Taking the plunge on my first cutter, where to buy though?

[Craig Newton]

i can vouch for mdp as i live 5 mins away im in ther most days and they are a great bunch of people offering some good prices!!!

[keith burton]

Thanks for that, im not really bothered about the bundled vinyl and accessories, but if its cheaper to the bundle over the cutter on its own at least that it gives me some material to practice on.

Ive already got illustrator and downloaded cutting master 2 for it, obviously i havent got the cutter yet but i had a little play and it all seems fairly straight forward. No doubt ill have some problems when i first get the cutter though 😕

[Peter Dee]

I highly recommend Edward Mathias.
Most people think they only sell blades but they sell a large range of cutters.
Harry will guide you in the right direction but don’t just shop on price, as you can’t put a price on service and after sales.

http://www.blades.uk.com/

[Robert Lambie]

I would recommend Roland or Graphtec vinyl cutters. Had used both makes throughout the time i have made signs. For vinyl cutters, although i do highly rate Roland cutters… coupled by the discount Graphtec offers the UKSG I think they have the edge when it comes down to it and recently purchased two new 54inch Graphtecs.

[keith burton]

I was aware that ‘proper’ members got discount in various places, but i was unsure as to whether the savings would be significant enough to warrant a full subscription?

[Warren Beard]

quote keith burton:

I was aware that ‘proper’ members got discount in various places, but i was unsure as to whether the savings would be significant enough to warrant a full subscription?

and then some, full membership will be the best move you make for your business and not only for financial reasons 😉

[keith burton]

quote Warren Beard:

and then some, full membership will be the best move you make for your business and not only for financial reasons 😉

As of yet i dont have a business, its mainly for hobby use, although ive got a fair few people that keep asking when its going to arrive as they want things cutting, mainly cars, but a couple of good friends want some cut vinyls for the interior of a shop.

Im just having trouble getting the membership fee past the other half 🙄 but from what ive seen and been said its worth having.

[Peter Dee]

Keith, don’t rely on friends to make this machine pay for itself.
You will be doing freebies, cheapies and favours for ever and a day. If you plan to make a business out of this, get a good brand name; Roland/Graphtec/Summa for instance, from a "proper" recommended supplier and set about getting some real jobs in house.

[keith burton]

Eventually id like to try and get started in the vinyl/signmaking field, but this isnt possible for a few months until all my current projects are finished.
So at the moment the machine wont need to pay for itself, It wont be a source of income. I know what you’re saying though, what i ideally wanted to do was use the friends and family stuff to get familiar with the tools etc.
Then hopefully by the middle of the year i should be able to seriously consider starting something new, until then its a hobby/learning tool.

Im set on getting the graphtec CE5000-60 which by all accounts is as good as any to start with.

Thanks for all the advice so far.

[Neil Speirs]

quote Peter Dee:

I highly recommend Edward Mathias.
Most people think they only sell blades but they sell a large range of cutters.
Harry will guide you in the right direction but don’t just shop on price, as you can’t put a price on service and after sales.

http://www.blades.uk.com/

Yeah, if you have a spare 5 minutes 😉 give Harry a phone.

ps, I’d go for a Summa 😀

[John Dorling]

quote keith burton:

Im just having trouble getting the membership fee past the other half 🙄 but from what ive seen and been said its worth having.

Keith – you can’t afford not to have full membership! Especially if you are new to the industry.

John

[keith burton]

quote John Dorling:

Keith – you can’t afford not to have full membership! Especially if you are new to the industry.

John

Thanks i think ill use that line. Im still not sure how the membership works if im honest, when i sign up will i get a list of all the suppliers that offer discount? I know other areas of the forum open up once a member.

[Steve Pugsley]

quote keith burton:

Thanks for that, im not really bothered about the bundled vinyl and accessories, but if its cheaper to the bundle over the cutter on its own at least that it gives me some material to practice on.

Ive already got illustrator and downloaded cutting master 2 for it, obviously i havent got the cutter yet but i had a little play and it all seems fairly straight forward. No doubt ill have some problems when i first get the cutter though 😕

Hi Keith
I brought the same graphtec cutter and use it with illustrator and cutting master. I can honestly say it was very much plug and play and worked well.
good luck

Steve

[Lorraine Clinch]

quote keith burton:

quote John Dorling:

Keith – you can’t afford not to have full membership! Especially if you are new to the industry.

John

Thanks i think ill use that line. Im still not sure how the membership works if im honest, when i sign up will i get a list of all the suppliers that offer discount? I know other areas of the forum open up once a member.

:yes1: And VERY useful reductions too.

Lorraine