Karl

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Everything posted by Karl

  1. Karl

    RTA VS Installed

    As for me, the sign price should INCLUDE : getting material, sales, design, cuts, delivery & install. IF they want to try to install it themselves I make their choice to take responsibility "written" on the invoice, and give them a small discount. Other items like frame and design are discussed at the time of the order. I want to make a million bucks, but I don't expect to make it all from one sale. Be "painfully" fair, and actively pursue repeat business. Replete business usually goes to the jobber that the customer feels gives them the most product for the buck, Just remember that you are your customer too, aka treat yourself fair as well. Those that are greedy and charge big fees are my best promoters, aka, if mr A makes $50 profit on a job, and I make $30 for the same work but get 3 more jobs as a result, then I just made $120. Same goes for most any business, like the guy I hired to do a day of dozer work, he cut corners and over charged, so he missed out on the 2 additional weeks of work. Like the mechanic, they use a pricing guide that reflects "if everything goes wrong, charge this much" but they charge the max even when everything goes right! they would get more business if they "this was easier than usual, so it will cost you $20 less than the quote" -- it seems there are darn few folks that recognize this powerful advertising tactic. Its like this, the guy that charges $30 per hr for travel time (because "they are worth that") is the same one that wines when they loose a job to a lower bid. But no wining allowed, it is your choice to charge what you do.
  2. Flexi Jr.: NEED a Real Manual for Jr, not the Pro manual with lots of things that are not in Jr. NEED Real Macintosh compatibility Notes: there are 3 drivers for the PCut/ CT 630 - CT 630G - CT 630F There is NO indicator as to which one is for this machine. The packet size is preset at 0, reset packet to Maximum = 1024 Have added the Keyspan USB to serial / this is generally accepted as the very best available. Cutting is still crap. Will not cut 4 lines of text, sometimes cut 2 lines of 13 letters with no problem, then occasionally will glitch and skip a letter + cut a line to some other point and stop. I have also cut several other small jobs, with out this issue. Before I started this cut, I test cut one word, then test cut another word, I have already set the Production Manager to Packet size to 1000 and medium curve quality. & have pen in second slot (why are there two holes for the tool?) & rechecked all graphics, plus the double pre-test, start cutting a simple sign, 4 lines of text. 12 x 32 inch total cut area. The only change was to check
  3. I just downloaded the manual today, maybe it wasn't there before, http://pcut-cn.com/edownload/download.php it still does not show the two holes in the blade holder, dont cut with the front one.
  4. Also I have noticed that in illustrator, when a text is made to outline and then manipulated = path/ offset path, you now have TWO items, these must be ungrouped and separated. IF the object is manipulated several times, there will be several copies of it exactly on top of each other. if you copy / paste / and change color, the new item is over or behind the original, but a new color, that helps keep track of each, you can group by color and move them, and so on. by experience I have learned to separate them as part of the process, and double check things Before calling it "cut ready"
  5. Karl

    sign frames

    ?? sign frames, metal , pvc sch 40 / sch 80 , wood , for small like 24x24 and up to 4x8 i am not so comfortable with coroplast, i like the pvc sheet, but either way, providing a good frame at a price the small / new business can afford is a challenge. i have been working up a pvc pipe design that costs less than $20 painted, takes 20 mins to make, but i would really like some experienced voices input. i have plenty of carpenter experience, but the wood frames add so much to the total cost some folks have just put off the sign altogether or opted for a much smaller coroplast deal. -- which we know will Not draw attention like a Real sign. --
  6. Karl

    Need a substrate like this

    PVC sheet, make a wood template and route out as many as you need, paint with Krylon, I have a scrap of pvc painted with krylon, with 7 year vinyl that has been laying in the yard - as a test - for over 20 years, the paint started to oxidize a couple of years ago, the pvc and vinyl are still good.
  7. Nice start, but it is missing a very important step; at #4.25 = larger lines can be separated aka "wel" & "come" after it is hinged at #4.5 = remove backing and hold edges of mask snugly to keep flat as moving to sign face at #4.75 = firmly work the squeegee across and down to force out air remember, if it is a customer that bought by mail and has no experience, you have to cover the most obvious detail.
  8. Karl

    Is there anything else I need????

    i finally got a premask/ application tape dispenser, after years of wrinkly premasking, having used it now for 2 jobs, I can't see not using it. several on ebay and on line at $30 to $80 I got a DIY for $9, ebay listing "Premask Application Dispenser DIY" the plus with the DIY is you can make as many as you want, at whatever size you need. just to be clear, the "dispenser" allows one person alone to apply tape without wrinkles. now that I have one, I highly recommend it.
  9. Karl

    Flexi Starter Or SignCut-X2?

    I was wondering about the availability of software myself, I am using Flexi starter, because it was relatively cheap, $120, and was all I could find at the time. Note that the Pro version is "a rolls royce" it really better be, at $2000 bucks. the rudimentary drawing ability of the flexi Jr is handy at times - but only because I do the creating in another room on another machine, then take it to the dedicated one to cut. the thing is, flexi-JR has been giving me fits when I try to cut more than one line/ 2 copies/ or anything complicated. I have been cutting smaller than 2x2 ft and that doesnt bother me so much as not knowing if "this time" it is going to stop in the middle of the second line and cut straight to the origin corner, again. Many folks have been raving about it, seems to work fine for them. I have increased the data transfer from 0 to the max, installed the extra cost USB hardware from Keyspan, checked each and every step, and yet I cant set "cut" and go get a coffee = I have to baby sit every second of the cut. To test Signcut I need www access or dongle, even for the Trial? so I have one G4 450 in another room dedicated to the cutter, but it is was connected by wireless which seems to have stopped working, So to try the Test version = to verify it will cut several long lines and words with-out fault, I need to get it connected to the net? then DL the program and so on. what is the cost of the SignCut and how integrated is it with illistrator? I went to the web site but saw not much info at all on the program itself.
  10. Karl

    I apologize

    I am using Quicken Basic, it does not. However the advert said upgrade to Quicken Deluxe or Quicken Business, they have invoicing. I am suprized that the Quicken site didnt have the info, and demo downloads. -- OK, I visited intuit, I did a site search for "invoice" and got: How do I create or edit an estimate or invoice? (Quicken Home & Business) Updated: 9/19/2009 | Article ID: 5095 * Create an estimate or invoice 1. Select the appropriate option: o To create an estimate: Choose Business menu > Invoices and Estimates > Create Estimate. o To create an invoice: Choose Business menu > Invoices and Estimates > Create Invoice. 2. In the Customer field, enter the name of the person or firm with whom you're dealing, or select the name in the list. If you're entering a customer name for the first time, QuickFill memorizes the name. The next time you create an estimate or invoice for that customer, you can select it in the list. 3. In the Project/Job field, enter the project/job name, or select the name in the list. (Optional) If you're entering a project/job for the first time, Quicken displays the New Project/Job dialog for you to complete. The names of closed projects/jobs do not appear. 4. In the Layout list, select the layout you want to use. Quicken displays the layout you last used. You can also click Customize to go to the Forms Designer to create a new layout. You're given the option of saving your current invoice or estimate before opening the Forms Designer. This lets you create a new layout in the Forms Designer and then go back to your invoice or estimate and apply the new layout. The Invoice and Estimate dialogs in which you create specific invoices or estimates are for data-entry purposes only. The dialogs will contain the same fields as your customized form layouts, but they may not accurately reflect the appearance of your customized form layouts. However, your form will appear correctly when you print or e-mail it. 5. In the Bill To field, enter the name and address. If the customer name and address exist in Address Book, Quicken fills in the address for you. 6. If your form displays the Ship To field, enter the ship to name and address, or, with the cursor on the top line, press the ' (apostrophe) key to copy the information from the Bill To area. (Optional) 7. Quicken displays today's date, but you can change it using the pop-up calendar or by typing over it. 8. If your form displays the Due Date field, enter the expected date of payment. For example, if payment is due on receipt, enter today's date. The default due date is the invoice date plus 30 days, but you can change it. If you want to enter a description of the due date terms, such as On Receipt, enter the text in the Customer Message field. Quicken prints the message in the lower-left corner of the estimate or invoice. Use print preview to see exactly where the message will appear. 9. If your form displays the P.O. Number field, enter the customer's purchase order number for tracking purposes. (Optional) 10. In the Item field, click the drop-down arrow to display a list of available invoice items. Select an item in the list. Quicken fills in the category, description, and rate or price based on what you specified when you created the item. If the item you want isn't in the list or you don't yet have any items, enter a new name. Quicken asks if you want to add a new item. Click Yes, enter the information, and then click OK. 11. If you charge sales tax for this item, Quicken displays a T in the Taxable column. If you want to turn tax tracking off for this item, click in the Tax column. (Optional) The first time you enter an item on an estimate or invoice, Quicken creates an account named *Sales Tax* to track the tax you charge your customers. 