dirtrocker

I decided I wanted a seperate computer for the sub stuff. So since I tend to spend more time than I really should looking for the specific stuff I want, I searched everywhere, had notes all over and just couldn't decide on what I wanted. So I decided to take a break from looking and get some work tools ordered up that I needed and worry about it later. So in searching for my air tools, I came across a refurbished system that looked really good. A refurbished Dell Optiplex Intel Dual- Core 3.4Ghz CPU, 4GB DDR2 Memory, 1TB Hard Drive, WiFi, DVD/CD-RW Optical Drive, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Operating System. With mouse, keyboard and 17" Dell monitor and 1 year warranty for $179 + $24 shipping. It was so hard to pass up, I didn't pass it up. LOL! While it isn't one I would play a game like World of Warcrack on, I think it will be quite sufficient for the sublimation stuff. I can run Flexi, Corel, Illustrator and all that on it and it shouldn't be a problem. Granted, I would have preferred a bigger moniter, but once the wife has to use it a couple times and finds out the difference between her 24" dual monitors and that, I don't think it will take much convincing for her to let me get a better sized monitor. ROFL!

Interesting. Never thought about a network share drive. That is something to consider.

Sounds like it's something you can't pass up. And if you do, someone else won't. Wish you luck on it.

And living at home a few more years would be terrible? You would be in your home town/area with folks you already know and have the support of your parents those years. And it sounds like you are already set up there. Doesn't sound terrible. Does your local college have the desired courses? If you started a store front or "brick and mortar" shop, would it be in your home town or would you have to move? Glad I don't have to make that decision, it is kind of a tough one. But it sounds like which ever way you choose to go, you'll do fine. As for the question of a previous poster about how many people are using their degrees? More than you think. A lot of heavy truck dealers or diesel engine dealers won't hire anyone who's not a journeyman mechanic without a minimum of an Associates degree in diesel technology. Engineering jobs, whether construction of civil require degrees to get those jobs. Most companies rarely put anyone in a management position, unless they have many years with the company, in those positions without degrees. There are jobs out there that with degrees that are $5 - 6k per month with in 5 years of being in the field, without a degree $18 - 20/hour and 10+ years to get to the $5k mark. Would a person really use the degree? In most instances, not really. But to get the positions that make the money, most employers that pay $80k+ per year require it. I do not have a degree. I worked up through the ranks to make what I make now. So I have seen where guys who had degrees were "fasttracked" into jobs that paid well. If you are happy where you are, then it's a non-issue. But if you wish to work somewhere that pays well with benefits and all, you have to look at their requirements. You'd probably be surprised at how many require some kind of degree. Just saying sometimes it's good to give yourself some options.

Do either of these help? I suspect not, but what I could find. Seems they are for cartridges, not CIS though. https://www.cobraink.com/videos/Code127/start%20video.html https://www.cobraink.com/videos/676XL/start%20video.html The page below has a video for the tank systems where at the 12:00 mark, it shows him connecting the battery. Don't know if it helps or not. https://www.cobraink.com/videos/empty%20printer%20setup/start%20video.html

I'm not saying don't do the job. If I inferred that in my post, then I apologize. But sometimes showing folks how it looks might sway them to seeing that they are paying you, because you know what you are doing. I guess it's all in how you present it to them. As I stated, sometimes mocking it up, so they can see the difference will be necessary. I've had people ask for certain things on motorcycle tanks. Not something you can just change easily and once I clearcoat it, they either pay for a new paint job of live with it. But their color choices were less than favorable. After doing some samples of the colors together on some flat tins, they saw that it probably wasn't the best choice. I've found over the years that a lot of people have it in their mind what they want, but don't really know how it will turn out until they actually see it. Then the blame is on the person who did the work if it is less than stellar.

Does your's have the reset button? If it does, the battery wire should be connected to the reset button with a couple little wires. You'd have to follow the wires to the battery. Not sure if your's has the battery and reset button or not, but I thought Cobra put them on all the Epson CIS setups. I could be wrong though. LOL! Or are you talking about the factory cartridges?

Would it have been something you could have mocked up on the computer to show him the difference? No disrespect intended, but it is your name and work that people will see. If you are able to show them on a mocked up image and why they should go with something that looks better and "pops", then if they don't go with your suggestions, you still have the mock up to show prospective buyers. And the concern is, when folks ask them who did the work and they tell them, if it doesn't look pleasing to the eye, they see your name associated with it. Again, I hope that doesn't come off wrong, just my thoughts on it.

