Mimaki JV3 -160 vs Mimaki JV5-160

[vinylconcepts]

I see on this thread that many people have and love the JV3. Seems like it is a good workhorse printer and all around use in a variety of printing. My question is I have the opporunity to buy a JV5. I would be using this to print banners, signs, decals, and vehicle wraps.

Now my questions are what is the pros and cons to the JV5? Would I be better waiting and finding a JV3? Now I do this part time still because I am slowly learning the business so it wouldn't be used every day. Would I run into to trouble with the machine if it isn't used everyday?

I guess what I am saying is it is a really good deal I can purchase, but as with any good deal if I end up having problems with it because it wouldn't be used every day then it isn't a good deal.

Thank you for any advice.

 

[Letterbox Mike]

Personally I'd avoid it unless your volume is fairly decent. This is mostly because of maintenance. The JV5 uses full-solvent inks (not mild solvent like the JV3 or JV33), which can cause issues if the machine sits idle for longer periods. Plus, the JV5 has 4 DX5 heads in it, which means it's not inexpensive to maintain if a head goes out. We had a new head installed in our JV33 (which uses only 1 DX5) and it set us back about $3500 with labor, so keep that in mind. In general, because of it's size and number of heads, it has more parts that can go out (32 dampers, 4 capping stations, etc.), so it's going to cost more in maintenance than a simpler, lower-end machine.

And, you didn't mention if you work out of your house or not but I suspect you do because you said you only work part time at this. More than likely the JV5 you're looking at has Mimaki's HS ink in it, which is high-solvent or full-solvent. Meaning it stinks. And not "stinks" like a JV3 of JV33, but stinks like an industrial machine. Even with expensive air handling equipment, you're still going to smell it. I wouldn't even think about putting a machine like this in my house.

That said, it's a workhorse, you can produce a lot on it. If you have the volume to justify the headaches and maintenance that goes into a higher-volume machine like this and the price is right, go for it!

 

[vinylconcepts]

Thank you for your response. I do have a commercial building that this would be in, but your answer on the rest is what I needed confirmed that my gut was telling me. It is a REALLY good deal but like you said any good deal can go bad if not properly used and then you have repairs as such you list.

I have enough volume a work to look at printing some of my stuff inhouse but not enough to justify a machine like this.

I think what I will look for is a printer to do some of my smaller runs inhouse but continue to outsource my larger prints.

 

[Letterbox Mike]

I think what I will look for is a printer to do some of my smaller runs inhouse but continue to outsource my larger prints.

I think your thinking is on the right track here. I assume you're talking about the shop that's on Craigslist for $15k, if so that's a killer deal on a JV5 for sure (assuming it's in good working condition and doesn't need heads), but still, it is what it is, and it's probably waay overkill for your needs.

You're probably better off looking for a used JV33 (actually you can get a new one for darn near the price of this JV5), that's still a great machine and you'll be able to grow into it, and it won't kill you on maintenance.

 

[vinylconcepts]

Yes I have been and looked at the equipment twice now before it went on craigslist because it is only 20 minutes from me. He has a lot of stuff, but only good if you know how to use it. I know the machines have been sitting for awhile not being used. They are on and cleaning cycles are being done, but you just don't know. The owner doesn't know much about them but wants it gone.

I guess I keep looking until the right deal comes along. Outsourcing is going well no reason to jump unless it is worth it.

 

[inkmed]

Mimaki JV5 have 4 pc jv5 head and Mimaki JV3 have 3 pc or 4 pc DX4 solvent head.
JV5 head price is more than twice of DX4 solvent head, and JV5 printer price is more than twice of JV3 printer price too.

Ink smell is not a big problem becaues JV5 head use eco solvent ink too.
Mimaki agents in China support JV3 and JV5 printer with same ink now.

The biggest advantage is fast. JV5 speed is faster than JV3 more and more.

As my experience, JV33 is best choice at present. Because it can use Epson DX5 solvent head, not only can use original Mimaki jv5/jv33 head like JV5.
Epson DX5 solvent head price is a little bit higher than DX4 solvent head.
So the cost is lower but speed is fast too.

Adam Yang from Inkmed

 

[particleman]

If you aren't going to use a JV5 every day then you probably don't need one. That is overkill. A JV5 can roughly outprint 2-3 JV33s at the same quality. We had one for a few years, it was a love hate relationship. The HS ink has a horribly strong smell. Fast printing means the ink doesn't have long enough to dry before rolling up on the roll, this is probably the main issue the machine faced. The take up system is junk, very hard to dial in properly. 4 heads means 4x the headache to keep all nozzles running. For us we didn't fight this too much but did sometimes. When the machine is running it can crank out some product though. In your situation I would hands down recommend against a JV5 though. Look for a JV33 or L25500.

 

[tadr0002]

Anybody have specs on the speed of the JV5 vs JV33 vs JV3-160sp? How much faster is the JV5? I keep hearing it is much faster but how much faster 1.5x, 2.0x, 3x

 

[SightLine]

Numbers for the current machines are on Mimaki's web site....

JV5-160 - about 58m2 per hour at 540x720 (dual CMYK)
JV33-160 - about 17.5m2 per hour at 540x720 4 pass (dual CMYK)
JV3-160SP - dont know - used to have an excelt spreadsheet that gave me those.

 

[bloobird0]

http://www.signs101.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25160