Rodger

It is a nice basic design/cut software . Very inexpensive & the cost between the 2 makes it a no brainer to buy the pro version ( SCALPro on e-bay from USC for $99 ) . There is much to read about how people feel about it already posted . With questions like this , imo the people who don't like it will spend more effort than those who like it . It does not have as many features as SignBlazer Elements . It does have some features I like better than SB . My main like is the weed line option . That is not in SCAL 3 & the work space is very small in 3 . InkScape is a free design software as told to you in the other thread . You should have something more than SB since it has been non-supported for around 5 years now , especially if doing jobs for others . No matter what software, coming from using any software , there is a name learning problem . what 1 software calls a function , seems they refuse to call it that in any other software .. maybe a copyright issue being avoided , but that is the biggest pain imo . I think SB is the easiest to learn. cming from SB it is not hard to adapt to SCALPro .

Seems to me the VW plant near Charleston was saying it was the only manufacturer that was made 100% in America with 100% made in America parts & that was back in the 80s from memory . My aunt worked there . I know Honda said the Goldwing was 100 % made in America , but with foreign parts . What boils me is when lee Iacoco ( sp ? ) was asking everybody to buy American & they were labeling foreign cars as Chrysler, Plymouth & Dodge . Also even more hypocritical is Harley Davidson . MANY parts made out of country & they had Porche do the research & development on the v-rod series . If things can be made by others better than some .. or equally as good , just cheaper , great . This country needs to do/make things that can compete with quality & price . The foreign car invasion did make the American manufacturers step up in quality etc imo . Too immense a subject to ever put a realistic perspective on , but the car unions etc that drive companies out of the country to compete with labor prices are a HUGE part to blame . There is a gal who works for the county here in Md ( wife of a guy I know ) . She makes over $100K a year answering a phone & redirecting . She had went up in the ranks , but fell ill . She went back down the ranks , but kept her pay . I feel for the individual , but things like that across the country hurts more than what it helps . What the union people get in Detroit get paid does not allow those companies to compete .

There are also a ton of things " made in America " with all foreign made parts .

Wonder no more .... 31,396 . It is on the main page at the bottom as well as # of people online currently & a couple more stats . I was in the 1rst 1,000 ( I think I am unit # 969 from memory ) . Somewhere there is a stat on what # member you are .

I can see both sides . At some point , when a company gets big enough , it would be an enormous amount to do that to everybody who called up & said " something broke " . There are people who would take advantage of a company doing that . Some companies bend over backwards until they get a few customers that burn them . Some keep on with the same attitude , most tighten up & require returning the broken item etc . Standard business practice is to return the item , even if the shipping is more than the amount being squabbled about .

" That's not right " I got asked to do a survey after a recent trip to a local dentist that had just opened up & was going gang busters after business . I was fair , but noted that i did not get any answers to questions I had asked about more work ... that lasted a few minutes on their website , USC has amazed me of allowing stuff nobody would have in the past . Much stuff was so 1 sided , anybody could see the agenda , but it was left for all to see . I would not be that way & i don't think many others , if any would either . Busines is business & there is no perfection in any business . There is many things that causes " policys ' . I have told this story before & am NOT referring to this transaction at all . A buddy of mine had his step-father ( who was rich ) buy a big tv from Wal-Mart . he took it home & after taking it out of the package, put cinder blocks back in & wrapped it back up . he took it bak to Wal-Mart & raised Holy Hell with everybody , They gave him another new TV & apolagized . The guy then bragged about doing that to many people . I hope Karma comes to visit him in full 1 day .

I bought 2 3500 watt generators from Harbor Frieght right before the snowstorm od 2012 . They have given great service since then .

Being able to buy a new 3500 watt generator for $300 , I would think that would be a better solution than a inverter . IMO , Cheaper to run a generator than a vehicle & it would be a more constant source of power & more versatile .

YW

on the bottom of every page is " mark Community read " , I know using that in the main page marks all as read .

There are quite a few ways to do " work-a-rounds" . Many features just make it simpler to do . You should be able to use " duplicate " to do " copies " . Some features you either have them or not . SignBlazer still working enables anything I like except the weeding options . Some things are easier in SCALPro than SB . All these inexpensive softwares are great to have unless you have the high end Flexi . I am going to be getting Flexi Pro soon , but I expect to still use these softwares at times .

From the wording , SCALPro is exclusive to USC . SCAL 3 only , is what is being discussed on the Edge Craft forum from my take on things When it was 1rst released I thought the Edge Craft people would moniter this forum & it seemed it was a priority to update with features & fix any bugs . Now it seems like it has been put on the back burner so to speak . It is a nice software as it is for a beginner/hobby type . I hoped it would become more fully featured at least to the level of SignBlazer .

