Hello Original poster,
Thank you for asking this question, I found it helpful when this happened to me, I used the answers you got to help me trouble shoot my issues. I am a fairly new user to SB too (although I own 3 other cutting machines).
This is what I learned - I hope it helps.
In the process of trying to sort out a similar issue I watched all the Silver Bullets live videos and made many notes. Making lists of recommended cut settings etc. There are quite a few settings in those videos that helped me to have an idea of where to start. Then I started from those settings and tested similar materials to work out *my* machine.
A new blade did wonders but it was still skipping and shallowly cut in some areas. I noticed the white cutting strip looked uneven, it wasn't sitting flat and was bowed up in some areas. So I reseated this little white (nylon or Teflon?) plasticy strip. I took it out and rubbed all the adhesive off, and used a strip of double sided tape to stick it down - a full non broken line of 1/8th inch tape (so there were no breaks or lumps). (I tried using my ATG tape gun but it wasn't even enough). This fixed the shallow cutting and losing pressure issue for me.
However, these are the other things I learnt along the way that contributed to the quality of the cuts:
Use the machines settings, not the software's, this is imperative for the SB to work properly (I use SCAL4).
After testing I found my machine varies from the pressure suggestions by about 10 - 20.
My machine cuts better at 800 speed. (I thought this was counter intuitive.. but they were totally right.)
Trying other blades is a good idea - i have a glass top desk and I am sure I nicked one blade when I dropped it.
Testing and making sure the blade depth is right - how much blade is showing, how far the blade housing is etc really helps.
I didn't find it to be "plug and play". The whole process took me hours, but the subsequent cuts were worth the effort. I figured its a commercial grade machine that has limitless possibilities and isn't hindered by the specifics a "brand". I also feel confident using different sorts of materials and have a good idea as to where to start when I want to adjust my settings.
So, I would start with the videos, the scrappy dews guy is awesome. (He also has a SCAL tutorial series that I bought and that was brilliant). I would choose a variety of materials like they use and see what settings are right for your machine.
I hope I haven't confused things even more, or repeated others information, its just my experience and you sharing yours helped me so I figured I should share back
Anna Hamersely
(
a.hamersley.studio@gmail.com)