Decided to buy a cutter, need some suggestions

[Denis Kolar]

I decided to buy GCC Expert 24 and my first questions is what is the difference between regular Expert 24 and Expert 24 XL?
I would like to stay under $1000 for the cutter and at least 24" wide.This one seems to fit the bill, but I'm open to suggestions.

Also, I would need suggestions on what to buy.
What is the best film for names and numbers? What is the best for regular Vinyl (for windows, cars, trucks....)?
Is there anything else that I need to buy?
Who do you use (Where do you buy your stuff)?

I had some work done by Homer (Excellent work BTW, will still use him for something that needs print on Vinyl and oversized stuff) but I have been getting more and more inquiries about smaller orders and jerseys that I would like to be able to do in-house.

Thanks in advance!!!!!

[stitches4815]

No clue on the difference between the two cutters, but I can tell you about the vinyl we use.  For letters and numbers we use Thermoflex.  That stuff is great to work with and you can peel it hot.  We have used other material that you have to peel cold, it was a pain in the ass.  As far as regular vinyl goes we have used Avery and FDC.  I don't see any difference between the two.  They are both good and easy to work with.

[sweetts]

I tried some cheaper films I like siser easy weed the best

Sent  from samsung gem(the worst smart phone ever)

[Socalfmf]

I have a 48 inch roland for sale....

sam

[Homer]

PM sent my man.

[royster13]

The LX does contour cutting......I have an Expert 24 and it is much noisier than my Cut-3000 (re-branded GCC Bengal) which has a servo motor.....For 1,000.00 I would probably look at an Expert Pro.....

[royster13]

As far as heat press vinyl, I tried them all when I started and ended up using Siser Easy Weed and Spectra Eco Film...I think these are the same product....As far as a source, I mostly use www.heattransferwarehouse.com/

[Printhouse]

Check out imprintables warehouse.  For our location they are super fast at getting products to us.  They gave me a free GCC Bengal last year and I use the heck out of it.  I am set do do 75 names this afternoon.  I but spectra Eco film from them and I am very happy with the quality and ease of use.

[Sbrem]

I've always liked the Thermoflex Plus too, have used the Stahl Econoprint, which is less money and a 20" roll, but the backer isn't sticky, which in my mind keeps the cost down. I'm a Roland user too.

Steve

[Gilligan]

We used Thermoflex, but recently switched to Easy Weed.

Not a huge difference but I think it's cheaper and a tad bit easier to work with.

[stitches4815]

I've always liked the Thermoflex Plus too, have used the Stahl Econoprint, which is less money and a 20" roll, but the backer isn't sticky, which in my mind keeps the cost down. I'm a Roland user too.

Steve

This is why I love the Thermoflex.  We originally used Spectracut but after a few mishaps with material lifting off when it shouldn't have and not getting it back in the right place we made the switch.  I forgot to mention earlier, we use a Roland cutter.

[royster13]

The thing I did not like about thermo flex was higher application temperature and longer application time.....And to me it seemed harder to weed....

[Gilligan]

The thing I did not like about thermo flex was higher application temperature and longer application time.....And to me it seemed harder to weed....

That's probably the things that we like better about it as well... I actually don't handle this very much, the wife and employee does... so it's easy for me to forget.  She just tells me what to buy... isn't that always the case?

[Denis Kolar]

I think I'm getting closed to decision
Graphtec 24" CE5000-60 (Servo) http://www.heatpressnation.com/product_info.php?products_id=429&gclid=CNaI5sWRq7ICFYNM4Aod4CsA-A
GCC Expert 24 PRO (Servo) http://www.heatpressnation.com/gcc-expert-pro-60-vinyl-cutter-plotter-24.html

I can get Graphtec with 3 year warranty.

What do you think?

[Homer]

NO to the 5000, we had a 48" 5k, the eye blows. If you do a grapthec, bump up to the 8k.