Alternative 4 Posted October 15, 2021 Share Posted October 15, 2021 I had a search around and the enthusiasm for these machines seemed to die off. Does anyone still use one to make their own masks/decals replacements? How do you find them? There are a few modern jets I would like to make 1/48 masks for (e.g. the HO and serials on a F-4E) because decals are non existent. Examples of people using them for such things is hard to come across, I just wondered if anyone here had any examples, stories of using them or the like? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
arnobiz Posted October 15, 2021 Share Posted October 15, 2021 Plotters are very useful machines for masks and engraving guides, it takes quite a lot of practice/testing to get the settings right though so unless you build a lot it's easier to go through experienced users 🙂 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jbryan911 Posted October 15, 2021 Share Posted October 15, 2021 People are still using them. This thread here: https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/79025-a-guide-to-using-the-silhouette-cameo-cutter/&/topic/79025-a-guide-to-using-the-silhouette-cameo-cutter/?p=1238643 This Facebook group is pretty active: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheCuttingEdgeModelersGroup This thread on ARC: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
arnobiz Posted October 15, 2021 Share Posted October 15, 2021 I did not mean at all to discourage you from getting and using one by the way, they are awesome tools! If your designs are relatively simple/large the learning curve is not that steep. It's all a matter of benefit/fun-to-cost ratio 🙂 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hoops Posted October 16, 2021 Share Posted October 16, 2021 Forum here with user submitted artwork for cutting: https://www.scalemodelpaintmasks.com/ I've uploaded a number of canopy masks there, it could grow to become a good resource. Hoops Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Thommo Posted November 9, 2021 Share Posted November 9, 2021 I invested in a Cricut Maker a few months ago, $450AUS. Despite the software it uses (Design Space) being a bit clunky, it is brilliant. I've used it to cut masks for spraying and vinyl for decals (and a business sign on my 4WD). Have been looking into using it for engraving and debossing (e.g. patterns on a knights armour for a current scratchbuild), but I think for 1/35 scale, it would not go fine enough. I've found in vinyl/masking frisket, you can go down to about 3mm height for complex shapes like letters. Smaller than that, it starts to lose the plot and chop up the material. For simple shapes (squares, circles, strips), you can go down to about 0.75mm and it works fine. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Curt B Posted November 11, 2021 Share Posted November 11, 2021 I've still got one, brand new, that I bought maybe 3 years ago. I haven't had the guts to unpack it and set it up. It scares me!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RichardL Posted December 14, 2021 Share Posted December 14, 2021 On 10/14/2021 at 9:55 PM, Alternative 4 said: Does anyone still use one to make their own masks/decals replacements? Yes, I still use my Cricut to make my own masks. It's handy and easy to use. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GeneK Posted April 16, 2022 Share Posted April 16, 2022 Richard, Do you need to be on-line to use the Cricut software, or is the program (and your files) stored on your computer? Gene K Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hoops Posted May 1, 2022 Share Posted May 1, 2022 A thought that I had when working with laser printing decals: Has anybody used their die cutter to cut basic shapes out of a sheets of white decal paper? My idea being that for basic shapes (squares, circles, roundels, etc.) I could buy a sheet of white decal paper, cut it with my silhouette portrait and apply to the kit. Then put a second laser printed decal layer on top of it. It would be cheaper/easier than ALPS printing, and I could save that for the more intricate and complicated elements. Has anyone done such a thing? Hoops Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Red Dog Posted May 2, 2022 Share Posted May 2, 2022 can't answer the original question, but I do the same process ...kinda I cut vinyl masks which allow me to paint the white rather than using two layers of decals. I see no reason why cutting white decal sheet wouldn't work. I have cut regular paper and plasticard (0.3mm) I'd say that just like the rest, it's a question of size rather than material. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alternative 4 Posted May 2, 2022 Author Share Posted May 2, 2022 I don't see why cutting decal paper wouldn't work. Using registration marks function in silhouette studio you could get a cut tight to the design too which would eliminate a lot of the carrier film. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hoops Posted May 6, 2022 Share Posted May 6, 2022 On 5/2/2022 at 3:01 AM, Red Dog said: can't answer the original question, but I do the same process ...kinda I cut vinyl masks which allow me to paint the white rather than using two layers of decals. I see no reason why cutting white decal sheet wouldn't work. I have cut regular paper and plasticard (0.3mm) I'd say that just like the rest, it's a question of size rather than material. On 5/2/2022 at 10:44 AM, Alternative 4 said: I don't see why cutting decal paper wouldn't work. Using registration marks function in silhouette studio you could get a cut tight to the design too which would eliminate a lot of the carrier film. Thank you for the input, my silhouette is not handy at the moment, but once I unpack I'll try it out and let you all know. Cheers! Hoops Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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