jdmarti1 20 Posted January 5, 2016 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. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dakotagrafx 7,297 Posted January 5, 2016 Welcome from Michigan - lots of nice equipment there! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wildgoose 4,200 Posted January 5, 2016 Welcome from Idaho! Your cutter may be used but it's a good one and as long as it has been taken care of will give you many years of service. Same with the Hotronix and Knight presses. There is definitely a learning curve on the design end and it's pretty specific to vinyl cutting but not rocket science. I am not a Corel user but there are several on the forum who will help you out if you get stuck with a problem. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dwp99 283 Posted January 5, 2016 Hello and Welcome. You bought used and saved a ton of money. You've got some good quality items that will last. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jdmarti1 20 Posted January 6, 2016 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 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wildgoose 4,200 Posted January 6, 2016 Spot on logic. Good used equipment holds it value. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Quitetitan4 90 Posted January 7, 2016 Welcome Glad you came out of the closet Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jdmarti1 20 Posted January 7, 2016 Welcome Glad you came out of the closet LOL. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites