Melco... Am I over my head?

Level10 Bodywear

I have a need to have my logo embroidered on the bodywear that I produce. I am not an embroiderer.

I am looking at purchasing a used single head Melco at auction. I figure I can handle the mechanics of running the machine as I work with sewing machines daily. Would it be possible to pay someone to create the file I would need to run the logo?

Does this seem to be a reasonable plan? Are there any major pit falls to be aware of?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Daniel

Robert Young

hi, just my thought, but if you are only expecting enough work for a singlehead, then wouldn't it be cheaper (at least for quite a while) to just hook up with a local embroiderer for this? Spend your talent creating your product (and marketing it if you have to do that yourself) instead of using valuable time and resources in learning to sew and actually embroiderering? Your local embroiderer has already learned thru all the mistakes that you will have to learn thru if you try and do this task yourself too.

__________________
Modern Embroidery Designer
www.volant-tech.com
www.volantfineart.com

krutoypank

To be honest with you Melco is not a good product to start learning with anyhow.
I would buy The PR600 or PR620 machine to learn on, they are incredibly easy to use and learn. You can have your design digitized and then use it straight in the machine from USB drive so you dont even need any kind of digitizing software to start with.
And if you are looking for a digitizer I would be more than happy to have your design come to life, i will digitize it for you.

If you are looking for something larger and faster than Brother PR600 then I would strongly suggest buying either SWF or Tajima machine. They are the best out there.

I owned Melco machine and was very unhappy with it.

Thanks

PM me if you need your logo digitized.

Level10 Bodywear

I appreciate the input. I am certainly giving consideration to using an embroidery contractor.

I will check out the Brother PR600. If I go this direction I certainly need as simple a machine as possible. My need for this machine is for a small one color logo.

Thanks again,
Daniel

Earl Smith

Point to watch out for with the Melco. The machine I saw needs two softwares . One is the Operating software and the other will be the digitising software. If you are buying second hand then you will need to get the licence for the OS transfered to your name with Melco. Not cheap.
Brother Pr machines are superb. I have a friend who started her business over 3 years ago with one and she still uses it every day . Worth looking at. They also have simple software installed for lettering and some easy designs.
Earl.

dangig

IVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR ALONG TIME!!

and honestly i started with a contractor and i needed my stuff in lets say 2 days which was fine he could produce. but when he got busy i could sometime wait a month for 2 pcs.
which is not good. if your going to invest in embroidery theres a few things everyone needs to know before getting into it.

#1 the machine doesn't do all the work. you need to guide it. The machine is only as smart as you are.

#2 a melco is comletely out of the question, your going to purchase it and 3 months down the line contemplate if embroidery is a good business. i use to have melcos they broke broke and broke more.

#3 the pr600 is a good machine but honestly buy a tajima. theyre resale is fantastic, i bought 2 4 heads for 14k and just sold them seperately for 9 each, i made money!

#4 digitizing, you need a good digitizer the machine is only as good as the tape and the operator is. If the operator is good and the tape is crap you will have a bad product,

Level10 Bodywear

Unfortunately the price of a tajima is out of my league. I have very small production at this point and couldn't amortize the cost.

I expect that I will run into the issues mentioned in the previous post. I need to ship very quickly to satisfy my customers.... If I had to wait a week to get embroidery I would be in trouble.

I appreciate all of the comments. It has given me a lot to think about.

Are there any Denver based members that might be able to chat with me about these issues?

regards,
Daniel

bigmacatac

Funny Melco machine are getting a bad reputation from these people. I have 8 different Melco machine from ep1's to emc 10's and have little or no problems with them. If you have a brain at all and some computer skills you can fix the minor issues yourself. as far as software goes you don't need two different softwares we use Generations and it works just find. the difficulties lie in getting the info into the machines for which you need Melco software to communicate (which also can scan,digitize), and we also own (and use). if buying a used machine it's buyer beware as some sellers are looking to pawn off non-working machines or all types.

Eric

To quote my friend Dan

"A cuisineart can beat a Melco"

I own about 600 heads now. All Barudan and Tajima ... Mostly Barudan, I know that Tajima and Barudan can be A LOT of money, but they are worth every penny.

If you do have very small production then perhaps look into the Brother PR600 its very easy to use, and can help with the learning cure assosiated with a true commercial machine down the road if you outgrow your PR600

I've owned a Melco, one, It was garbage garbage garbage. After my 3rd machine died in under a year, I took them to court for a refund. Also the stitch quality doesn't even compare to Tajima or Barudan. They're loud, and rather crude. Where are Barudan or Tajima machines are so quiet and nimble.

Level10 Bodywear

I just had a solicitation from HeFeng Embroidery Machines Ltd.
http://www.hefengmachine.com/products-04.html

Has anyone had experience with these machines?

Daniel