jdmarti1

Nice work!

We were all over the place with time and temp. Just messing around. Most of those were 350 at 60 to 120 seconds in the press. What I have quickly learned is that time and temp don't mean as much as pressure.

I have been around here lurking for a few years. Lot's of research, and then I ended up buying almost everything used - LOL. I have purchased a Graphtec CE5000-120, Epilog Legend 24TT Laser Engraver, Hotronix 16x20, and Knight 16 heatpresses - all of that used. I ordered a CobraInk dye sub, and pigment printer - plus the cool automatic mug press that was shown in the forum. I have started using the laser engraver, and have made a coffee mug with the printer and mug press. The vinyl cutter is being a pain in my rear. I have to get used to making things for it and sending stuff from Corel to it. I have an old version of Corel - X5, and I can kind of get around. I used to use Corel back in the old days - like version 3 days. So the rust is coming off, and I am remembering things. All of this is for my wife, so I get to teach her Corel. I want to thank everybody that answered my questions, and help me get her to the point we are. Expect even more questions, and hopefully I won't be to dumb. Maybe some day I will be able to return the favor.

LOL.

I almost bought new, but just kept looking at used as a better alternative. I was going to buy a Summa, but decided the price just didn't justify itself. Then I moved to FC8600, but negotiated a great price on the CE5000. A car dealership quit cutting their own window tint. It had sat for 2 years. They wanted $1,500 - but I made them see the error of their ways - LOL. I figured of she uses it enough to pay for a new one, then by all means I will get her one. I was planning on buying a Chinese laser engraver, and importing it directly. The Epilog is old as dirt, but Epilog still makes parts. The thing will engrave every bit as well as a new Chinese one, and I spent less that half of a new one from China. The tube will die sooner than later, but when it does - I will replace it. The tubes last much longer on the Epilog than on the Chinese machines - so I feel pretty good about it. Epilog told me if it would demo, I should feel safe buying it. I only found one other of this model for sale - and it was $1,500 more than I was paying. I felt pretty good at that point. Heat presses were the same thing - the Hotronix STX-20 was almost new, and I negotiated the guy down to a couple of hundred less than I had ever seen them anywhere used. The Knight DK16 was about what I would pay for a new cheap one. It looked great, and reading about the Knight, I didn't think I could go wrong. I was able to get into everything she wanted to do, minus the 3D printer - at a really good price. I also looked at it as if somehow she failed, or decided this wasn't for her - I could sell things at a very minimal loss, if any at all. LOL

What time and temp are you using? Did you change the pressure? I made my first mug last night - and it turned out ok, I just want to compare.

Is it still working well? I just ordered one on Amazon, and am hoping it works well. Do you have any pics of mugs you have did with it?

Have you wished for a bigger one? The smaller one has a bed that will accept 27.6” x 20.9” x 8.3″, while the bigger one will take 39.4” x 28.7” x10.6″. Shipping cost difference is pretty big. One has to go boat, the other can fly. I am looking to have either one outfitted with a 80w tube.

I have been talking to Thunder Laser. Import directly. Nolan is the guy. Some people on CNCZone imported from them. Quality looks really good on their smaller ones.

OK, I have decided to take the plunge for my wife. She wants to be able to cut vinyl, do mugs, do car magnets, etc. She will never be wrapping a car or doing large signs. My shopping list is huge. She wants to be able to do banners and such, so I know a solvent printer is on the list. Don't know what though. I will buy her sublimation printer from Richard, that's easy enough. Solvent printers are a different breed. I need something that isn't to big, and a bit more forgiving. Preferably used. I am planning on getting a used Summa cutter, now I need to figure out the solvent printer. I am thinking if she can print 36" it will never need to be bigger. Help me please.

I am looking to buy a cutter for my wife. I have mostly decided to find a FC7000-Mk2. What are the pros and cons to this unit? Is there a big difference between, the Mk2 and the newer FC8600? I plan on getting her Corel Draw, what other software will she need? Is there a better recommendation? Would I be better off looking for a used FC8000? How hard are they to find?

I just don't think she needs anything that big. 30" should be big enough, maybe 42.

What is the difference between later and solvent?

I agree, for some things they can't be beat!

I will take a look, although I planned on not using the benchtop model. Everything I have read said that sealing was easy, just do it as you put it together. I am open to all options though - LOL.

I plan on getting her a blast cabinet to engrave some stuff too. I want her to be as creative as possible. A Harbor Freight cabinet and a decent air compressor is really pretty cheap too. LOL. I figured Corel would be the best way to go, just because she can learn it, and use it to design no matter what she is doing - laser, vinyl, sublimation, etc. I have to figure out a good sublimation printer that won't break the bank, and a solvent printer that will do the same. Don't need a monster size on either - but big enough to get her going.

It is for her, although we will both be using it I am sure. She wants to be able to be a jack of all trades. Her main emphasis will be HTV, and more specifically rhinestones. My plans are to buy a cutter, 3d printer, laser engraver, and a sublimation printer. I would like to get her a smaller solvent printer as well. Of course I will get to play with all of it - LOL. I am the technical person, but she is the one that will learn to operate it, and the creative mind.

I have a chance to buy one of these. They have 10 discs of art, and want 300. I am only wanting to cut sports stuff like you see for softball and baseball parents. Pitcher cutouts, etc. Would this be a good choice?

Well that just made this a bad buy.

Also not sure what version of SCALP, is that license transferable?

I know it is basic, I just know some of the designs like a catcher or pitcher silhouette can be intricate. Just want to make sure it will do them. Hoping to someday work up to a better machine. What do you guys think I should pay for it?

Ok, I will make sure the license is transferable, and that they are silhouettes. Will this unit do what I want?

What is the value of 10 cds of graphics? I don't care about MAC compatibility, I am a Linux and Windows user. Basically he has everything in that kit, but the vinyl for some reason, and the 10 cds of artwork. Would this cutter work for what I want to do?

OK - This is all new to me. I have never cut vinyl, but I want to. I want to do chloroplast signs for my business, and I like doing things in house. Eventually I would like to do shirts (screen and dye sublimation), for my business and the ball teams I coach. Not to mention mouse pads, coffee cups etc. I figure my wife could also get into it for crafty kinds of things. I know I'm not going to need to spend the kind of money the high dollar cutters cost - for no more use than I will be giving it, but I want a good flexible unit. I have pretty much narrowed it down to either the TC or LPII - but really can't figure out the major differences and which would be best. Any ideas for the experts?