RegisG

Thanks everyone. I've now looked at some transparent samples and some of the perforated/printed on some trucks. I now understand why I will use 651 so that people can actually read it. And, you are right that it is easy to look "through" the lettering from the inside without impairing vision very much. Thanks again for "enlightening" me. Regis

What is reccommended and/or what do you do? I use my cutter 2 or 3 times a day but, not every day. It may be an hour or several hours between use. I'd like to know what is better for the cutter, leaving on entire day if I'm going to use it again (later) or turning it off between use. Appreciate advice, especially from anyone having trouble free use for year or more. Thanks, Regis

Sounds like the many folks that don't get the USB configured quite right. If you have serial connection on your PC, use it. If USB only, then you may read some of the solutions here but, USCutter support will call you back Monday-Friday if you leave message for tech support. Serial is problem free if you have it. Best of luck.

That is GREAT. I just today learned my lesson about bargain vinyl (ebay in this case). I bought one of those sample packs so I would have a variety of colors.... I have also bought a couple rolls of Oracal 651. I tried to make a 2 color today with the cheap vinyl and it didn't cut through one of the index(?) squares. Don't know why but, recut with Oracal perfectly. I suppose economy vinyl works but, may have to set pressure or other variables for different types. I'm sticking with Oracal 651 because I suppose you need a lot more experience for the others. Regis

Welcome! Glad to have you join. More people, more ideas, more experience, more help for everyone.

Did it just start doing this or are you setting up new machine? If new, be sure your blade is set correctly like para 3.2 in user manual.

Welcome. Don't know witch cutter you have but, the red buttons on each side stop the motor when the head hits the side (usually because home is set toooo close to where the program is driving the head) Welcome

Welcome. looking forward to seeing some of your artwork.

You do NOT need activation code to run your cutter. If you are talking about SignBlazer Elements, just use trial mode. I've cut lots of signs over the last few week with PCUT, SignBlazer Elements and NO activation code. Just plug it in, start the software and use it.

Thanks for "clearing" that up and that makes better sense...now to find some colors

You need a bender. Hermes sells small ones or many plastics dealers sell heat strip or 36" bender. Plastic engraver shops would have/use them.

Well, with my VAST (almost) 2 weeks experience, my cutting is working out fine but, I still need more practice weeding (and applying). Question: Occasionally > often while weeding, I mess up a letter (that I am trying to leave). I cut a couple letters that I messed up and put them on the original (fitting them in appropriately). Is there any risk to these not holding up because I moved them from one backing to another? Does it affect the adhesive? I guess I'm asking if this is a safe way to correct errors while I'm still on learning curve? Thanks, Regis

The airbrush and compressor are what is needed to get started. Cretex paint and other items you can get anywhere. I bought Paasche VLP and Paasche compressor (with water trap). The Eclipse is $72 at Chicago Airbrush. You might want to read some on http://www.airbrush.com/forums/default.aspx Lots of helpful people like here and using all kinds of airbrushes. REgis

"Rotate accross Vinyl" was exactly it. I don't know if that was the default or if I changed it when I 1st started but, that is easier to control than rotating (exactly 90 degrees) in the workspace. Thank you, Regis

I'm using 15" vinyl for now and I mostly have to rotate text on the workspace to fit lengthwise on the vinyl. Is there a setting somewhere in SBE to work horozontal in workspace and cut lengthwise on the vinyl? Or, am I looking at this all wrong and should be cutting everything in 15" peices? Rotating the text isn't a big deal but, I'm interested if there is a better way. Thanks, Regis

I'd like to know if I'm missing something or need a lot more practice. I've looked at a couple online videos showing weeding. They are nice large letters and they are taking off the vinyl around the letters. What I need to learn is much smaller and taking the letters and leaving the surrounding vinyl. Is that MUCH harder (than the videos) or am I just not getting the hang of it. Is there anything I can do in the s/w or cutter that will help? I bought 60 degree blades for small work but, have not put it on because I've not really done any letters smaller that about 1" yet. Using 45 degree blade and .25 in SBE, I have difficulty removing vinyl from around 1" letters...unless very fat fonts. Any tips or advice would be appreciated. I like videos but, would be difficult to make one of small work Thanks, Regis

Wow, that barcode is just the size detail that I need to learn and do. I never gave a thought to vinyl as being more/less diffiult weeding. I thought it was just a durability issue. Vinyl may be part of my problem as I have the ebay sample pack from USCutter and a little Oracle 651. Thanks Regis

I'm fairly new too but I can add my "Welcome" Regis

Jenny, I coppied/pasted your .jpg into SignBlazer Elements and it worked perfect. Convert to B/W and vectorize. The size & cut. What s/w are you using? Regis

I have SB Elements and tile works. After cutting just be sure to select next tile or you'll get the same one again. As you select different tile, it is highlighted on the cut screen Regis

Just got my PCUT today and a screw and small broken metal clip fell out. No answer at tech support and I don't want to spend a long weekend not even plugging it in :'( Can someone look at attached pictures and see if it is part of machine or just scrap from factory? Thanks Regis

Tech guy from USCutter did call back again (5'ish on Holiday weekend - WOW). He did not recognize the peices from a PCUT. He did take a couple minutes and helped with some minor "operator" problems. Just been wasting some vinyl and getting my footing into the learning curve. Regis

Went outside to get the mail and the tech support guy called from USCutter.....missed 'im :'( Well, I hooked it up and fired it up and it works great (now that I understand "origin" is at bottom right of image) Had one com port setting to match between PC & SB and was good to go. I hope that screw & broke clip don't come back to haunt me. Found LOTS of "getting started" help here so "thanks to all. Regis

Saw a question here on the forum asking how much a cutter was worth. The question/answer(s) got me thinking. If I use one for hobby, it is worth what is in my budget. If I'm making $3,000 a month with it, the value changes. If my "only" cutter is down and a BIG $$ client project is slipping away,,,,well, a lot more. So, what is YOUR machine worth? Mine keeps going up from the day I ordered!

I've gone to the NBM show in Charlotte, NC. Everyone should go to one somewhere, at least once. It's amazing how much you see. And demo's are great. See machines you (I for sure) would never afford to put in production. Sometimes you can try a machine. Lots of small freebie things. Great place to meet some tech folks but, mostly sales. Wear walking shoes Regis