which I kinda doubted I'd use the extra width, but there have been a handful of times when I have been happy for this as well.
I'd say most of the name brand cutters will be good and dependable for you: Roland, Graphtec, Summa, Ioline, etc.
-------------------- Todd Gill Outside The Lines Potterville, MI Posts: 7792 | From: Potterville, MI | Registered: Dec 2001
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Hiya, Raymond! Only 2 posts since 2001? Man are you the quiet type! Anyhoo, I have a 15" cutter & I would agree with Dave. Since you are more in the automotive line, you might like the flashy vinyl stuff like what goes on stock/race cars...and most of that material does NOT come in a 15" length! Love- JILL
-------------------- That is like a Mr. Potato Head with all the pieces in the wrong place. -Russ McMullin Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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THANKS THATS THE INFO I WANTED TO KNOW. SORRY I HAVENT BEENMORE ACTIVE BUT AFTER SHOP TIME I GET INVOLVED IN AIRBRUSH AND PINSTRIPING PRACTICE.LOVE TO PAINT.HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL AND MAY GOD BLESS YOUR NEW YEAR.
-------------------- Raymond Van Overbeke JIL -GIG products 11438 19 Mile Rd.Sterling Hgts Mi. 48314 rayvan2@juno.com 810-739-5341 Posts: 4 | From: Sterling Hgts Mi | Registered: Nov 2001
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I totally agree with the 24" over the 15" if just for material availability. If you keep an eye out, CX-24s can be bought on sale at times for $1395 or so.
-------------------- Chris Welker Wildfire Signs Indiana, Pa Posts: 4254 | From: Indiana, PA | Registered: Mar 2001
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-------------------- Pierre St.Marie Stmariegraphics Kalispell,Mt www.stmariegraphics.com ------------------ Plan on knowing everything before I die and time's running out! Posts: 4223 | From: Kalispell,Mt 59903 | Registered: Mar 2000
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I gonna go against the grain here a little and suggest something else. What about a used gerber 4b with a fastboard? It's versatile, works as a stand alone unit for basic cutting, and is great for cutting pinstripe. It's a bit slower but it doesn't sound like he's looking for volume production. And for cutting little things it's way faster than doing it from the PC. If you look you can get a good one for under $1000. And 15" punched vinyl is not going to dissapear.
-------------------- Dennis Veenema The Sign Shop Dresden, Ont. but what do I know anyway...I've only been doing this for 20 years! Posts: 368 | From: Dresden, Ont.,CAN | Registered: May 1999
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I have a Roland (my first friction feed) and a Graphtec-the Graphtec is by far a better machine, it depends on what you are going to do with it, but the Graphtec tracks better and cuts better-Summa makes a good plotter too, I think the 4B's time has passed..........though I dont have the heart to get rid of mine.(it was a gift from a mentor)
-------------------- Rick Chavez Hemet, CA Posts: 1538 | From: Hemet,CA U.S.A. | Registered: Jun 2001
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