12. In the QTY field, enter the quantity of items you're selling. Quicken automatically updates the value in the Amount column for you, based on the quantity multiplied by the rate. 13. In the Customer Message field, select a message in the list, or enter a new one. (Optional) 14. If this invoice contains any taxable items, enter a tax rate in the Tax field. The rate should be in the form xx.xx (for example 8.25, not .0825). The percent sign is not required. 15. At this point, you can either e-mail the estimate or invoice to your customer, or mail it. (Optional) 16. Click Save and New to record the transaction and open another form, or click Save and Done if you're finished entering invoices or estimates. Notes If you invoice a customer for the same items on a regular basis, you don't need to reenter the same information each time. Instead you can copy the original transaction to a new line in the invoices/receivables register and modify it as needed. Simply select the invoice transaction you want to copy, click Edit and select Copy Transaction. Then click a new line in the register, click Edit and select Copy Transaction, make any changes you want, and click Enter. * Edit the information on an estimate 1. To open the Estimate List, choose Business menu > Business Lists > Estimate List. 2. In the Estimate List, select the one you want to change, and then on the toolbar, click Edit. 3. Make changes where necessary. 4. Click Save and Done. * Edit the information on an invoice 1. Open the account where you track your invoices. 2. Select the transaction for the invoice you want to change, and click Form. Quicken displays the Invoice dialog. 3. Make changes where necessary. 4. Click Save and Done. Notes * You can use the Forms Designer to include only the fields and columns you need in your estimates and invoices. You can also rename or resize the fields and columns, reposition the fields and your company logo, and display your company address. * You can save time and effort on estimates and invoices by prefilling default due dates and customer contact information. http://quicken.intuit.com/lp/qkn09/lp_ppc_dt_only.jsp?cid=ppc_g_b_all_stan_us_pfs+br_brnd+dwnld_quicken+download_e&priorityCode=4935400000&ven=g&kw=quicken+download&gclid=CK2nmo6Rop0CFYNg2godag6zqA I actually use Appleworks database for invoicing, EH, its old but it works, for now.
  11. I did have a similar situation; had to hit the red stop button (for reasons not relevant) and could not get the machine to "reactivate" Did shut down, restart, etc. it just would not reset to cut, the cutter screen would just show squares. Finally -- with the blade removed -- i just made a dummy cut = any random letter or graphic, send it to the cutter (from flexi jr =yuk) and just like that the cutter came back on line. // flexi does have 4 separate cutting designations for the pcut, and nothing to indicate which is for this machine, I dont know if it actually makes a difference, but I have been using the second one.
  12. Karl

    USB Keyspan and serial = this helps

    Installed Keyspan USB 2.0, problem gone Highly recommend to All Mac users, GET the Keyspan before you bother to cut at all. for $30 it will save you that much in wasted vinyl.
  13. Takes some time to gather the information, you need to keep a log of time for each step, and your cost for materials including go getting it. Take a job group, add the materials = which you measured, (for me, I have to add 1 inch top and bottom of a line of cut letters, so 4" letters = 6" of material & if its 15" wide & cut 13" line, still costs me the full width of material) So we have (based on your hourly rate) : material + mask + time to get + time to design + cut time + weed & mask time = $ divided by sq in of finished product = $ per sq in for me that's 9
  14. Karl

    USB Keyspan and serial = this helps

    Update: the built in usb is 1, and by definition sloow. The result has been that anything over 10 letters results in serious problems: lines cut across the copy, partial cut letters, locked up cutter, and more. I have made a series of adjustments to the Flexistarter software settings and so on, but still the problem persists. All comments and input suggests that the data is not being handled quickly enough. The Keyspan is a USB 2 device, by-passing the cutter's usb, using the serial connection plus the keyspan usb2 will at the very least double though-put, so I have ordered one, Until it gets here, I will have to continue cutting ONE WORD at a time. SO; Question for USCutter: why not put USB 2 built in? why bother with usb 1 since it is too slow to transfer data? Or, Include Keyspan as an optional accessory for the Mac.
  15. Karl

