Hoss 5 Posted October 14, 2012 I just got an MH271-MK2 (first and only cutter I've ever had) and all the videos/etc I've seen show a ruler along the front edge and along the back. However, mine has none. One of the videos made by USCutter shows how to setup material and make use of these rulers to ensure the material is inserted straight, so it seems they are important. Is mine missing them or did they stop including them in newer models or something? Thanks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slice&dice 2,450 Posted October 14, 2012 Not having any rulers is a serious flaw. You cannot adjust tracking without 'em. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hoss 5 Posted October 14, 2012 Just to make sure, are they something that come preinstalled, or does it just come with them but you have to put them on yourself? Also, the area where under the the blade/pen looks like a strip of masking tape. Is this a protective shipping strip (hence I should remove it), or is that just normal? I've attached a photo to better explain. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slice&dice 2,450 Posted October 14, 2012 Take that tape off. The cutting strip is plastic, and needs to be exposed. The rulers should have been on the machine. Call USCUTTER support on Monday and ask them what they can do. Hopefully a set of stick-on rulers can be sent to you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dakotagrafx 7,297 Posted October 15, 2012 Not having any rulers is a serious flaw. You cannot adjust tracking without 'em. Now that is funny right there -- LOL Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dr Smith 4 Posted October 16, 2012 No need for any rulers on your cutter..Heck my $15,000 printer/cutter did not come with a ruler. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
highonlif 4 Posted October 16, 2012 I've never even looked at the ruler on mine. I align the left end of the vinyl with the feed roller knurl edge. makes it real easy to tell if its tracking right. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hoss 5 Posted October 16, 2012 <-- Cutting noob. ok ok ok, I get it, rulers = not needed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dr Smith 4 Posted October 16, 2012 One of the best ways to align the vinyl is to pull out a couple feet of vinyl before you put the rollers down. Take the part you pulled out the front and align it with the edges of the pre-feed vinyl underneath the cutter, then lower the rollers. This will usually get it spot on. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hoss 5 Posted October 16, 2012 I just got mine for hobby use. Cut out stuff for paint masking on cars/motorcycles/etc, decals, labels, etc. I expect 99% of my cuts will be one off things and won't be doing continuous/large cuts that consume more than a foot or two of material at most. Even the tech guys said that the rulers are not that accurate anyways and that he doesn't use them himself. So far I've just been testing with the pen and sheets of paper and haven't had any problems with small work like that. I'm ordering my first rolls of vinyl however today, so alignment I'm assuming will be more important, especially if I don't want to be resetting the rollers after each cut all the time. I like the idea of lining up the vinyl back under to the prefeed, thanks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slice&dice 2,450 Posted October 17, 2012 I liked the suggestion made (in another thread covering this same subject) regarding purchasing stick-on rulers from a craft supply retailer (or online). http://www.handyrule.com/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hoss 5 Posted October 17, 2012 I liked the suggestion made (in another thread covering this same subject) regarding purchasing stick-on rulers from a craft supply retailer (or online). http://www.handyrule.com/ Those are pretty nice, even for other things around the house and my shop. I'm going to try and cut something of my own for this, as a learning project. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jay2703 704 Posted October 17, 2012 Those are pretty nice, even for other things around the house and my shop. I'm going to try and cut something of my own for this, as a learning project. Cut your own with your cutter. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites