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I am looking to cut vinyl primarily for use in engraving rough granite.  I purchased a used (probably 15 years old) Roland Camm1 CM24 a couple of years ago and just cannot figure out how to get my Mac to "talk" to it.  So, I'm throwing in the towel and starting from scratch.  I'd like to spend $1500 or less but could spend a little more if I would get a better bang for my buck.  I will obviously need software too.  If it makes sense for me to buy a used PC instead of using my Mac, I would be open to that.  

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!  Thanks 

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The tian2 fits the budget and has about the highest downforce I have seen for cutting sandblast mask.  It works with the Mac and is only $850 right now.  

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The titan 2 is a great machine. I had my buddy get one and he loves it also.. I have zero complaints on it,

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Just  thought but did you try SignCut Pro with your Roland? They have a 7 day free trial and will work on mac or pc. It's what I use with my Summa. I cut off a windows laptop but wanted to be able to cut from my mac when the windows computer crashes. You will need to use some other program to design or modify files. SignCut is pretty much a cut program and actually has plug-ins to use with Adobe Illustrator, Corel and Inscape. It will cut a lot of file types so if you have a vector file that is already built you can just open it up in SignCut and resize, mirror etc.... just not much actual design modification ability. 

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Wild Goose, I did try SignCut with my Mac. The SignCut support people told me that SignCut was designed on a Mac using a Roland Camm1.  I feel like the problem is in the cables.  I cannot get my Mac to regognize that the plotter is attached.  I hate to give up, but I am not savvy enough to get it to work. It's been very frustrating. 

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I hear you. Nothing much more frustrating than unknown technical issues.  If you are cutting sandlots resist you are definitely going to want something with a lot of downforce. The Graphtec FC series is one of the favorites. Summa makes a true tangential cutter but it's very pricey. The Titan shows very high downforce and might be a good affordable option just be aware that it's still basically a budget cutter. People have had pretty good success with them in a lot of situations so it probably boils down to the volume your business does. If it's a long term purchase and you can swing the higher priced machine you would be better off with a solid name brand. Graphtec didn't get it's reputation easily. If it were me personally I'd spring for the tangential cutter but they don't offer 24" widths only 30" or wider s the cost is multiplied. 

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I really appreciate your input WildGoose. I looked at the 30" Graphtec, but $4000+ is definitely way over my budget.  I am a landscaper/stone worker by trade and am planning to use the plotter to create stencils for sandblasting.  I might like to expand to other areas outside of stone engraving in the future.  So, I'm leaning toward the Titan 2.  I am not looking for the least expensive machine.  I realize that you get what you pay for.  I would be willing to spend more for a better machine, but need to be below the $1000-$1200 range. I need to make sure that I can make money in this field.  I have already invested in the used Roland which was basically wasted money. Also, I am a Mac guy so I need a plotter which comes with Mac software.

Thanks again for the insight.

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The specific software you can buy separately of just about any cutter so you can budget a little on the side and take that out of the question. You can buy the Lifetime dongle for SignCut Pro for $270 now through USCutter and it's a great cutting programs. At that point you just have to pick your poison with graphic design programs AI being the most mac oriented (Actually best when used on a mac) There is always parallels too which I have never ran but will basically get you a windows format on the mac. I have never wanted a windows format on my mac.... you probably don't either for the same reason. 

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