lilypoo

I thought I'd update! I called US Cutter and the tech e-mailed me a PDF that is a "super grounding guide." We followed the instructions and ran a bunch of wires here to there on the machine, stand, etc. and got it all grounded up. I also ordered the keyspan adaptor and got it running with that. I went on vacation right after we did all this but before I left I had about a 75% success rate cutting out 24x36 sheets of names...so lots of detail. Once it stopped mid-cut which was annoying as all heck but everything was better. Since I've returned, I've now had an issue with SCALP recognizing the SC when I am using the keyspan. Actually had to take it off to use the machine this AM. Nothing changed while I was gone, other than my teens using my computer to try to print homework (and somehow messing up my connection with my wireless printer). So now I'm in trouble-shooting mode with the keyspan. I'd like to be able to keep using it...ack! In good news, I just cut four 39" long designs with no issues. On USB. Huzzah!!

I'm definitely upgrading as soon as I can! Either a Titan or the CE-6000. I can't wait!! My SC is behaving a little better today since I upgraded SCALP but I haven't cut anything large yet. We shall see! GC, I get you! No offense taken. I started doing work for others in November of last year, so I'm only about 4-5 months in. I used a Cameo until I got the SC. I did a lot of work with it but as I started doing larger and larger signs, I knew I needed something that could handle larger media. My confidence is high and until this vinyl roll massacre courtesy of the SC, I'd never even come close to missing a deadline. I learned something though...have more extra vinyl on hand. I thought I was all set because I had partial rolls and brand new rolls each of the colors I needed...never occurred to me that the cutter would feed and ruin an entire new roll in a matter of seconds!

Thanks! I'm pleased with the work on the van. I love doing this...totally feel like I've found my true calling making signs and decals. I am really interested in the Titan/Titan2. That or the Graphtec. I only need 24" right now. But it will likely be the Titan. I really just want something that works properly more than 25% of the time. LOL I am about to do some tests with the SCALP update and Sign Blazer.

Good for you! I was a photographer for years so I've become a little obsessed with backing up and my externals HDs. So many people don't use them and then cry, cry, cry when they lose their images and files.

I am indeed using 3.053...maybe (hopefully) it's something as simple as that being the issue? So when I check for updates within the software, it says none are available. I did however Google the new version and found it on US Cutter's site. Downloading now. Since I downloaded it originally and it said there were no updates, I thought I already had the latest version! Another potential...I am running Windows 8 and there's no driver specifically for 8 on US Cutter's site. I chose the Window 7 driver. FWIW, I am a fan of US Cutter. I researched this purchase for over 3 months before I took the plunge. I order all my supplies here now. I watched so many videos and read so many reviews. I got the SC to "hold me over" until I make enough money to upgrade again. I really was torn b/w the MH, SC and LP2. I considered the Copam as well. Based on reviews and what I've read on the forums, people have issues with all those models. I don't know if there are some lemons out there but that's my guess. Or the machines are super-sensitive to static and different circumstances affect the performance. My house in only 6 years old and we have not noticed any other issues with the electricity being weird but my husband recommended we have an electrician out to make sure the grounding is working right. I AM set up on carpet though so I'm going to put the machine on an anti-static mat and try the dryer sheet thing I read about. The van turned out OK. I had to give my client an IOU since there were two panels I couldn't finish due to the ruined vinyl rolls. Personally I think it will look too busy once we add that, so I'm kind of glad I got to take pics of it the way it is right now. I wouldn't have thought to do that.

Thanks for the responses! Good to feel like someone's listening. I could have cut this job on my Cameo but I designed it to cut it on the SC and really didn't want to go back and redo everything to accommodate the 12" width of the Cameo. I have been using the SC a lot so I'm really comfortable with it--just usually takes 3-4 attempts to get everything done right due to the machine freezing up, lagging, just not cutting certain parts of the design or adding odd shapes cut in odd place. I just can't imagine why on earth the plotter puts the blade down mid-cut and then feeds yards and yards (I'm talking close to ten yards each time) of vinyl through...if it hadn't done that over a half-dozen times with this job, I would have been fine. Frustrated, but OK. My longest cut was 39" long and not complicated, not tons of nodes. Basically a few words of text with simple boxes around them or all text. I am indeed using SCAL 3 Pro. Hate it. I have MTC also, kinda hate it too, but it won't link up with the SC anyway. I will have to look into SignBlazer as I've seen it mentioned a lot researching this forum and I'm not happy at all with SCAL or MTC.