The only reason to really use clear tape is if you are layering 2 colors, or need really exact placement of the decal. Most applications, regular transfer tape is better. You can also wet apply a decal with regular where you can't with clear. The best vinyl for cars is oracle 651. There is also 751 but that is premium stuff and not worth the extra coin. 651 is what all the pro's use and is way better than any other brands out there.

BUKUINC This is just what I was looking for! Thanks!

transfer paper its sticky on the one side so it picks it up and moves it all in one piece

The thing with smaller cutters is, from what I've seen, only the more expensive ones allow you to design on the computer and send to the cutter. There are some cheaper ones, but I think you have to use only the designs built into them. You can get a 14" MH cutter from USCUTTER, for $200. But you will have trouble finding good vinyl in that width. I know the companies that make cheaper vinyl make them in 12" widths. I'd go with either the 28" MH cutter, or for $50 more, the 25" SC Cutter. All on USCUTTER.COM

Thanks, It works well with some app tapes, and others it can be a little tougher.

BUKUINC Cool! I'll have to remember that. So... are you using Greenstar or R-tape, or something else?

For regular app tape, I use both. For clear, I started with Greenstar, switched to R tape hearing how it was supposed to be better, and had nothing but trouble with it! Won't ever use it again. Went back to greenstar.

BUKUINC Thanks for the reply and the advice. I've been using RTape (clear, high tac) and I agree with the trouble. If it's not the static electricity, then it's the tac i'm having trouble with. I've never tried greenstar, thanks for the recommendation.

I use oracle 651. Does your's not peel off when weeding? That could be due you your blade depth, angle of blade you are using, and cutter pressure. It's something you just have to play with to get right. IT could certainly be the vinyl though.

Ive been cutting small stuff* shoulnt*

+Kristi Alberson Each machine has a default setting where it starts to plot from. Read your owners manual of your machine. In other words you can place what ever size vinyl anywhere you want on your machine and clamp it down with the pinch rollers. Once that's done the machine takes a reading of the size of the vinyl between the pinch rollers. Your machine should have up, down and left and right arrows on it. Use those arrows to move your plotter knife to your desired start spot on the loaded vinyl. When you do that you will see that the numerical display on your digital read out will 'X' and "Y" X moves the position of the plotter left to right and that number will change as you move it with the left and right arrows. Y is the position of the vinyl or up and down buttons.Once you have set the plotter to where you want it press and hold the enter button until the "X" and "Y" numbers zero out. You have just set your new default of where the plotter will begin plotting. Does that make sense? Once you shut your machine off and turn it back on it will automatically reset it's start point back to the factory default setting.

+Antok Boy Are you looking for the vinyl? Or the transfer paper?

heat transfer vinyl

Yes, 45 degree blade. Pressure: 105g Offset: .30mm Speed:400

Also, what are you using to make your designs? The same software that came with the cutter or something else and them importing the files

on heat transfer for shirts yes. om regular vinyl no

+Ghostman113 www.uscutter.com/?gclid=Cj0KEQjwz-i3BRDtn53Z5Z7t4PUBEiQA23q2AJRvZM5wI30b-gsSfvC6RSBG_ONJ81ZK-IhtGYsROc8aAsrI8P8HAQ

Definitely! For the price, you can't go wrong with this cutter. I went with the 32" Just because I don't ever want to be in a spot where I can't cut something larger than 24" if need be. Also, get a Keyspan adapter to plug into your computer and then plug the cutter into it. It will save you a ton of headaches!

Im in the UK which is lookinh like the only issue for yhis machine.

Gareth Davies I'm also from the UK - have you found a machine you like yet?

Oh ya, an inch is no problem. I've done a half inch and smaller. If you get to small, the machine tends to take the letters with it as it cuts. And they're a pain to weed. I would say 1/4 inch is about the smallest you want to go.

Yup, very beginner friendly. I would also get a keyspan adapter. It hooks up to your computer, then you plug in the cutter to that. It will save you a ton of headaches when you are doing large or complex designs. The cutter should come with Sure cuts a lot. That is all you need to get started cutting. I'd also get their starter set. It comes with decent vinyl, transfer tape, and some tools. Good stuff to practice with.

Sweet just ordered the starter pack. Will it still cut without the keyspan adapter? -Going to get one but not for another week

Yes, it will still cut. Small things will be fine. IT only starts to bug out when you do really large, or complex pieces, or try to do a big run of multiples. Also, make sure you turn your cutter off and on in between design cuts. It helps to clear the memory for the next cut.

Thanks for the tips, I really appreciate it. Ive been reading through forums non-stop and these questions are hard to find answers to. Ill be getting the adapter, stoked to start.cutting!!!

Abraham Herr How did you get on? I'm thinking about buying one of these as well (for small car decals etc) and am going crazy trying to decide which machine is right for me!

machine really, it will never work using just a scalpel. Try a silhouette portrait - a smaller cutter, 8 inches, great for hobbyists. Even if you just wanted to do a couple of things, you would soon find yourself doing loads more with this brilliant tool. Cost about £130

What's the name of the machine? Thank you for the reply and information

either the 'Silhouette portrait' or the larger version, 'the silhouette cameo'. You can get these off Amazon. I have both machines and they were a bargain considering how useful they. you can make these kind of decals as well as vinyl transfers for printing t-shirts and general crafts including cutting fabric. brilliant!

you can watch the silhouette machines in action on you tube. loads of videos to see, doing various things.

+craig cotter Since I've never done it before this is so intimidating lol it looks so hard. but thank you! I'm looking on amazon right now for one :) appreciate it

Eric Antillon That is transfer tape. It's used to be able to pull the vinyl off the backing paper and install it.

BUKUINC where can u get that at

Don't use masking tape. I buy my stuff from uscutter.com.

BUKUINC were at again

its not masking tape. its transfer tape...its jut not clear tape...

software is Sure Cuts A Lot 3 Pro

@@DMAXRYNO dose that work on us cutter mh-871-mk2 or is there any other software that works on the MH-871 MK2 THANKS FOR YOUR HELP

+eric ford Transfer paper

go to Grimco.com and search transfer tape, and or application tapes

***** Grimco isn't a bad source if you own a business you can buy wholesale from them. US CUTTER is a good source for those who are not a business and can not buy wholesale. Grimco I'm not sure if they sell to those who do not own a business.

I checked out US cutter too. They definitely have some great deals, I just happen to work for Grimco so knew the source. Lol

***** Does Grimco sell to those who don't own a business?

You'd have to trace the photo into a vector design. You can either do it automatically via a trace program, if its a simple photo, or manually, with a program like illustrator, or inkscape.

+BUKUINC can you use pictures from Google imiges

Haha every once in a great while I get a roll that doesn't want to weed well no matter what I do! It just takes a lot of tuning on your machine, and the proper blade angle

+Fat “Cajun Thibodaux” Cajun No need to be a salty bitch, have some appreciation for other's tastes.

lol I hate music on video take away form the video it not like I did it watch it