dzimmerm 0 Posted October 5, 2015 I've read quite a bit online about choosing a cutter, and understand that the general concensus is "you get what you pay for".Here's my context:-buying it for a non-profit-need to be able to cut 36"x48" vinyl pieces out to mask 3 seperate light box signs. (so a 40"+ cutter to get clean 36" strips is what I've been told is minimum) -primarily signage that will be placed on walls and windows-not a ton of little details work, mostly lettering at least 2" high -budget: would love to stay under $1k if possibleAny insight? I've been trying to pull the trigger on this for 2 months and honestly am discouraged it's taken so long to get it figured out. Would love some clarityThanks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wildgoose 4,200 Posted October 6, 2015 That's a conundrum for sure. The problem is the budget cutters while often wide are not strong on large jobs. They have memory issues and don't track well. Is the application such that you could do them in two pieces? (what we call tiling) A better cutter will be accurate enough to tile consistently and it will also be a heck of a lot easier to mask and install. You need to find a used Graphtec or Roland. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dakotagrafx 7,297 Posted October 6, 2015 I am a hardcore graphtec fan but you are not going to touch one that wide fore anywhere near your budget so next best thing that is almost within budget is this one on sale right nothttp://www.uscutter.com/Refurbished-53-inch-TITAN-2-VinylCutter 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LPWash 75 Posted October 6, 2015 http://www.uscutter.com/USCutter-SC-Series-Vinyl-Cutter I have the 50" us cutter sc and love it. $550 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dakotagrafx 7,297 Posted October 6, 2015 http://www.uscutter.com/USCutter-SC-Series-Vinyl-Cutter I have the 50" us cutter sc and love it. $550 ahhh grasshopper - but after you try a servo motor machine you are ruined for life and wonder how you ever got along without it 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MadHatterGraphix 1,258 Posted October 6, 2015 ahhh grasshopper - but after you try a servo motor machine you are ruined for life and wonder how you ever got along without it I second that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LPWash 75 Posted October 6, 2015 Ah, but grasshopper, you must pay crose attention to the quesion. He say he have budgret of a thousand dorras. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MadHatterGraphix 1,258 Posted October 6, 2015 Ah, but grasshopper, you must pay crose attention to the quesion. He say he have budgret of a thousand dorras. I think Dakota was just pointing out that servos are the best and if you can afford one they should. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dakotagrafx 7,297 Posted October 6, 2015 and the one with servos I pointed out just barely crossed that threshold our friend john was a long time skeptic (like in the neighborhood of 10+ years - until he got a titan with servo motors then all we heard was ohhhhs and ahhhhs 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MadHatterGraphix 1,258 Posted October 6, 2015 and the one with servos I pointed out just barely crossed that threshold our friend john was a long time skeptic (like in the neighborhood of 10+ years - until he got a titan with servo motors then all we heard was ohhhhs and ahhhhs ooooooh Ahhhhhhhhhh OOOHHHHH AHHHHHHH what can I say I love my Graphtec take that anyway you want lol. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dzimmerm 0 Posted October 6, 2015 1.) So the concensus is get the refurbished Titan 2?2.) Previously, my team used Oracal 631...I can use this vinyl in that cutter right? 3.) I'd also need a translucent option for those lightboxes so I welcome any strong opinions on what vinyl is best?Super grateful for the direction from you experienced chaps.DZ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dakotagrafx 7,297 Posted October 6, 2015 oracal or 3m you cant go wrong with - so look for their translucent for the light boxes - no problem with cutting about anything with the titan - has real usb connection and not the flaky emulation chipset found in the value cutters and the servo motor will do fine detail much easier and better - couple the titan2 with a cleancut 60 degree blade and you will be a happy camper to the extent of your design capabilities Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BannerJohn 1,324 Posted October 6, 2015 and the one with servos I pointed out just barely crossed that threshold our friend john was a long time skeptic (like in the neighborhood of 10+ years - until he got a titan with servo motors then all we heard was ohhhhs and ahhhhs there were a few 'oh sh*t' in there along the way too. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dakotagrafx 7,297 Posted October 7, 2015 there were a few 'oh sh*t' in there along the way too. would you go back to the stepper motor cutter for you every day cutting? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MadHatterGraphix 1,258 Posted October 7, 2015 would you go back to the stepper motor cutter for you every day cutting? Well if you ask me yeah heck them are reliable machines and cut the best details if you play with them for a couple of days before your first cut man I cant keep a straight face I'm laughin to hard. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dzimmerm 0 Posted October 7, 2015 Sounds good...ordering now.To be clear, I can cut any vinyl smaller than 48" as well with that unit correct? I have rolls of 24" ORACAL for example. In other words, the vinyl doesn't have to be 48" to cut properly, right? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
randalle 50 Posted October 7, 2015 Yes, you can cut 15", 24", and smaller. You will be fine with any rolls you already have. FWIW, I have a Graphtec ce-60 and it is worth EVERY PENNY. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dzimmerm 0 Posted October 7, 2015 I'm sure that's true about the CE-60 but it's twice as expensive from what I can see... Yes, you can cut 15", 24", and smaller. You will be fine with any rolls you already have. FWIW, I have a Graphtec ce-60 and it is worth EVERY PENNY. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OWJones 1,981 Posted October 14, 2015 Ah, but grasshopper, you must pay crose attention to the quesion. He say he have budgret of a thousand dorras. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wildgoose 4,200 Posted October 14, 2015 Oh there you go OW playing the race card..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites