First time cutter - advice appreciated

[Joshmc1 3]

Hi Folks

I have been restoring pinball machines for several years now. To date, I’ve been purchasing cabinet stencils from a guy in the US. It’s convenient however adds up quickly, particularly as the US / Ozzie dollar sucks 

I have tried to make my own using a 2nd hand Silhouette Cameo but it’s difficult to use without a cutting mat which constrains the cuts to 12x12. Not ideal when you’re trying to create a stencil for an entire cabinet (normally 450-500mm wide)

I am therefore looking into plotters/cutters. Vevor have one that is $400 AUD - https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/334540309747

It comes with Signmaster however I’ve heard mixed reviews. I need a decent software package that will allow me to import a file from Photoshop (or Illustrator). Typically the process for making a cabinet stencil is to take a decent square on picture of the cabinet. Import that into Photoshop, then scale to the size of the cabinet. Then, I need to create vectors for cutting. 

My friend uses Flexi-Sign and speaks highly of it. I’d like to keep the spend to under $800 AUD if possible.
 

Would really appreciate recommendations and advice here. Thank you. 

[darcshadow 1,640]

Photoshop won't do you any good for creating stencils. You need a vector program. Inkscape is a great and free program that will do what you need. It will take some playing with it to get the hang of it though. Working with vector graphics can be a bit tricky when you first start. I am unfamiliar with Signmaster, but I know inkscape can import and export all the major vector file formats. I'm assuming at a minimum signmaster can import EPS files. So if you don't like the design aspect of signmaster, so long as it functions as a cutting software you're good to go.

The Vevor, looks like, and I believe it is essentially the same as a MH cutter which is pretty much the bottom of the barrel for cutters. That being said you can do pretty decent work with one once you get all the quirks worked and out everything dialed in. However, for larger decals like you would need for a pinball machine you would be doing yourself a favor spending a bit more and getting a more higher end cutter. The Titan sold on USCutters is a pretty reasonably priced and decent quality machine.

And my hat off to you for restoring pinball machines. I have 3 now that I've done some simple repairs to and cleaned. Working on them is almost as much fun as playing them.

[Joshmc1 3]

Thank you, sir. Really appreciate your input here. I’ll look into the scanner you mentioned. And yes, couldn’t agree more… restoring them is as much fun and rewarding as playing them (if not more). I’ve given a lot of $$ to Pinball Pimp. I do like his stencils but they end up costing me a fortune and I’ve messed things up more than once which always requires me to order another set 

 

have you heard of a machine called a GCC Puma III??

[slice&dice 2,460]

The GCC Puma is by far the superior cutter.
What software is bundled with it?

SignMaster is Vevor's version of VinylMaster. Same thing.

If you are designing using Illustrator, then, yes, just Import the resulting .eps into SM and cut.

Just a suggestion, but since you're already doing paintwork on wood, maybe try decorating a few Cornhole boards, and sell those!

[haumana 1,226]

Awesome job restoring the pin machines!

We have several, or more like a small collection of them (about 8 or 10 of them).  It's great when they all work well, and not so great when they don't.  Either way, it's fun playing them, and almost fun repairing them ... almost.

[Wildgoose 4,200]

Looks like fun! I have a good friend who rebuilds them here in my home town. 

Since you are already familiar with Adobe Illustrator I would definitely stick with that for design. (that's what I use too)
When you export you may have to do a few preliminary experiments to see what your cutting software likes best. I use  SignCut Pro 1 and it likes AI version 8 legacy files. I think this is due to the more modern file versions support multiple art boards and other things that don't need to be in a cut file.