Cricket cutter for masks/stencils?

[sicorican]

Does anyone use these cutting machines to create paint masks, stencils or decals? I would like to start painting the markings instead of using the decals and wondered if someone could do a quick how-to.
Thank you!

 

[Crimea_River]

Hi and welcome. I explained the process on a build many years ago here:

**** DONE: GB-36 1/48 FW190A-5 - Axis Manufactured Aircraft of WWII

Thanks guys. Tampered with the mask maker yesterday. I found templates for the German insignia on the net as .svg files which can be uploaded to the machines software directly. The files here are "flat" and need to be manipulated to allow the cutter to recognize the individual lines that...

ww2aircraft.net

I've since modified a few things like getting a new machine and also using Oramask 810 vinyl masking material.

 

[sicorican]

Hi and welcome. I explained the process on a build many years ago here:

**** DONE: GB-36 1/48 FW190A-5 - Axis Manufactured Aircraft of WWII

Thanks guys. Tampered with the mask maker yesterday. I found templates for the German insignia on the net as .svg files which can be uploaded to the machines software directly. The files here are "flat" and need to be manipulated to allow the cutter to recognize the individual lines that...

ww2aircraft.net

I've since modified a few things like getting a new machine and also using Oramask 810 vinyl masking material.

Thank you!

 

[special ed]

My wife has had one for several years. When I asked if it would make stickers, I was told, "I dunno, don't touch it."
My daughter, however, bought two sheets of sticker pages, one white and one black, for me.
I still have them.

 

[talbot]

I've been using a silhouette studio to cut masks for the last few builds that I've done
In most cases I've been really pleased with the markings I've been able to do

There are a number of items in the techniques that you will have to pay attention to - the masking medium, sizing, mask creation, the painting and layering for the insignia's. For instance I generally use oracal 810 for most markings and tamiya masking sheets for canopies, and be careful thinning paint too much for the first layer else susceptible to paint bleeding, and then there's the 'oreo cookie' effect pending how you sequence, and smaller cuts (~1mm) can be challenging
(Note I started the hobby about 2 years ago and learning a number of things all at the same time to give an idea where I'm coming from)

But I enjoy making the masks and the results are fantastic IMHO when done well
there are a couple of good youtube vids on the basics and there is a scale model paint masks forum (sorry I'm not sure of this site's policy on linking to other forums) that has a mask repository and good discussions, it's primarily focused on the silhouette cutter and somewhat low traffic but really good information