If your going thru alot of vinyl than this is normal, but if your not going thru alot of vinyl then maybe one of your settings is incorrect, or worse yet maybe there is something wrong with your machine.
I would include an average quantity of vinyl you go thru per blade with this posting so people can compare for you.
-------------------- Harris Kohen K-Man Pinstriping and Graphix Trenton, NJ "Showing the world that even I can strategically place the pigment where its got to go." Posts: 1739 | From: Trenton, NJ, USA | Registered: Jun 2001
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I don't know, Harris, I set my force to minimum amount required to just cut thru the vinyl. Haven't really estmated how much vinyl but the last one went thru about 30 yards at the most. I also run my speed at minimum or near minimum. I'll keep tabs on the one I just installed. Thanks
Are these things high speed steel or carbide?
-------------------- Wayne Webb Webb Signworks Chipley, FL 850.638.9329 wayne@webbsignworks.com Posts: 7404 | From: Chipley,Florida,United States | Registered: Oct 1999
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The generic (GAP) blades I usually use in my Ioline are listed as carbide steel. Ioline's own blades are listed as tungsten-carbide, and are just shy of twice the price of the GAPs. I usually change blades two or three times a year, but compared to a lot of shops, I think I cut less than most.
BTW, what kind of shape is the platen tape in? Sometimes replacing that is almost as good as a new blade.
-------------------- Bill Preston Fly Creek, N.Y. USA Posts: 943 | From: Fly Creek, N.Y. USA | Registered: Jan 2000
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They undoubtedly must be carbide then. Don't seem to be as tough as carbide tipped router bits or skillsaw blades(plowed thru many a nail with those babies). I guess these cutter blades are so razor sharp and brittle that it doesn't take much to break the tips off. My Cobra blades(for sandblast stencil) seem to last longer than the 45 degree ones. I have fairly recently changed my platen tape and it's in pretty good shape. Maybe I just need to be more careful.
Thanks
-------------------- Wayne Webb Webb Signworks Chipley, FL 850.638.9329 wayne@webbsignworks.com Posts: 7404 | From: Chipley,Florida,United States | Registered: Oct 1999
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Several people have said that various brands of vinyl are harder on blades than others-- maybe that is at least part of the problem. I use Avery premium most of the time because that is what my local supplier carries.
I counted up my used blades-- they are all in a bag waiting to be sent for re-sharpening-- sometime. Anyway, there are 13 in there and 2 that are different angles currently in use. The plotter is 6 years old this month. You can see that I don't change them very often.
Am wondering which angle blades you are using for which materials. Have found 45s good for cast and calendered, tho' 30 is recommended for cast. 60 degree for reflective or other heavier material.
For blade durability, probably Ioline's own blades--the tungsten-carbide-- would outlast the GAP carbide-only ones. Whether the cost difference is justifiable I don't know.
FWIW, I set my cutting pressure only with the "dashboard" dial, and not through a computer setting. The only pressure setting in the computer is the max setting-------whatever that may be---and I think it is 280 grams.
Hope all this nonsense helps some.
[ March 30, 2002, 07:24 PM: Message edited by: Bill Preston ]
-------------------- Bill Preston Fly Creek, N.Y. USA Posts: 943 | From: Fly Creek, N.Y. USA | Registered: Jan 2000
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damn 280....i got a roland, cut hp at at 80-90 with a 60 degree blade. cut intermediate at 110-120...now lest talk VINYLS...the presures above are with avery a5 and a8...now i got a couple pieces of rolls OF ORA-CRAP...i got the 651 intermediate, to cut it i got to go up to 150-170 range..now what do this tell ya????? eat blades it sure does....when i use 45 degree blades its even worse....ive only ever broke one blade since i been doing this....and guess what i was cuttin.....ORA-CRAPO.......i stay away from it..like the plague....
-------------------- 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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Bill, Joe I use 45 degree blades for cutting hp, calendered, reflective, metalized polyester, heat transfer material etc. I use a Cobra blade (60 degree I think) for sandblast resist. On each one I use the recommended overcut, force, angle, speed etc.
Hey Bill, I checked my blade inventory (I too have had my Ioline for about 6 years) and have 11 dull 45 degree blades(some of which have been resharpened once) 4 dull Cobra blades(some have been resharpened once) I guess that ain't too bad for six years. I'll quit complaining now Thanks
-------------------- Wayne Webb Webb Signworks Chipley, FL 850.638.9329 wayne@webbsignworks.com Posts: 7404 | From: Chipley,Florida,United States | Registered: Oct 1999
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