is there any good sources in the UK for used machines?

[Robert Lambie]

have you ever considered axyz?
i have had one for about 4 years now. brill machine and is very capable of running artcam. a program i looked at buying was vinsion pneumerics “type3” 3d routering software. you can do everything the normal packages do but als the 3d modeling etc.. its an amazing program.
e.g.
scan in a picture of a face.. type in the thickness of the material being used and few other simple clicks then hit apply. it actualy creates the 3 dimensional image ready to be routered from whatever material you choose. it allows proofs of the work in many materials eve before you do the job.
the software is like signlab comes in various modules.

the router, its excellent never had any problems with it and has many different features.. i highly recommend dealing with them. 😀
ide give them a call and ask if they have any ex-demo machines or second hand.
they are by far the best priced.

[elitesigns]

I’ve had a Multicamm for 9 years now, many times running day and night, superb machine.We run artcam with ours, it works really well, just be prepared for some long run times. The gerber machines are excellent the brief experience i’ve had with them, although a little on the pricey side.
Whichever machine you go for, you’ll never regret it, couldn’t live without one.

Craig

[Henry Barker]

I had always been a Gerber shop,plotters Edge and software, but 3 years ago bought a Summa T series plotter, and had looked at Gerber routers, and thought likewise abit pricey, but a reliable name.

Rob, I looked the make you have, was a little confused by all the models, Craig its the same with MultiCamm they had a 44 or something a few years ago now they have lots of models in lots of categories.

Not sure which machines suit our trade the best.

I sandblast a few signs have my own equipment, I sell freestanding aluminium letters for fascades, use a local guy that does waterjetcutting, to cut the shapes if I can’t do it myself by hand, we do the rest, with fittings and mounting, abit unsure about taking the plunge….monthly costs etc. But want to go down that road more. Getting tired of the Leisurewear/workwear companies closeby selling vehicle jobs really cheaply and subsidising by what they make printing and selling workwear.

Another guy I do alot of cellplast/styrofoam work for TV and Exhibition seems to think he would have quite alot of work for cutting acrylic sheet and mdf, although he can’t guarantee.

I think the Gerber 404 is too small cutting area 1350mm x 1370mm even “panelling” would become tiresome it would be nice to have a 3m table….maybe thats abit big for starters?

[Robert Lambie]

i have a 1m x 1m does everything from tiny engravings to 3d modeling..
has all the toys with it etc
axyz will custom build one to spec. i heard they made one recently about 7-9 metres long 😮
we recently called about a exdemo model 3mx2m think they wanted something like £30 thousand. £25 thousand for 8’x4′ its always best getting these type of folk at sign shows or just after. we bought ours at signuk and got 5 years warranty free. 😀

[elitesigns]

our bed is 1328x1407mm and yes every now and again you do wish you’d got a bigger table, but for majority of work it is ample, panelling is no problem once you get used to it. As rob says the large routers are lots of pennies, so i personally think financially a 4×4 ish bed is the right place to start.

[Henry Barker]

Thanks for the comments….I know they’ve had the 404 since last may so maybe I can get a better deal there…and a smaller bed might be a better starting point.

The multicamm dealer sold a used table 1400mm x 1400mm for about £10,000 just before christmas which was abit more in line with what I wanted to pay….I just wondered whether I would regret a smaller table a year down the line but from what you say thats probably not the case! 🙂

[Robert Lambie]

hi henry
not sure what you mean by paneling.. maybe the same thing i am about to say but worded different.
with the axyz & i imagine most 1m x 1m routers you can do what they call a “pull through” basically the machine cuts the first metre of the panel then you pause it.. slide the panel through to the mark and press continue.
i have on needed to do this a couple of times and that was a few years ago. you only really need that if your cutting letters out of a large sign blank for inlay letters. (so left with a stencil sort of panel) hope that made sense.. 😕 😆

[Henry Barker]

I think I have made up my mind….I have given the Gerber a miss, they want very nearly what I can buy a new 8×4 router for, and thats for a 4×4. Thats a machine thats 4 years old and worked 80% of its life according to its former owner, it had a replaced Perske 7hp Spindle a year ago.

I have looked at Multicamm here and like the machines, but the A-series was more in my price group, and I think I can get a better deal with Axyz for similar money.

Have tried to talk to Stuart at Axyz in the Uk did briefly and then haven’t been able to get back to him.

Feel I have been offered a good deal by the Swedish seller of Axyz who is supplied by the UK

I am looking at a 4008 with 10hp Elte spindle vacuum table, double cooling for metal, at a very competitive price.

I like the gantry height on the Axyz 190mm, and the fact the active area is 1500mm x 2500mm.

We’ll see how things develop….thanks for the input.

[Robert Lambie]

thats great mate.. thanks for letting us know. im sure you wont be sorry for buying an axyz. great machines & the support i get is second to none.
if you do buy one, you will probably overtake me on knowledge with your machine pretty quick as i know you do plenty fancy stuff to get the most from it. in the mean time if i can help you know where i am.

if you do go for the axyz, let us know what one you decide on.. 😉