Rupert Posted January 14, 2011 Report Share Posted January 14, 2011 Hi All, Please, need some good advice from the forum. I’m looking at purchasing a professional engraving machine which would give me the options of engraving as many different types of items as possible from small giftware, trophies/plates, crystal (glass) and Plaques (Brass). I am planning to visit Trophex this week, and have a look at the Gravograph IS400, Roland 360, U- Marq Universal 350. I would welcome any advice on these 3 makes and models plus experience of the after service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petercoulson Posted January 14, 2011 Report Share Posted January 14, 2011 Make sure you check out the Gravo M40g IQ as well, gravograph machines are superb but cannot comment on the others as havent used Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rupert Posted January 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2011 Gravo M40g IQ added to look list. Many thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenB Posted January 14, 2011 Report Share Posted January 14, 2011 Make sure you get a hands on opportunity to use each of the different machines software (not just the salesman showing you). Have an idea in mind of a typical job or 2 & try the same thing on each machine, to get a direct comparison. Don't be rushed into a decision - it's better to go away & ponder what you've seen than to make a snap decision on the day. I did & bought the wrong machine, 4 years later I had to sell it & buy the one I should have had all along... A lesson learned for sure! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petercoulson Posted January 14, 2011 Report Share Posted January 14, 2011 Make sure you get a hands on opportunity to use each of the different machines software (not just the salesman showing you).Have an idea in mind of a typical job or 2 & try the same thing on each machine, to get a direct comparison. Don't be rushed into a decision - it's better to go away & ponder what you've seen than to make a snap decision on the day. I did & bought the wrong machine, 4 years later I had to sell it & buy the one I should have had all along... A lesson learned for sure! Which one did you buy that you should have all along and why? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenB Posted January 14, 2011 Report Share Posted January 14, 2011 The U-Marq Quest 1824, because it uses the software I was already using & therefore familiar with. I initially bought the IS400, undoubtedly a fine machine - the salesman's demo was good - it seemed perfect, but just didn't work for me. That's why I say don't just rely on a demo, and try them all. In my experience, where appropriate, stick with what you know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hibsjo(SCO) Posted January 15, 2011 Report Share Posted January 15, 2011 DONT look at the M40G=crap! carry on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Posted January 15, 2011 Report Share Posted January 15, 2011 not for me to comment, as I've never used one. But from what I've heard its not one of gravographs finest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petercoulson Posted January 15, 2011 Report Share Posted January 15, 2011 DONT look at the M40G=crap!carry on! Interesting, I like it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hibsjo(SCO) Posted January 15, 2011 Report Share Posted January 15, 2011 I bought I used I sent back m40g dont go there! youve been warned carry on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rupert Posted January 16, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2011 Hi All, Just got back from the trophex show and agree with StevenB, The sales guys from all 3 companies said their machines are the best since slice bread. I will ask for a demo from the companiess and compare what works. Would you say that Sand blasting on glass is better then diamond engraving?. Any one have a Roland 360, interested in some personal feedback. Cheers Rupert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hibsjo(SCO) Posted January 16, 2011 Report Share Posted January 16, 2011 we laser glass its brilliant and nowhere near as fiddly as sandblasting carry on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Posted January 17, 2011 Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 Would you say that Sand blasting on glass is better then diamond engraving?. Rupert, I've done both, I brought the gear for Sand Blasting & never got on with it, VERY time consuming. Make a stencil wash it of. stick it on the glass. Blast, clean of etc etc. I sold my gear & was glade to see the back of it! I then brought a diamond & feather touch & left it in a draw for a year. Finally last week I did a "piece" & it was superb! I've since taken in 2 other glass jobs & suddenly glass engraving is my new best friend! Personally I feel you'd be better investing the money you'd spend on a blaster on a higher model engraver. I can't comment on the Laser but listening to Joe & Andy in the chat room, thats the bees knees on glass so it might be a more versatile option. Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrFix Posted May 7, 2014 Report Share Posted May 7, 2014 I am about to open a new store and torn between buying another Gravograph which i have already or to try a U-Marq. I just think that its a complicated bugger to use and i think we are only using about 25% of its capability due to the lack of support from the company. I have been to U-Marq head office for Demo and from what i remember the machine was as good as Gravograph if not simpler software to use (can anyone comment on this??) I eventually went with Gravograph due to the initial response from the rep which, after we bought it soon diminished and now we never see nor hear from them and for such a big investment i would have expected more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobbler96 Posted June 6, 2017 Report Share Posted June 6, 2017 Universal 350.... best machine on the market user friendly software... you don't need to be a maths professor to use it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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