LeviTheDog

The new GC871 arrived about 10 days ago. With my insane work schedule, it's been frustrating trying to find a few hours to sit down and play with it. I finally found a little time to get it set up and working. The first real sign I made with it was this three-layer number http://indydoorguy.com/jpegs/24hour.jpg Happy with the way that turned out, I moved to trying my hand at something a little larger.. the new company logo. http://indydoorguy.com/jpegs/idg.jpg My door business is still a couple months away from opening day. (Still dealing with the lawyers, accountants, insurance people, etc., etc.) Between now and then, I plan on working up the truck graphics a little at a time. I'm using my old Ford Explorer as practice canvas. With a little luck, it will soon be hard to find the SUV under all the vinyl.

I'm using the forum like crazy! Just haven't had time to post much.. yet. The new cutter arrived last Wednesday. Finally some time to get it set up over the weekend and make a few cuts. Most of that time has been spent searching the forum to figure out where I screwed up. So far, the solution to every one of my dumb mistakes has been found on the pages of this forum! I'm just now learning enough to make more intelligent mistakes.

lol! Don't think I can figure all this out in time to do that in vinyl.. wonder if something in crayon might work. I have got the plotter pen to work. The only problem I had with it was getting SBE to communicate with it via COM2. I uninstalled the SBE that was on the computer and then reinstalled it using the cd sent with the cutter. It worked like a charm. One question before I head off for another day of work. (Hopefully I'm allowed at least one stupid question per day.) Under the cutter head is what looks like a strip of masking tape that runs the entire length of the GC871's bed. Is that just packaging that should be removed? Or is it some vital part of the machine? I don't want to mess anything up. Of course on the other hand, there is a good chance that I'll come home tonight to find that the Mrs. smashed the entire thing into little pieces. Should that happen the tape thing won't matter.

Update FedEx came just as she was waking up. She called me at work to let me know the packages came in. No fireworks, no harsh words.. kinda like it was no big deal. Then she asked what it was. "Just some sign stuff..". She simply said "Oh. OK." Now I'm really scared. Every married man knows what those words mean. So anyway, Everything arrived well packed and in good shape. I've assembled the 34" GoldCut's stand and set the cutter on top. No problem with any of that. It sure LOOKS impressive. A little office re-arranging is going to have to happen before I can hook it all up and take it for a test drive. It took me a bit to find the directions. They were on a tiny, unmarked cd. Once I popped that in the manual came up with pretty good instructions. So far I'd have to say that the cutter is much more than I expected. When the Mrs. comes home and sees this thing she is going to think I spent a WHOLE lot more than I did.

Thanks for all the moral support. It's "D-Day" and I've not had the chance to tell her about it yet. I work days, she works nights and we're both working long hours right now. Think I'll just let it be a surprise. I can't wait to get the phone call today telling me about how the FedEx driver woke her up delivering my f-in stuff. (Putting a note on the door for driver to ring doorbell loudly.) I'll keep you all informed.. if I'm still able.

After weeks of researching this and other forums about buying a low-cost vinyl cutter I ended up ordering one Sunday night from USCutter. Monday morning, I woke to an email with my order confirmation. I saw that while doing the add-to-cart-remove-from-cart-to-keep-the-order-total-in-budget dance, I accidentally removed a roll of black vinyl. So I called them. I didn't want to pay an additional $10 to ship a $15 roll of vinyl. They fixed my mistake and added the roll to the original order with no problem. That's just wrong. Companies that sell low-cost items online are suppose to give their customers the runaround.. if they even answer the phone. But here is the BIG problem. Most places that offer insanely low shipping take at least 10 days to get the product to you. I was expecting the new cutter and supplies to arrive next week sometime. I figured next Monday at best. That would have given me the chance to "butter up" my wife this coming weekend and gently break the news that "we" just spent around $550.00. No such luck. This morning, Tuesday, I get the FedEx tracking info saying the packages will be here tomorrow. 3 day delivery for under $10 is nuts. I'm so screwed...

Thanks for the reply. Guess I'll just bite the bullet and spring for the more pricey vinyls.. maybe get the cheaper stuff to experiment with. Still unsure about gloss v/s matte. Probably best to just get some of each and go from there. Found the app fluid recipe. Guess I should have searched a litter harder before asking. Also found some info on using Inkscape in Linux as a possible cutting solution? I have an extra computer laying around so I might give that setup a try too. Thanks again for the info. Looks like I have a little more reading up to do on the quality differences of application tape. Just have some of the cheap stuff in the shopping cart right now...

I'm a bit confused on a few things. 1. Printer Stand with Refine GoldCut Vinyl Cutters. USCutter 24" GC-series Vinyl Cutter Without Stand USCutter 24" GC-series Vinyl Cutter with Stand (+$40.00) USCutter 34" GC-series Vinyl Cutter (+$70.00) After reading this and other forums for over the past several days, I think I'm settled on picking up the Refine GoldCut machine. Does the 34" come with the stand? If not, is a stand available for it? The way I understand it, $30 gets you an extra 10 inches. That's a better deal than those emails I keep getting 2. Vinyl for vehicle graphics. Everything suggests that Oracal 751 is the way to go. Yet, the Vehicle Graphics Starter Kit comes with Oracal 651. If the Intermediate Calendared Vinyl is acceptable for use.. would the GreenStar version be just as good? Or, if layering, would it be best to use a base of 751 and the less expensive 651 or GreenStar on top? 3. Vinyl for vehicle graphics part 2. More of an opinion on taste about white vinyl on a black truck. Does the matte finish look better? I'm thinking glossy white would look a little gaudy against the black paint. 4. Software SignBlazer Elements (Permanent Trial) SignCut Productivity Pro (1-year license) Flexi Starter 8.6 for WIN with dongle [+$60.00] I've downloaded SBE and frankly don't like what I've seen so far. The way I understand from reading posts here.. you just have to live with the nag screens? No longer supported? No future updates? Is the version that comes with the cutters any better than what can be found online? Is SignCut a better option? or Is it worth just forking out the $60 for Flexi Starter? Is there a better option I'm overlooking? 5. Splash Application Fluid I've installed pre-cut vinyl a few times in the past. I just used plain old water in a spray bottle for wet application of vinyl with good results. What's so special about Splash? Is it worth getting? Is it nothing more than concentrated water? Here's the deal: I'm going into business for myself in a few months. (Garage door and Opener Co.) For starters, I'll have 3 service trucks on the road. After getting a few quotes to sign the trucks.. I've decided to just buy the equipment and do it myself. A side benefit will be the ability to put my logo on tee's, hats, etc. as needed. I'll also be able to do my own shop signage and work up a few promotional items. (Impressed with that etched glass work I've seen on here!) Money is tight, and every spare dime is going toward building up inventory and the never ending list of other expenses associated with starting up a business. After looking at the options, I believe I can get more bang for my bucks by doing my own sign work. In the early 90's, I owned and operated a screenprinting shop, doing most of my artwork in CoralDraw. Since that time I've done several freelance artwork jobs for websites and a variety of print mediums. Me and vectors get along just fine. Sorry for the many questions and the very long post. I don't mind paying for what I need.. just don't want to spend more than necessary right now.