MZ SKEETER

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Posts posted by MZ SKEETER


  1. @JustCut, I have purchased 4 Graphtecs 3 new  (1)  FC7000-MK2-75  (2) CE5000-60  Never had a problem out of any of them,  still in use.  (1) used FC8000-75, (seller couldn't get it to work right. $1000K free ship. It took me 15 minutes to fix it. Cross cutter blade was engaged. No problems since.  OP has already been using a Graphtec Silhouette for "some"  years at the University.   We have seen those types of cuts, on here, too many times on any brand of vinyl cutter. Not just a Graphtec. When the blade is too long, (extended out of the blade holder) the blade wobbles like a shopping cart wheel and cuts on the side, not the very tip, like it should. Have you tried a little light oil in the blade holder?  Like sewing machine, 3-1 etc?  Unless I missed it, I don't see where you mentioned the cutting software that you use. I just use bare bones Flexistarter 8.6 with 3 cutters and Graphtec Pro Studio with the FC8000.  Your cutter should have came with Graphtec Pro Studio,  A GREAT cutting software made by SAI (Flexi) for Windows.  Valued over $1000.  What are you using?  Have you tried another cutting software?  If you have had issue after issue, why didn't you get a replacement?   What type of vinyl cutting experience did you have before this purchase? 

     


  2. US cutter techs still say use  1/2 a credit card or post it notes for setting the blade depth and this is just way too much blade exposed out of the blade holder. Users know more than techs seem to know. I have posted my blade depth instructions on here hundreds and hundreds of times, and it has helped many. many users, who think it takes a lot of blade to cut with, It only takes the very tip of the blade to cut with. The correct combo is less blade more force. You don't know how many times we hear that the blade is set correctly, when in fact it is 10 times too much blade exposed out of the blade holder. That info Is in contributions.  Blade Depth.   Take your blade holder out of the machine and firmly cut across a scrap piece of vinyl you are cutting, If you are cutting thru vinyl and wax  paper backing, you have too much blade exposed out of the blade holder. Pretty easy to try. 

     


  3. It all starts with the TEST feature on the machine. Until they are perfect, you will not get good cuts. You show your cutting photos, but you don't show what your TEST cuts from the machine look like. That must be correct first. Perfect square and triangle.  Also stated thousands of times,  The blade depth must be correct to the vinyl that you are cutting... I understand there is some kind of tool, but you don't need it. I have a FC also.  My cuts are great. Also add some over cut in your cutting software.  Run your cutter slower, I never run at a fast pace. 

    To start with, you should set your blade depth correctly, by taking the blade holder out of the machine, and firmly cut across a piece of scrap vinyl, you will be cutting. You should only be cutting the vinyl and barely a mark on wax paper backing, Adjust blade to get there, Then put the blade holder back in machine, and use the force of the machine to get there, same results, only cutting the vinyl and barely a mark in wax paper backing. You should barely see and feel the blade tip out of the blade holder. Regular sign vinyl is only 2-3 mil thick. You only cut with the very tip of the blade. When you think the blade is so far in the blade holder, that you think it would not even cut, that is probably correct. 


  4. It is not the cutter that needs registered. It is the cutting software that needs registered and activated. Did your friend say it was Vinyl Master software that came with it?  And what computer operating system are you installing it to?  Vinyl Master is only for Windows, just incase you have a Mac. (As asked above) which cutter brand/model?


  5. EarlMich.com already cuts and sells striping to 9" w x 50 yards long.  (Any width).  In calendered, cast, others.  Smart500 is General Formulations,  Same as Shrinerite and other house brands.  They also have Avery Cast.  or Smart1000 cast made by General Formulations.  Would be very hard to get a clean cut at home.  I have used Earlmich.com for many years. Out of Chicago area.   $46. plus shipping for 9" W x 50 yds. Calendered,   Avery cast comes masked or non masked.  Of course higher priced, for cast.

    https://earlmich.com/home.php?cat=1121


  6. Best bet, contact Graphtec tech support.  Most folks here are Windows users. I know a Mac user, but he is on a Summa vinyl cutter. Only a handful answer questions. Don't know of anyone on Cutting Master 5.Or illustrator 2023. A lot of us are on old systems.  No need to upgrade.  I am still on Windows XP, with my Graphtec. Others are also or Windows 7.  Some people still use Signblazer software, (for Windows) which has not been updated in several years. Many users are on value cutters, not Graphtecs. There is a handful of Graphtec users that answer questions. (With Windows). I know of 1 Mac user on a CE6000.  Your software is too new for this crowd. Plus being a Mac.


