bmxunderground

Responding to a few points: It has been another month and my machine is still working well. The fact that I can't cut two back to back detailed pieces due to what I assume is limited memory, means I will be saving to buy a Graphtech. Back when I ordered my cutter, ground straps were not included but I'm glad to hear they are now. I did run my machine grounded in the past, but during a few years of storage, I forgot where I put the strap and started to operate it without one. We've now learned that was a mistake, it has been fixed, and things are as well as can be expected for my machine and cutter program combo. Shout out again for all the SUPER USERS on this forum who have continued to post helpful replies to us amateurs. For those interested, as in my first post, the specs are now updated below: Device: MH871 (purchased new circa 2008) Computer: HP ENVY dv7 Laptop O/S: Windows 10 Home (installed 2016) Connection: USB to printer cable (Plugged directly into cutter no additional adapters) Software: Signblazer 6.0 Basic Cutter Type Setup in Software: MH871 Recognized as - RedSail RS 360C Baud Rate: 9600 Grounded to Stand: Yes (on both sides of the stand)

Well, for science, I just ran a test. I used "aligator" clips like tiny jumper cables from the cutter to the stand. First pass at a large graphic, worked perfectly. Second pass the clips came off and I didn't notice it until the machine failed in the middle of a graphic. On a hunch, I made the two grounding straps you see below and then proceeded to make three successful very large detailed cuts back to back with zero failure. I'm going to try a few more, ya know, for science, but on the outset it really does appear that the static jacks these things up when you are not properly grounded.

Thanks gentlemen. I've watched some of your posts for years so I appreciate you taking the time. I've been looking on Facebook market place for a Graphtec. Looks like those things really hold their value. I will likely go through with buying a Graphtech but I don't mind to test the adapter option as well to see if I can get any more life out of this MH871 cutter. I'll chime in after I get the cable in.

I've had many people tell me to move up to a Graphtech but I'd like to confirm my cutter is totally dead before giving it up. I'm not a full time business so I don't want to chew off a big cutter expense if I don't have to yet.

Device: MH871 (purchased new circa 2008) Computer: HP ENVY dv7 Laptop O/S: Windows 10 Home (installed 2016) Connection: USB printer cable direct to cutter Software: Signblazer 6.0 Basic Grounded to Stand: No I have a MH871 cutter I've used as an amateur for over ten years. Always did small graphic cutting flawlessly but had troubles with larger ones (anything with intense detail or longer than 3ft). To successfully cut larger graphics, I had to reset the machine before cutting each new file. Now, I can't get the machine to cut the large file at all without it going haywire. The carriage will try to send itself side to side clicking against the wall like it’s a much wider plotter. It will also start the first few cuts, maybe 5% then just stop. The LCD screen will also go crazy with lines in the middle of it in instead of text. Anyone seen this before? Would an ungrounded stand contribute to this?