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Does any one use a Roland PC 60 or 600. I owned a 60 for about a year and had so much trouble with the printing that Roland offered an up grade to a 600 for a nominal fee. Now it seems after a year I'm back to the same old problems. It has had supposedly two new print heads, cartridge adjustment and feed adjustment. Just got it back, tried printing and found the same problems again. I used their RCC zip program to send a test print and it came out terrible. Bad colour, ribbon lines, missed lines. They are suggesting that it could be the vinyl or the shop temperature. These have all been constants. So, why does it work for a year without problems and then need two new heads in just over a month and ahalf ? I'm at the pull my hair out stage. If i'm the problem, please let me know. I just want to get back to printing signs. Carol
-------------------- Carol Coburn CTC Enterprises 6 Alice St., Bancroft, On K0L 1C0 Posts: 2 | From: Bancroft, Ontario | Registered: Sep 2001
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posted
Could be that the PC-60 (and maybe the 600) are pieces of CRAP! At least I know my PC-60 is.
Too many problems. My print head was shot after about a year, and I refuse to fix it. Even when it was printing, I basically stood by every print and crossed my fingers.
Nope. Not for me. Should have known by the cheap price (brand new).
I know Bob has great results with his. Personally I think he just got lucky. I know a heck of alot more people with the same problems I had, and very few that are satisified.
And the best part...Roland couldn't care less about the complaints. At least that is the impression I got.
Anyway, I've rambled enough. Good luck with your piece of crap.
Randy
-------------------- Randy Graphic Details Promotional Merchandise Distributor South Glens Falls, NY Posts: 381 | From: South Glens Falls, NY USA | Registered: Mar 2001
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Hi Carol, I'm another victim of a Roland PC-60. In the first year, I had one completely replaced and the new one I got has had 3 printheads replaced. So far it has been ok, but when this one goes, so does the machine. Roland got their money +++++. so they don't care. I'll never do business with them again. Good Luck Buck
-------------------- Buck DeVaughn B & D Engraving 28899 Hille Dr. P.O. Box 207 Millbury, Ohio Posts: 6 | From: USA | Registered: Mar 2002
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Hey thanks friends for this thread. I am a lowly newbie who nearly got suckered into buying a PC60 second hand although with a new head & external ink setup. I think I'll pass.
I'll have to sell my first born son in the black market, put my wife in the streets and go to the bank for a loan to get a Gerber Edge...
DO YOU GUYS KNOW HOW MUCH THEY COST IN AUSTRALIA!!!.
Sorry I shouted.
Cheers big ears
Leeroy
-------------------- Lee Attewell Graffic Jam Auto Unit 3, 1731 Albany Highway, Kenwick Western Australia 6108 Posts: 102 | From: PERTH WESTERN AUSTRALIA | Registered: Oct 2001
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Hey thanks friends for this thread. I am a lowly newbie who nearly got suckered into buying a PC60 second hand although with a new head & external ink setup. I think I'll pass.
I'll have to sell my first born son in the black market, put my wife in the streets and go to the bank for a loan to get a Gerber Edge...
DO YOU GUYS KNOW HOW MUCH THEY COST IN AUSTRALIA!!!.
Sorry I shouted.
Cheers big ears
Leeroy
-------------------- Lee Attewell Graffic Jam Auto Unit 3, 1731 Albany Highway, Kenwick Western Australia 6108 Posts: 102 | From: PERTH WESTERN AUSTRALIA | Registered: Oct 2001
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posted
Hey thanks friends for this thread. I am a lowly newbie who nearly got suckered into buying a PC60 second hand although with a new head & external ink setup. I think I'll pass.
I'll have to sell my first born son in the black market, put my wife in the streets and go to the bank for a loan to get a Gerber Edge...
DO YOU GUYS KNOW HOW MUCH THEY COST IN AUSTRALIA!!!.
Sorry I shouted.
Cheers big ears
Leeroy
-------------------- Lee Attewell Graffic Jam Auto Unit 3, 1731 Albany Highway, Kenwick Western Australia 6108 Posts: 102 | From: PERTH WESTERN AUSTRALIA | Registered: Oct 2001
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posted
I see a lot of ColorCamm bashing, and I see a little ColorCamm praising (not this thread though).
I've had a PNC-5000, the very first ColorCamm, since October or November 1995. In all these years, I've never replaced the print head, or had any non-consumable repairs. True enough, I do not print every single day, not even every month for that matter, but I've used probably 200+ ribbons in those 7 years.
I think the ColorCamm is a capable machine for the small niche its capable of handling, which is small run, diecut decals. It is no where near the class machine and EDGE is, let alone a Summa - but it's 1/10th-1/5th the price and it includes it's own cutter.
If I had the cash, I'd have an EDGE over a ColorCamm, without question. If I wanted a cheap, on demand, thermal printer for small (4x6 and smaller) decals, the CC is a handy shop addition.
Like always and everything, your mileage may vary. I know Glenn didnt like his at all, but some folks love them. I look at mine as a tool - I'm not attached to it, but it has made me money, and thats all that matters to me. If you can get one in 100% working condition for $1500 or less, buy it. If for nothing else, as a backup / secondary cutter.
*** also I forgot to echo what was said above - there seem to be a lot of 'monday' and 'friday' ColorCamms out there, (monday = coming off a drunk, friday = cant wait to get on one). If you do buy one used, check it over for signs of misuse, owner adjustments, changes or alternations of any kind. Do a test print if you can before you pay for it, something with purples and greens (those seem to be the toughest to get right).
In my computer business I've seen PC's that people have literally kicked across the room, jerked out of the wall, and beat with heavy objects. Anyone that has ever worked with a ColorCamm knows they can be a MUCH bigger pain than an ol' PC!
posted
Got Pc 600... So, far we had it for over a year and still haven't had any problems... The only thing I don't like about it, is the printing quality because of the ribbon is small... You can see the lines in the printing when you look at it close, but you can't tell far away... We just saw the Gerber Edge 2 weeks ago, and was satified with it... But, we don't have the kind of money to get it yet... But it will be our next one to get.... I hope this helps...
-------------------- Jaime Doyle Doyle Sign & Web Design RR1 Box 351-C Grampian, PA Posts: 79 | From: Grampian, PA | Registered: Oct 2001
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We have the PC60 and it works great. We print almost everyday using Corel 8, it comes with the stock drivers.
Make sure to keep the heads clean and practice more.
I have a hard time with the gerbers limited panel size of 11.75" verses 22.5" wide.
Color, try enhancing your photos if your not getting the color desired. further more if you were using the full six colors, you'ld find the color you're looking for.
My tests with the prints endurance show that the rolland prints are outlasting the gerber prints.
But the real truth is that the printer paid for itself in 3 months.
Remember theres always a learning curve.
On service, dont care for it that much, had a machine sent down and they said it that it had been damage in shipping, but yet they declined reporting it back to fed ex, thus negating the shipping insurance, ouch to the tune of 1500.00. When asking them to send the parts back, 2 of the so called replaced parts wer'nt sent back, kinda of shady to me, it seemed like we were paying for an employee's mistake taking it apart.
Other than service, it's working great.
Some of the lines occure with gradiations on both machines.
-------------------- Ron Percell Percell Signs 707-769-0639 Petaluma, California
As to the durability of the prints, my experience was the complete opposite. I did digital print for a sign job using the ColorCamm and within 8 months, the image was shot. I redid the digital print with my Edge in 1998. It still looks new today.
It makes me wonder if Roland reformulated their foils.
posted
I have a PC 600 and for me, the machine is great. No problems, and the graphics I'm gettting this thing to produce are real sweet.
I frog juice everything, and am getting good durability. It prints and cuts direct from Freehand, or other graphics programs.
No complaints here. I'm not using it everyday,but I've blown through 100 or so ribbons with no problems. Its opened up a new sense of creative freedom because I no longer think in layers or shades of colored vinyl. And the effects I'm using would have been impossible any other way, except maybe paint, but who has time?
I'm hitting em hard (clients) on design time, and the machine helps push the envelope a bit. The 22.5" is nice too, and no dot patterns. These machines arent marketed properly - its not about pretty pictures - its about cool lettering effects. Thats really how you can set yourself apart with these tools.
"Some are born to move the world, to live their fantasies. But most of us just dream about the things we'd like to be." - Rush Posts: 1192 | From: Washington, NJ | Registered: Feb 1999
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Carol, I have had my PC60 for about 5 years now and only 1 $500 head replacement. It sure helps the sales too. Just show a small print to the customer and they want it all! I love the 22" width. I frog juice everything and never had a print failure. John Arnott
-------------------- John Arnott El Cajon CA 619 596-9989 signgraphics1@aol.com http://www.signgraphics1.com Posts: 1443 | From: El Cajon CA usa | Registered: Dec 1998
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I bought one used in december for $1000 at first I thought I may have gotten ripped but after some thorough cleaning and a new strip and cleaning pen I'm pretty satisfied. I do babysit it and wipe down the vinyl between passes going in one direction. However I dont use it every day so the babysitting is not a big deal. overall I'm liking the machine.
jon
-------------------- Jon Peterman 200 Summit Loop Grants Pass, OR -------------------- a.k.a. dc-62 success is in Jesus Christ Posts: 434 | From: grants pass or. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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I've been using the PC-60 since it came out. It makes flawless and durable prints for me. An excellent machine that makes me money. What else can I say!
posted
I think what really *&%^ed me off is the fact that they advertised the PC-60 for printing larger than it can. The brochure I saw showed the material hanging out of the PC-60 with a print roughly 20" x 30". BUT, when you call them and talk to them directly, they say "the PC-60 is not for large prints, it is for small decals". Well that's not what I saw! And, yeah, I know people have printed large graphics with it, but if you have problems printing a large graphic, Roland goes back to the "decal" statement. And even if you do get a large print out of it, you have to charge a heck of alot more than what most are willing to pay.
As far as decals go, I have been getting excellent results with sublimation. I use an Epson 3000 printer, so my print area is roughly 10" x 16" (I use 11" x 17" paper). And the Epson only ran me $900.00. And the quality is excellent! The outside durability is not up to par, but for what most people want decals for, it has met the standards.
So, I'll stick with sublimation for my decals, and use my expensive plotter until I scrap it for a better one.
Have a great day! Randy
-------------------- Randy Graphic Details Promotional Merchandise Distributor South Glens Falls, NY Posts: 381 | From: South Glens Falls, NY USA | Registered: Mar 2001
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I didn't say it couldn't be done, just way too inconsistent for my liking.
Also, should replacing the print head after a year of normal use be considered acceptable? I would hope not. And I don't know many owners who haven't had to do just that.
Good luck with yours.
-------------------- Randy Graphic Details Promotional Merchandise Distributor South Glens Falls, NY Posts: 381 | From: South Glens Falls, NY USA | Registered: Mar 2001
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Not a fan of Roland myself, would think that today a used Edge 1 could be obtained at very reasonable prices and an old sprint or suchlike to cut from.
Reading thru the posts here (with interest), and thinking about recent debates here on Calendered versus Cast vinyls. How do those of you that swear by HP vinyls on vehicles feel about applying printed media with a life of up to 3 years?
I do many vehicle jobs with multilayered vinyl as I feel it will hold up better in the long run the exception being 3M's Scotchprint perhaps.
If Ron or Dan you are doing vehicle graphics...what sort of life are you offering on the job.
I use cast vinyls on vehicles but many many companies use calendered over here...what combinations are you using...I am not knocking anybody....just interested...maybe we over spec jobs...alot of vehicles are leased and are changed after 3-5 years...any opinions?
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