  7. We always suggest not using the USB, as it has a cheap Chinese chipset, Not TRUE USB like higher end cutters. We suggest using the (Tripp-lite Keyspan adapter)that is the brand name and null modem cable with the MH vinyl cutters, Much better data flow and connection. The MH cutter, is about the most inexpensive vinyl cutter out there.  We also suggest new buyers purchase at least the SC2,  Much better vinyl cutter.  More memory, less static problems, better tracking, better connection.

    • Like 1

  8. I had to look up what Ubuntu 20 is.  I don't know of anyone using it here. There is only just a couple handfuls of people that answer questions.  Most all of us members who have been on here for years, use design and cutting softwares compatible for our vinyl cutters. And most use Windows operating system.. I don't know of anyone using INK CUT.   If this cutter was bought from US cutter, then it is only for Windows,(says that on the ad.) and cutting software came with it , for windows.   Some people do get it to run on a Mac sometimes, but with Bootcamp and similar for a Mac.  Your cutter is not a printer and does not set up like a printer. Nor is it plug and play.  . It is a vinyl cutter/plotter.  You must download the FTDI driver, run and install it. Then windows will assign it a com port. 1-4, Then you go into your cutting software set up ,choose your vinyl cutter , and choose the same com port number. They must match.  Pretty easy, Most value cutters all set up the same way.   What is the reason for using Ubuntu 20 and Inkcut. ?

    These are the only threads over many years that UBUNTU is ever mentioned and that was many years ago,  maybe something there can help.

    https://forum.uscutter.com/index.php?/search/&q=Ubuntu 20


  9. Did you ever check to see if you had Graphtec Pro Studio? (It is made by Flexi Software)  That would be the software to go with. No need to buy more cables.  Graphtec Pro Studio already works on Windows 11.Plus it has updates to it. It is an over $1000 design and cutting software. You could just export your SB files as an .eps and import into Graphtec Pro Studio and cut.  I just use bare bones Flexi Starter from 2010, to cut with on my Graphtecs , and have a higher Flexi product to design with.  I also Have Graphtec Pro Studio that I can design with. 


  10. The Windows 10 computer, could be used with a Tripp-lite Keyspan Adapter, with a null modem cable to your cutter.  It must be null modem.  I think that is 25 pin RS232C.  That is what my Graphtecs are.  The USB end of Tripp-lite goes into your USB on computer, Then the null modem cable connects to the Tripp-lite Keyspan Adapter, then to your vinyl cutter.  The Tripp-lite has it's own driver to install and shows up in the cutter set up.  Tripp-lite  Keyspan Adapter is the brand name, and only one that is guaranteed to work with a vinyl cutter.  It has to be between com # 1-4   Example below. Find the best price.

    https://www.amazon.com/Tripp-Lite-Keyspan-High-Speed-USA-19HS/dp/B0000VYJRY/ref=sr_1_3?crid=6KD3FRJNEHKZ&keywords=tripp-lite+usa-19hs+keyspan+high-speed+usb+to+serial+adapter&qid=1671554709&sprefix=Tripp+lite+Keyspan+adapter%2Caps%2C159&sr=8-3


  11. I have no problem being on the internet with Windows XP or Windows 7,  And that support stopped years ago.   I still cut with an XP laptop on my Graphtec FC7000-75.  No problems.  XP is still very stable, which is why many of us stay back on XP.  So stay on the Windows 8, if it s working for you. 


  12. Well, try it. Isn't .eps on the drop down list?  The only place that you can use those v.doc files is Vinyl Master.  .Eps files can be used in a lot of different cutting soft wares.  You shouldn't limit your files to one file format. If you needed to post a file,  or try a v.doc on other software, you won't be able to do it. There, a lot of of us, that do not have Vinyl Master software, and we couldn't help you with it.  But most of us can import .eps files with our different cutting soft wares.  


  13. Did you download the Graphtec Driver from Graphtec website first?  Restart your computer?   Didn't your Graphtec come with Graphtec Pro Studio?   Which is a version of FlexiSignPro  Over a $1000 software, which is more updated than Signblazer will be. I don't use Signblazer.  I use Flexi software with my Graphtecs. A lot of the members who upgraded to a Graphtec, stated they used Graphtec 50 or Copam for their cutter set up.