printer/cutter opinions

[joezeppii]

Hello,
I'm thinking of getting a printer/cutter off of ebay. It is a Roland pc600.
I've read pros and cons on this machine. I have corel 8 and do not want to purchase more software if I can keep from it right now as I am going into my slow season. I've also looked at an Encad and a Roland c70 cammjet.
Please advise me on what I should do.

 

[Accelerated Graphics]

I had 1 5-6 yrs ago, very expensive prints. When it decided to quit working it destroyed all the ribbons in the process..

 

[joezeppii]

If it can be bought cheap enough, would you recommend it for a starter ?
Were you using Corel?

 

[DARLAK]

no, it's junk

 

[Gino]

Yes.

You have to jump in and get your feet wet sometime. So if it isn't going to cost you an arm and a leg..... and the machine is in complete working condition.... I'd do it.

Machts nix what the cost of operation is.... you simply pass it onto the customer. Eventually, you'll upgrade and get a faster and more cost effective machine, but until then..... welcome to the 'World of Digital Printing' and :signs101:

 

[joezeppii]

Will it run on corel 8 ?

 

[lilb93]

Save you money for a machine that will actually work when you want it to. There are more and more Sp-300 roland going up for sale. People want to get the bigger 54". The 30" machine is a great started machine. Stay away from any Pc-60 or Pc-600.

 

[Jackpine]

Corel 10 or higher. What Gino said is all true...not that he says untruths. It does what it was designed for. Search other post here for more information. Print head goes bd replace it just like you would with ANY other printer. Parts wear out. No big deal. You can make a jump into digital with this. I used Duracoat ribbons with mine but they no longer make them. Had one ribbon break in 3 years. Lots for ribbons available, just use Google.

Will it run on corel 8 ?

 

[Aardy54@54-Design]

Yes.

You have to jump in and get your feet wet sometime. So if it isn't going to cost you an arm and a leg..... and the machine is in complete working condition.... I'd do it.

Machts nix what the cost of operation is.... you simply pass it onto the customer. Eventually, you'll upgrade and get a faster and more cost effective machine, but until then..... welcome to the 'World of Digital Printing' and :signs101:

Been reading this with interest as I've been looking into getting into the digital printing to compliment the cut vinyl work I currently do. I've heard the "stay away from it" "waste of money" etc from other sign guys ... if still decent machine (the pc-60 or pc-600) whats a fair market target price to pay for one? That may also help him (and me) choose to buy now or save for awhile longer and get slightly newer machine like an sp-300v a few months from now.

 

[Techman]

I wouldn't waste my time on old technology that had a bad rep in the first place.

 

[slimlin]

Hi there

Just wanted to tell you about my experiences, I had a Roland CJ-500 converted to ECO-SOL MAX inks in the past, sold it, felt bad that i did, and just bought another one here on 101 for only 1500$, and i am currently waiting for it to being transported to me. Talked with the seller, and i am VERY sure that i have done a VERY GOOD bargain on this one. Very nice seller.

WHY a CJ-500 you ask??????

Its an old MotherF.....

Yes, it is, but its VERY cheap, you can find a lot of these machines for 4000$ or less, any price above is overpricing and all other words you can attach, or the seller hopes to find the right idiot.


It prints very SLOW compared to other and newer models

Yes, it does, But it prints at the same or almost the same resolution, as the newer or newest Rolands on the market today, So if you print volume isnt that high, and you can live with slower printspeeds, and still get perfect photorealistic results, this is the machine for you.


Spareparts?

Still available, upgradekits to eco-sol max can be bought on EBAY for around 600 $ and then you have an ECO-SOLVENT machine that can do the same trick as a newer machine, but for a fraction of the cost.

Reliabilty?

Sturdy workhorse built like a tank to last, all metal body, and you dont need to keep an eye on it as it autocleans itself.

Print and cut

Yes, an it cuts fast in my eyes, and the print is excellent.



Why should i buy a more expensive printer then???

If you need a faster printer, because of print or customer volumes.

If you want a printer with slightly improved and better handling software.

If you want to buy a printer that is still officialy supported from Roland tech service, and you cant live without that it HAS to be Roland itself servicing your printer.

If you want to have the newest and best from the beginning.



So if you ask me, this is the best place to start, if you want a good machine for the beginner, that wont cost you an arm and a leg. I am sure other people have other arguments, but nobody can argue against the price and quality on this one. Dont think about buying an older machine, because they have too poor performance and specs.

Hope this is usefull, and have a great day