[Ptmoore237]

Advice on purchasing a vinyl cutter used pro and cons. Price and software


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jlewis1436]

A few weeks back I sold my OKI711WT and replaced it (for WAY less) with a US Cutter 30. I wish I had never spent all that money on the OKI in the first place.

I have done larger images in white and has far less failure/mistake rate with it than the OKI. The hand is about the same.

HTV is far more cost effective than Forever Dark sheets and more versatile. Being able to do glitter, holographic and foils opens a whole new market on shirts. It also is a useful way to get logos or images on items which do not have blanks for sublimation.

I've also done stickers and already have inquires for banners.

I WISH I had done this long before I spent 3k+ on a white ink printer.

Now I know there are more advanced cutters but for my needs it's been great. The software they included allows you to vector any image you import and if you have a basis in most any software, you should be up and running in no time.

My only helpful suggestion is buying a few extra blades and blade holders. I have one set for regular HTV, on set of glitter and another set for outdoor vinyl. This way you don't need to play with setting the blade at the right depth as it's kinda a "guess" by feel.

 

[Amw]

Advice on purchasing a vinyl cutter used pro and cons. Price and software


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

We have graphtecs that are over 10 years old and they run almost every day. All we do is change the cutting strip every few years (about $20), replace the blade holder as needed, and of course blades (check out clean cut blades...better then OEM and much cheaper). The first one we bought still works perfectly and it is almost 20 years old. Graphtec plotters are great. I do prefer the FC series over the CE though.

As far as used, if it wasn't abused and was maintained you should be fine.
Price will depend on series, the fc will cost more then the ce do.
Software is downloadable from graphtec as well as drivers.
I would look for fc-8000's personally but you could also look for ce-3000.

If you want to post what you are looking at and at what price I can give you an opinion on it if you would like.

 

[MadeDesigns]

GCC clipper from imprintables. Period. best Cheap plotter. It will take a dump on any cutter in its price range ($300)

So nice I bought one for work and one for my room... Yes My room like my man cave has a T-shirt setup .

Why? Because I don't have time at work to make my own shirts. I take hours on a shirt for myself.
10 different colors? No problem when it's mine.

 

[Ptmoore237]

We have graphtecs that are over 10 years old and they run almost every day. All we do is change the cutting strip every few years (about $20), replace the blade holder as needed, and of course blades (check out clean cut blades...better then OEM and much cheaper). The first one we bought still works perfectly and it is almost 20 years old. Graphtec plotters are great. I do prefer the FC series over the CE though.



As far as used, if it wasn't abused and was maintained you should be fine.

Price will depend on series, the fc will cost more then the ce do.

Software is downloadable from graphtec as well as drivers.

I would look for fc-8000's personally but you could also look for ce-3000.



If you want to post what you are looking at and at what price I can give you an opinion on it if you would like.

Hi thank you for your advice. I just purchased a Graphtec CE 2000-60 for $800. I have never done vinyl and I wanted to start with a dependable piece of equipment. Do you think I made a wise choice? The seller had only used it for a short time and said it worked well and came w the stand.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[webtrekker]

[


Hi thank you for your advice. I just purchased a Graphtec CE 2000-60 for $800. I have never done vinyl and I wanted to start with a dependable piece of equipment. Do you think I made a wise choice? The seller had only used it for a short time and said it worked well and came w the stand.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If you will only ever be doing vinyl cutting then I suppose that machine will fulfill your needs.

However, should you ever want to branch out into print & cut, or cutting different materials on a mat, then you'll need a different cutter.

 

[PCs Tees Texas]

Graphtec is the go-to brand these days. They are work horses, so find a used, CLEAN one.

 

[Mayan Graphics]

My best advise is to get a vinyl express Q series - from signwarehouse

I have a Q100 and this thing has taken a beating. I had it from around 15 + years . I've cut hundreds of Rolls of vinyl. Tshirt transfer.

I have even cut 120 lb cardstock with it .
( I don't recomend it !!)

They are awesome machines - all I replaced on it its blades.

Best investment I ever made.

I love them so much I bought a 24" same machine as back up.

 

[Amw]

My best advise is to get a vinyl express Q series - from signwarehouse

I have a Q100 and this thing has taken a beating. I had it from around 15 + years . I've cut hundreds of Rolls of vinyl. Tshirt transfer.

I have even cut 120 lb cardstock with it .
( I don't recomend it !!)

They are awesome machines - all I replaced on it its blades.

Best investment I ever made.

I love them so much I bought a 24" same machine as back up.

That is because its made by Graphtec.

 

[Ptmoore237]

If you will only ever be doing vinyl cutting then I suppose that machine will fulfill your needs.

However, should you ever want to branch out into print & cut, or cutting different materials on a mat, then you'll need a different cutter.

Thanks you. After I learn more about vinyl cutting I will invest in a new machine. This one is suppose to have a plotter. Old as the entire unit is, I see that Graphtec no longer has software downloads for the drivers. After further fact finding I will need a computer system with a serial port and older operating system I think. I do have Windows 7 on another Dell. Does anyone here know about hooking up the system and uploading the older software. I have looked on the internet for a download, but no luck. Any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Ptmoore237]

Thank you everyone


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bwdesigns]

On my old Roland cutter, I got a cord to plug from serial to usb, so that problem is not an issue.

 

[Ptmoore237]

On my old Roland cutter, I got a cord to plug from serial to usb, so that problem is not an issue.

Great! I may have to get one. Did you get it from a special dealer? I also see no software on the Graphtec website to download for the CE2000-60, I do know it is a bit older. What else will work to run the cutter and plotter for this older machine? I thank you in advance because I just can't seem to find what I need online.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk