ekcetera

Just replaced the ZChip on the MH-721. Now, the head doesn't move at all. Before, it was springy - you could push it up or down with your finger. Now, it's very stiff - it will move up or down, but there's resistance when you press on it and it doesn't move at all when cutting. Could it have been installed wrong? Could something else have happened when it was installed to be causing this? Thanks.

I'm trying to grow my business in the vinyl-cutting area. I do decorative wall decals - like Uppercase Living. However, I'm interested in trying to find something that would cut cardstock as well - I've tried it with my refine and it's a nightmare! Ideally, I need something that has a laser guide because I'd like to print on cardstock then cut it. Anyway, back to my machine. I've had 3 different motherboards on it and I'm really disappointed - although, the price probably reflects the amount of maintenance on it. Most recently, US Cutter told me to send in the entire machine for $99 and they'd look to see what was causing the motherboards to fry. So, I figured, well, let's just get this taken care of instead of just replacing motherboard after motherboard. I paid a bundle on shipping and the replacement fee. Wouldn't you know.....it took forever to fix and I got it back without any summary of what happened or what was replaced. I tried to contact support and days later, I finally get a message saying, "we replaced the motherboard that was fried" DUH!!! That's why I sent it in the first place - motherboards kept frying. I made that very clear that I didn't want it back saying, oh, it's the MB, I wanted them to look into WHY the MB was frying and to fix that so I can move on. Well, now, a few months later (i'm sure it's just past the warranty on the replacement MB, of course) the blade has dropped and won't lift up. Which, from what I read, sounds like a motherboard issue. I'm trying to grow my business but can't do that when every 3 orders I take, the machine is down and I have to make my customers wait. I am ready to launch a website, but don't dare until I have something that is more reliable. Does this just sound to people like I need a better machine, and if so, how much do I need to spend? I initially bought the machine thinking, if I don't get into this segment of business - I'm a graphic designer - then, I'm only out a couple hundred bucks. Well, now it's paid for itself and I find it's something that could grow very well for me. What's the next cutter to look at? Is there something out there that will do a good job on vinyl and laser-guided to cut cardstock in large sizes (11x17or bigger)?

Looks like coroplast comes in a green the customer might like. Would I be better off doing that with a white vinyl? I haven't looked much at coroplast...can you see the ridges in it on the surface?

I am new to sign-making, been a graphic designer for year. I have a request from a customer to do some indoor signs for a Liquor Shop. He wants signs hanging above each section.... ex: whiskey" "vodka" "mixers" "chardonnay" Pinot Noir" "French Wines" Italian Wines" etc. He has a drop ceiling and wants the signs to be either forest green or burgundy with white lettering. My thoughts are to use Gatorfoam (only comes in white or black) and use green or burgundy vinyl and reverse out the lettering. So, I'd cut a rectangle of vinyl the size of the board and cut out the letters and attach it to a white board to let the white show through. Make sense? Do you have any other ideas? Also, how would I hang them from a drop ceiling? Suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I'm looking to buy off ebay - from what i can tell, the only difference is that they offer a shorter warranty. The USCutter and the PCut are going for roughly the same price, one has a stand the other doesn't. I am just starting out and this fits my budget. Which would you go for? I know that the PCut is a step up, but I like the thought of a stand - is that silly? Which would you choose?