Guest Jon smith Posted September 2, 2007 Report Share Posted September 2, 2007 I am looking for some advice, I have been offered a mastergrave compact 200. Been told it is about 2-3 years old but it has control box underneath(No handset) and runs off series 6 software. Can anybody tell me if it is user friendly or is it due for an update. priced about £4.500 is it worth it? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k4mrc Posted September 3, 2007 Report Share Posted September 3, 2007 you may be able to get an is200 for a little less, and most repairers who have computer engravers swear by it - shop around a little before you buy, and then make your mind up! just to be safe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANDY Posted September 3, 2007 Report Share Posted September 3, 2007 i agree with the is200 choice, the tx model will do all you need and is a really sturdy machine. i have a gem rx from mastergrave thats a little bit squeeky and mastergrave informed me the software was designed for vinal cut lettering, the main issue i have with it, is when you are engraving with a rotating diamond, it leaves these deeper spots on the lettering where the cutter dwells for to long. whether this applies to the compact i couldn't say. maybe give gravograph a call to see what ex-demo deals they have on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted September 3, 2007 Report Share Posted September 3, 2007 is when you are engraving with a rotating diamond, it leaves these deeper spots on the lettering where the cutter dwells for to long. Two things, why are you spinning the diamond!! What material are you using when this happens? Can you not alter the dwell, with the software you are using. It is more likley to be your technique, than the machine Andy. uk900 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANDY Posted September 3, 2007 Report Share Posted September 3, 2007 i normally spin diamond for medal engraving as normal drag does not show text so well. i have tried many times to alter dwell but results were the same??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted September 3, 2007 Report Share Posted September 3, 2007 There is no need the spin the diamond for Engraving on metal. I never have. when you say metal, what sort of metal,aluminum,brass, mild steel,stainless etc. It sounds like you need a new Diamond. I've seen many trophy plates,shields etc done with a spinning diamond, and never seen a good result. So you need to change your technique, it isn't the machine. uk900 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANDY Posted September 3, 2007 Report Share Posted September 3, 2007 i normally spin for medal engraving. i do on average 10 to 12 thousand a year on the is200 rotating the diamond, with fantastic results. after many hours of experimenting with settings, i found that the gem rx cannot achieve same results. on the off chance who do you work for mastergrave or u-marq? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted September 3, 2007 Report Share Posted September 3, 2007 I don't work for either Andy. But I think I am a good Engraver, and theres always more than one way to skin a rabbit, If one way isn't working for you, then you need to try a different technique. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANDY Posted September 3, 2007 Report Share Posted September 3, 2007 i agree there are many ways to skin rabbits. if you can find a way to skin one on my gem rx, let me know. until then my is200 is the butchers choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted September 3, 2007 Report Share Posted September 3, 2007 i agree there are many ways to skin rabbits. if you can find a way to skin one on my gem rx, let me know. until then my is200 is the butchers choice. Why you need a rotating diamond on these medals beats me Andy, they are soft as S**t, thats why its leaving a dot effect at the beginning of each pass, you wouldn't get the deeper spots if the material wasn't so soft. "butchers choice ay you said it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANDY Posted September 3, 2007 Report Share Posted September 3, 2007 as they say "the customer is king" out of intrest what medal would you buy? and remember we are discussing the virtues of two machines and not my prowess as a master engraver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted September 3, 2007 Report Share Posted September 3, 2007 out of intrest what medal would you buy? and remember we are discussing the virtues of two machines and not my prowess as a master engraver. I have an 1 X is200tx, 2 X is400volumes, an is7000, chisels, and a Dentist drill. I love Gravograph machines, not just because there machines are exellent, but because they look after me 100% and remember we are discussing the virtues of two machines and not my prowess as a master engraver. By master Engraver, does that mean you can actually engrave the back of a medal without ruining it If I brought the Mastergrave RX and it wasn't capable of engraving a medal, I'd pop it back in the box and tell em to fetch it back, But then I'd be able to sort it so it engraved em properly:wink: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANDY Posted September 3, 2007 Report Share Posted September 3, 2007 well. as stevie wonder once said "Ya gots to work with what you gots to work with" and i got the gem second hand so can't fetch it back. it does however engrave wedding rings very nicely and just about all other things apart fom medals. maybe you put a bad mojo on it before i got it? maybe you invented the gem rx non engravable medal range. who knows? but i do know this, from this day on i truly hate medals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted September 3, 2007 Report Share Posted September 3, 2007 from this day on i truly hate medals. Don't worry........You won't be winning one for ya Engraving Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANDY Posted September 3, 2007 Report Share Posted September 3, 2007 i have seen some of your work too, very nice it is, and until i am as useful as you, i shall retire to the engine shed. and put some sugar in yer tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted September 3, 2007 Report Share Posted September 3, 2007 Hey dough do tha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted September 3, 2007 Report Share Posted September 3, 2007 Nice ya can take a joke Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANDY Posted September 3, 2007 Report Share Posted September 3, 2007 remember i have a laser engraver, and i believe you would just about fit in it before i tattoo yer butt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Posted September 3, 2007 Report Share Posted September 3, 2007 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANDY Posted September 3, 2007 Report Share Posted September 3, 2007 i shall tattoo you with this for posterity on your posterior Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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