    Text won't cut properly?

    great job in Q & A it seems to be the small details that make the major problems, I am compiling a list of undocumented things that BOTH hardware and software mfgrs should have included - should have. Please clarify the "offset" definition; there is a blade offset that depends on the construction of the specific blade, is this the one you are referring to? or is it something else? =me: using Mac G4 & flexi starter & Pcut 620
  16. Am using older Mac G450 with a NEC usb card & the PCUT630 USB & FlexiCut8 Starter The card is compliant with both the mac and cutter --the chip set is important, as described in other posts here. the biggest problem is getting drivers that are "conversive" enough to communicate with both Mac and Dos (pc) When I got this PC630 with the usb connection, I thought that it would be simple enough to set up, however.. the Flexi would not recognize any usb connections. The USB cable and driver are both very very important on Mac, since dos-pc dont adhere to the strict guidelines as Apple does. I was about to purchase a Keyspan serial to USB device, and thought to download the software first. Keyspan USA-19HS aka keyspanusadrvr -- there are several drivers for macosx, if one doesnt work, try another. if that doesnt work, buy the hardware. once rebooted, the cutter showed up in the Flexi setup and cut as expected. I found the 19-HS for less than $30 at Amazon, in retrospect, it would have been cheaper to get the Keyspan first, but then I wouldn't have all these extra parts on hand Also: every setting is important, I have had it cutting perfectly and the next cut it goes off on a line. I have found that I had inadvertently changed a setting on some occasions. but other times I suspect the usb cord = that came with the cutter & from the mfgr/ I may still get the Kespan cable.
  17. Karl

    Line of Death Fix!!!

    Update: the cutter would not come back on line, until I sent a cut command from Flexi, then it cut and was back to normal. That doesn't explain the errant cut line, the help desk said change the OFFSET setting to .025, it was at .020 // they say to keep PACKET size as small as possible, other users say make it 1000, Maybe it is time to get the Keyspan hardware, if there is any tiny miscommunication in USB its big. I will be cutting one word at a time (to save on wasted vinyl) The biggest problem is that every system is just slightly different and thereby requires different amounts of adjustment. DID get the Keyspan: And as Kimon said in another post, it is not the through put aka usb2 vrs usb1, but the "clean data" required by Mac pc system, that msdos pc systems can tolerate. However, still have that miscue cutting problem -- using Flexi8 starter -- cant be static, its only a 12"x12" 3 lines of copy 2" letters, I am beginning to think it is flexi. The adding Keyspan DID help ALOT but did not stop the cut from stopping halfway through and cutting a line straight 45 or 90 degrees in any direction. Sigh :-
  18. Karl

    Line of Death Fix!!!

