Cameo 3 or Cricut?

[soo]

Hello all,
     Trying to make a decision on if a Cameo3 or Cricut would work for making scratch built structures.
     Checked on laser cutters,,,wayyyyy to rich for me. Heck the Dremel model is 6000$ USD.
     I did some reading, the Cameo can take imported files. So I could use 3rd Plan It to draw said structures.
     So any input would be most appreciated.
Cya,
Y -It

[peteski]

Hello all,
     Trying to make a decision on if a Cameo3 or Cricut would work for making scratch built structures.
     Checked on laser cutters,,,wayyyyy to rich for me. Heck the Dremel model is 6000$ USD.
     I did some reading, the Cameo can take imported files. So I could use 3rd Plan It to draw said structures.
     So any input would be most appreciated.
Cya,
Y -It

You can have a laser cutter for less than half that price.  IIRC someone on this forum owns one.

[soo]

Pete,
400$ is better than 3000$. Lol
Wesołych Świąt
Cya Y-it

[kornellred]

I bought a Cricut Explore about four years ago on the advice of Myles Hale of Model Railroad Hobbyist magazine,  where he reviews said machine in a trainmasters.tv video segment.  In that video, he manages to cut cab sides and roof for an O Scale locomotive using .125"  (or 3mm) basswood.  That is doubtless the far outside edge of the material thickness the Cricut, or any other programmable cutting machine of it's type, can handle.

What I discovered was that, as geometric shapes are being cut, the smaller they are (like n scale windows as an example) the less precise the corners are when the material is thick.  The blade is being dragged through the material in one plane, stops, and the blade gets dragged into alignment with the new direction, but not at the precise point of angle change.  Clean up of rectangular corners is required, if your cutting project is otherwise satisfactory.

There are many comparison videos on youtube outlining the characteristics of the Cricut vs Silhouette situation,  most concluding that they are
both excellent machines for their intended uses, with the Cricut being cheaper to buy and somewhat easier to use from a software standpoint.

Cheap Chinese laser engraver/cutters abound on eBay, with the so-called K40 type (40 watt CO2 laser) being the lightweight champion of the affordable laser segment.  I bought the cheapest of the cheap  models I could find ($370.00 with free shipping from a US warehouse) and I find that it is far superior to knife cutters of any type.  The cheap lasers have their own issues, but that is a story for another thread.

[peteski]

Well, if a laser cutter's cost is in the ballpark of a Cameo, I think that changes the ballgame.  I knew someone here did own a cheap laser cutter (just didn't remember how much cheaper than $3000).

Happy Holidays to you too Y-it! 

[soo]

I don't know squat about laser cutters. What files do they need? Do they come with software? How hard is it to use?
Y-It= clueless.
Laters,
Y-It

[DKS]

I don't know squat about laser cutters. What files do they need? Do they come with software? How hard is it to use?
Y-It= clueless.
Laters,
Y-It

Some of the better laser cutters work with files from vector drawing programs such as CorelDraw. Way back when, I produced a lot of laser-cut kits by drawing them in CorelDraw; the laser accepted the native output files. These applications are pretty easy to use, especially as compared to 3D printer CAD. I'm happy to offer some quickie primers.

[rodsup9000]

 

Hello all,
     Trying to make a decision on if a Cameo3 or Cricut would work for making scratch built structures.
     Checked on laser cutters,,,wayyyyy to rich for me. Heck the Dremel model is 6000$ USD.
     I did some reading, the Cameo can take imported files. So I could use 3rd Plan It to draw said structures.
     So any input would be most appreciated.
Cya,
Y -It

You can have a laser cutter for less than half that price.  IIRC someone on this forum owns one.

It was me.
 I think I have everything in this thread that will get you up and running.

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=40117.0
 Let me know if you have any more questions
I've got several hundred hours on it so far.

[Chris333]

  You can have a laser cutter for less than half that price.  IIRC someone on this forum owns one.


It was me.
 I think I have everything in this thread that will get you up and running.

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=40117.0
 Let me know if you have any more questions
I've got several hundred hours on it so far.

Does it still work? 

[rodsup9000]

  Chris,

 Yes it still works. This past summer I bought a 50 watt tube that will get installed as soon as I get a new workbench table built for it.

[soo]

Thanks for all the comments and help guys!
I did some eBay searching,,,300-500$,,,,but 200$ shipping..wow!!
After reading your comments,,seems like a laser is the way to go.
Thanks again,
Y-It

[rodsup9000]

Here is one thats $389 with free shipping.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/40W-12X8-USB-CO2-Laser-Engraver-Cutter-Engraving-Cutting-Machine-Blue/153148511977?_trkparms=aid%3D555018%26algo%3DPL.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131003132420%26meid%3Dac68ec821f884dda93f8632e42ff3fe5%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D273503931530%26itm%3D153148511977&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

[peteski]

Here is another $389 machine which supposedly comes with (and supports directly) Corel Draw (so it will likely be compatible with vector based drawings).
This one has free shipping (we all know this means that shipping is included in the low, low price). 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/SUNCOO-CO2-Laser-Engraver-Cutter-Commercial-Engraving-Cutting-Machine-40W-USB-/223014337437

[DKS]

...but 200$ shipping..wow!!

They are not lightweight machines. Also, some require external ventilation.

[soo]

Hmm...and I get paid on Friday! Yay for me.
Thanks for the links. I wonder if the Corel is authentic or a bootleg?
I do have 3rd Plan-it,,I could draw in that as well....
Hmmm...
Cya,
Y-it