Dan - I just got the graphtec also. the artwork weeds more easily - the graphec is the most precise of all the cutters I have had (Pcut, refine, copam), tracks more accurate - no vinyl drift, automatic contour cutting ( recognizes the registration marks itself (I haven't used this yet). you can change blades without messing up the depth as the adjustment is on one end and the holder comes apart at the other, QUIET, faster, that's just the first week or so
Heya!
Ok, you got my attention with the better contour cutting. I am contour cutting on the LP24, but it's heavily dependent on how well I line up my reg marks and it's super hard to see them on silver metallic specialty paper. A machine which could better line up the reg marks and cut more accurate contours would make me very, very happy.
I hear what you mean about the better build-quality from your excellent description. I can imagine a smoother, more precision machine...like comparing a BMW to a Kia.
One thing about those low-end machines, I am grateful for them! I don't know if or when I would have taken the plunge into decal-cutting without the reasonable barrier to entry that the low-priced Chinese machines afford. My reasonably-priced LP24 allowed me to learn decal cutting, contour cutting (with Paco's help). I've actually earned enough money with decals to make the cost of my cutter, vinyl and then some (the rest is gravy and I don't really keep track). I can confidently buy a better machine later on (from U.S. Cutter), now that I've cut my teeth on the entry-level machine.
On so many levels, these cheap machines really rock, and I thank U.S. Cutter for bringing them to us and supporting them.
I am already thinking about my next machine. I really want a Roland VersaCamm 300i (the cheapest one) with a laminator, but a Graphtec with better contour cutting sounds promising.
Enjoy the Graphtec, and congrats!
