Anyone Using a KATANA by FOISON Vinyl Cutter For T-Shirt Vinyl & Flock?

11082 Views 22 Replies 8 Participants Last post by Groovyb, Dec 29, 2010

d_p_yan

Discussion Starter · Oct 9, 2008

Hi,

Anyone purshased the Katana by Foison vinyl cutter from the ebay seller vinylcutters - specifically the C24USB 2009 model.

I've been looking for a cheap cutter to try out some t-shirt ideas. Basically i'm looking for a reasonably priced (cheap) cutter for cutting vinyl and flock on kids t's. Nothing fancy just small to medium sized lettering.

Would really like a roland gx-24 but there's no way I could get it past the finance committee (wife) when i'm just trying out an idea.

So, it's off to ebay I go. Problem is there are so many cheap chinese cutters and none of them really give you much info on their usability for t-shirts.

So, if anyone has one of these cutters, or a similar ebay cutter, and uses them for vinyl/flock pressing on t-shirts - I would be really grateful for any feedback you have.

1 - 20 of 23 Posts

Progeny

· #2 · Oct 9, 2008

Hi Derek,

Any cutter that will do signs will do t-shirt vinyl. I bought a chinese cutter 2-3 years ago and until last week it was fine, worked hard earnt me money, no problems, i'm not sure if it's broken or it's a problem with the software. Got three blades and I'm only on the second now! Cheap cutting!

I have looked at the model you mentioned and have been watching them, some went yesterday for £160 which really is cheap!

If you do bid then you do have some comeback as it seems a legit business, don't know how reliable/accurate they are though, but the feedback seems ok. There are other firms selling foison cutters for more.

A tip for bidding, if they are going for £160 make your best bid £140-£150, they might contact you and do a second chance offer. I did this with my original one and saved £40

If you get one let us know, i might be needing one soon if I can't get this one running.

Lee

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Anotyad

· #3 · Oct 9, 2008

d_p_yan said:
Hi,

Anyone purshased the Katana by Foison vinyl cutter from the ebay seller vinylcutters - specifically the C24USB 2009 model.

I've been looking for a cheap cutter to try out some t-shirt ideas. Basically i'm looking for a reasonably priced (cheap) cutter for cutting vinyl and flock on kids t's. Nothing fancy just small to medium sized lettering.

Would really like a roland gx-24 but there's no way I could get it past the finance committee (wife) when i'm just trying out an idea.

So, it's off to ebay I go. Problem is there are so many cheap chinese cutters and none of them really give you much info on their usability for t-shirts.

So, if anyone has one of these cutters, or a similar ebay cutter, and uses them for vinyl/flock pressing on t-shirts - I would be really grateful for any feedback you have.

I purchased the Foison C24USB cutter from Vinylcutters. I think it is agreat cutter at the price. The only difference that I note from the 2008 model is the faster cutting speed and pressure. The cutter was was dead easy to set up and although the instructions were a little vague in places, I soon figured it all out. I did telephone the suppliers since I got the cutter, to enquire about the availability of replacement blades and parts if ever I should need them. The chap on the other end of the phone could not have been more helpful and thorough. Vinylcutters are the sole UK Distrubutor for the Foison branded cutters. If you look at this machine, you will note that it looks very similiar to some of the better known brands, especially the Creation PCut. I would guess they are all made by one supplier under different branding. The Foison C24 USB does boast 4Mb of internal memory as opposed to 1Mb on some of the others. That is one factor that swung the decision for me to purchase. The other factors included: Parts and Warranty backup from a British Supplier, Feedback from other buyers and Price. The cutter comes with Free Trial software or you can purchase Artcut to work with the C24 USB. In the end I purchased the full dongle version of Signcut X2 (after using the free trial period) from Vinylcutters. The cutter is easy to set up on USB or you can use a Serial port, USB is faster though. I use my cutter everyday and it is more than capable for the most intricate cutting work. 3 blades (2 x 60 Degre and 1 x 45 Degree Blade) were supplied and I am still on the first blade. Due to price and quality, I purchase my garment vinyl from - easiMARK Flock - Signmaking supplies, digital printing and garment marking products - Victory Design Ltd - who also sell flock . Hope this helps you.

