trietmcam Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 (edited) Hi all, I was wondering if there are any tool out there to cut perfect small circles down to 6 mm diameter? I want to cut vinyl mask in sizes from 6 to 9 mm diameter. TIA Triet Edited August 22, 2020 by trietmcam Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dave Williams Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 Dspiae Circle cutter (also boxed by Meng). Expensive. http://216.187.79.26/2017/reviews/tools/brevecocirclecutterreviewjh_1.htm Shadow Hobby makes a similar one, but a little cheaper. https://shadowhobby.com/tlcc-000-thinnerline-circle-cutter.html Quote Link to post Share on other sites
trietmcam Posted August 22, 2020 Author Share Posted August 22, 2020 26 minutes ago, Dave Williams said: Dspiae Circle cutter (also boxed by Meng). Expensive. http://216.187.79.26/2017/reviews/tools/brevecocirclecutterreviewjh_1.htm Shadow Hobby makes a similar one, but a little cheaper. https://shadowhobby.com/tlcc-000-thinnerline-circle-cutter.html That looked like a very clean cut from the demo. Thanks Dave Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ElectroSoldier Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 Second vote for the Dspiae. Ive got the square version. Its great for cutting wheel masks, saves a lot of time Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GSymmonds Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 This is my go-to die punch: http://umm-usa.com/onlinestore/product_info.php?cPath=21_145&products_id=1869 Very easy to use - they offer loads of other shpaes and sizes too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Snowbird3a Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 I have a circle cutter by Flex-I-file. Love it Cheers, Tony Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KenK05 Posted August 23, 2020 Share Posted August 23, 2020 I second the recommendation for the Flex-I-File circle cutter. I've found it to be easy to use and it works great. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted August 23, 2020 Share Posted August 23, 2020 I have the Shadow Hobby one. I purchased it when I was doing the ramp for my A-6E build so I could spray all the grounding point circles for the ramp. I worked excellent. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
trietmcam Posted August 24, 2020 Author Share Posted August 24, 2020 Superb work on that base. Those circles are spot on. Thanks for sharing. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RichardL Posted October 3, 2020 Share Posted October 3, 2020 I use my Cricut Explore Air 2 to effortlessly cut circles down to 1mm in diameter, canopy masks, and paint masks. Works great. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlienFrogModeller Posted October 3, 2020 Share Posted October 3, 2020 2 hours ago, RichardL said: I use my Cricut Explore Air 2 to effortlessly cut circles down to 1mm in diameter, canopy masks, and paint masks. Works great. Cricut Maker have to mirror RichardL sentiments. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Makeout Posted March 31, 2021 Share Posted March 31, 2021 Hi all. I ordered one of the cutters from Shadow Hobby back in the beginning of January. Today I've yet to hear/see anything. I did email their "sales@" address in the beginning of March & still nothing. Anyone have a similar experience? I hope it's worth the $60. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AndrewS Posted April 1, 2021 Share Posted April 1, 2021 On 8/22/2020 at 1:44 PM, ElectroSoldier said: Ive got the square version. Please forgive my odd sense of humour, but when I read that I thought, 'Wow, he's got the one that cuts square holes. Cool!' Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RichardL Posted April 2, 2021 Share Posted April 2, 2021 Square holes, no problem 🙂 Not even intricate squadron insignia for that "painted on" look: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted April 2, 2021 Share Posted April 2, 2021 Hi Richard, I see there's a 0.5mm hole as well -- the Cricut Explore Air 2 can do that? And what type of masking material is that? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RichardL Posted April 2, 2021 Share Posted April 2, 2021 4 hours ago, crackerjazz said: Hi Richard, I see there's a 0.5mm hole as well -- the Cricut Explore Air 2 can do that? And what type of masking material is that? Yes, it can cut a 0.5mm hole, but the edges of the hole are pretty rough since the hole is so small. I would say the smallest diameter it can cleanly cut is 1.0mm. Masking material is your basic Tamiya masking sheet, which you can get from here or here. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted April 4, 2021 Share Posted April 4, 2021 Thanks Richard. Looks like it might even help for masking and painting instrument panels. Does it help if I can make my own dxf or dwg files to operate one? And have you tried it on styrene sheet? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RichardL Posted April 4, 2021 Share Posted April 4, 2021 3 hours ago, crackerjazz said: Does it help if I can make my own dxf or dwg files to operate one? And have you tried it on styrene sheet? Yes, the Cricut software can import dxf files, so you are good to go. I have cut styrene sheets (0.010 and 0.015) with it to make aircraft Head-Up Display and rectangular pieces for spraying paint samples. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
trietmcam Posted April 5, 2021 Author Share Posted April 5, 2021 On 4/2/2021 at 9:48 AM, RichardL said: Square holes, no problem 🙂 Not even intricate squadron insignia for that "painted on" look: Oh wow. You got me curious now. Wished I had known this before I went and did this. Thanks Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted April 5, 2021 Share Posted April 5, 2021 (edited) Thanks. Hmm..I dont want to be forever cutting masks by hand. The xacto and scissors just don't cut it, heheh. Really thinking about pulling the trigger on one that I found on the local ads. Edited April 5, 2021 by crackerjazz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted April 9, 2021 Share Posted April 9, 2021 OK i bought the Cricut cutter. I remember looking up Explore Air 2 prices and this cost a little more. He said the Air 2 was gone and he only had this one remaining. I paid him anyway as it was a bit of a drive and I didn't want to want my trip to go to waste. Hope I could learn to work this thing. And I'll check out the LHS for some masking sheets so I can give her a try. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brett G Posted April 12, 2021 Share Posted April 12, 2021 On 3/31/2021 at 6:05 AM, Makeout said: Hi all. I ordered one of the cutters from Shadow Hobby back in the beginning of January. Today I've yet to hear/see anything. I did email their "sales@" address in the beginning of March & still nothing. Anyone have a similar experience? I hope it's worth the $60. Same here. I ordered one and haven't heard anything. I emailed them a couple of times with no response. Went to Paypal to start the process of getting my money back. They tried to contact them and still nothing. I elevated it to a claim. Hopefully I will hear back from PayPal this coming week. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted May 3, 2021 Share Posted May 3, 2021 Hi Richard, I tried out the Cricut on some Tamiya tape like you did. This thing really works -- amazing machine : ) Got a question about the sticky mat -- looks like it will lose its stickiness over time with repeated use. Do you guys just keep buying fresh ones? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RichardL Posted May 3, 2021 Share Posted May 3, 2021 2 hours ago, crackerjazz said: Got a question about the sticky mat -- looks like it will lose its stickiness over time with repeated use. Do you guys just keep buying fresh ones? Yes, the mat will lose its stickiness over time, but it will take a long time. My mat is square, so I use a different side each time to distribute usage evenly and prolong its life. Also, Amazon sells 3-pack replacement for cheap. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted May 3, 2021 Share Posted May 3, 2021 Ok, thanks, Richard. They should invent something like a replaceable sticky paper that goes on top of the sticky mat : ) Really glad I got the thing. They say your wife and kids will soon take over the machine as it's just fun to use. Cutting anything is a breeze now. Will see how it fares on styrene sheets. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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