jdmarti1

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Posts posted by jdmarti1

  1. Posted

    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.

  4. Posted

    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

    • Like 1

  5. Posted

    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.

  8. Posted

    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.  

  12. Posted

    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.

  14. Posted

    One note of caution on the HF cabinet, you put it together so there are lots of seams for leaks. It can be sealed up well but does take some time. For a little bit more you can get a single piece unit where the only openings are the doors. I purchased a Cyclone E500 and have been very happy with it. Very little dust gets out, and with the addition of a vacuum and air filter it is a very clean setup.

     

    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.  

  15. Posted

    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.

  16. Posted

    How serious, is your wife about cutting vinyl? Or, is this really for you?

     

    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.  

  17. Posted

    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?

    • Like 1

  24. Posted

    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?