A cheap alternative to re-chroming

Reli · Sep 3, 2015

The Silhouette Cameo looks pretty cool, although it's expensive.

Couldn't you just put some tracing paper over the part, trace its outline, and then use that outline to cut the chrome sheet?

caution · Sep 3, 2015

It's not a bad price for these machines. It's a popular model with a lot of software and community support, Michaels also sells stuff for them. The software that comes with it is good for managing the cutter, but for an actual drawing program, it's not that great. None of them really are. You're better off using something else and loading it into the cutter software. I found a free CAD program that works great. Other cutters don't even let you load your own data or draw your own stuff, you're beholden to predesigned patterns.

Since I've purchased it I've found a lot of other uses. Originally it was just to cut out my Conion tape tray liner since that wasn't going to work cutting by hand, but it helped with the trim redesign. I would like to use it for other things like clings, stencils for painting, lettering, etc.

If you find an image with a defined edge it works great. Last week I downloaded some images of squirrels in silhouette. Ran it through a tracer and cut them out of vinyl sticker stock.

caution · Sep 3, 2015

Drew up the outline last night, took about .3 seconds to cut :-)

I bought a huge chrome sticker sheet from an art supply store with a paper backing, I had to cut it into smaller pieces, but it was only $5.50.

SLO · Sep 4, 2015

blu_fuz said:
Great execution. No harm in using a chrome sticker to make the box look complete again. Sometimes it's the only way.

Thanks Joe :rock:

SLO · Sep 4, 2015

caution said:
Drew up the outline last night, took about .3 seconds to cut
I bought a huge chrome sticker sheet from an art supply store with a paper backing, I had to cut it into smaller pieces, but it was only $5.50.

caution that is outstanding, PERFECT fit and it looks great! Thank you for all the info on this machine, and for posting a pic of the results, great work my brutha :bow:

Sounds like a pretty good investment if I could figure it all out :hmmm:

caution · Sep 4, 2015

Thanks SLO! Yeah it's a fun machine, ain't no doubt. Hey, if you (or anyone else reading this) ever want me to cut you something, let me know I'd be more than happy to help you out!

Also, Silhouette released a new machine at the same price last month, the Curio, which now has a more powerful blade, and can take more attachments that will now allow you to engrave, stipple, and other cool things.

SLO · Sep 4, 2015

caution said:
Thanks SLO! Yeah it's a fun machine, ain't no doubt. Hey, if you (or anyone else reading this) ever want me to cut you something, let me know I'd be more than happy to help you out!

Also, Silhouette released a new machine at the same price last month, the Curio, which now has a more powerful blade, and can take more attachments that will now allow you to engrave, stipple, and other cool things.

EXCELLENT! Thanks again caution :thumbsup:

I will keep that in mind if I ever need something cut in the future, much appreciated brother! :rock:

Ambience · Sep 5, 2015

Nice, this was something I've been meaning to try. Wonder how well this would fare for speaker trims though.

Lasonic TRC-920 · Sep 15, 2015

I saw this in person and there is no way you could tell by looking at it. It looks completely factory fresh. I got more that a few radio's tat need this treatment.

Great work Steve

Sent from my SM-G925V using Tapatalk

SLO · Sep 15, 2015

Lasonic TRC-920 said:
I saw this in person and there is no way you could tell by looking at it. It looks completely factory fresh. I got more that a few radio's tat need this treatment. Great work SteveSent from my SM-G925V using Tapatalk

Thank you bro, that means alot coming from you and some of the other boombox wizards round here. Some of you are on a whole other level, but I do enjoy learning new things and making these old blasters look nice and shiny again. :-)

SLO · Sep 15, 2015

Ambience said:
Nice, this was something I've been meaning to try. Wonder how well this would fare for speaker trims though.

What speaker trims did you have in mind?

Lasonic TRC-920 · Sep 15, 2015

Thank you bro, that means alot coming from you and some of the other boombox wizards round here. Some of you are on a whole other level, but I do enjoy learning new things and making these old blasters look nice and shiny again. :-)

Any new idea that someone comes up with is very welcome around here, if we don't figure it out, no one will

Sent from my SM-G925V using Tapatalk

Ambience · Sep 18, 2015

SLO said:
What speaker trims did you have in mind?

Say around circular speaker, wouldn't it kind of bind up or crinkle trying to curve it? I'm thinking of my 5085 that's in my avatar, it has chrome around the speakers but their a little worn

SLO · Sep 19, 2015

Ambience said:
Say around circular speaker, wouldn't it kind of bind up or crinkle trying to curve it? I'm thinking of my 5085 that's in my avatar, it has chrome around the speakers but their a little worn

Yea I think the stuff I used is better for the straight/sguare type of parts. As for the curved part around the woofer's, it may not be ideal. :hmmm:

This stuff would wrinkle up in a heartbeat. Maybe auto body pinstripe would be better for the round woofer trim because it can flex a bit more. I believe they sell car pinstriping in chrome. The stuff I bought and used won't flex like pinstripe would.

Lasonic TRC-920 · Sep 19, 2015

I just picked some of this chrome tape up today, going to give it a shot!

Sent from my SM-G925V using Tapatalk

Reli · Sep 19, 2015

SLO said:
Yea I think the stuff I used is better for the straight/sguare type of parts. As for the curved part around the woofer's, it may not be ideal. This stuff would wrinkle up in a heartbeat. Maybe auto body pinstripe would be better for the round woofer trim because it can flex a bit more. I believe they sell car pinstriping in chrome. The stuff I bought and used won't flex like pinstripe would.

But couldn't one of those newfangled machines that member "caution" was talking about cut a circular ring for you? If so, that's all you'd need. The only thing you'd have to worry about is if the material warps while you try to put in on. But if it was thick enough, it wouldn't warp.

caution · Sep 19, 2015

Reli I was thinking that last night when I read Ambience's post.

I looked at the speaker rings on the RX-5085 and it would do well on the front-facing part, but not sure about the sides of the rings, they're a curved surface. It may look weird with the sticker edge right at the facet all the way around, can't really tell.

SLO · Sep 21, 2015

caution said:
Reli I was thinking that last night when I read Ambience's post.

I looked at the speaker rings on the RX-5085 and it would do well on the front-facing part, but not sure about the sides of the rings, they're a curved surface. It may look weird with the sticker edge right at the facet all the way around, can't really tell.

caution, do you think this could be done with the Silhouette Cameo that you have??? :hmmm:

Like Reli asked, Is it possible at all?

caution · Sep 21, 2015

I could certainly cut some and let Ambience try it :-)

Ambience · Sep 24, 2015

I think adding some chrome just to the straight edges would do wonders for my 5085. The speaker trims aren't too bad. Again, whenever I get a chance I must try this and post the results. Haha

A cheap alternative to re-chroming

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