Which machine and why?

['Onest Andy]

Looking for some help here.

 

As you may have read in my post in the previous topic I went to trophex yesterday with the intention of placing an order for a new engraving machine.

 

Having pondered several choices I have pretty much narrowed it down to a choice of 2 machines.

 

1) The Mastergrave Universal

 

2) Gravograph's M40G

 

I'd be interested in thoughts and especially comment from those who run either of these two machines with regard to their capabilities and what might be for me any unforseen downsides to ownership of either machine.

 

Cheers

 

Andy

[Theone]

if i had to choose between those 2 it would be gravograph,

there software is 10 times easier to use than mastergrave

plus you have point and shoot laser, speeds the job up

i got the is400gift then they came out with im40g

gravograph is dearer but better and has a bigger area to engrave

hope that helps abit

[ironplanet uk900]

You know me Andy, Gravograph all the way, Quality machine, quality after care, quality software, And a nice looking machine.

Speak to them again !!

[Guest NEIL]

ANDY

 

I WAS IN THE SAME POSITION AS YOU, MY ENGRAVING BUSINESS WAS EXPANDING AT A RAPID RATE, SO I DECIDED TO BUY

A COMPUTER ENGRAVING MACHINE. I SAW GRAVOGRAPH AND MASTERGRAVE AT TROPHEX, I WAS FINDING IT DIFFICULT TO MAKE UP

MY MIND WHICH MACHINE WAS BEST FOR ME. SO I CONTACTED BOTH COMPANYS AND ASKED THEM TO COME TO MY SHOP

AND SHOW THEIR MACHINES.

I MUST SAY THAT I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE SALES REP FROM

GRAVOGRAPH DUE THE LACK OF KNOWLEDGE AND KNOW HOW. I FOUND THEIR SOFWARE VERY DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND.

MASTRGRAVE IMPRESSED ME MORE. SO I WENT FOR THEIRS. I FIND THE SOFTWARE VERY SIMPLE TO USE AND THE MACHINES DOES EVERTHING I WANT, AND IT IS VERY FAST.

 

NEIL

ENGRAVERS-R-US

[ironplanet uk900]

Hi Neil, welcome to the forum, Please note that it is against the forum rules to post all in capitals.

 

out of interest Neil, who is your gravo rep?

I haven't seen mastergraves software, but find gravographs easy to use and very comprehensive.

and I like gravographs machines, Its a shame if you felt let down by there reps lack of knowledge.

 

regards uk900

[Auto Key Wizard]

Please note that it is against the forum rules to post all in capitals.

 

Yeah, It's considered SHOUTING, We're not deaf...Shussssh

[Guest NEIL]

Sorry Everbody

 

Neil

[Guest saintsimon]

Hi ive have had both companys come & demonstrate there machines

& have also since had the show demo van from gravograph

but still have always gone for mastergrave

they have a more personal approach to cater for your exact needs

SO IF YOU ARE NEW TO COMPUTER ENGRAVING MASTERGRAVE WINS HANDS DOWN FOR ME

i think you will find the universal will engrave a much larger cup than the gravograph machine

we use all mastergrave machines & find them flawless

we have

2 universal machines

2 rx gems

1 original gem

& a mk5

their top sales rep Mark Chadwick is second to none for after care

always there to sort out any probs you may have not that you will with their machines never had a prob so never let down

as for software even the most least experienced computer user will find it very easy to use

take it from me i know

if you want to speak to me please feel free to email or call & ill try to answer any questions you may have

[kobblers]

please remove the link from your post saintsimon as it contravenes the forum advertising rules.

 

see rule B here: www.shoerepairer.info/bb/viewtopic.php?t=1235

 

thanks, rick.

[Guest saintsimon]

sorry all new to this

[Lee]

Good to see another 2 new members entering into this one, welcome on-board gents.

 

Lee

[Guest blank]

i use gravogeph - did look at mastergrave machines, but after asking around a couple of people who new a lot more about them than me i chose an is200, have never looked back!

i also made a mistake 18 months ago by buying a roland machine, it had a larger engraving area (flat bed) and i liked "V-Carve" - anyhow found too many problems running 2 softwares side by side, so part chopped it for an is400 - after speaking to "Eddy" who is on of the captains of this forum! and really knows his stuff!

my advice would be - dont buy cheap or you may have to buy twice as i have!

[StevenB]

I've had a Mastergrave universal for 5 years now, and when I first got it I found the software very easy to use - standard looking Windows fare.

All standard keyboard shortcuts work in it, basically I'd recommend it heartily.

Then last October I also invested in a Gravograph IS400, so now I can compare the 2 engraving programs side by side.

 

I have to say I've found it very hard work in comparison getting used to the Gravo software. I certainly don't have the confidence in the machine that I do with the mastergrave, in terms of knowing how the machine works, what it's going to do etc.

 

This is undoubtedly due to the difference in having 1 machine for 5 years & the other for 5 months.

Hopefuly with time & use my confidence in the gravo will grow, but in my experience, certainly for a beginner to computerised engraving I'd recommend the Mastergrave.

 

Ask me again in a year's time, though & see what reply you get!

[Guest Iain Cheall]

I started with a gravo is200tx and have recently part exed it for a is400 volume have had no problems with them for anything from sales to service and their seminars run by Bob Butler to be very informative and useful.