Is there a reason you can't handle both? In the field I'm in, automotive and diesel technology, I deal a lot with younger guys who "want" to be mechanics. I usually tell them that they should get a degree, in case they get into the field and discover it isn't really what they want to do. That way they have a plan B. Add to the fact that there may come a time when you are older that you might decide that the business isn't what you thought it was going to be. A degree will be a huge step to a job that pays well. Not having a degree, you will have to work through the ranks to make decent money. To give you an idea, a diesel tech with a degree in diesel technology will make roughly $5/hour more on average, than a diesel tech with no degree and the same amount of experience. Not always, but enough that it makes a difference. As Sue stated, in 20 years from now are you going to look back and regret your decision. Hope you luck in which ever decision you make.

When they take their clothes off, they charge more?

Could the battery be dead? Just a thought.

I'm a little concerned about the graphics card on this one I'm getting. It only has a Radeon 1 GB graphics card. It should be enough for what I want to do, but I might go with a GeForce 4 GB. I hate having memory issues with graphics cards.

Yes yes. 10% discount will pretty much pay for the shipping. LOL! I went with the WF-3620 with CIS with sub ink for $249. Shipping was about $55 if I remember right, I ended up paying $279, but I bought Dyetrans paper too. Not sure how the 3620 compares to the 2540, but the price is pretty hard to beat. Basically, I paid for the CIS system and ink and got the printer for free. LOL!

I was just looking at those dog tags this morning. I was thinking that it would be hard to beat that cost, but the cynic in me was wondering how they'd work. You answered that question for me. THANKS! Looks like I'm ordering more stuff. HA HA!

That's the same stuff I've been using for quite some time for my paint mask vinyl. Yes, sometimes the vinyl will pull way as I'm pulling the backing, but if I take my time and make sure it's adhering good, it's not a problem. And when I do decals for someone else, I just take my time with the squeegee. Tried the clear once, but it doesn't seem to contour to the corners of something like a motorcycle tank for me (wants to crease on me), so I stay with the paper.

Oh, I see. I didn't think of it that way. That looks GREAT! The stars the way they are give it a pleasing look, at least to me anyway.

ROFL! I was looking at the Siser heat transfer vinyl a little bit ago and the glow in the dark vinyl is really interesting. And if I understand correctly, the heat transfer vinyl can go on any fabric, like 100% cotton?

Agree with the others. Like it is keeps it symmetrical and pleasing to the eye. But the center logo seems offcenter or is it just me? Just my opinion.

Gee thanks. Why you gotta go and do something like that? That was just mean.

Yes, that's the one. I figured I would start with that one and then later, once I am comfortable with all of it, I could move up to something more substantial. Since I'll basically be a "weekend warrior" on the sublimation stuff, I'm starting small. I have no delusions of thinking I will make this into a business for myself, but I can see my son trying to make a go of it, once I get things figured out, so I might as well make it so he and I can learn and then I'll buy the "proper" equipment. I'm going at this with the mentality that this is a "hobby" for me, even though I'm willing to spend the cash on decent equipment and products. My sons will likely use this stuff more than I do, just like my 2 vinyl cutters. They get used more from them, than from me. I have one bought solely for paint masking vinyl, but it rarely has it in it. So if they can make money with it, I'm ok with that, as long as once they get going, they get their own. Wait, what am I talking about, as long as Dad will keep buying things like that, they'll never get their own stuff.

So the heat press is ordered. I went with a swing away, because it seemed the best way to go right now. I can see that the wife now has an interest in making things with it, so later on, we might step up the size of the printer and heat press, but I'm good with what we are getting right now. This only started out to add to my airbrush work on bikes, but I can see that potential in the amount this can do, so it may turn into a family deal. LOL!

Drips Oil Drops Grease Everywhere Mostly Old Parts And Rust All Makes Combined

What cutter are you using and how wide are you going on your image? You don't have 3 rollers? Like was stated, the third roller should help a lot with that kind of problem. If you are doing huge/wide cuts, you might have to put the third roller in the center and lighten the pressure on it a little, so it's down enough to keep it going, but light enough not to leave "tracks" in the vinyl.

Waaaaaaahhhh! I didn't get no samples. They don't like me. Now I'm offended. Hmmph. But now I know to ask.