Well it seems you have volunteered for that job .. Let us know the response you get

I figured it was that engine . They are tough .. the 1s I had , most got decent fuel mileage & a couple got terrible . That is the only fault I can apply , Only bad thing about the new stuff , the normal shade tree mechanic ( me ) can't do much if they break down .

Hey Dan , what engine ? I have had several 300 sixes that were tough as nails. The only engine as tough or tougher IMO is the slant 6 chrysler . I had a Dodge 1 ton truck with 4:88 gears ( bought it used ) & it was blowing the dip stick up 1/2 " within a couple miles ( crankcase pressure ) . I ran it that way for years & then I sold it .

Now them are some purty eggs !!!

And I always thought that was 1 word ...............

I agree completely with the exception of things that are clearly over the line of decent taste . The pedophile bear/things , Nazi stuff etc . I have NO stomach for any involment in those & similiar things .

Great realistic advice HG , MANY local printers around me willing to make great deals on subbing from other business owners . Unless a person has enough work to really justify the expense , much more profit to be made by out sourcing . Printers are beginning to become like vinyl cutters years ago . Cutters were many times higher & now much cheaper . Everybody & their brother plus me has 1 it seems . Used to be few had printers , now many do . Depnding on anybody sucks & that is a reason to have your own stuff , but if customers see the ads in back of Sign magazines or e-bay for $1 per square foot of printed vinyl , it is hard to compete with that price .

Thanks for the advice . I always buy at my own risk . I decided to take that risk when i went into business for myself . I have had similiar situations & but they always got resolved , many not as fast as i would have liked . I have seen many worse situations that put a realistic perspective on things for me . A buddy has 50 people working for him in an excavation business . Buys new trucks & heavy equipment constantly . He bought a new Mack dump truck & it went back into warranty repair in a month ... the Mack cost $80+K & he paid for it & did not finance any part . They had it for over 6 months before he got it back . The new style rears Mack use don't hold up well at all . It does not surprise me when the cheapest models of any product has problems , but when a company like Mack truck does .. it makes me realize just how much of a risk any business owner takes , no matter how big/small .

You can always draw a big square etc the size of your workspace in whatever color you choose . There is an option to change the fill color & the actual cut line color . I think they have done a decent job so far with some VERY nice features/options . Many features I would like to see added , but I realize it is just starting out as a vinyl cutting software instead of a crafts type software . I expected development to have a steeper advancment curve based upon how Edge Craft was doing when SCALPro was 1rst released , Being realistic as I try to do , maybe the price they are selling it for ( especially as a " packaged " software " does not allow for that . There are rumors that Color Chrome First was getting $6 a copy for " packaged " SignBlazer ) . There is a reason Flexi Pro sells for $4K + . The intention might to be just a basic software for beginners/hobby types ... the intention might to become bigger & better than any other software .. but i suspect the 1rst intention is more realistic .

Exactly .. i do the same thing . All it takes is some sort of excuse in front of a judge to have the judge make a partial award . Any 1/2 way resonable excuse dreamed up or a picture of another truck where the decal did not hold up etc . The judge is supposed to be impartial , but most favor the consumer in matters . IMO , settling it & leaving it alone is best because of the time it takes & all the rest of the stuff that goes with taking to court . If taking to court the customer becomes a walking talking negative reputation device .

I have been there many times . What you suggest sopunds good , but the flaw is after you have gotten the 1/2 down & completed the job .. they still can dicker . In this case he wound up getting more than 1/2 , but $175 short of the agreed price . It helps to have a contract etc , but that only means you have proof when you are in front of a judge . Hardly worth the time & effort to go to small clains court IMO . IOt is the " Golden Rule " ... He who has the gold , makes the rules . Dan's advice is what everybody feels like doing , but in many places taking it to a physical level will get you in trouble , especially after a couple of that type thing on your record . besides a civil suit for any harm , you get jail time for assault in many places . In Weston West Virginia .. it is basically a $175 fine & court cost for assault ( unless it is domestic ) & then a civil suit IF any major damage . I like being able to update the win/loss record , but now a days , especially in most places opening a can of whoop ass costs WAY more than what was lost . I would hope the decals get damaged & they have to replace them

It is a state by state issue & then a county by county issue as far as what is required by law . Generally installing is something that would need a contractor's/home improvement license . It does here in Md . If you are working for a general contractor that is dealing with the end user , you don't need that though . Making & selling decals or signs , even installing on vehicles would not need a home improvement/contractor's license according to the local permit office . In Deer Lodge Tn ( Morgan county ) , no business license is available . There is no big government there .

YW