Full Version: Dahlgren Wizzard--what has effectively replaced them
From: Peter [#1]
15 Nov 2006
To: ALL
Dahlgren Wizzards were one of the best , hard working, constant ,non resting...full at it machines.
They are / were able to engrave finer, quicker and more profitablly than many other machines.
They are stil reveered today, yet newer machines come out with super fandangle software...and none can seem to compete with the simplicity, rapidity and durability of the Wizzards...
Can anyone suggest what if anything is up to scratch with the early Dahlgren wizzards today ?
what can do the daily grind as quickly , cleanly and efficiently as the old Dahlgren wizzards ?
regards
Peter
EDITED: 16 Nov 2006 by DGL
From: Dee (DEENA-ONLY) [#2]
15 Nov 2006
To: Peter [#1] 16 Nov 2006
Nothing.
Dee
From: Bob (ALLSPORT) [#3]
16 Nov 2006
To: ALL
Certainly excellent machines, but no way are they fast. Very slow and tedious computer hardware with a display that takes eons to refresh, and glacially slow carriage movement.
Superb engineering for its day and rock-solid reliability, but the newer machines are huge improvements, particularly those with servo motors.
We inherited a Wizzard 2 when we purchased the business over 10 years ago, and it did grand service for many years until going into semi-retirement (as an emergency backup) a while ago. It still gets an occasional run, but I don't think you could kill it with an axe!
From: BrianC (INKSQUIRTER) [#4]
16 Nov 2006
To: Peter [#1] 16 Nov 2006
The XL was my first engraving machine...purchased in 1990. I know it's painfully slow reviewing jobs but this is a true wonder of its time. I travel with mine quite often and I find it a joy to work with on the road.
The font quality is truly outstanding....
I use mine for all types of jewelry and the self centering feature is great.
I am sure there are newer and better today....but I hear nothing but raves for the Wizzards.
Wizzard XL............I SALUTE YOU! :-)
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#5]
16 Nov 2006
To: Bob (ALLSPORT) [#3] 4 Feb 2007
I disagree. Screen refresh was instant compared to the New Hermes cartridge controllers.
Travel speed was what you set it for. I installed a mod, a microswitch that jumped the XY speed control to max when the spindle came up between letters. That was the only real defect I thought the machine had. One year we set up the old XL to do binder plates during Christmas. I used to run 8 fonts on line at a time. (Reprogrammed the carts to contain multiple fonts.)
The only other problem was the filter in the motor that caused brushes and rotors to wear too fast. Adding two small resistors solved that problem.
I use the NH IS400's now. They are really fast and outrun the setup of the next job on most small jobs. And that is with a model for every item we carry. 2" per second on drag makes a job disappear fast. Plaques with bit changes take a bit longer, or is that a bite longer.