Ted Posted February 5, 2016 Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 Howdo. For my first post here I'll ask a real newbie question. I've decided to expand my business by doing engraving. Looking for a good all round machine I've narrowed it down to gem cx5 or the m40g. The gem is cheaper but does slightly smaller area. Is that a problem? Also looking for ease of use. Any thoughts welcome. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenB Posted February 5, 2016 Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 CX5 highly recommended, and very easy to use. Engraving area is entirely dependent on what you plan to do with it, but it would certainly be my choice of the 2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gray Posted February 5, 2016 Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 Welcome Ted......Nice to see a newbie that isn't trying to sell something............Umarq all the way, but if your funds stretch to it go for the universal, it's surprising how quickly an engraving business can take off and you will find yourself needing a bigger machine for cups. http://shoerepairer.info/topic/20345-for-sale-umarq-universal-350-engraving-machine/?hl=umarq Old post I know but worth a try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wellsy9 Posted February 5, 2016 Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 I recently bought a Gem CX5 Ted. Really good machine. Ideal for my needs. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrkeys Posted February 5, 2016 Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 Ive got a gravograph IS200 for sale £3000 The area this machine does is 225mm x 80 mm In my opinion they are far better built than any of the others and the functionality of the software is fantastic runs on gravograph 98 comes with everything including a days training which is worth it's weight in gold, ill back you up with support and advice for ever - It's simply a spare machine since we moved premises Kind regards Carl 0787 6167958 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrkeys Posted February 5, 2016 Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 If you want to see what we engrave on it look on our website www.premierengravedgifts.co.uk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hibsjo(SCO) Posted February 5, 2016 Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 Hi Ted welcome to the site. youll see from argy post that theres only 30 using non GRAVOGRAPH machines out of 1300 members lol i had one of the first m40g's didnt like it(i do believe its better now tho) if your only engraving flat stuff the is200 thats on offer might be a good buy if a little pricey imho but then i dont know how old it is, but the fact its using 98 software means its not one of the newer ones(how old is it Carl and what level of 98 is it?) get a demo from all the usual suspects do a search on the site as this question always raises its head plenty of people feel their engraver the best whether it gravo,umarq,or whatever it boils down to you and who you want to give your money to try before you buy carry on! Gavo2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrkeys Posted February 5, 2016 Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 I will look at the age of the machine tomorrow, but even if it's old I will give you the relevant tradesmen to carry out repairs at a very reasonable price if they occur in the future We had it serviced by Marino recently and of course gave it as many upgrades as possible at the time (Which gravograph said were not even possible but that's another story. (hense my hate of the gravo team for their lack of knowledge regarding their own machines, or at least the lack of admission by the sales team as to what can and cannot be achieved with regards to older machines) Regardless of what some forum members say you should always consult Marino or other independent machine repair people as they often know several "tricks of the trade" that certain manufacturers are not aware of. Yes I will pass on more than one number for these knowledgeable folk There was a particular scenario that saved me over £3000 spread over 4 machines 3 years ago Good luck whatever you choose I should comment we have used several gravo machines for years including this one. And I mean 10 hours per day each and every day, It takes years for a problem to occur. They are so robust it is incredible !!!! Kind regards Carl hibsjo(SCO) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gray Posted February 6, 2016 Report Share Posted February 6, 2016 Hi Ted welcome to the site. youll see from argy post that theres only 30 using non GRAVOGRAPH machines out of 1300 members lol i had one of the first m40g's didnt like it(i do believe its better now tho) if your only engraving flat stuff the is200 thats on offer might be a good buy if a little pricey imho but then i dont know how old it is, but the fact its using 98 software means its not one of the newer ones(how old is it Carl and what level of 98 is it?) get a demo from all the usual suspects do a search on the site as this question always raises its head plenty of people feel their engraver the best whether it gravo,umarq,or whatever it boils down to you and who you want to give your money to try before you buy carry on! I didn't know there were 1300 engravers on here Joe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted Posted February 8, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2016 Thanks for the quick replies there lads. Gonna have a look at the universal cos I don't want to have to say no. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted Posted March 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2016 Just before I jump in why is it no-one here seems to use a Roland machine? Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simes Posted March 11, 2016 Report Share Posted March 11, 2016 I have a Universal 350 from Umarq. If I had gone for anything less I think I would have really regretted it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gray Posted March 11, 2016 Report Share Posted March 11, 2016 Just before I jump in why is it no-one here seems to use a Roland machine? Cheers I have an old Roland machine (EGX300)...... And I keep it for all my flatbed work up to A4 size It's served me well for 16 years. I don't know what the new ones are like though. The Umarq Uni300 also works well for me for rotary stuff and small plates using a nose cone..........but if I have to have one criticism of the Uni300 it is the flat bed option.....Unless you use a nose cone (fine on laminates) it is difficult to achieve a consistent depth. And I don't like using a nose cone on brass. I think Mr Elf has an EGX300 And Craig (thekeyvan has or had an EGX350) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Gardner Posted March 12, 2016 Report Share Posted March 12, 2016 I did have a egx350 for 5 years which ran fine but we out grew it Roland machines far slower than umarq I run 5 umarq rotary machines 3 trotec co2 laser machines and also 5 fiber laser engravers but out of all the rotary machines the two that are used the most is the cx5 and the universal 350. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted March 12, 2016 Report Share Posted March 12, 2016 I have an old Roland machine (EGX300)...... And I keep it for all my flatbed work up to A4 size It's served me well for 16 years. I don't know what the new ones are like though. The Umarq Uni300 also works well for me for rotary stuff and small plates using a nose cone..........but if I have to have one criticism of the Uni300 it is the flat bed option.....Unless you use a nose cone (fine on laminates) it is difficult to achieve a consistent depth. And I don't like using a nose cone on brass. I think Mr Elf has an EGX300 And Craig (thekeyvan has or had an EGX350) My Universal is fine on brass with a nose cone. I always put a layer of vinyl over the brass so I don't get any ghosting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gray Posted March 12, 2016 Report Share Posted March 12, 2016 What vinyl?...........I'll give it a go....Never too old to learn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted March 12, 2016 Report Share Posted March 12, 2016 Sign Vinyl, any old scraps. I used to get a cheap roll from Mastergrave but now I've got a vinyl cutter I keep all the half decent offcuts and use them for brass and Zippo engraving. PM me your address and I'll send you some scrap bits in the post next week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gray Posted March 12, 2016 Report Share Posted March 12, 2016 Thanks Michael. PM sent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadowster Posted March 13, 2016 Report Share Posted March 13, 2016 What vinyl?...........I'll give it a go....Never too old to learn. Are you sure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamparker Posted March 13, 2016 Report Share Posted March 13, 2016 Bitchy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derek Posted March 13, 2016 Report Share Posted March 13, 2016 i use a gme cx5 in 1 of our shops and an m40 in the other, i have to say i find the umarq, quicker, more user friendly and it is easier to get files/images downloaded from the internet. the reason there is probably more gravograph users than umarq is because a fool is easily parted from their money Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now