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Vinyl and similar products applied without a heat press => Cold Vinyl => Topic started by: Gilligan on March 06, 2012, 09:33:28 AM

Title: Should I drop a grand on a slightly larger 2nd cutter?
Post by: Gilligan on March 06, 2012, 09:33:28 AM
I have the opurtunity to pick up a 2nd cutter.  I have a graphtec 15" cutter now, this is a Roland 24" cutter.

Not significantly bigger, but would be a good back up vs picking up a US Cutter if something happened.

It's almost half price?

What should I do?  We really don't do a LOT of vinyl cutting... we do a lot of cutting for masking for sandblasting and that is where we really need it.  We have an order that came in this morning that all but pays for it, 50 at retail!
Title: Re: Should I drop a grand on a slightly larger 2nd cutter?
Post by: mk162 on March 06, 2012, 10:49:47 AM
I don't know, I know that our cutter gets no use anymore since most of our work has switched to digital.  I can get a full color banner for not a lot more than a blank costs me.  Why would I have an employee stand there and weed vinyl for that.
Title: Re: Should I drop a grand on a slightly larger 2nd cutter?
Post by: Gilligan on March 06, 2012, 10:59:59 AM
I don't know, I know that our cutter gets no use anymore since most of our work has switched to digital.  I can get a full color banner for not a lot more than a blank costs me.  Why would I have an employee stand there and weed vinyl for that.

Nah, we do the same... gotprint unless someone wants to send me a PM and beat their prices... might need to post up and see.

Only thing besides mask that we really do with the cutter is a few window decals... and MAYBE the occasional coroplast sign.

But we do a good bit of cad cut t-shirt vinyl lettering or sometimes we contour cut some heat transfers.
Title: Re: Should I drop a grand on a slightly larger 2nd cutter?
Post by: JBLUE on March 06, 2012, 11:14:06 AM
The Roland is a better cutter. If you have the chance to get it at half I would do it and sell the other one.
Title: Re: Should I drop a grand on a slightly larger 2nd cutter?
Post by: royster13 on March 06, 2012, 11:17:22 AM
I don't know, I know that our cutter gets no use anymore since most of our work has switched to digital.  I can get a full color banner for not a lot more than a blank costs me.  Why would I have an employee stand there and weed vinyl for that.

I can not imagine life without a cutter.....Wall vinyl, custom sports names & numbers, short run tees and still signs and banners despite the fact my clients can get "printed" stuff elsewhere for less money.....
Title: Re: Should I drop a grand on a slightly larger 2nd cutter?
Post by: Sbrem on March 06, 2012, 11:22:11 AM
I posted the other day that Roland is a great cutter, ours is 17 or 18 years old, and still runs great, almost 0 maintenance in that time. Which model? If it's a GX-24, snag it!

Steve
Title: Re: Should I drop a grand on a slightly larger 2nd cutter?
Post by: mk162 on March 06, 2012, 11:22:29 AM
I am not giving up our cutter, but I don't think I would buy one right now.  I would rather have a versa-camm or something like that.
Title: Re: Should I drop a grand on a slightly larger 2nd cutter?
Post by: Gilligan on March 06, 2012, 11:33:24 AM
The Roland is a better cutter. If you have the chance to get it at half I would do it and sell the other one.

That seems like a great answer there!

I'm gonna edit the poll and allow people to change their answers if they want.
Title: Re: Should I drop a grand on a slightly larger 2nd cutter?
Post by: Croft on March 06, 2012, 11:34:26 AM
I have the roland works great, mine is kept busy cutting player names for backs . I haven't printed a name in years.  Doesn't really do signs anymore other than13 year olds school based decal business 8).
If I was doing signs I would pickup one of the printers.
Title: Re: Should I drop a grand on a slightly larger 2nd cutter?
Post by: Gilligan on March 06, 2012, 11:34:58 AM
Sorry, can't change it where people can change their answers now, sorry. :(
Title: Re: Should I drop a grand on a slightly larger 2nd cutter?
Post by: Frog on March 06, 2012, 11:53:49 AM
Change away!  ;D
Title: Re: Should I drop a grand on a slightly larger 2nd cutter?
Post by: beanie357 on March 06, 2012, 12:34:46 PM
Redundancy reigns. We do quickie text only gotta have it this minute can't wait for another second type of deal. Also use for bargain lo lo unit volume league t shirts.
we have 2 graphtecs and are happy with them. fc8000 (used) and a ce5000
Title: Re: Should I drop a grand on a slightly larger 2nd cutter?
Post by: Gilligan on March 06, 2012, 01:50:41 PM
And then my buddy calls me up while he's at the pawn shop around the corner.

They have a Stahls Maxx 15x15 practically new in box for $425, I could probably get it for $350-$400 no tax.

They wife said, if it's practically new for that price then go get it!
Title: Re: Should I drop a grand on a slightly larger 2nd cutter?
Post by: Frog on March 06, 2012, 03:33:48 PM
If you can hold out for a 16x20, do so. That said, I have got a lot of use out of my Insta 15x15.

I'm not even familiar with the "Maxx". It appears to have replaced their lower priced Mighty line.
$795 new.
Title: Re: Should I drop a grand on a slightly larger 2nd cutter?
Post by: mk162 on March 06, 2012, 03:37:33 PM
I agree, I have 2 15x15 that are shelved.  I use the 16x20 exclusively since it also has an auto open feature.
Title: Re: Should I drop a grand on a slightly larger 2nd cutter?
Post by: Gilligan on March 06, 2012, 03:45:41 PM
I have a Stahls Hotronix Auto 16x16 that I use now... looks like essentially the same electronics just no electro magnet to auto release.

I also have a small 9x12 swing away that I picked up at the same pawnshop for $100 flat.  It just sits, something I didn't need at I price I couldn't pass up. (basically a cheap backup)

This would just be a second, full sized backup or if we had a larger job (team numbers or something).
Title: Re: Should I drop a grand on a slightly larger 2nd cutter?
Post by: Gilligan on March 08, 2012, 02:02:19 PM
Well, I did it.

Roland GX-24 some blades and the cut software (though I'm sure that's free from the website) for 1k shipped.

After I get comfortable with this guy I'll probably be looking to sell the Graphtec if anyone is interested in it. :)
Title: Re: Should I drop a grand on a slightly larger 2nd cutter?
Post by: Sbrem on March 08, 2012, 05:09:07 PM
Good move Gilligan, and a great price shipped, cause it's not that light.

Steve
Title: Re: Should I drop a grand on a slightly larger 2nd cutter?
Post by: JBLUE on March 08, 2012, 06:10:05 PM
Well, I did it.

Roland GX-24 some blades and the cut software (though I'm sure that's free from the website) for 1k shipped.

After I get comfortable with this guy I'll probably be looking to sell the Graphtec if anyone is interested in it. :)

That will take all of ten minutes. Good Purchase brother!