Getting Ready to Order CP2500

[7racecar7 0]

I have a few last minute question before I hit submit on my order for the CP2500

I have been trying to decide on the CP2500 vs the LP Cutter w/ CONTOUR CUTTING

My Main Goal is to get my Race Car done:  http://renningerracing.com/2009.html  and try and do enough jobs to pay for the machine.

My Questions are:

1.  What is Contour Cutting? and Does the CP2500 do it? Is it a necessity?

2.  Do both machines put out reference marks?  From what I read, reference marks will help me when I have to double layers, something like a shadow on a number.

3.  Can I use 24" inch Avery Vinyl?  I ask as Ive seen some footage on youtube and the ends of the vinyl had holes in it to feed it through like an old school printer.

Thank you for your help,

Nervously Anxious...

[routesmith 0]

Basically contour cutting is cutting out something that you have printed, pictures, whatever. I have a laserpoint and it works great, I dont have a copam though, Im sure someone else will chime in here.

so.

1. already answered not sure about the copam but I think so.

2. neither puts out ref marks, nor do they read them , the LP has a laser pointer where YOU would center the light on your marks that you print on the paper or vinyl you are cutting.

You do NOT need a contour cutter to do that,  regular vinyl cutter will do. You can still choose any model and it will work. but dont get caught up on the contour cutting feature unless you really need it.

3. yes 24" vinyl is 24" vinyl, if it has holes, that sucks but they ARE included with the 24" if that makes any sense.

Wayne

[7racecar7 0]

Thanks for the reply,

Have you done any multi layer vinyl? Is it difficult without reference marks?

Im 100% new at this but it seems that if i would line up two corners like a sticker on top of another sticker that will do the job...

[Rodger 527]

Hey ,

The software puts the ref marks . All softwares have that capability . You can put a circle, square, etc in the corners to align multi layers . piece of cake when installing wet .

[routesmith 0]

Yes, exactly as Rodger has said, definately have done 5 layer vinyl, no problem just make squares or circles then copy and paste then change color to match your other layer, do 2 circles or squares on each design.

Wayne

[Rodger 527]

Hey Wayne ( buy any new Motorcycles ?  ) ,

I think the easiest way is to make the reg marks a seperate color & cut that color with every other color . That may have been what you said , but I was not sure

  Rodger

[7racecar7 0]

well im in now...

  Order Completed

CP2500,  any beginner words of advice with this machine?

[Guest fivestar]

Don't order it........ ;) J/K....From everything I've heard you chosen a very good machine.  Download and install Sign Blazer and start playing around with it to get a feel for it before your cutter comes in.

Also be sure and order vinyl and supplies if you haven't already done that.

[7racecar7 0]

REVIEW: Well very plug and play for the most part, windows Vista actually installed the driver and good to go via USB.  I ordered the Sign cut with it and right from Illustrator to Sign cut piece of cake and from there you can change the measurements to inches and resize and cut. 

The machine is everything the reviews say.  Durable Durable Durable....

Now...The blade was confusing as I over thought it....pretty much put in set blade and tighten. 

TEST:Well that got me to cut the test cut from the software sign cut X2...it was a very fine cut piece and it did bunch up in some areas (meaning that there was a very small line to cut maybe 1/16 of an inch and when it cut it, it pushed up the cut) but i did not change anything from the defaults of the software and im sure there is a way to fine tune it....

I then cut my first piece, a very easy outline piece....basically a standard flame...it cut the way i expected.  then i went on to something more detailed....a spider web...

HELP: This is where I think i need advice...my problem is that i created it in illustrator with the pen tool and then moved it to Sign Cut X2 and it looked fine but when I cut it it just cut the lines i had drawn...im sure there is an easy way for this but may actually be harder to explain ...

in the end i want a cut out of a spider web with the actual web part vinyl...my problem is finding a way to make the line i draw a double line, anyone catch what im saying?

and finally this is only my 3rd cut so in no way do i have this machine tuned correctly...my question what would be the first things i can do to improve my cuts?  I noticed on one of the cuts i did there were two area where it looked like the cut was a little jagged...any idea what that would be?

[Alien 11]

First check your blade depth sticking out of the holder. Half a credit card thickness sticking out. I used the computer monitor as a backlite to set mine. Too much sticking out makes the knife pull the vinyl on sharp turns. Slow ur speed down alot from fac default until u get better feel for it.

[7racecar7 0]

Did a lot more cuts today, I think I got it cutting pretty good...had to cut a 6 ft graphic did ok when it went around the first time but it went back for a second round and it was off...i messed with the software and now it only goes around once...not sure what i changed.

Im using Sing Cut X is there a better program out there? It imports from illustrator perfectly but its been cutting off the top of graphics when I use the program to cut the graphic up into sections.

ive tried sign blaster and it crashes when i try to bring in a photos or adobe file....im running vista...for now...

i also turned down the speed to 10 and pressure to 60 and angle to .25 and the software is set to 0.  Are there any other adjustments you would recommend?

Thank you for all you help.

[tlzimmerman 11]

As far as cuttnig your spider web out, what you need to do is draw your line......then stroke it to the width you want.  Once you have your stroke set, you need to convert your stroke to paths...this will put 2 lines on the outside just like you want insted of a single cut down the center.  Not sure where the option is in illy, can look later if you need me to.

REVIEW: Well very plug and play for the most part, windows Vista actually installed the driver and good to go via USB.  I ordered the Sign cut with it and right from Illustrator to Sign cut piece of cake and from there you can change the measurements to inches and resize and cut. 

The machine is everything the reviews say.  Durable Durable Durable....

Now...The blade was confusing as I over thought it....pretty much put in set blade and tighten. 

TEST:Well that got me to cut the test cut from the software sign cut X2...it was a very fine cut piece and it did bunch up in some areas (meaning that there was a very small line to cut maybe 1/16 of an inch and when it cut it, it pushed up the cut) but i did not change anything from the defaults of the software and im sure there is a way to fine tune it....

I then cut my first piece, a very easy outline piece....basically a standard flame...it cut the way i expected.  then i went on to something more detailed....a spider web...

HELP: This is where I think i need advice...my problem is that i created it in illustrator with the pen tool and then moved it to Sign Cut X2 and it looked fine but when I cut it it just cut the lines i had drawn...im sure there is an easy way for this but may actually be harder to explain ...

in the end i want a cut out of a spider web with the actual web part vinyl...my problem is finding a way to make the line i draw a double line, anyone catch what im saying?

and finally this is only my 3rd cut so in no way do i have this machine tuned correctly...my question what would be the first things i can do to improve my cuts?  I noticed on one of the cuts i did there were two area where it looked like the cut was a little jagged...any idea what that would be?