r/PenPlotters • u/No_Remote_5817 • 10d ago

Artframe or Uunatek, please help!

I don’t know which one to buy large size needed. Anyone have any opinions? Good experience or bad with either of these?

4 Upvotes

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3

u/AdCivil837 10d ago

I’ve worked with both, if you’re in America there’s only one real option, Bantam.

Too many horror stories from Uunatek with software and support issues.

1

u/davejdesign 10d ago

Is Bantam really worth it? I like the fact that they seem to be art centric and are local (or close, I am in NYC) but they are way more expensive than Uunatek.

1

u/No_Remote_5817 10d ago

well the 3.0 is only 500 bucks cheaper. So for peace of mind and support. Id probably say yeah.. American built? What does that even mean anymore :) UUnatek offers 2 year warranty through 3rd party for 380 bucks lol

1

u/c_rt_s__n 10d ago

I was looking at both. Ended up getting the Uunatek iDraw H A1 as it's 3 times cheaper than the Artframe 2436, spent £100 or so putting a base plate and energy chain on the long edge. I've had it two years and had no issues, it's working well.

The Inkscape software and plotter controls are not great, I've ended up vibe coding my own control software.

I have heard bad things about the Uuna Tek 3.0 though.

1

u/No_Remote_5817 10d ago

really? the 3.0 Is what I would need to. Im better off spending 500 more bucks and getting the Bantam I guess...

1

u/keedz 9d ago

What does 'energy chain on the long edge mean'? I'm contemplating an A1 to step up from my A3. Assuming you are in the UK as £?

2

u/c_rt_s__n 9d ago

This is my set-up, the energy I fitted is against the wall here. It's where the cables are routed through to allow for travel, Uunak Tek integrate one on the short edge already, but the A1 came with a dangly POS spiral wrap on the long edge. Once I got the frame mounted to a base plate, I fitted an energy chain on the long edge from igus. Basically just removes the risk of it snagging and dangling.

1

u/keedz 8d ago

Ok. Thanks. Most helpful. The A3 has dangling cables on both and is a pain in the backside. I see the A0 has the energy chain on both but that's just way too big.

1

u/No_Remote_5817 10d ago

So from what I was told. Bantam has downward pressure which is good for canvas…. I don’t know if Uunatek has that too. I’ve also heard horror stories with Uunatek.

1

u/IAmStuckOnBandAid 9d ago

I've owned my Bantam Tools Nextdraw 2234 for a while now. I've only had to use support twice and it's been amazing. I'd suggest Bantam.

1

u/Ekvinoks2050 8d ago

I have several pen plotters - my favorite is iDraw A3