slice&dice

Cool. Is that reflective 3-M (prismatic) vinyl? Where are the emergency lights hidden on this truck? Inside the front grill?

Congratulations, Dave. With just a few orders creating decals and doing applications, you'll have the money back for that unit. You might want to consider doing some SELF-PROMOTION coroplast 18"x24" bandit signs and place them where people will see that you're available for doing their vinyl-cutting jobs (when putting out those signs, do not violate local ordinances, of course )

Hi there, from the sound of it, you're doing just fine --- I know what you mean about not being an "artist" in the sense of being able to jump into Illustrator or Corel and churn out vector graphics. At my studio, I created my own little sign -- but it's more of an inside joke than anything, because I'm certainly by no means really an artist.

I've received the mat I ordered from US Cutter, but the grid pattern alignment seems a little bit off.

There is a product available to seal edges of vinyl. I use it for every job with fine lines or delicate details.

Well, you won't find THAT sort of stuff in the SignBlazer LiBRARY, for sure!!!!

Oh yeah, that's what I need -- Fonts galore. Now I'm like a kid in a candy shop!

It's strange, but since opening my own sign-making store, I have managed to create almost every job with just the graphics contained within the SignBlazer LIBRARY. And BrandsoftheWorld.com when I need a specific corporate logo (like State Farm, for instance) The SignBlazer LIBRARY has a lot of Australian corporations, which don't really help me! In fact, just this coming week, I'm lettering a truck for a guy who installs & services stoves (the wood-burning kind). Right there in the SB library is a nice little burning fire. Gotta love it.

Hello Scott, your posting is a perfect example of the versatility and different uses that the USCutter machines are offering to us. As you go along, please add some posts about tricks and tips you discover regarding masking and airbrush stencils. That type of feedback and artist's participation is what makes these forums enjoyable to everyone.

A while ago I bought a KEYSPAN adapter, but since then, I've gone ahead and set things up with this Dell Optiplex desktop that has a serial port, so I don't require the USB/Serial adapter anymore, and I'm selling it. If anyone wants it, send me a PM and we'll arrange the transaction.

It is called Photoluminescent Film (trade name -- GlowEFX) http://lmgtfy.com/?q=glow+in+the+dark+vinyl

You should be able to cut just fine with USB. Many people do. However, I decided to go with a serial connection because it's been proven to be more reliable and doesn't tend to give glitches. At first I was using the USB but when cutting longer jobs (for 12-foot banners, for instance) the machine would QUIT right in the middle. That frustrated me, so I changed to a serial port. Try working with USB and see if you experience any problems, you may not have any, and can just stay with USB. As for your room not having much space, believe me, you'll want to explore ways to increase the available working area, as you start doing banners that are 8' to 12' long and putting together signs on 4'x8' sheets of substrate. Best of luck, and let us know how you do....

Glad to have you with us --- Now you know what husbands are for !!! Which USCutter machine are you using?

Glad to get you going, I've also been experiencing a learning curve with this SC. For one thing, I abandoned the USB connection and went with serial port access. This involved the purchase of a desktop computer that had a serial port (my laptop did not) The SC is listed as the Li-Yu HF-1202. Try that.

Hmmmmmmmm, yes, it's very good that you were able to re-seat the cutter head (the black box that holds the blade in position and slides back&forth and moves the blade up&down) The blade will nearly be invisible to your eye, as it pokes out just a teensy-tiny little bit beyond the tip of the silver holder. In fact, you will swear it's not even sticking out, but if you can feel it with your fingertip, it is. As for the 'tracking" of the vinyl, the best way to see if it's straight is to manually run the vinyl up and down and see if it remains on the same alignment mark in the front of the machine. To manually run the vinyl, press ENTER, the display will change from "Local" and read "Origin" -- then press (and hold) the Up/Down arrows on the keypad. If you want minor adjustments, tap the keypad, don't hold the buttons. To return to cutting mode, press SELECT, display will read "Current" and then ENTER. Yeah, this is kinda confusing, but you'll quickly get the hang of manually adjusting the position of the cutter head, and setting it to the exact place you want on the vinyl surface.

*** DUPLICATE THREAD ***

Hey there, lil' cowgirl ---- let's slow down a bit, and see what we can do. First of all, what are you "printing"? Using what machine? Secondly, this is an international Forum, so you may not get anyone calling your number (long-distance to Texas from Australia, for instance) Thirdly, and probably most importantly, give us some indication of what version of Windows your new Dell has, and what version the Dimension had.

I'm at 1g (lowest possible force) and 600 speed. You may have to adjust the 3 pressure-roller tensioners in order to make sure the vinyl "tracks" straight as it goes through the machine (and don't let the cutter pull the vinyl from the roll, but rather unwind a length manually and have that hanging loose in the back)

I faced this same issue just last week, and here's what I did -- First of all, there's an existing screw with a nut on the bottom of the machine, marked with the GROUND symbol. That is a contact point to attach the wire. (Yes, you need to provide your own wire) The other end attaches to the stand, and in order to make sure of a good ground, I scraped/scratched off some of the paint and bolted the wire at that spot using a self-tapping screw.

To set my blade, I literally had to use a magnifying glass -- not kidding --

For sure, howdy. Is this you? --- http://themittenstate.com ---

Does a stuffed froggie count?

Hello and welcome.

This job turned into a version of the famous kids' game puzzle --

That is not a "proof" -- that is called a "mock-up" --- and from the looks of it, the letters are all squished together, and what the heck is that COLOR? Fluorescent ? However, it sounds like you have this all under control. You'll get a few hundred bucks in your pocket, and add it to your portfolio. Win-Win.