    Am using older Mac G450 with a NEC usb card & the PCUT630 USB & FlexiCut8 Starter start cutting a simple sign, 4 lines of text. Cuts one word, cuts second word, cuts two letters and as starts cutting "O" cuts straight down the vinyl "line of death" had to hit emergency stop. Before I started this cut, I test cut one word, then test cut another word, I have already set the Production Manager to Packet size to 1000 and medium curve quality. & have pen in second slot & rechecked all graphics, plus the double pre-test, Apparently the GLITCH is Not restricted to large or intricate designs. What is really confusing & frustrating is that many folks are just cutting along with no problems, while some of us have to deal with "these" problems. It has to be some detail in the equipment/software set-up. I have this G450 set up exclusively for cutting, just the basic OSX 4.11 install and FlexiStarter, I transfer files for cut by Zip disk. the Pcut is connected by USB cable (high quality) to the USB2 on the Mac. I added several USB drivers, including Keyspan, but nothing else. I must presume that it is a Flexi issue, OR just TOO technical of a USB issue for me to grasp. If anyone from SAI or USCutter could shed light on this issue, I for one would be seriously grateful.
  19. http://www.magisign.com/US/SignNCS/Sign_dwld.html --this may be an old link // try this one: http://www.magisign.com/US/3_prod/MagisignCS/1_intro.html this is one, seems expensive at about $500, but then Flexi is what, $2000? there are some others, but I didn't have a cutter when I found them, now I don't remember where I saw them. Using Flexi Starter ($125), It is just the most basic program, but it has the drivers for almost any cutter. I use Freehand and Illustrator for design, open the "ready" file in Flexi and make a few minor adjustments and cut. I wish Flexi would give up a plug-in, or do they already? I cant tell from their web site,
  20. Am using older Mac G450 with a NEC usb card & the PCUT630 USB & FlexiCut8 Starter 1. Using Keyspan driver with the built in USB connection in the P-cut, set up and tested driver P630. 2. Set up and tested on a
  21. 1. The only Help for Starter that I find is the Flexi "pro" = be careful to see what is relevant to Starter and what is only part of Pro. But most questions can be answered with diligent searching. (I mean other than fellow cutters helpful input) 2. The double cut is from "outline" & "convert to outline" = study the programs you use, every detail will make a difference some where. 3. The missing cut is from the P-cut 630 having TWO holes in the holder that will accept a tool = the cutting head was not on the cutting strip & lacked correct pressure . The one in front is not aligned over the cutting strip, But the one in back is over the cutting strip, but is a very tight fit. A poor design, ? is there a way to fix it? the adjuster screw must be taken nearly out to allow tool insertion, and still must force in. Why are there two? The tool fits in the front easily and must be forced into the slot that it Needs to be in.?! 4. Thinking about modifying cover to allow full size bic makers to be used to Plot (using stubby markers now). Has anyone already done this? is there any problems as a result? 5. is there any way to upgrade RAM in the cutter & if so would that help?
  22. :- Ok, the double line cut was operator error Some how I managed to create a duplicate of the entire job directly below the original. Back to shcool! Not being familiar enough with Flexistarter // what ever. So I cut that same file again, this time everything cuts EXECPT 3 numbers and one half an "H" / more or less in the middle of the graphic. I am presuming that there is no actual help manual for flexiStarter, or is there? I am also thinking that every little setting may be having more impact on the output than one might think. Is there a list somewhere -for Starter- of each and every changeable input dialog box? Keep Moving Forward, & Never Quit. (no matter how frustrating it may seem)
  23. Now I have some better questions 1. the pcut630 built in usb is 1, if I use the serial port with a usb 2 cable to the usb 2 card : is it worth the extra cost? 2. if pcut and flexi starter don't have the memory to cut 35 letters at one time, why are they being sold? 3. is it possible to add ram to the cutter, 4. would allocating more to the software help? thanks in advance for input
  24. this did help a lot, cut the file 6 lines of text, but then stopped before the last line. what is packet size, what does that do? why would it stop cutting in mid job? why doesnt the cutter act like a printer and just do what we want? the following thanks to ' speeddoggy ' enter some text on your layout screen like you are going to cut it,, click file.. click cut/plot ,,your production manager comes up then you have your CUT/PLOT layout screen... at the top left of your CUT/PLOT layout screen,, under where it says what type of cutter you are connected to is .. PROPERTIES,,, click on it... another screen opens that says Default Job Properties there are 3 pictures,, if you run your mouse over them, they say, layout, workflow and cut,,,which looks like a cutter blade.. click on the CUT, the screen changes.. look for PACKET SIZE, make sure it is checked, and the box beside it,, whatever is there,erase and change to 1000 . below is Curve Quality ,,make sure it says Medium click APPLY and OK,,, ...now again for the first part,,,,just open Flexi starter to the main screen,,,at top left is EDIT,,CLICK IT drop box opens,, clear at the very bottom is Preferences....click it . it will give you a different screen that says Preferences. the Tabs at the top read, GENERAL, FILE PATHS, FONT, TOOLS.... CLICK TOOLS,, go to different page, make sure the box is unchecked, for CONNECT TO LOCAL PRODUCTION MANAGER USING TCP/IP CLICK OK,, this all I know to help ya out on this....hope something works..
  25. Karl

    What is the best cutting software for mac

    I am using Flexi starter 8, but graphic background has me feeling like flexi is very simple/ lame. I got it for the driver. I would rather have the Illustrator plug in for flexi. which would ? just sent the active line to plot manager? Any one have any experience in getting hold of the plugin?