I'm shopping for a cutter, Silhouette dropped the price of their cutters. Buying directly from their site is lower price than Amazon.

the Silhouette Portrait 4 is now $129 US, and the Silhouette CAMEO5α is now $229. Can anyone recommend if the 5 is worth the extra $. I'm OK with $229 if it is a good value. My use for the machine will be model masking, and my wife and daughter said once we have a cutter they will use it for crafts. I know almost nothing about cutters and am learning as I go.

This is a tricky one. I'd say if you were just buying one for yourself, for use in scale modelling only, then the Portrait would be the way to go. But if you have other family members who want to also use it for all kinds of other tasks, then maybe the Cameo is a better recommendation - especially since the price difference isn't huge (they both seem pretty cheap to me). The Cameo is a much more capable device, certainly in terms of the size and range of materials it can handle, but is also much larger. I think it's overkill for scale model paint masks, but probably a better choice for a wider array of use cases.

Kev

I ordered the Cameo 5 Alpha, the price difference wasnt great, and I knew I'd regret not getting the better unit.

23 hours ago, PinehillJoe said:

I ordered the Cameo 5 Alpha, the price difference wasnt great, and I knew I'd regret not getting the better unit.

I’d be interested to hear what you think of it Joe. I use a Cameo 2, almost antediluvian in that it’s now 11 years old and doesn’t do many “tricks”, but it’s more than adequate for my mask making.

On 12/27/2025 at 3:48 PM, Mozart said:

I’d be interested to hear what you think of it Joe. I use a Cameo 2, almost antediluvian in that it’s now 11 years old and doesn’t do many “tricks”, but it’s more than adequate for my mask making.

I'll keep you posted! I'm using the time to learn the software

Here's the link to the current bargain priced Portrait 4 -- still $129 including shipping.

I've owned the range of SIlhouette machines, and the Portrait 4 does all I need as concerns my scale model hobbies. Only wish it had more cutting force since I use it to cut thin plastic ... up to .015", but takes multiple passes.

Gene K.

What material do most use for masking? I ordered a pack of Tamiya masking sheet, and ORACAL Oramask 813 Stencil Film

Oramask 810 is more flexible than 830. It is therefore more suitable for model makers.

I've been using Artool Ultramask. It is very similar to 810.

Oramask 810 is my favourite. Some people complain that it shrinks over time if not used on the kit but I have never had that problem.

Max

The cutter arrived today. Its easy to setup. I did a test print of file I created for Dick Best's SBD markings at Midway. The cutter came with a sticky matt. I tried a test print with regular 20 pound printer paper. The file and cut looks fine, but the paper stuck to the sticky matt. I tried again with card stock and looks fine and pealed off. Maybe I need an electro static matt?

What are recommendations for paper for test cuts

and

Is there an alternative to a sticky matt?

Tamiya mask sheets are due tomorrow. When I know the file is good, I'll upload to the library.

Edited January 3Jan 3 by PinehillJoe

IMHO, the sticky mat is the way to go. It will get less sticky as time and use progress.

I don't worry about making test prints either, I just cut a piece of Ultramask sufficient for the mask I'm working on and place it on the sticky mat and cut the mask. If I make an error, I just toss it and do it again. It's usually not that large of a piece of material. I was buying a 6.5' x 9" roll of Ultramask for ~$30. I've no idea how much the Tamiya stuff costs and how it compares in price.

I was buying the Ultramask from Midwest Airbrush, but I see that particular size is out of stock and the only size that is available is 24" x 15'. That will last a while. I'm sure I've seen it from other sources.

I've been test cutting and fitting stencils for a 1/48 Monogram SBD, and made a test spray of a wing insignia. I made stencils with ORAMASK 810S, and finding its not very flexible. Does Ultramask flex enough to wrap around wing tips or a fuselage?

After a week of playing with the software, and cutter, I think I've got the software and cutting skills to a point where I'm moving to trial and error of applying the stencil and test painting.

Edited January 6Jan 6 by PinehillJoe

I have no idea what 810S is. I assume you mean by 'wrap around wing tips or the fuselage' you mean does it follow gentle curves. Then yes.

Hey Joe,

I've got the Portrait and the Sticky Matt is definitely the way to go, however I found the mat that came with it was extremely sticky

I ended up getting a Light Tack Matt (made by silhouette) off of amazon that is much easier to work with

If I'm understanding correctly the oramask 810, or any vinyl, might be challenged to wrap around wing tips. should do fuselages no problem

Tamiya masking sheets might be a better option if attempting to wrap around sharp or small edges

Note I've setup cutting profiles for both vinyl and tamiya sheets as the tamiya sheets can use less force

My first attempts at masking and airbrushing. I'm using a Monogram SBD to practice. I find the Oramask 810S adhesive not very good for holding the stencil on. I have Tamiya sheets, and will print and try again. I also made the mistake of trying to line up a circle mask over the painted circle.

Edited January 8Jan 8 by PinehillJoe

dont think you can attach directly, need to link to a hosting site

that's strange with the oramask 810, it's worked well for me and believe that's what most use as it's not permanent but still has good adhesion

17 minutes ago, talbot said:

that's strange with the oramask 810, it's worked well for me and believe that's what most use as it's not permanent but still has good adhesion

maybe I have a bad lot of 810

Joe, you were typing 810S. Looking at the Orafol site, technical data, it appears that the 810S has ~half the 'sticking' power of 810. It lists 0.5 lb/sq. in. for 810 as opposed to 0.23 /b/sq. in. for 810S.

interesting, the lower adhesion is an interesting point

I didn't know there was an 810S, but google says it's a solvent based adhesion so better for wet applications 'such as paint'

but my guess would be @denders is right with half the sticking power

On 12/31/2025 at 9:05 PM, denders said:

I've been using Artool Ultramask. It is very similar to 810.

I use this too, it works for my purposes. But one small point: the product name is two words, "Ultra Mask". I'm sorry to correct you, I'm not trying to be pedantic, but it's caught me out before, wondering why I can't find any "Ultramask" online.

Mike, you're correct. I guess I took it too far since the brand name is sort of run together.

810S is a different beast to 810, to my mind the latter is the way to go. If you want the mask to go around curves or bends, you need to add a few well placed “cut marks” which will help it to hold the curve. This Typhoon canopy mask shows what I mean along its gently curving edges:

Max

Edited January 13Jan 13 by Mozart

Where do you buy 810? I'm searching on line, and only see large quantities.