I got a Vinyl Cutter / Plotter Hope to get some insight here

[cuztumfx]

Hi all
I bought a plotter last year. I was so busy Painting and Airbrushing I am just getting the time to dedicate to learning the machine software.
I want to use it to make some templates, cut out some lettering etc...

I have been Custom Painting and Airbrusing for over 18 years. A guy on line here told me about a Company in Florida to buy my first cutter / plotter from , so I did.

They sent me a program called Klik N Kut . I think its based on something called Sign lab if I understood correctly.

I am just getting the basics, Any help is appreciated. This one has a Mico Stepper, The guy told me its a little better than a regular Stepper Motor. I dont know, At least I can maybe learn on it.

I read the post for Newbies . I am going to get the Book " Mastering Layout the art of eye appeal" by Mike Stevens

The guy who taught me to Airbrush many years ago, Was also a sign painter. He also taught us how to make our own Mahl Stick ( I may not have spelled that correctly ) It is a great tool for balancing your brush while working on painted lettering.

Well, I hope I can ask a few questions here. I want to get this machine Rocking out some letters or negative paint templates for some airbrush designs and maybe be able to make some lettering for my vehicle

Thanks
Cuz

 

[AUTO-FX]

Sounds like fun! What paint do you use for your airbrushing? I'm assuming you do mostly automotive stuff?

 

[Gino]

Welcome from PA.............................

 

[Ponto]

..."mahl" stick is correct....(the guys I used to know were able to store "a couple of ounces" in the hollow shaft...does your mahl stick have the same sort or properties............?????

JP

 

[Salmoneye]

I have a brand new copy of that book that I can sell you if you PM me. That is if no merchant members here sell that or I am not violating any 101 rules or etiquette.

 

[Craig Sjoquist]

Still hand lettering and enjoying after 35 years.

Yes Mahl stick is correct.

It is to bad Salmoeye wants to sell his copy of the book... I read mine at least once a year at least part if not whole and reference it many times.

 

[Jillbeans]

Welcome from PA.
I would like to see some pix of your airbrush work.
Getting a cutter is a good step for making patterns and such.
The Mike Stevens book will help you learn the rules of layout.
That's what I did in 1994, after almost 10 years of winging it with just a brush and what I learned in art school.
Love....Jill
PS
I was in Toledo once, the year before I got my Mike Stevens book. I drove a girl all the way out there, who had been beat up here by her crappy boyfriend, who was a friend of my then hubby. Toledo is a long way from Butler, especially with two kids in the back of a Ford Escort and a hungover biker chick with a broken leg propped up on the dash, who never even said thanks.

 

[The Equipment Guy]

Mike Stevens book is a pretty horrible read...except as a sleep aid...

...until you read it a second time, then things start to sink in, then every time you reread it you will find some of the most REAL benefit I have ever seen out of a book.

I used to include one free with every piece of Sign equipment I sold.

Highly recommend it!

Craig

 

[cuztumfx]

Hi everyone, thanks for the replies

Hi all
Thanks for the replies.
I have been Airbrushing for about 16 years. I mostly use euro auto base and clear coat.

When I have needed some paint mask, I had a guy that would cut out what I needed and it worked out pretty good.

I have been wanting to ge a vinyl cutter going for a while. Of course like anything it takes some time and dedication to learning to do it correctly.

Salmoneye, pm me with a price if you would.

Hey , Equipment guy, I have some other books like that , so I hear ya

Jillbeans , The furthest I have been into PA was trout fishing and renting a Cabin , At present I cant even remember the Location, but it was fun.


Craig Sjoquist , I wish I could hand letter .

Ponto , This Mahl stick is made from wood with the rubber tips on each end. The Sign painter / airbrush artist I learned from is Bob Poiry.
He use to have classes near Toledo Ohio for Airbrushing, When that guy did an Airbrush job and then hand lettered it WOW !!! it was super good.

Gino , Thanks for the Welcome

AUTO-FX
I have used different paints for different projects , but, I mostly do autos, Cycles Tanks and Fenders etc...
If its ok to post My website for anyone to see my work
its
www.cuztumfx.9f.com

I am reading and going over my software for a cheap machine I bought called a Foison. It's 24 inch with stand. The guy told me it has a micro stepper and that its a little better than a stepper motor.

I wanted something to start on. Maybe down the road Ill get something a lot better

I hope I can ask a few questions here without boring you with newbie questions all the time. I will look for basic answers on the forum so as not to get people upset LOL

Later Guys and Gals
Cuz
Cuztumfx

 

[cuztumfx]

vehicle lettering

Oh yeah
My airbrush site has a section that says we do vinyl

This is because , I had a guy that was cutting vinyl for me and I would apply it. So , as far as putting vinyl on , I have done that a few times

making tape hinges, cutting out the letters, using a squeegee etc...

Now , I want to get My machine cutting and moving out on my own in cutting templates for my airbrush work and cutting the lettering my self

thanks
Cuz

 

[Sticky Signs]

Nice work. I like the flaming toilette seat!

 

[Jillbeans]

Looks like you know your stuff when it comes to airbrushing!
It's a talent I lack, but can appreciate.
Now you need to get a better website to showcase your work.

 

[cuztumfx]

Yep , a better website for airbrushing and some knowledge of Why this FOISON 24 inch cutter brand new dosent work

I had this running a few months ago. put the pen in it to do some test runs it worked perfect.
Got busy and never got back to it till this week. Got some reading material suggested here by Mike Stevens about layout etc...

turned on the machine that I havent even cut a piece of vinyl with yet
and
BAM
Fan runs but no Menu screen
plugged it in direct
un pluuged it and re tried
turned on and off several times
Its new and has been on a total of 15 minutes
Now nothing

Now I gotta call accugraphics in Florida tomorrow
Hopefully I wont have to ship it back since its Brand new

Oh well
One more of Lifes Little Problems

Later
Cuz

 

[cuztumfx]

Thanks Sticky Signs

I overlay several base and candy colors to achieve the Realistic Fire Look
Then it all gets top coat euro clearcoat

Looks really good on cycles , trucks, cars, etc...
Later
Cuz