 

I must admit i have never looked into the mastergrave systems so it's a little one sided from me

[ironplanet uk900]

I started with a gravo is200tx and have recently part exed it for a is400 volume have had no problems with them for anything from sales to service and their seminars run by Bob Butler to be very informative and useful.

 

I must admit i have never looked into the mastergrave systems so it's a little one sided from me

 

I'm a bit like you Iain, I've always had Gravograph, and never had reason to change. As with all things, I always look at the build quality, and I haven't seen any other manufacturer anywere near the quality of gravograph.

[Michel]

First of all, let's start by saying I am from the Gravo team so no confusion here.

 

Just would like to clarify a few points following comments above.

 

Software. We offer a range of software for our machines, from very easy to use to very advanced. Take the M40G - it comes with Gravostyle QuickClick which is dead easy to use (I can use it!). You can also use the more advanced Gravostyle 5 that will require good PC skills - but the possibilities are endless.

 

The M40G is also fitted with a laser pointer that really helps you with the engraving: you highlight the area to engrave and everything is resized on the screen for you. All you need to do is to type the text and press start. The machine finds its own depth automatically so there is no manual adjustment. The software will even tell you what cutter to use (depending on letter height) and how you should set it.

 

The laser pointer is great since you can use it to simulate the engraving BEFORE engraving (the machine will highlight exactly where the engraving will be). When you have to engrave the back of a Rolex you will be greatful for the small red light...

 

Another good point is that the M40G has a built in glass engraving kit supplied standard with the machine.

 

 

Hope this help.

[petercoulson]

i have quite a knowledge of gravograph machines and universal systems but limited knowledge of mastergrave systems. what i have seen of mastergrave is from some customers who as said before have found the software easy to use. the advantage with gravo software is you can start simply (m40G is very easy much like old unica software but more advanced) but if you find it too easy you can get the slightly more complicated but more versatile software.

 

the only drawback i have found with the m40g simple software is the limited range of fonts but you can add more, the other software you can use ttf fonts which gives you limitless ranges (sometimes not always a good idea as most stick to offering a few fonts for simplicity)

 

as for the machines, refer to uk900 for he knows

[Guest MARK CHADWICK]

Sorry i'm late

Seems like there is quite a discussion going on.

At the end of the day both Mastergrave and gravograph build excellent machines at a fair price.

You're going to get some people who love gravograph and some people

who love mastergrave.

 

The best advice I can give is to get both companies in and see what machine suits you best.

 

Mark Chadwick

Mastergrave Ltd

['Onest Andy]

A big thank you to all those who have been kind enough to offer their thoughts here.

 

One thing I should perhaps make clear is that I am not new to the world of computerised engraving. I have infact owned an IS200 for just over 5 years now and have been generally happy with the machine.

 

However it's now time to move onward and upwards. I too have been a Gravograph customer since day 1 with regard to my previous purchases of new engraving equiptment, but sadly my own personal experience of their service has not been a good one. I am not going to go into any details on here regarding this but it is without doubt a big factor with regard to my final decision.

 

I can see that both machines have certain benefits which appeal to me and I do need to decide which of these are more important there is also the matter of which is the most complete package without a string of extras which are needed to make the machine really useable.

 

Time for me to ponder on a little further.

 

Once again thanks to all for your thoughts and comments. I shall be taking them all into consideration.

 

Just thought it was time I responded to show that i am indeed reading and taking note.

 

Cheers

 

Andy

[ironplanet uk900]

Hi Andy, I know of your grievances with gravograph, and as you rightly say, no need to vent them here. But personally I would speak to someone at the top (Michel) and tell him why you may go elsewere. I am convinced you are a victim of a misunderstanding. I hope you get it sorted mate. good luck, uk900

[hibsjo(SCO)]

Well as you know we bought the M40G off of Gravograph and have to say that we havent had the level of service EXPECTED.

The company has had more than enough time to come to me and rectify matters but they are dragging their feet.

 

I had a better level of service off the previous guy with whom I bought a gravgraph machine and he was under NO obligation once he sold me the machine.

 

Ive been left perplexed on this one.

 

I spent some serious money with this firm thinking they would look after me havent done so yet?

 

I EXPECT BETTER (me shouting)

[ironplanet uk900]

I must say Hibs, I am surprised that you and Andy haven't had the same service that I have always had from Gravograph.

I have e-mailed Michel to ask him why, and to invite him to reply to your posts, as I know he doesn't read the forum on a regular basis and it would be interesting to hear whats happening here.

[hibsjo(SCO)]

Cheers mate

Ive been waiting on a Paul phoning me back.......

[ironplanet uk900]

I think its a shame when a company has such a fantastic product only to be let down by staff, If of cause this is the case. I hope you get it sorted out soon Hibs.

[TITs]

Is this maybe the rise and fall of many great companys

Could it be that now they have a huge % of the market the are resting on there laurels.

 

You can be sure there are more people in the wings not wanting to say anything on the forum incase it hurts there relationship with Gravo.

 

In my experience the peolpe who shout the loudest get seen first, so maybe its time people like hibsjo starts shouting LOUDER and maybe the forum is the place to be heard amongst like minded people.

The reason the TV watch dog is so popular is because it gets results and maybe the forum should be lending its support to the lone voices struggling to get satisfaction, There is no need to get personal or angry just state the facts and as Uk900 says " let michel get a feel for the opinions of his customers"

 

just my opinion and up for debate