Yet Another machine question...

keljohnso · January 12th, 2012, 08:04 PM

Please help me decide on a machine for a start up.

Ricoma RCM-1201PT
vs.
SWF/E-1501C

Is the SWF/E-1501C worth $1800 more?

I was going to add the Hoopmaster and the 8-n-1 device to the Ricoma which would still put it $1000 less than just the SWF/E-1501C by itself. $1000 sure would buy a bunch of blanks.

widners · January 12th, 2012, 09:41 PM

SWF for sure out of those two. Read some more here:
http://www.google.com/#q=ricoma&hl=e...w=1273&bih=702

Robert Young · January 13th, 2012, 08:39 AM

sorry, between these two options I would strongly vote for the SWF. I know it will cost more up front... but I think when you look back a year or two from now and factor in what the machine really cost you in downtime, maintenance, lack of support, etc... you will wish you had paid a bit more up front. If you had put Tajima in the question I would have voted for that one though.. but that would set you back even more up front.

Think of resale as well... might happen.

I own 3 swf machines that I bought in 2004 and not one time have I had to have any maintenance person come ... but I was already familiar with Tajimas for over a decade, so they are very similar so I was able to handle anything we needed. so far. I would have gone with Tajima myself but the particular custom machine I was looking at the price difference was nearly $30,000, so THAT I could not justify. No resale probably on something so custom as well. So I opted for the SWF and have been completely satisfied.

powerstitch · January 17th, 2012, 02:21 AM

Robert, if you had an option to get barudan, tajima or swf all at the same price, which one would you pick?

Robert Young · January 17th, 2012, 08:21 AM

I would buy Tajima. I started with them 23 years ago as a 12 head operator and have helped in rebuilding more than one due to fires or other disasters. So I just feel more comfortable with them personally. Plus there are many more professionals in my local area who have them that I could use as support if I ever needed it.
I have not used a barudan since they changed their heads from round to straight, so I don't know enough about them to make me want to buy one. Too many bad memories of hats being ripped off the machine because we put the thread on the wrong needles, lol

Sulp · January 18th, 2012, 12:09 PM

Tajima for sure. But Barudan makes a very nice machine.

sydney.fedesna · January 18th, 2012, 10:57 PM

Robert, you are more than welcome to come and play around on my Barudan once it is finally here!! T-minus one week

Sydney

Robert Young · January 19th, 2012, 09:50 AM

cool. I know they have changed tremendously since I last used one. I am sure you are excited!!

So, Keljohnso.. have you made your decision yet?

keljohnso · January 19th, 2012, 12:03 PM

I have. I'm going with the Ricoma 12 color machine. I searched all over and the reviews I found were just about equal. I found people who were happy with their Ricoma machines and people who weren't. Most of the unhappy peoples post were older. I think it's kinda like buying a car, you get some lemons and bad dealerships.

This salesman is very communicative. Even called me back from an airport when I left him a message!!!

The $1800 I save will be used to buy the Hoopmaster, and the 8-n-1 device.
The package comes with 20,000 stock images. I figure most of the "stock images" available by all the dealers are probably like MS Word clipart, most suck and you'd never use them anyway. If I have more available, maybe more are usable. They have training and lifetime support and weekly webinars.

Now if I can recover from the bait-and-switch the leasing company put me through, I'll be good! (exclamative removed)