How I use the Cricut Explore Air to Cut Letters with Monokote

[@sceudue50]

What an amazing addition to have for modeling. I Think i'm goint to purchase one....thanks for the video...

[@Extra300goldberg]

Great video. I have had the Circuit Maker for about two years. Awesome machine for cutting monokote for trim. Also, on the Maker, you can install a knife to produce perfectly cut ribs and other balsa parts.

[@larrykimminau9574]

Thanks for the video Michael. That was very informative and useful. It's nice to find someone else who appreciates building and flying balsa models, We are a dying breed.

[@BayonasRCWorld]

Yes and with the shortage of available balsa kits or manufacturers like back in the day it really does not invite newcomers into our world with ease like it did before. Now the foam planes, ARF are the main entry level models for newcomers.

[@thercbarn5001]

That's cool! Thanks for the video!

[@BayonasRCWorld]

Your welcome

[@DonaldGregg-xu1bp]

Thanks for this video. I’m just getting started and hope to make graphics for my latest plane.

[@BayonasRCWorld]

Awesome

[@ROLXXII]

Excellent video, I am sure there will be a surge in Cricut Explore Air Vinyl Cutter sales after people watch this video! :-)

[@BayonasRCWorld]

LOL! I have the older version Cricut. Well my wife owns the Cricut that is being used in this video hehehehehehehehehe. I had to learn the program and was really hesitant at first. Well I know enough to do what I need done so I guess it paid off spending a few hours learning this vinyl cutter. The newer Cricut machine can cut balsa I believe up to 1/32" thick or something like that.

[@davidfisher2086]

Yep as soon as funds allow I’ll buy one as I’m building Cloud clipper soon this will be perfect 👍

[@davidfisher2086]

Does the program to design on for PC come with the Cricut machine?

[@BayonasRCWorld]

@@davidfisher2086 yes which you will have to register and if you want full access to fonts, patterns and other Cricut features you pay for the service.

[@BayonasRCWorld]

@@davidfisher2086 epic!

[@meakins355]

Thanks for the vid!.

[@BayonasRCWorld]

You are very welcome! I tried to make it straight to the point showing how it was done without really going through the actual Cricut program. Because that in itself is a different animal to tackle. This video Is just an extension of the Ultra Sport 1000 Cover video and as requested by our subscribers and viewers.

[@71manish]

Very helpful 👍

[@FranksModelAviationWorkshop]

Awesome stuff! 👍👍🤙🤙

[@BayonasRCWorld]

Thanks brother! This video was as requested by my subscribers. I try and do what is asked to give my subscribers what they ask for especially if it in regards to something seen in one of my videos that needs more information on. I try my best to provide the content.

[@ROLXXII]

@@BayonasRCWorld Your videos are amazing mate, I love watching your brilliant work. You're a great ambassador for the RC hobby.

[@TL_RC]

Very helpful video, beautiful Ultra Sport as well. 2 questions... Can you import DXF or PDF into the Cricut software as I draw my graphics in Adobe Illustrator? What would be the smallest height for lettering so the machine will cut it cleanly?

[@BayonasRCWorld]

As far as PDF and DXF formats the Cricut can pretty much utilize these formats. As far as height I have cut letters as small as 1/4" depending on the font choosen. Some scrip handwriting fonts are just too fine for such a size and especially if cutting on Monokote.

[@Jonyam]

Very nice, I've been cutting mono for my planes for some time mostly because it's much lighter than vinyl as weight is everything. I'll make two suggestions that help with intricate cuts or any really...Use Tapemanblue paper as your transfer tape and use the Windex method to apply. Get the paper not the clear in case you need to iron. Works best if you put mono graphic cuts on ultra base. You can slide it around and place it and reposition it as much as you need. Squeegee the Windex out and let it dry well overnight, no iron needed. Pull tape back slowly to make sure it's cured. It will work mono on mono but you will have to iron as you are doing now; that's why I like putting it on ultra. The Windex ammonia bonds the mono and loosens up the transfer paper. It peels right off and the mono graphic is stuck permanently. I use a Q-tip to LIGHTLY spread trim solvent around the edges of the graphic applied... easy or it will fade your mono. That's it, you can put graphics in tight places where it may be hard for an iron or shoe to reach...Oh, to get some sticky back to your mat rub it down with a baby wipe to remove crud on it. Left thumb forward, right thumb back.

[@BayonasRCWorld]

Nice! Much appreciated and thank you for taking the time.

[@p3arljam26]

what cut setting do you set your cricut to cut the monokote?

[@BayonasRCWorld]

Vinyl cut setting

[@mercilessradio1770]

Question: I have an RC Crawler that the body plates are opaque plastic on a roll cage. I tried to paint the plates but they never matched the color I wanted. I was looking for a metallic like chrome or copper. However, I have not found a paint that will match that. Close but not quite. So I had a revelation. Monokote. I know you can get both colors that are really close to what I want. So. Any thoughts on adhering monokote to small plastic plates and using the standard method to make it stick. I am fairly sure it would work but you would know better than I. I just wanted a second opinion before I try it.

[@BayonasRCWorld]

Using monokote on plastic will work with low iron setting. I have applied monokote on fiberglass cowls and plastic cowls with good results. Just be mindful of Iron temp to prevent plastics from warping or melting.

[@mercilessradio1770]

@@BayonasRCWorld Thanks. Nice to have some info on that.

[@kemsmith3420]

Michael I have a cricut explore air . Don’t know where to start ! Where do you get the program to start designing some letters and emblems

[@rickperabeau2394]

Why don't you remove the monokote backing first?

[@BayonasRCWorld]

Because the adhesive on the mat and I don't want to have dirt or particles on the back side of the covering.

[@arronchin2032]

pretty cool idea to use a circut to cut covering film, lots of extra steps for the monokote tho , why not just use a traditional vinyl ,,, just plot weed, transfer tape and apply

[@BayonasRCWorld]

Because I rather use monokote where monokote gets ironed down and permanent, where as vinyl is adhesive and overtime will peel off especially if gas/oil gets onto the vinyl

[@arronchin2032]

@@BayonasRCWorld yeah you are correct, I forgot about the gas or glo aspect, I fly electric now so the vinyl works perfect for me.