PT-1180 Labeling System

This was a used Brother labeling machine and was delivered exactly as described. You could tell it was used but used gently. It was much cheaper than buying a new one. This was to replace the one my wife had that quit working after she dropped it. She wanted the same machine again and this one worked out perfectly.

Replaced the one I've had for years. Works great, the number 4 size is just write for making Labels on Pendeflex hanging File Tabs. Had a devil of a time findihg directions for it on the web that would printed out properly. I used this info to reduce the excessive margins that was wasting tape. (Razor Blade Principle). The Tapes were extremely high priced (before Obama's inflation made them cheaper). I've a p-touch PT-65, PT-85, PT-1180 and a PT-D200. Diagnosis: An Obsessive Label Freak that labels everything! BUT, for an example, I have the Serial No.s for each of my three HP Laser Printers in #4 Font on each of them along with tray paper and envelope placement on the front Tray (as all three are different.). Toner Refill #'s on the side. Autos: All type ol Filter P/N's, and spark plugs W/Gap info on the Fire Wall. Dates of oil, filter, & Plug Changes on the air filter outer.

Awesome label maker

I won't go into detail, but this is so badly designed it is almost impossible to use with any efficiency. Should have returned it but just didn't get around to it. Tried using it again today and I am giving up and buying something else. Can't decide whether to trash it or give it to goodwill.

I'm so disappointed with the PT-xxxx line of labelers. The problem is that they FORCE the lead out on the tape to be 1". So, by default, you're wasting 1" of tape on the front and back. Not only is it a waste of tape, but I use this primarily for printing CD labels--something which does not have 1" on either side to spare. The PT-1200 (and other models too) have a "margin" feature, which allows you to reduce the 1" margin to something much smaller--HOWEVER, the only thing it does with this feature is to print on the tape a few dotted lines to MANUALLY cut on. So, not only are you STILL wasting tape in the lead-out, but now you have to manually cut on the dotted line with scissors (the end of the label is stopped properly at the margin width you set, but is still wasted on the front). This is the second model from Brother that I will return and I won't buy another Brother labeler in the 1000 series (yes, other models have the same "feature"). The PT-85 that I used to have worked fine, so apparently they made it worse with new features in the 1000+ series.

I returned Brother PT-1180 for two reason: 1. I could not make it work at all; somehow my co-worker get it started and we were able to print a couple of test labels, but then "BATTERIES" word began to flush. I put new batteries, so this was upsetting to me. They unit is very light and cute, so I really wanted to keep it. 2. I checked the tape. The quality on Black on White tape (which comes with the unit) is very good, but there is a really big problem: it takes efforts (and valuable time) to remove a backing. This is just a label, should be pill the backing off and apply a label. Done. But this was not the case. I do not have time to try to remove the back of the label, so I returned the unit and an extra tape that I bought. Better spend a little bit more, but have the right unit.

My wife wanted 1 thing for her birthday... a labeler to organize our home files, etc. when I presented the PT-1180 to her she danced with glee and ran off to play with it like a child with a new toy. Soon my teen-age daughters were begging to borrow it, but they had to wait their turn. The easy to use interface, the simple operation, and the great results kept me running to their shouts to see what else it can do.We just ordered one for the office as a result. Maybe I can get a turn?

Brother makes the best labelers. They are easy and reliable. My only beef with the Brother labelers is that they waste a lot of label. In other words, there is a lot of blank space at the beginning of each label you print. I have to manually cut off that wasted space, which is a nuisance, and then you obviously go through a label cartridge that much faster. Notwithstanding that annoyance, the labeler is indispensable for me. Makes home filing so much clearer. We use it for many things around the house.