digitalwoodshop

I have only done sublimation with the printer. I just saw I have another plugged head.... The Sublimation ink is thicker.... Had one R1800 shut down after too many cleaning cycles. This prevents the ink from overflowing the cleaning tank. There is a utility you run to reset the counter after cleaning the tank. So of my 3 one is down for reset, one is plugged and one is in standby with head cleaners installed. AL

Thanks for the Password reset... Been gone a while. I have a Graphtec FC7000 on order to work with my R1800. I want to make stickers using reflective vinyl then sublimate the clear mates with the R1800 and the heat press. Then using the registration marks cut the stickers. Will do Fire Department stickers at first. Hope the R1800 has met your need in the last few months. AL

Sorry I did not see this post sooner.... I use the R1800 for Sublimation using Corel Draw 12 and a sublimation driver. About the time you posted this I started getting a color shift. Found I had some plugged heads. Sublimation ink is expensive, $1800.00 for the 8 bags. I sadly blew away about $400.00 in ink doing cleaning cycles. My Sublimation Dealer, Johnson Plastics told me to shift back to the regular ink and clean with it as it is thinner. Got everything open except the yellow then one of the 8 ran out of ink and everything stops.... In a panic with Christmas close at hand, I bid on 3 R1800's on eBay and won 2... Oops.... So they were on the way. Then I found a guy on eBay selling cleaning cartridges and ordered a set of 8. They are clear plastic with resetting chips and are filled with a almost clear mystery solution. Well it worked... Ordered a second set and store the extra R1800 with the cleaning solution. Also found the CIS bulk systems on eBay for the R1800 but have not hooked it up yet. Get the better pigment based bulk ink if you do. It's better than the dye. I use one on my Epson R220 and it works great. Also got a chip re setter on eBay for about $3.00 for the Epson ink cartridges. The same that a shop locally uses to refill ink cartridges by weight while you wait.... a good deal. With the CIS system I took a hot soldering iron to my R1800 and cut a bit of it away as when the hoses ducked under it on the left it slapped and was starting to put a hole in the ink tubes. Hope this helps... On the positive side of the business, traded in my old laser Engravers for 2 newer Epson units to a guy that has over 20 of the old ones. Wanted a Shop Bot but picked up a Sears CarveWright they call the Compucarve. Pretty happy with it, I know it is a hobby unit but it will meet my needs. V Carved signs. Bought a second unit that was a return to Sears for a great price. It had the Z encoder problem and drove into the board after a few cycles. Just sent the Z pack in for the warranty repair. On the www.carvewright.com forum I posted what I think caused all the failures.... Contamination from oil separating from the grease and the oil contaminated the encoder. So it's Sublimation, Laser Engraving, and V Carving.... If only the tourists would come back.... hard making a buck here in the winter.... Hope you have luck with your printer. AL

Let's see..... Nicer Weather, Nicer Trees, Nicer "Eye Candy"in SC. That's why I enjoyed 4 of them squid years in Norfolk, VA.... Nicer Weather, Nicer Trees, Nicer "Eye Candy"..... I know 3 families from PA that have relocated to SC.... Must be something great about it. I shure have taken this OFF TOPIC.... from employment to..... weather????.

Thank You for the welcome to the board and your reply's. As for what bot to get, most likely a 48 x 96. As from there.... since I am a Mr. Fix it when it comes to control panels and motors, I might look for a used unit in the North East. Then again I see the virtues of getting a new machine too. I like a 2 Z machines for flexibility. I played technician when I was a Squid for 20 years fixing Radars, Weapons Computers and a bunch of stuff like that. At Sony I fixed everything from Fanuc robots, conveyors, elevators, power supplies and Omron Program Logic Controllers at the San Diego Picture Tube plant. When I transferred to the Philly Service Center I did board level repairs on PlayStations and DVD's and stuff like that. The 17 inch CRT stuff I worked on in San Diego is now gone and the Philly Service Center is now closed. Cheaper to buy a replacement DVD then pay to get it fixed. Enough of that.... I have 3 operational 1st generation (13 years old) Laser Engravers and parts of 4 more.... for the Laser Engraving side of the Business. For the Sublimation side or color picture on a T-Shirt part of the business, I went with the latest Epson R1800 8 color bag bulk ink system and a 20 inch heat press. It just made sense to buy the latest as the ink is way too expensive in 3 color cartridges especially when one of three colors is empty and you must ditch the whole thing. I am still in start up, working on the Laser Exhaust System today. That's why I am here to learn.... Micro Stepper Bots make sense to me for more power and resolution. That's my story and I am sticking to it..... As for the Snow.... We have a Christmas Tree Farm so Winter is FUN.... Cute Chicks and kids in Snow Suits getting all excited about a Christmas Tree... AL

That's funny.... Welcome to San Diego, Enjoy your Visit, Then Leave.... I followed the directions on the sign.... Stayed 13 years, playing squid for the first 9 then retired. As the snow is getting ready to fly here, I wonder what I am doing in PA..... Yes, K-Girl does have some cute friends. The Laser Shop and Wood Shop last winter in PA, sure do miss San Diego.... Interesting offer but I don't have the skills yet. Signed up on this board as I liked what you had to say on the ShopBot board. Looking to buy a ShopBot next year, till then, learn what I can from experts like you. AL