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Anotyad

· #4 · Oct 9, 2008

Progeny said:
Hi Derek,

Any cutter that will do signs will do t-shirt vinyl. I bought a chinese cutter 2-3 years ago and until last week it was fine, worked hard earnt me money, no problems, i'm not sure if it's broken or it's a problem with the software.

Lee

Lee - Give me a call if you are still stuck with getting your cutter running, I might be able to help you. Did you manage to look at the port settings/baud rate etc.?

Regards,

Kevin

Progeny

· #5 · Oct 9, 2008

Hi Kevin, yes i looked at all that it's exactly right no problems there but the ****** thing still won't work. I've had it nearly 3 years and it has worked hard at times so maybe time to retire! If i can get one of these foison machines for £160 i would be happy.

I'll have one final mess after the weekend (got decorating to do and christening etc so too busy) and see what happens.

Thanks again.

Lee

d_p_yan

Discussion Starter · #6 · Oct 10, 2008

Thanks all for the great info.

Looks like this model might be a good choice for the first year or so.

I'll keep you informed on how I go.

d_p_yan

Discussion Starter · #7 · Oct 10, 2008

Sorry, forgot to mention.

For anyone looking for blades, manuals, help forum etc for this cutter look at Foison C-24 vinyl cutters for signmaking at huge savings - from £395.00+VAT including FREE software

All info, including drivers, can be found under the Foison C24-USB menu.

d_p_yan

Discussion Starter · #8 · Nov 20, 2008

A quick update for anyone else planning on buying one of these cutters.

Overall the cutter seems fairly well made and sturdy. It has the standard range of menu options and is quiet and fast in use.

It does however have three main issues.

1. blade holder and blades - quite simply the blade holder and blades delivered with the cutter are not going to give the best quality. If you take a look at the signwizard website support forum you will see many people reporting the blades/holder leaving incomplete cuts etc. The consensus is that the blade holder needs to be swapped with a Jaguar or Signpal blade holder (approx £90.00 extra) to solve the inconsistent cutting problem. Signwizard sell a higher quality blade holder and blade set (called FineCut) but I have been unable to find anyone who has actually purchased one to tell me if they work any better than the delivered units.

2. The software that comes with it - SignBlazer Elements - is in fact a non-expiring trial. This is because the developer of the SignBlazer product has died and support for the product is fairly patchy because of ,as I understand it, legal problems over who actually owns the product source code.
The software actually works ok but don't expect any support or updates for it and that means I won't use it in a business environment.

3. Support - well let's just say have a look at the signwizard forum and you'll get the picture.

To be fair everyone who has upgraded the blade holder and blades and taken the time to learn how to use the cutter, which takes some time, has reported it is actually a very good product.

I guess given the low cost of purchase and the fact that many units are sold via auction on eBay, effectively at trade prices, means you need to be prepared to factor is some extra costs for blade holders and blades and software and put in the time to learn how to use the machine properly.

Even with the additional costs of a new blade holder, blades and software the complete costs, assuming a low final auction price on eBay, it is still a very good cutter.

I just need to find a supplier of a Jagura or SignPal blade holder and blades now.

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funkymunky

· #9 · Nov 21, 2008

d_p_yan said:
A quick update for anyone else planning on buying one of these cutters.

Overall the cutter seems fairly well made and sturdy. It has the standard range of menu options and is quiet and fast in use.

It does however have three main issues.

1. blade holder and blades - quite simply the blade holder and blades delivered with the cutter are not going to give the best quality. If you take a look at the signwizard website support forum you will see many people reporting the blades/holder leaving incomplete cuts etc. The consensus is that the blade holder needs to be swapped with a Jaguar or Signpal blade holder (approx £90.00 extra) to solve the inconsistent cutting problem. Signwizard sell a higher quality blade holder and blade set (called FineCut) but I have been unable to find anyone who has actually purchased one to tell me if they work any better than the delivered units.

