What Cutters do you like?

[synergy_jim]

We are going to buy a stand alone cutter. I hear good things about Roland and Graphtec.

MY XC540 cut like a gem, so I am leaning toward Roland but I want to hear what you all have to say.

I am looking for some input.... pros and cons.

[Pro Image]

Ive have owned a Roland, Graphtec, and 2 Mutoh.......Never had a bad problem with any of them..........

[Mike Paul]

What size cutter are you looking for? Don't rule out the Summa line, they make very nice plotters. I was tossed between the Graphtec and the Summa but after researching them both I ended up purchasing the Graphtec FC7000MK2 at SignWord this past year. Speed, down force, & the price comparison swayed me to the Graphtec.

[Day Sign Co]

The Summa T series looks rugged,I would go with a Graphtec, but the old budget only allowed for the Q series

[fenris242]

im a gerber person....have a gerber super sprint from the late 80s.....it's been sent out twice for work and still works with no problems...just a little slow because it has a tangeantal blade.....gerber's are definitely work horses

[Fuzzbuster]

Owned Roland,Mutoh and now recently a Graphtec 7000MK2 ... by far the graphtec is my choice and roland a close 2nd

[OldPaint]

i got a ROLAND CX-300 30" and LUV IT....of course i been ROLAND ONLY since 92 with a PNC-1000, 2, PNC-1100's, now the CX-300.
i been CUTTIN FROM COREL ONLY since 92, to rolands and why change....when it works so well.

[RSR571]

Graphtec is our choice we have owned 3 and have never had a problem with any of them. Look into the CE series those are some really good cutters for the money. We ran a 24" CE2000 for about 5 years with no problems and just in the last couple of years have upgraded to FC series.

[Conor Knoxx]

good info here!

I'm hoping to get through the summer with my old (embarrasing name here) .

I'm really surprised to see how few folks opt for the Summa. They were actually on the top of my list - with Graphtec next choice. All in all, I get the impression all the "brand name" plotters are accurate, reliable workhorses though - likely comes down to price/features that best suit your needs?

To me, the laser "find registration marks" features for cutting out printed work is a key feature, and I'm still searching for which is best at that.

[Sign Works]

I have two Roland Printer/Cutters and am extremely happy with their performance but for a stand alone cutter Graphtec FC series is my choice. Been running my Graphtec FC4100-75 for 9 years now without a single problem.

[Techman]

Advanced Plotting Devices is another good machine. The old anagraph is now ADP

[Matt Cuellar]

#1 Summa S or T Class (more $$$, but unbelievably efficient and reliable)
#2 Graphtec FC7000Mk2 series

Never had any experience with Roland or any other cutters...

[flyinhawaiian968]

Another Roland CX300 owner here, love it! Works like a dream, never gives me a lick of problems, two years and a mile of vinyl through it (hell, could be more, never bothered to count!) and its still going strong like the day I bought it.

Used to run an old CAMM-1 back in '95-96, that thing was a workhorse too! I don't remember ever being down because of the machine either...

Chris

Chris

[Jackpine]

I've had a Roland PNC-1000, GX-24 and a Graphtec CE3000. The CE3000 is the best of them.

[Conor Knoxx]

#1 Summa S or T Class (more $$$, but unbelievably efficient and reliable)
#2 Graphtec FC7000Mk2 series

Never had any experience with Roland or any other cutters...

Hey Matt, could you explain why you say that? Looks like the Summa is about $1000 more at the 54inch size (I've not really "shopped" it much - but that seems the ballpark)

I'd really like to hear from someone who has first-hand knowledge of the S class vs the Graphtec. I like to save a grand as much as the next guy - but I know that $1k is gonna be long forgotten years down the road, when performance/features/realiability become the focus!

When I read comments like that, I always wonder if there's a specific reasoning, or its a "just because thats what I think" statement.

thanks,
Conor

[rcboats1]

Summa!!!!!!!! Well worth the money.

Had a Graphtec FC7000Mk2, good machine, BAD service!

The Summa is the best plotter that I have delt with in the last 15+ years. (I've had Rolands, Graphtecs and "others").

Conor, or anyone, if you would like specifics PM me and I will share my saga.

[svenner]

Can you cut sandblast stencil with the Graphtec FC7000Mk2 OR the CE5000 Series?
Thinking of swictching from from my Summacut D60........

[GregT]

I have 2 Graphtec (FC3100 and FC7000) running right now and one Ioline(I60). I would like to do away with the Ioline and run everything through the 3100 series.

[High Octane]

Roland CX300 here as well as a Versacamm sp540...Work Great!

[thesignexpert]

We are going to buy a stand alone cutter. I hear good things about Roland and Graphtec.

MY XC540 cut like a gem, so I am leaning toward Roland but I want to hear what you all have to say.

I am looking for some input.... pros and cons.

I have used quite a number of different plotter manufacturers over the years with pro & cons for all. Take a look at this page with Sign Plotter Reviews (http://thesignexpert.com/TheSignExpert.com/How_To_Start_a_Sign_Business_-_Plotter___Cutter.html) and see if it helps at all.

Tim Evans

The Sign Expert .com (http://www.thesignexpert.com)
"Practical Help for Sign Professionals"

Pro Sign and Graphics (http://www.prosignandgraphics.com)
"A Pro Sign made Easy"

Juice Network (http://www.monaviejuicenetwork.com)

[GP]

No problem cutting sandmask with Graphtec ce5000.

GP

[Day Sign Co]

Out of the 2 15'' Gerber 1 24'' Jaguar lll 1 30'' camm 1 1 48'' Q series Probably the Gerber. What I like best is at least 3 of them running at the same time

[Just Another Sign Guy]

after selling and servicing every one of the big name brands
and having owned machines from Gerber, Roland, Graphtec and Summa

my vote goes with Summa great company great product
but to be fair you will get great results from any of the big boy brands

[k.a.s.]

I have a Graphtec that is almost 12 yrs old and it cuts every day. I have never done ANYTHING to it other than change blades.

Kevin

[3dsignco]

2 Summas One over 15 years old and still use it Daily the D610 Workhorse. Bought a D60 as fill in plotter its a Nice entry level plotter or secondary.
I do like our Graphtec 7000 130 its very reliable Have had some problems with the LCD Display but my supplier is fixing it instead of Graphtec.
I do kinda miss the old Gerber GSX 15 Tractor it was slow but bulletproof.

Whichever one you buy get it from a Local distributer it is well worth the few extra dollars you may spend as you will have local or semi local support. There is a lot to say for that. We buy all our equipment through Signage Specialties and they really put up with a lot of my crap and go the extra Mile for me when I do have an issue.

[kraigsnowden]

I like Cricut! Ok, just kiddin'...I have a Gerber that's old as the hills, from the mid 90's, and then just bought the Mimaki Printer/Plot combo couple years ago. I like the mimaki, but I haven't really used anything else to compare it to.