Simes Posted November 25, 2011 Report Share Posted November 25, 2011 Hi I'm thinking of dipping my toe in engraving and would like some advice on the best starting machine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Gardner Posted November 25, 2011 Report Share Posted November 25, 2011 Hi I'm thinking of dipping my toe in engraving and would like some advice on the best starting machine. what u wanting to engrave gifts glass or signs craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simes Posted November 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 25, 2011 Not sure to be honest Craig. I think that signs might produce the most volume. I'm close to an industrial estate and don't have much room to carry retail stock. It would be nice to be able to do the odd gift, i.e. the odd pen, piece of jewelry lighter. Don't think glass is important. But I know nothing about current demands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenB Posted November 26, 2011 Report Share Posted November 26, 2011 Do you have a budget in mind for the machine? This is a good starting point. Obviously I don't necessarily expect you to tell us what your budget is, but as you don't seem quite sure what your market is, it's difficult to recommend the best machine. I have a selection of U-Marq machines - a Gem, which is a fine counter top machine, for smaller jobs, pens etc, but will only do small stuff. My Universal is the bees knees for larger stuff, cups etc, but can only do signs up to 240 x 132mm - so for signs you need a Quest - but have lots of space set aside as this is a big, heavy machine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simes Posted November 26, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2011 I don't really have a budget in mind. Needs to be counter top. Would like to be able to do reasonable size signs though for office doors etc. Cups, tankards etc would be a bonus but I don't think important at this stage. Space is a problem for me. restricted to something the size of a multifunction printer I guess. Budget? I don't really know enough. Depends what it takes to do a reasonable selection of different items. I'll probably lease it anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Posted November 26, 2011 Report Share Posted November 26, 2011 if you can make it to the East coast I can talk & walk you through the basics. Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simes Posted November 26, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2011 Thanks Lee, I'll have a think about that offer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Gardner Posted November 26, 2011 Report Share Posted November 26, 2011 http://www.u-marq.com/product.php/1076/ ... ng_machine would be ideal for you i have the universal and love it vistool is much better than any gravograph software craig Gavo2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hibsjo(SCO) Posted November 27, 2011 Report Share Posted November 27, 2011 Simon come a run through to me your less than an hour away will show you a couple of things that might interest you? However it will be on Gravograph machinery and their software carry on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Gardner Posted November 27, 2011 Report Share Posted November 27, 2011 Simon come a run through to me your less than an hour away will show you a couple of things that might interest you?However it will be on Gravograph machinery and their software carry on! to be fair the vistool v gravo is really a personal preference i used gravo machines in my early days from the unica that then became the well loved is200 which i used with gift software but found it limited the standard in most timo shops.and a is200 would do you well and make you money but a vistool software run machine is capable of more and once i used it i would never go back to gravo hence not owning a gravo machine. craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derek Posted November 28, 2011 Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 the gem cx-5 from u-marq would allow you to do your pen and tankards but not big cups, and basic signs up to 9x7 inches and its a desktop machine, i've had my u-marq for a year now and i now prefer it to gravograph machines Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simes Posted November 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 I didn't realise how much money would be involved in a first machine! Looks like a good all-rounder though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Gardner Posted November 28, 2011 Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 I didn't realise how much money would be involved in a first machine! Looks like a good all-rounder though. dont let the cost put you off especialy if you are going to finance it as it will make money and pay for itself in no time we make a lot more on engraving than we do on shoe repairs and the shoe machine was 10k plus vat craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Gardner Posted November 28, 2011 Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 I didn't realise how much money would be involved in a first machine! Looks like a good all-rounder though. dont let the cost put you off especialy if you are going to finance it as it will make money and pay for itself in no time we make a lot more on engraving than we do on shoe repairs and the shoe machine was 10k plus vat craig and remember trophex is in january that would be good show for u to attend thats where i bought my first engraving machine craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenB Posted November 28, 2011 Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 Of course, there's no harm in making the call to see if suppliers have any secondhand or ex-demo machines they want to get rid of for a good price It's how come I ended up with a Gem \:D/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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