Cutters in mobile Shop

[Robert Lambie]

I know or should say, have seen a few and heard of how they have went.
theory behind it is very good if you are working for van companies like mercedez or various body repair centres that sorta thing. if not there is allot can go against you ide imagine. one biggy is if you get broke into or van stolen your out the game. 😕

[Kevin Flowers]

Sorry Rob, not explained properly can the cutters survive the bouncing around etc. Just looking at starting trading in a few markets on the T-Shirt side of the business

Regards

Kev

[Lynn Normington]

Hi Kev,
I have heard about mobile fitters even considered it our selves, I can’t think of any reason your equipment wouldn’t be ok( unless of course you are going seriously off roading 😛 ) as long as you make sure they can’t roll about or fall over, go for it and good luck

Lynn

[Robert Lambie]

i think i know what you mean mate, obviously the machines would have to be fixed firmly in place. but for extra security ide have them mounted on something like polystyrene or something that will absorb impact.
reason i say is we all know how computers etc are trasported. boxed in cardboard and polystyrene? i know this is for prtection etc but still comes down to impact. 😕

[Steve Dawson]

polystyrene is a good bet….and cheap….especially if you still have the box it came in !!

after all , there all in this when there shipped all round the world , in vans/trucks/boats etc before they get to us…..

SD

[Hugh Potter]

i recently gave up trading in american car parts, but still plan on doing the same shows and using my good reputaion in that field to my advantage with the sales of signs,

i still have the original box and plan to pack the machine away, the stand will just be strapped in, the vinyl will be put into large card boxes on end with bubble round them to avoid scuffing, where i have the proper boxes and holders they’ll go in them.

your best option if possible is to run from a power invertor from a car, ONLY use a genorator if it is A. up to the job, and B. has an extremely good surge protection curcuit.

and of course, keep dry !! do not leave the machine in the van when it might be damp, if you do, try and leave it switched on so at least the curcuitry inside stays warm and doesnt attract moisture, if you have to switch it off, then wrap it with a blanket and then a bin liner !!

(all the same rules i applied to people who used coffee machines (i’m an ex service engineer) in vans and trailers.

[Peter Shaw]

I started out in this business with a complete installation in my van.

The cutter was not a problem. Rolands etc are built like brick s**t-houses and can take it. The computer is the vulnerable component as you will be bouncing the hard disk around and stressing all connections internal and external. I would suggest mounting it on an sponge or similar surface to absorb the vibrations.

The biggest problem is the effect of temperature and humidity, particularly on any vinyl stored in the van.

Nevertheless it can work and there are still some guys around operating this way. The best benefits are zero rates and rent!!

Peter

[Robert Lambie]

temps are a good point and one i thought about just after posting. we have heaters on constant in our wrk to help keep vinyl right, but in a van. boy they will freeze in bad weatehr and ulyimately cause ongoing bother.
i still think cutters are like comps.. built with chip etc need prection against vibrations and bumps no matter how eell built, sorry 😕
like p-shaw has said, amongst good points you have no rent or rates. 😉

next step is the type of van to choose. personally ide steer clear of vans and go more for something like a box back van and kit it out.

another thing to keep in mind. if you are mobile, you are really limiting to vehicle signs only. yes signs are possible but still limited.

[Phil Halling]

How would you come off about insurance with expensive fragile equipment mounted permanently in a van ?

Phil

[Shane Drew]

All the mobile fitters in my area (we have 3) only have narrow cutters, because they need the room due to limited space.

As a result they chase the little work, car yards, dent repairs etc, making it a pretty competative market.

They don’t offer much competition to me because they simply can not cut larger signs economically. They need to go back to a base to produce them, which negates the cost savings of being mobile.

I often wonder how they go with the rising cost of fuel, and insurance.

[Kevin Flowers]

Hi guys & girls
thanks for the comments, i’m busy enough on the sign side, this idea is to increase the T-Shirt side of the business printing & embroidery. Powers for the comps not a problem i use inverter generators clean sine wave power (but surge protectors just in case) expensive kit but worth it. I’m going to probably buy new cutter, just one of the cheaper models, my 2 summas are always working. Heat press, cap press etc i already have but it isnt getting used so the idea is to generate work for them on the markets and have someone run that side for me eventually.

Kev