2. The software that comes with it - SignBlazer Elements - is in fact a non-expiring trial. This is because the developer of the SignBlazer product has died and support for the product is fairly patchy because of ,as I understand it, legal problems over who actually owns the product source code.
The software actually works ok but don't expect any support or updates for it and that means I won't use it in a business environment.

3. Support - well let's just say have a look at the signwizard forum and you'll get the picture.

To be fair everyone who has upgraded the blade holder and blades and taken the time to learn how to use the cutter, which takes some time, has reported it is actually a very good product.

I guess given the low cost of purchase and the fact that many units are sold via auction on eBay, effectively at trade prices, means you need to be prepared to factor is some extra costs for blade holders and blades and software and put in the time to learn how to use the machine properly.

Even with the additional costs of a new blade holder, blades and software the complete costs, assuming a low final auction price on eBay, it is still a very good cutter.

I just need to find a supplier of a Jagura or SignPal blade holder and blades now.

Hi Derek,
I'm a user of the said machine

Been using it for about 6 months now with no real problems.
Look at this page:
Vinyl cutter blades for Roland, Summa, Graphtec, DGI, PCut & many more £29.95 for 5 brand new blades, not regrinds!!

Which blade holder did your machine come with ? Type A Holder OR Type R?

Mine came with the TypeR holder which looks to me like it is the 'Finecut' holder

A very small issue with really fine work but I think this is down to 'Fine-tuning' the settings which I am scared to touch in case I make things worse

I am designing in Coreldraw and cutting with Signcut X2 if this helps.
I did try Artcut software but found it poor

My Foison came with no software only the Drivers.

Let me know if I can help further.

Regards
Phil

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d_p_yan

Discussion Starter · #10 · Nov 22, 2008

Hi funkymunky,

I too have a Type-R blade holder. But that's not a FineCut blade holder - they cost £35.95 and they need the FineCut blades which also cost £35.95.

From the limited info available on these they are better quality - according to signwizard. The problem is I cannot find anyone who has actually used this blade holder/blade combination and posted feedback or info anywhere.

I have sent a message to signwizards sales dept via their web contact form requesting further info on them but received no reply.

What I can find info on is people who have used Jaguar and SignPal blade holders and roland blades who report a significant improvement in the quality of their cuts.

I too am fairly happy with the cutter. For general use it is excellent value for money. And for general use it works well after careful setup.

I am also using SignCut X2 and highly recommend it as the Foison C24 USB has been tested to work with it and SignCut support will help with any software/cutter interface issues.

I just need to find a supplier of Jaguar II/III or Signpal blade holders - or - someone who has the FineCut holder/blades who can give me some feedback.

Until I can get some feedback on the FineCut combination I'm going to keep looking for the Jaguar/Signpal blade holder.

Anyone????

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funkymunky

· #11 · Nov 22, 2008

d_p_yan said:
I too have a Type-R blade holder. But that's not a FineCut blade holder - they cost £35.95 and they need the FineCut blades which also cost £35.95.

Hi Derek,
Have a look again at the pictures in my link above. Unless my eyes are playing games with me it looks like the picture of the blade holder with 'Finecut' written all over it is identical to the picture of the Type-R blade holder underneath

To me this means the Finecut blade holder IS the Type-R blade holder!

Regards
Phil

d_p_yan

Discussion Starter · #12 · Nov 23, 2008

Hi Phil,

I thought exactly the same thing. I was going to just upgrade the blades with the FineCut blades and see how I went.

If you look at this link - FREE help and advice for sign makers, sign making and signwriters. - you will see the FineCut bladeholder has different bearings.

This message from the signwizard forum, answered by the site admin on 26 Sept 2008, also confirms FineCut as an upgrade.

Q: Can anyone tell me what are the advantages of the upgrade blades / blade holder. Is it accuracy? Longevity? I am loathe to change to them if there is no benefit. I've tried a sales and support email enquiry but got no reply. GR

A: Hi, we did reply to your cutting issue problem on the 16/9 and yes the Finecut holders/blades are higher quality etc, they are not supplied with the machines only as an upgrade.

