Poll

Should I drop a grand on a slightly larger 2nd cutter? (It's almost half price, slightly used)

Yes
4 (57.1%)
No
1 (14.3%)
Yes, but only if workload supports it
1 (14.3%)
Yes (buy the Roland), and then sell the Graphtec even though you mentioned liking the idea of having a backup
1 (14.3%)

Total Members Voted: 7

Author Topic: Should I drop a grand on a slightly larger 2nd cutter?  (Read 5624 times)

Offline Gilligan

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Should I drop a grand on a slightly larger 2nd cutter?
« 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!


Offline mk162

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Re: Should I drop a grand on a slightly larger 2nd cutter?
« Reply #1 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.

Offline Gilligan

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Re: Should I drop a grand on a slightly larger 2nd cutter?
« Reply #2 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.

Offline JBLUE

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Re: Should I drop a grand on a slightly larger 2nd cutter?
« Reply #3 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.
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Offline royster13

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Re: Should I drop a grand on a slightly larger 2nd cutter?
« Reply #4 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.....

Offline Sbrem

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Re: Should I drop a grand on a slightly larger 2nd cutter?
« Reply #5 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
I made a mistake once; I thought I was wrong about something; I wasn't

Offline mk162

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Re: Should I drop a grand on a slightly larger 2nd cutter?
« Reply #6 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.

Offline Gilligan

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Re: Should I drop a grand on a slightly larger 2nd cutter?
« Reply #7 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.

Offline Croft

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Re: Should I drop a grand on a slightly larger 2nd cutter?
« Reply #8 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.

Offline Gilligan

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Re: Should I drop a grand on a slightly larger 2nd cutter?
« Reply #9 on: March 06, 2012, 11:34:58 AM »
Sorry, can't change it where people can change their answers now, sorry. :(

Offline Frog

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Re: Should I drop a grand on a slightly larger 2nd cutter?
« Reply #10 on: March 06, 2012, 11:53:49 AM »
Change away!  ;D
That rug really tied the room together, did it not?

Offline beanie357

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Re: Should I drop a grand on a slightly larger 2nd cutter?
« Reply #11 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

Offline Gilligan

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Re: Should I drop a grand on a slightly larger 2nd cutter?
« Reply #12 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!

Offline Frog

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Re: Should I drop a grand on a slightly larger 2nd cutter?
« Reply #13 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.
That rug really tied the room together, did it not?

Offline mk162

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Re: Should I drop a grand on a slightly larger 2nd cutter?
« Reply #14 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.