*PLEASE HELP* I cant cut SMALL font.. it just tears

[missk.rudy]

I bought a few rolls of vinyl, and was trying to make christmas ornaments. If I cut the vinyl smaller than 1 1/4, it just rips. Is there any way to fix this? I thought maybe it was because I was cutting with SCUA2, but I tried it with a cart. and it did the same.. Any tips or tricks?? I know my cricut came with a vinyl blade, but have never put it on, would that make a difference? Or should the speed or pressure be changed? Thank you so much, I am sure you guys get tired of all the newbie questions, but I would like to say that it does not go without much appreciation!! Thanks again

[gj1]

I have only cut vinyl a couple of times, and can't recall if I used a deepcut blade or not. I have never heard of a vinyl blade. I am probably not the best person to anwer you...but I do know that it is trial and error and you have to call some of that vinyl practice sheets. The blade depth, pressure, and speed in SCAL will effect how your object cuts. Try starting at 3 for pressure on the cutting machine and 3 for the blade depth, especially if it is a new blade, and in SCAL, I leave the speed on high, not maximum, for everything. That is located under Edit, Preference, Cutter...I believe.

You could work your way up with the settings, or also consider the lower settings and using multicut in SCAL.

[talanhart]

I cut tons of vinyl. The regular blade (45) that comes with our machines works well for vinyl. I can cut letters up to 1/2 inch pretty well depending on the font (Thick works best). I have gotten lucky and had some 1/4 inch letters cut, but I had to play with the letters a little while I was weeding the vinyl.

Make sure you don't have your blade to deep. Some people cut vinyl with a blade depth of 2. I use 3. You might have to use 1.

[missk.rudy]

Do I make these settings on the machine itself, or in the SCUA2 program? Thanks again

[pastda3]

I use blade pressure on 3, the pressure dial setting on 3 and speed on medium. Also, it helps if your design doesn't have a lot of nodes. Make sure your vinyl is pressed down really well on the mat. If you have one, try a new or different blade. Sometimes it boils down to trial and error. Cut a few smaller sized projects first using different settings. Good luck. Let us know how it turns out.

[Deloris]

Do I make these settings on the machine itself, or in the SCUA2 program? Thanks again

You would use the Cricut to set the pressure and scal to change the size of the fonts.

Here's a link to the video tutorials that will show you how to use scal:

http://www.craftedge.com/tutorials/tutorials.php

[missk.rudy]

Sorry I think my last post was confusing, I know how to change the blade depth, its on the actual blade cutting compartment thingy, what I meant was the speed and pressure. I know you can change those settings on the machine, but when I cut with SCAL does it have to be set on the actual SCAL program at a certain speed or pressure? Does the pressure affect anything with cutting on vinyl? I am going to put my blade on 2 and try to cut again, but does the pressure need to be adjusted as well? Thanks

[talanhart]

Change your pressure on the machine to the medium setting.

[stuartcalls]

There is a sign guy here in town gave me some vinyl....must be for cutters without a mat because it tears like crazy on anything small. I think it tears because it lifts off of the waxed paper. The Oracal vinyl doesn't and I can cut pretty thin and small. I have not used the vinyl from H & H.

Don't know if that helps.