Guest loonee Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 Hi all First post, and after some advice please from you knowledgeable people. I am looking to do some engraving as an addition to my sports business, and whilst I have contacts and have been doing some business with a few local leagues (get engraving done by trophy supplier) as yet obviously don't know how much business I will be doing. For this reason, and also the extra cost, I don't think I can really justify a computerised machine at this stage (would really like one though). I need to be able to engrave cups/tankards as well as plates, so wondered what machine you would suggest. I have looked at a secondhand Mastergrave MK5 which seems to do what I need to get me started, but is this any good, and are there better machines around. Thanks for any help you can give. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANDY Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 go for a computerised machine, it will save you money in the long run, as you wont be tied to the machine all day. computers engrave much faster, and you will only buy one later on. you may even find someone on the forum who has one for sale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 Hi loonee welcome to the forum I started out using a gravograph ITM machine, these manual machines are know as pantographs & this was an ideal started machine. You will find that whilst time consuming on large orders, its an excellent machine to "test the water" it will do tankards, small - medium size cups & all your trophy plates. these can be picked up for only a few hundred pounds now. Your mark5 is slightly larger & will be a good machine for larger objects & works identically to any pantograph so is a good starting point. however don't pay to much for it! Good luck & welcome to the forum. Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest loonee Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 Hi Thanks for your replies. Unfortunately Andy, much as I would like a computerised machine, finances don't really allow that at the moment as I don't know whether the business created will justify it. I would rather test the water first, I realise that may result in me having to get another machine later but I am prepared for that. Time is not a great problem as my sports business is so quiet at the moment I sadly have a lot of spare time! Lee, the machine is about £1200, including a couple of sets of letters,with a 6 month warranty, does that seem about right. Looks in reasonable condition, although I suppose these machines go on for a long time anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toofatbyfar Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 hi i would go for computer opperated machine, i got one a year ago its a IS 200 with cylider attatchment, i got it from gravograph, although its a second hand recon its bril, will save you hours and hours of faffing about. got my dollar back within 12 months and saved many days of man power,AV IT, bonjour that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 the machine is about £1200, including a couple of sets of letters,with a 6 month warranty, does that seem about right. Looks in reasonable condition, although I suppose these machines go on for a long time anyway. I wouldn't comment on the machine or the price, as this wouldn't be fair to the company offering the warranty etc. For a start up just "testing the water" then a warranty & backup might be worth considering. you may find a good deal comes your way via the PM or EMail system through one of our members with an old machine to sell & there's always Ebay for some bargains. Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Iain Cheall Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 There is a gravo 400 on ebay at the moment last time i looked it was just under £2000 a bargain if ever there was one. Don't waste your time with a panto get a is200tx for a start up package it will pay for itself in no time and at least then your engraving will be on a straight line.....unless you wanted it on a curve of course Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANDY Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 I worked on a manual machine for 15 years. If you were to argue computerised machines are twice as quick. I could have emigrated for 7.5 years and got away with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest loonee Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 There is a gravo 400 on ebay at the moment last time i looked it was just under £2000 a bargain if ever there was one. Don't waste your time with a panto get a is200tx for a start up package it will pay for itself in no time and at least then your engraving will be on a straight line.....unless you wanted it on a curve of course I've been keeping an eye on that one, if it stays around £2000 I would consider it, but it can't do cups as it is, I believe its the 400 volume that can, can that extra bit be added and any idea of how much it would cost? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Iain Cheall Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 Not sure email michel he's a member of this forum and ask him Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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