Wizard 8000 or 8500?

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Dave

Dave

SPFG, Supreme Picture Framing God
Joined
Jun 11, 2004
Posts
13,355
Loc
Edwardsburg, MI
I have a Wizard 8000 on order.

Wonder if I made a mistake and should upgrade to the 8500 if possible.

Main differences I see are:

1.) 15 inches per second instead of 7.5 inch cutting time.

2.) Debossing package included.

3.) Straight line cutter.

4.) $ 250.00 more for license and $ 70.00 more a month on jr program.

Any random thoughts out there? I probably could upgrade if I call soon.
 
Did you even consider the Fletcher/Valiani?

It is starting to look to me like you can get a superior machine at a lower monthly payment and own it after 5 years.

Is there anyone out there in Grumble-land that would care to share your experiences with the "i" series Fletcher?

It sounds like the way to go.
 
I did consider the Fletcher and think it is an awesome machine, but they don't (or didn't at the time I looked at them) offer a rental program.
 
jP ...did you get the debossing pkg yet?


I thought I'd hold off until I get the 8000 up and running before dropping some more bucks, but can see the potential.
 
With the exception of the debossing tools the difference is more dependent on your volume needs. Do you need to cut mats twice as fast? Can you use the CMC part of the Wizard 8500 while sizing mats with the straight line cutter, or is it one or the other kinda thing? I prefer dedicated machinery, but if the two functions can be used simultaneously, perhaps there is an advantage.
 
I have an 8500. Still haven't put the trimmer on it, because my wall cutter is only a couple steps away. I can see now that an 8000 probably would've been just fine. The 8500 is pretty darn fast!

Whatever you get, I suggest that you get the program with unlimited corners. I know I easily use over 1,000 corners a month, just on demos and practicing the different cuts, some of the "fancier" ones use a ton of corners! So, I don't hesitate to cut, practice, demonstrate, design whatever I want because I "might use up too many corners" and have to buy more! Never have to think about it.

I decided on the 8500 so I wouldn't have to upgrade later, being optimistic that my business will grow to the point that I'd need to. I have not regretted my decision once.
 
Dave

I, like Val, have had my Wizard (8000) for about 6 months. Love it, but.....I did upgrade to unlimited corners last month. I'm a small pro shop but that corner rental thing quickly lost it's appeal. I was buying additional corners and always worrying about how many corners a particular mat required. Now I could care less. Really opens up your design ability.

But the "I" series Fletcher deal looks very lucrative. I'm checking it out at the WCAF.

Call me if you want.....574.737.8374

Tom
 
You probably don't need the 8500 unless you're a high volume shop. I have the 8500, and I like the speed, but I don't need it at this time. In any case, the speed of the machine is still limited by how fast you can put matboard in and take matboard out. Frankly, I think it's better to work a little more slowly and carefully.

I also took off the straight-line cutter. I had problems aligning it properly (my own fault), but you have to remove it any time you cut a 40x60 mat. I just use my multi-use Fletcher 3000 for straight-line cuts.

I'm waiting on the debossing tool. Someone said elsewhere you have to sell quite a few of those enhancements to pay for the tool. Unless you already have customers that regularly want v-grooves, you probably aren't going to sell alot of debossing.
 
Great input from everyone.

I think I'm making the right choice with the 8000 instead of the 8500. Most of my work is one ups ...currently very little production work.

Thanks.

The other question I would pose is that I plan on using the workstation for four uses:

1.) Wizard

2.) FrameReady

3.) Internet access

4.) Lieberman's via the internet where customers could search for prints

My work flow is such that one application wouldn't step on the other and Steve from Wizard indicated that there would be no conflicts. I wanted to place the work station about 24 feet away from the cutting unit and he also indicated cableing would not be a problem. However, he did state that it might not be advisable to have the workstation so far away in case I needed to halt a cut job.

If I have to halt a job wouldn't it already be screwed up anyway?

Any thoughts?
 
Dave, as far as halt goes. It might already be screwed up but there might be other reasons, such as
  • you need to answer the phone, but want to watch progress for fallouts slipping, etc.
  • you have a customer come in, and same as above.
  • you do get a screw up, but don't want to waste anymore corners on the Jr. plan.
  • you get a screw up and you need to stop right now, because of all of the funny noiese coming from the jammed machine.
Could you possible use a wireless keyboard from that distance? Then all you have to do is hit the right key to pause/resume. I mean then you could take the wireless keyboard from your workstation over to the Wizard while using it.
 
My Wizard computer is right next to it. Steve's right, when you need to halt a job, you need to halt it right now!! It makes a heck of a scary noise if the blade gets jammed. Rarely, but I wouldn't want to be 20 feet away from it when it happens. Halting a job doesn't necessarily happen because something's screwed up, either. Sometimes you might want to skip an opening, or for some other reason.

