Stencil advice needed!

[Jaypem]

I've seen some incredible work here from builders doing hand cut stencilling.
I'm planning on doing my cutting out with blue painters tape.
Just curious how others go about it ...

I was thinking I might put the tape down on glass maybe, to do my drawing and cutting?
Is there a better way to do it?

 

[Fv2]

I've attempted this in the past with painters tape, I put it on wax paper.
Very tedious, but it worked.
Glass would be a cleaner surface.
Make sure you have sharp blades for an exacto knife.

That's all I can offer.

 

[Jaypem]

Thanks!
I decided on a simple motif, so I went ahead and taped and cut out directly on my fork.
I liked this design from my Speedo.

Drew it onto the tape and cut.
It'll get distressed in the end, so perfect isn't too important...

 

[RustySprockets]

Looks like the painter tape on glass worked out fine, even if it's tedious.

I considered buying a used Cricut, Silhouette, or other electric craft cutter employed by the scrap-booking crowd. Has anybody here tried one of these gadgets before?

 

[Jaypem]

Yeah, that looks pretty awesome!

 

[Jaypem]

Voila.
Another round of peroxide and distressing the paint a bit more, then some linseed oil.
Done

 

[Jaypem]

Of course this is super basic...I'm still curious how the real masters go about it.
I should probably dive into some of the old build off threads again...it's a gold mine in there!

 

[Fv2]

Looks like the painter tape on glass worked out fine, even if it's tedious.

I considered buying a used Cricut, Silhouette, or other electric craft cutter employed by the scrap-booking crowd. Has anybody here tried one of these gadgets before?

My wife has been trying to get me to buy a cricut, I just never heard or read how well it cuts vinyl sheet.

 

[LukeTheJoker]

I considered buying a used Cricut, Silhouette, or other electric craft cutter employed by the scrap-booking crowd. Has anybody here tried one of these gadgets before?

So... How much do I need to save up for one of these?

I know @The Renaissance Man does a bit of silk screening work on his bikes, he may have some tips for you...

Luke.

 

[RustySprockets]

So... How much do I need to save up for one of these?

I know @The Renaissance Man does a bit of silk screening work on his bikes, he may have some tips for you...

Luke.

I'm doing some homework now. They're expensive to buy new, but there are reasons to go with a used one...especially the Cricut. I've seen them locally on CL for as little as $75.

Among users, the Cricut appears to be universally praised for its quality hardware, and universally loathed for its software and business model. Some legal wrangling has forbidden third parties from supporting the device, thereby locking purchasers into the manufacturer's web-based software by subscription...ugh!

Bottom line: get an older machine with older software and you're golden. Avoid new.