Mozart

I’m sorry to read of your initial problems Mike, I agree that making sure the blade is latched in place is the thing to check, because you seem to have covered all the other points well. Let us know how things progress! Max

Remarkable examples of what can be done using home-produced masks, well done Gaz. 👌

I haven't bought any decals for the past 8 years (I rarely if ever model what's in the box) so my investment in my Cameo was a good one in my opinion - gives me so much freedom and control of what I model. Max

It’s always worth reading and sharing places where you get good, reliable and prompt service Mike, so I think it’s a worthwhile idea. Any thoughts Kev? Max

I think you’ll get more satisfaction using it that way Mike, I can envisage quite a lot of frustration trying the Bluetooth way on different levels. Mine sits alongside my PC and is “permanently” connected but not used that often. Max

Mine’s a Cameo 2 Mike, I bought it I think 8 years ago and it does everything that I need. I had a problem with it last year but found it was the power supply that was faulty, easily rectified. My advice would be to definitely go for the Cameo 4. My wife makes greetings cards and she also uses it for her crafting activities.

Mine’s an older model Mike so USB is the only mode but I believe some of the newer ones also use Bluetooth. I’m really surprised that it’s not mentioned in any of the blurb or ads though. Kev I think has a Cameo 4 so he’ll doubtless chip in with some info about his. What’s on your shortlist? Max PS, just found this: The Silhouette Cameo 4 Digital Cutting Tool features cutting edge technology, operating three times faster than the Cameo 3. The ultimate DIY machine for creative craft projects, this can be used to cut over 100 materials, including paper, cardstock, vinyl, and fabric up to 12 inches wide.The Cameo 4 model has an increased cutting force of up to 5kg, and offers Bluetooth wireless connectivity with increased range. This is also compatible with PixScan technology.

Yes, good in Dorset too!! 😁 Max

Hello bushande. The sizes that you are talking about are absolutely right on the limit with what is possible for I think any cutting machine, 3 to 4mm is the smallest that I’ve cut in 7 years of using my Silhouette machine. It can cope slightly better with more square letters and numbers like “T”, “E”, “1”, “4”, “7” etc but any number involving a curve or “centres” cause problems, with "B" and “8” possibly being the most demanding and “S” being challenging. I always cut multiples of these small areas so that I can pick the best. This is a Spitfire that I did some years ago when I was fairly new to masking making, the letters are 3 to 4mm high. You can judge for yourself which work better than others, and experience has shown me how to improve some of the less than satisfactory parts here. Hope this helps a little. Max

All OK in sunny Oxford but I’ll check later if it’s reached as far as Dorset! Max

Agreed! Hope you find the masks posted so far useful, and good luck with your adventures with your Silhouette. Max

I’ve been concerned too Kev about the lack of activity on the site. The problem as I see it is that, once basic tutorials have been posted, the site then simply becomes a library of masking schemes. That’s no bad thing at all, it will clearly encourage and attract visitors but will it promote much in the way of dialogue or interaction? There’s no easy answer, but I agree with Dave that questions often asked on LSP would be better asked, or directed here. Perhaps a more prominent “plug” on LSP would be in order? Max

Agreed, no doubt you'll be a very valuable member of the masking forum, welcome Mathieu. 👌

Hmmm, intriguing post Bax! I don’t own a 4, simply a 3 which as I’ve said before does everything that I ask of it, and very effectively. I’ll be as interested as you though to read what people have to say about their experiences with their 4, can it really be such a retrograde step as owners have stated in your post, it seems very unlikely. Let’s hope you get some answers from experienced users. Max

What's a fender?

I’ve had my Silhouette since 2014, I needed the “professional” upgrade to get features which it now appears are standard on new models. I don’t know what the SW upgrade comprises so I’m sorry but I can’t comment. Max

You're making the right decision getting a mask-cutting machine, glad to see you here. Max

Good to see you here Pascal. Hopefully some of the tutorials here will help you get started with your Silhouette but ask if you have any problems. No guarantees for answers but we’ll do our best!

Like that very much Steve, especially the finish you’ve achieved. Brilliant! Max

You’re welcome Tom, hope the masks are of use.

Final stages, whole roundels put back in place then red centre removed, replaced and blue outer done: The transfer piece here is sold for Cricut machines - low tack, completely clear (which is a distinct advantage) and with the grid on it which helps: and before very long at all:

Well done Bax, welcome to the merry band!

Thank you Mark, I'm happy that it's coming along quite well. 😁 I've started on the fuselage roundels: firstly the "empty" mask was put in place: and the white base collar sprayed: This was quickly followed by the yellow outer area: Tomorrow I'll put the whole roundel back in place then firstly "weed out" the red inner circle, leaving everything else as is. When that's dry, the red centre mask goes back in (easy to get this correctly centred) and the blue outer weeded out and the area sprayed. When all the masks are removed......Hey presto....with luck.....simple perfect roundels!

Mark, not dumb questions at all. The best material for masking is low-tack vinyl, Oramask 810 is very popular but Artool make similar products. Leaving masks on? I can only speak from my own experience using MRP lacquer-based paints as my standard paint. I get my masks off as soon as the paint is dry (typically 15 minutes with Oramask) but I have also left them on for a couple of days on occasions with no problems. Hope this helps but ask more if you need. Max

Funnily enough I haven't built that many WW2 RAF fighters in standard camouflage, and those few I have "free-handed" with the airbrush. But with the sublime Tamiya Spitfire kit I decided to explore making camouflage masks. I scanned the colour A3 sheet provided with the kit then imported the image onto the Silhouette screen, starting with the wings: I measured the distance from leading to trailing edge on the kit where the wing walk stripe goes, then scaled the image onscreen to match that distance (just draw a straight line the measured distance, rotate and move it over the wing image and drag that out to match the line size). Once that was established it was very easy selecting the line "figure of eight" draw tool to (manually) trace the outline of the camouflage lines: I had already put down a base coat of Ocean Grey so the masks for those areas were pulled off and carefully laid in place on the wings. It took no time at all to spray the Dark Green resulting in crisp lines when the masks were removed: That was the easy bit done, then "3D fuselage would be a different matter. But first I decided to finish the upper and lower wings. Slight problem, unaccountable problem, with one roundel on which the blue lifted when the mask was removed, no idea why: but the other was fine: There was a potential problem with the under wings; the centre of the roundel coincides with a large fairing....."lump" to me, that no mask or decal for that matter is going to willingly conform to. I sliced around it carefully once the roundel mask was in place then used masking fluid to fill the gaps. Worked well enough: Adventures with the fuselage: I wasn't sure of the best way to go about these masks - separate port and starboard ones or a one piece "wrap-over" one. Well after a few experiments the latter wasn't that practical. So I used the same technique as the wings - scanning, importing (and flipping one image), scaling, tracing: which ended up something like: (but this has now been revised and uploaded to this site.) Screenshots showing mask positions: and after applying to the model, spraying and removing: Drawing the fuselage masks involved a certain amount of trial and error, and there is still a little touch up to do but generally speaking it's been a successful exercise. Please feel free to download the masks but please read the caveat with the masks. When I do the fuselage and tail markings I'll add them to this thread. Max