The link for this message is - FREE help and advice for sign makers, sign making and signwriters.

Unfortunately, there are only 3 messages in the C24 forum on FineCut blades - and 1 of them is my unanswered request for info - and none of them contain feedback from a user of the FineCut holder/blade combination.

So if anyone has used the FineCut combination please post here or in the SignWizards forums.

And I'm still looking for a Jaguar II/III or Signpal blade holder if anyone knows where to get one

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funkymunky

· #13 · Jan 17, 2009

Hi Derek,
How did you get on with upgrading your blade-holder? I am almost at the point of sourcing new blades for my Foison (I'm on my last one, supplied with my cutter) and if you have made progress here I could consider upgrading myself!

Regards
Phil

tdprout

· #14 · Jan 18, 2009

So can this cutter contour cut printed out images?

funkymunky

· #15 · Jan 18, 2009

tdprout said:
So can this cutter contour cut printed out images?

Hi TDP,
I've got last years C-24 Version of this cutter and mine does not have an 'optical eye' but I see they are now selling one here that does

Foison C-24 LaserCut Optical Registration vinyl cutters for signmaking at huge savings - from £445.00+VAT including FREE software
Looks like it retails here in the U.K for £495.00 but if you check-out Ebay U.K they sell them on here also, so you maybe able to 'bag a bargain'.

Regards
Phil

tdprout

· #16 · Jan 18, 2009

Hi Phil..I"m in the USA and this company say's they are the only ones who sell them stateside:
http://www.bridgecutters.com. So bascially I've no information about these particular cutters..other than what I read from the FREE help and advice for sign makers, sign making and signwriters. site. No one has said that the thing can contour cut...lol

funkymunky

· #17 · Jan 18, 2009

tdprout said:
Hi Phil..I"m in the USA and this company say's they are the only ones who sell them stateside:
http://www.bridgecutters.com. So bascially I've no information about these particular cutters..other than what I read from the FREE help and advice for sign makers, sign making and signwriters. site. No one has said that the thing can contour cut...lol

Hi again TDP,
I think you can forget about the Forum you link too, shall we say it's not too active!
But if you look at the link to 'Bridgecutters' you provided it does say that 'contour cutting' is optional.
The link I provided earlier may help you more with the spec.
They are a chinese import cutter but mine is holding up well! They appear better than most of the other chinese imported brands and of slightly higher spec. 4mb of internal memory for instance where most Chinese cutters only have a mere 1mb.

Regards
Phil

Market-Tee

· #18 · Feb 3, 2009

Hi all,
I have been using a c-12 for the past 6 months and its really great, providing you take the time to fine tune the settings. With respect to blades and holders, i am using what is described by us cutter as a roland blade holder see Other Brands, Parts & Supplies and i find it is brilliant compared to the plastic holder that comes with the foison. Yes the blades are different too. not sure where you will get one in the uk tho as mine came on an old craft cutter my sister sent me from the US, altho i am sure that ebay will have one someplace.

Progeny

· #19 · May 5, 2009

Finally got one, yeah!! The C24 2009 version.

It seems a really good quality machine, much better than the MH I had before. I've only done a few test cuts so far but all seems ok and it was easy to set up too. I've also set it up on my laptop which uses vista with no real problems!

I'm sure I read somewhere that you can cut from CorelDraw, does anyone know if you can. I tried to import files from Corel to Signblazer but it won't work that way for some reason. I have X3.

How are others getting on with their Foisons?

Cheers

Lee

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Market-Tee

· #20 · May 5, 2009

Progeny said:
I'm sure I read somewhere that you can cut from CorelDraw, does anyone know if you can. I tried to import files from Corel to Signblazer but it won't work that way for some reason. I have X3.

Hi lee,
I don't use corel but if you go to file then import in signblazer, the drop down list will give you list of file types you can import. just had a look and it seems that you can import .cdx files from corel.
mik

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