I like being able to stand right there while it's cutting. Also, if you're doing production mats, that's a lot of walking back and forth to load matboard.
 
There is a red emergency stop button on the machine.

If you are going to use the computer for other purposes, there are two things you will need --

1) enough RAM to operate your visualization system (IF is a memory hog)
2) antivirus software, which does not come preloaded onto the computer
 
Dave, the important thing to note is that you made the plunge. Welcome to the world of cmc. Your quality of life has just improved. I have been very happy with my Wizard 8000.
 
j Paul said:
Are you kidding Paul? I don't see no "red emergency stop button" on my 8000. Where is it?
Click to expand...

Only the 8500 and 8500e have the Stop Button. The 8000 did not. All models are abortable via keyboard.
 
YIKES!!!

I just got word that my Wizard shipped and is due in on Friday.

I feel just like an expectant father!!!

Gotta go out and buy some cigars!!!
The "nursery" is not quite ready yet either!!!

:icon11:
 
Make sure to have help on hand to set it up. My husband and I did it together in an evening, but it is definately not a one-person project.....trust me!!

Congratulations!! You're gonna love it!!
 
The only other problem with the keyboard being far away is if you use the plunge counter. Every 40 or 60 plunge cuts it will stop and ask you to change the blade, you will have to hit any key when you want it to resume.

Also, DO NOT TRY TO SET IT UP YOURSELF! I did and it was a bit cumbersome to move and setup alone.

You won't regret getting one, I have had mine just over a year and haven't looked back.


Bob
 
Dani said:
Only the 8500 and 8500e have the Stop Button. The 8000 did not. All models are abortable via keyboard.
Click to expand...
What Dani said. But you don't really want to use that Red Emergency button, but stop the cutting by hitting any key on the keyboard (or is it just the Enter key instead, I forgot). I accidentally pushed it in when I was dusting, got off balance and my hand landed on it, and it started acting all weird after that. Had to call tech support. You have to go in and reboot, or reconfigure, or something like that, if you do use it. It confuses the Wiz somehow.
 
Sorry about that -- I have one on my 8500, and figured they would have such a safety feature on the 8000 too. Well, just keep your fingers away from the gantry, folks.
 
I'll rethink my configuration. Thanks for confirming what Steve said.

I'm looking forward to getting things set up after all the encouragement.
 
ha ha dave
It will be christmas for you tomorrow!`
don't plan on getting any work done after you get it & set it up .
You will spend all day just playing doing this doing that. Oh You might as well call it a vacation day!~ LOL
 
It came in today and I am planning on a set-up for Monday when I'm officially closed. Planned on prepping the area (cleaning out the clutter) today but was busy at the design counter most of the day. In addition first thing this AM my hard drive crashed on my computer ...yech!

Tonight I'm off to a customer's house for dinner and to pick up some more work. She said she'd have some Grey Goose ready for us too! :) I'm ready!

Tomorrow I hope to get the area set up and cleaned.

Sunday I'm supposed to head up to Troy, MI for a PPFA chapter meeting ...so I guess I won't be able to do the install until Monday.

Thanks for all the input and encouragement.
 
Well, I got the area all cleaned up and ready to set up the Wizard! Unpacked the computer and got it all hooked up and am Grumbling on it now.

I need to formulate some brackets to hold the unit away from the wall since I decided to set it on a strong long desk.

Decided to not go to Troy tomorrow for the PPFA Chapter meeting. Should go, but I have an absolute mess in the store now that needs to be cleaned up and I am anxious to get the Wizard set up ...plus lots of work to get out.

Hope to have it up and running on Sunday but can't contact them until Monday if I run into trouble.

Good friend and Grumbler Gumby does installs for Wizard and said I could call him if I need help. Thanks, Bud!
 
Well, I got my Wizard 8000 up and running! I ended up wall mounting it with the space saver brackets.

I can easily see that I'll get off the Jr. Program pretty quickly especially if I start doing those Lost Wages mats!

Right now I'm running off a SEARS type tank compressor and I jump through the roof every time the thing goes on. I'll order a silent compressor soon.

:icon21:
​
 
Remember Dave, the best insurance is a clean fresh blade. I know I change out more often than I need to but the price of a blade verses the price of a mat is big... Congrats on the new partner in your business. I love to Wizard...
 
Thinking of putting on my sign:


"Come See What
The Wizard
Can Do for You!"



Any other suggestions to generate interest?
​
 
Great now we have a Wizard in Indiana's largest State park!~ "Southwest Mich.?" LOL
 
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