Vinyl application

[ColoradoWayne]

Is anyone working with vinyl to add color or splash to their cut steel? I would like to hear/learn about this if you would like to share. Thanks.

[gamble]

I just bought a vinyl printer. Got a really small one, it's a silhouette portrait. The silhouette cameo is larger and probably a better option for the price. I've read that the cricut (not sure on the spelling) is a better unit. These are all small desktop units. I like the software, it will import any dxf file and it's pretty much cut ready. Tracing images takes less time than inkscape. Just wish there was a way to export those files to dxf but no dice on that.
Some small fonts are a pain to pull the vinyl off of, I've ruined a good amount, but some larger stuff is easy and quick. Probably is these machines are getting cheaper and cheaper so everyone is selling decals cheaper and cheaper if you want to compete with everyone else.
I like it so far. I spent probably $220 for the printer, vinyl, cutting mat, paper cutter, a tool for weeding and a roll of 300 feet of transfer tape. For my small stuff it's more than I will need for the time being.

EDIT:
I haven't found much information on tutorial inlines for multi colored stuff. All I watched is a basic video that came with the software. It's simple and easy. I'd say go for it!

[AnotherDano]

The folks at the Wyoming Territorial Prison an I teamed up with a trial project that required some vinyl. A friend from the P-365 powder coating forum made some up for me and they curled up under the clear coating. The were terrible. Then he tried again with Orcal-651 material and they were perfect. Even with the higher temperature clear (400 deg/10min).

Guess which one sold out -- the 'textured' one with the bubbles and wrinkled edges. Go figure...

[acourtjester]

you can attach a drag knife holder to you Z axis and cut vinyl on a CNC table.

[Corfabrication]

Does a dragknife get treated as a scribe in sheetcam? How does the z function on something like that?

[acourtjester]

The drag knife is really simple no turning things on just have Z move down so the holder just touches the vinyl surface. and then mach move it around like it moves the torch to form what you want cut out. You need to have a fairly flat surface to attach the vinyl. There is a small spring that applies pressure on the blade holder.
here are the parts I used the only thing missing is the bar that attaches it to the Z axis the gold part came from Ebay about $12. blades are cheap and easy to change.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gold-Roland-Cut ... 3f3a034d0c

[ColoradoWayne]

That is a cool idea. So, how do you incorporate it in your work? I have a sports logo that I currently paint that has me thinking vinyl is a better solution - if I paint the bottom, than just two colors to add. I've only seen a couple other things on the board with vinyl actually used as part of the steel work. It just seems like it would have several great applications?

Thanks

[acourtjester]

There is a guy that did an Air Force plaque that did vinyl over that looks great. I have not gone past the decal stage but have things I think would work out well.

[ColoradoWayne]

I guess this isn't real popular yet, but I'm with you - I think there are some good possibilities.

[AnotherDano]

I guess this isn't real popular yet, but I'm with you - I think there are some good possibilities.

Ask the powder coaters. Especially the guys doing a lot of bicycles. They use vinyl all the time.

It's also great for masking off areas for two-tone coatings that need hours of trimming the tape. Should work for paint as well.

[ColoradoWayne]

Masking is probably a huge time saver!

[littlefatbuddy]

I started doing vinyl about three years ago. I started with heat press vinyl for tshirts and then moved on to sign vinyl. It isn't terribly difficult but really can't be explained in a couple of paragraphs. I watched a ton of youtube videos and had good support from the people I bought the cutter from. I have done a few projects with vinyl and metal. I have found that it is very important to test the vinyl with what clear you will spray. I have found mostly oracal 651 holds up the best. I have done other projects that used multi colors, probably four different colors on one project is the most. It usually looks ok to overlay a couple of layers. For multi colors you have to adjust the design to cut out where the overlays will be. Then my cut program makes it super easy, you just select the box with the color you want to cut, allow it to cut, change the colors and select the next box. I will try to help and answer any questions I can.

[gamble]

Oh nice! I want to learn how to do heat transfer so i can make my own shirts.

[AnotherDano]

Oh nice! I want to learn how to do heat transfer so i can make my own shirts.

Sorry Gamble,,, ya gotta BUY the shirts.

Just kidding, Mr. G. couldn't resist.

Dano

[ColoradoWayne]

I though vinyl cutting used dxf files, but I see they use svg files. Is there an easy way to go back and forth without having to redraw or resize?

[acourtjester]

I use the functions in SheetCam to check the size and change it there by changing the custom ratio then measuring the part with the curser. Just click on new job and redo it until you get the size you want. This work with both DFX and SVG files.