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  • Roland Stika SV-15 compatability Question

    Posted by Dan King on 22 May 2014 at 19:31

    Hi

    Just a quick post to ask all the knowledgeable peeps out there.

    Im in the market for a second hand vinyl cutter and have seen this model.

    My question is I run a Laptop on Windows 8, will this cutter be ok as im sure on the spec it says it isn’t compatible….Is there some sort of driver I can install?

    Also im going to start up a business, is this vinyl cutter decent as I believe Roland are one of the best…Im looking to cut fairly small decals for vehicles, signs and also hot flex vinyl?

    Any advice is welcome

    Thanks
    Dan

    Dan King replied 11 years, 4 months ago 3 Members · 8 Replies
  • 8 Replies
  • Martin Pearson

    Member
    23 May 2014 at 01:46

    You may struggle to find a driver for windows 8 for it, have you checked the Roland website?
    Roland are a decent brand & their machines like some of the other known brands are workhorses.
    I wouldn’t have thought a 15" machine was really big enough if you want to do the kind of work you have mentioned, 24" would be a minimum & £250 for a plotter isn’t much of a budget, might be better to save up a bit more, take it that is not your total budget as you will need software, tools, some vinyl & app tape to get you started.

  • Dan King

    Member
    23 May 2014 at 08:15

    I have, doesnt show that it can be compatible, but i asked a seller on an auction site and he said he is running Windows 7, but i have no way of verifying this.

    Ive heard this also, hence why im in the market for one.

    Well small graphics for vehicles, signs, not on a large scale so i think this would be more than adequate size wise.

    I would be looking for a second hand model, ive seen Roland go for less than that on auction sites.

    No i will have funds for vinyl and app tape, the package im looking at has the rest.

    Are there any second hand websites out there at all that you know of?

  • Dan King

    Member
    23 May 2014 at 08:18

    Just had another look on the Roland website

    I think it will be compatible for the Windows 8 application

    http://support.rolanddga.com/_layouts/R … x?pm=SV-15

  • Gert du Preez

    Member
    23 May 2014 at 16:14

    Martin,

    Slightly off topic, but about 14 years ago me and a mate started a sign business. We wanted to buy a GX24 (I think) Roland, but all was out of stock. All they had was the Roland Stika STX8. That had a cut area of 250 wide, max 1000, long just to get started.

    We used it for a few months, and actually managed fairly decent production. Bigger text was plotted on paper, joined, and cut by hand. Ditto for reflective.

    I had one advantage, though. At that point I had 6 or 7 years experience already…..

  • Dan King

    Member
    27 May 2014 at 16:47

    That’s good then I have been looking at the Stika model

    What ball park figure do you think I should be looking at?

    Seen a Stika 8 go for £150, Stika 15 go for £210. I’ve been offered a Stika 12 plus computer setup – whole business setup for £300.
    Do these sound reasonable prices?

    Any problems I should look out for?!
    I’m personally going to start off small with small vehicle decals and bespoke patterns.

    These would do the job wouldn’t they?!

  • Gert du Preez

    Member
    27 May 2014 at 19:05

    I just made the post about the Stika to show it can, in a pinch, be used to make signs. Much like one can, in a pinch, walk across the Sahara…..

    Rather look for a bigger, decent cutter in the used market. The Stika will restrict you, and frustrate you. It is FAR more difficult to make anything on it than a decent cutter. Like I said, I had about 7 years experience at the stage….

    Another problem is, you credibility using such kit will be out the window, and other signmakers (rightly or wrongly) will consider you as a Fly-By-Night or Fleabay Warrior. With reason….

  • Dan King

    Member
    27 May 2014 at 19:09

    Ok all valid comments and taken on board as I can see this perhaps being the case.

    My question then is, what model would you be looking at 2nd hand on a larger scale and considering my budget may stretch to £300.

    What would be a more suitable beginner to mid range piece of equipment?!

    Bear in mind I probably won’t be producing decals bigger than say 200-300mm sq?!

  • Dan King

    Member
    27 May 2014 at 19:35

    What are your thoughts on a Mutoh SC-650 or a SC-1300?!

    As I have been offered these?

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