choosing a cutter

[sand506]

i am just getting ready to get started in sign business and t shirt hot pressing. was looking at some less expensive options until i get this going and want to eventually move into full color graphics. the models i am looking at are the vinyl express r 31r or the mh series cutter by us cutter in the 34 inch size. what do you think would be better.

thanks
Jeff

 

[OldPaint]

FOR THE MONEY you will spend to get a new cheap cutter, PLEASE look around for a USED BRAND NAMED PLOTTER, GRAPHTEC, SUMMA, ROLAND, MIMAKI.............you will have a step up on any one with these cheapo plotters. one thing hold true here:
YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.............
you buy junk........ thats what you will have....

 

[FatCat]

FOR THE MONEY you will spend to get a new cheap cutter, PLEASE look around for a USED BRAND NAMED PLOTTER, GRAPHTEC, SUMMA, ROLAND, MIMAKI.............you will have a step up on any one with these cheapo plotters. one thing hold true here:
YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.............
you buy junk........ thats what you will have....

+1

 

[Dennis422]

FOR THE MONEY you will spend to get a new cheap cutter, PLEASE look around for a USED BRAND NAMED PLOTTER, GRAPHTEC, SUMMA, ROLAND, MIMAKI.............you will have a step up on any one with these cheapo plotters. one thing hold true here:
YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.............
you buy junk........ thats what you will have....

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Whatever he said!!!
I started looking at the cutter last year and I started looking at the $400-$500 range.
After some research, I ended up with a 24" Graphtec which paid off itself in about a month.

I might have it for sale soon because I'm looking at something bigger.

 

[OldPaint]

WHATEVER HE SAID???? YOU CANT READ & COMPREHEND AT THE SAME TIME???? ))))) i understand you just might be to close to STUBENVILLE OHIO.......a place i know well. most there cant read either cause they are on the other side of the river from WEST VIRGINIA!!!! you know the place where the TOOTHBRUSH was invented. cause everyone in west virginia has ONE TOOTH)))))))))hahahahahahaha

 

[Dennis422]

WHATEVER HE SAID???? YOU CANT READ & COMPREHEND AT THE SAME TIME???? ))))) i understand you just might be to close to STUBENVILLE OHIO.......a place i know well. most there cant read either cause they are on the other side of the river from WEST VIRGINIA!!!! you know the place where the TOOTHBRUSH was invented. cause everyone in west virginia has ONE TOOTH)))))))))hahahahahahaha

HUH???

What the hell are you talking about?
And thank God, I'm far away from STUBENVILLE OHIO

 

[Jackpine]

Graphtec CE series or a Roland GX are both good starters and cutters that will last and cut accurately. Both have OPS for contour cutting printed graphics.

 

[Jackpine]

Graphtec CE series or a Roland GX are both good starters and cutters that will last and cut accurately. Both have OPS for contour cutting printed graphics. Used ones would be an option also...... look at eBay.

 

[MR. Graphics]

I started out with a 48" creation pcut to earn enough money to buy a used mimaki cg160fx. Love what this can do. Problem I had with the cheaper quality cutter was with long cuts not being closed when it finished (tracking problem). I would hold out and get a used professional cutter if you can.

 

[TDFcustomSL]

7 years ago I started with a 24inch MH series from US cutter, bought it to make things for myself and friends. That lasted ALMOST 3 years before the motherboard started acting up...Next step up was the 39 inch R series. A huge difference between that and the MH series yet still extremely cheap. By this time it had developed into a part time side business. That plotter still works great, no issues with it at all. But a couple months ago I bought a Mutoh1204 and the Q54 from SW. The q54 is the same as a Graphtec FC8000. This thing blows my mind compared to the previous 2. IF you can afford a used name brand I would highly recommend doing that. If you cant, I would have to suggest the R series. Everyone can tell you your an idiot for starting cheap but its how I got started and its worked out great for me and I am almost positive there are more people out there that started with "Junk, Chinese Crap" that have since upgraded. Everyone has to start somewhere. Good Luck!

 

[sand506]

thanks for all the input

 

[MikePro]

if you're serious about this business, then don't limit yourself to ~30" materials right off the bat. go at least 48", and welcome to s101.
...my mimaki plotter has been rocking solid for the past 8 years without issue and I am able to use up to 54" material. sounds great, but I've come across situations I wish I could use 60" material. big projects = big $$$, and less seams not only look better but they're also quicker to install.