cricut - inexpensive CNC cutter

[clevermod01]

I saw on another forum that sharp corners are also a function of blade angle (or offset)which is a setting on the more sophisticated cutters.

[marc_reusser]

Hello all,


I have attached a few photos and drawings.  If I could figure out how to load photos I would do that.  Can someone help with uploading photos?

Try this sticky/link:

http://www.finescalerr.com/smf/index.php?topic=3.0


Marc

[jacq01]

  Looking at the results, quality and the prices of these machines I am a bit dissappointed.

For the amount of parts I need , it is cheaper to order parts from Crystal River, Rusty Stumps or in Germany MKB modellbau according to the dimensions I want. I believe Dave will cut also private orders.

Jacq

[finescalerr]

That has been my feeling, too, Jacq. As I read through the posts and look at the output, lasers seem to do more of what we want. -- Russ

[clevermod01]

The pix posted so far are of very low end machines in the sub $175 price range. How can you compare that to a $6000+ laser. I'm still waiting to see what the serious tools will do. I have submitted some tough tests and and having them done by people who have experience and know what they are doing with these cutters. as soon as I get the results, I'll share them warts and all.

Thom

[artizen]

I think the examples that Frederic has shown here are quite acceptable for dolls house scales such as I work in (1:24). I have now purchased two not-so-cheap batches of windows for my models from people who make a living from designing and manufacturing them and I was disappointed with the accuracy and quality of cutting. Both batches were from manufacturers using lasers. In a large scale such as 1:24 I had expected quality results as the size of the individual parts are not exactly tiny. Getting bespoke parts cut by laser here in Brisbane is a no-brainer - the majority of laser owners want a preproduction fee of around $88 to check the file before they even start work. When you only want a small batch of windows, that suddenly jumps the price to outrageous instead of just incredibly expensive. I have seen really fine cutting standards here in Brisbane by fellow modellers using a Craft Robo and I think for small quantities that is the better alternative as it sits on the desk next to you. If you want to go the other way, you could always look at this thread (building in 1:76) - http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php/topic/28293-manchester-central-castlefield-viaducts-modelling-structures/page__st__125 Scroll a fair way down to see the build. All achieved with flat plasticard and a sharp knife with a steady hand.

[finescalerr]

Okay, I'll wait to see more examples of what these machines can do. But it really isn't a price issue so much as an absolute quality one. I'd rather pay more and get better results but if I can pay less and get the same results it's a no brainer. -- Russ

[jacq01]

  As an average modeler I wonder how many parts ( windows, etc ) I do need per year.  $ 200,- will give me most I think. 
  Why should I bother about the price of all those machines if I can purchase superb made parts in the quantities and quality I want from specialised small firms ?

Jacq

[DaKra]

So far, one thing is for sure, don't order laser cut parts from Artizen's guy in Brisbane!  

IMHO these cutting machines are promising. Economics aside, for me the question is, what are the useful operating ranges of materials and thicknesses and finesse?  Since they cut with a blade, there is a much smaller operating envelope than a laser.  A laser puts no physical stress on the material being cut and engraved, and can make deep cuts in very dense materials.  

It would be helpful to see more pictures of results (esp. embossing), since the concepts of "useful" and "good enough" are  obviously not the same for everyone.  I figure the sweet spot for these tools in the scale model hobby is with RC airplanes.  A laser is overkill for cutting repetitive balsa parts.          

Dave  

[BKLN]

I think that the big advantage of a cutter is the ability to cut thin styrene. I prefer styrene over paper. Lasers still leave melting welds that have to be sanded, so that is a big disadvantage of the laser. But the precise cutting of a laser can't be beat.

The examples shown in this thread are clearly below what I would consider finescale standard. I would bet the majority of the people here to cut better windows by hand than having these weird curves.

To Thom's point:
I do believe that the combination of digital cutters and printed paper have a lot of potential. The most important technical requirement would be a perfect registration / alignment of print and cut. The biggest problem with paper models is the cutting and folding process. But if a paper kit is printed on high quality paper with high quality ink (ink fading is a potential longterm problem) and then precisely cut with a digital cutter, I would expect some truly outstanding results.

[clevermod01]

Dave, Your experience with Vector cut gives you great insight into how similar lasers of different power levels. they might be useful or not.
What can you do with a 5 watt laser?

The low end digital cutters (Circut, Wishblade, etc) are not going to give results that will satisfy a craftsman modeler. The tools I am exploring are in the $400 to $900 range. Specifically the Gazelle (just under $400) (stats below) and the KNK maxx ($550 up). Not cheap but doable for the serious modeler.

this HO coach is made from 7 layers of .02 styrene and was cut on a older KNK

here are the stats for the Gazelle (the stats for the KNK are similar but with 950 grms of force)
Max cut width is 12.125"
Max material width is 13"
Max length is 80"
Cutting speed is .5" to 12"sec. 7 levels
Cutting force is from 100grms to 500grms 7 levels selectable (twice the power of the Craft robo)
Max resolution is 1/1000".1000dpi
Repeatability 0.004"
Max depth is 1mm or .32"
I don't think you will be using these machines to make the beautiful miniature tools that Dave laser etches (Dave does the best laser out there)
but if you want to make a dozen rail cars?
Thom

[DaKra]

Aside from material max dimensions, I think you'll find that stats such as you've posted, or comparisons to hypothetical 5w lasers aren't meaningful to most model builders, including me.  I'd need to see examples of raw output in styrene and sheet metal / foil, including embossing, to know if its useful to me.   

[clevermod01]

Foil embossing. That's a great idea.

[BKLN]

Those cars with the layered styrene are pretty good examples of creative use of styrene. Very nice!

Christian

[finescalerr]

Dave just made the point I wanted to make.

The problem is that, so far, we can't see what these tools can do. I think $600, while expensive, is still reasonable for a tool that can crank out most of what I want to scratchbuild and I would get much more use from it than from, for example, my superb little drill press. Heck, I would be excited about such a device. But even $5 is too much for a tool that produces disappointing results.

Let's try to curtail the theory and deal with practicality: We need to see good images of appropriate examples of actual work. Until they appear, any meaningful discussion is impossible.

Such a device could be as exciting as 3-D printing but it's a moot point until somebody does what Chuck did and produces the results.

Russ