Silhouette cutters deeply discounted for Black Friday

[C855B]

If you've been considering a Silhouette "vinyl" cutter for your scratchbuilding projects, they're seriously on sale this weekend. The smaller Portrait model, normally $179.99, is discounted to $129.99 including an accessories bundle:

  http://www.silhouetteamerica.com/holiday

Don't forget to use discount code HOLIDAY at checkout.

I've mostly been using my older SD model for vinyl lettering, and I like it a lot. Others here use it for scribing styrene for building projects, so maybe passing the word would be appreciated for anyone sitting on the fence.

[tom mann]

This is odd:

*40% discount excludes Silhouette CAMEO®, Silhouette Portrait®, downloads, download cards, subscriptions, and gift cards. 

So you have to get the Holiday bundle.

[C855B]

Yeah, that hit me as dumb, too. You can toss the bundled stuff (amounting to not much, anyway), still saving a little over 25%.

[basementcalling]

Besides lettering what are you cutting? Will it cut styrene?
How does it compare to the cutter Lance Mindheim referenced on his blog?

[Jim Costello]

I do not know the details yet , but believe that 'Brother ' has or is to release two models capable of cutting  fabric, cardboard,ply and felt to about 3mm or 1/8th inch thick. 

Anybody know of this?

Jim
Modelling the NH down under

[Dave Schneider]

It will cut styrene up to .010 inches thick, but scribe and snap works well. I have used it to produce hundreds of window openings.
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=25845.msg259356#msg259356

Here is a long thread about things that various TRW folks have done with the Silhouette cutters.
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=23354.0

My most "recent" project has been cutting sewers grates and manhole covers. Although somewhat limited by the thickness of material that can be cut cleanly, you can make some very precise cuts. Reminds me that I owe Phillip....sorry man.
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=24044.105

Best wishes, Dave

[Philip H]

that's ok - I've been so stuck on the Bridge over Bufkin's Bayou (which sounds just like the popular song if you sing it right), that I haven't done the anticipated road paving.  But I'm still interested.

[sirenwerks]

Overstock.com has the same price and unit.

[pnolan48]

I'm still using my Silhouette SD cutter, as well as a much larger Blackcat Cougar. The Cougar cuts through .020 styrene, but seems to have a problem tracking correctly on long cuts. So I'm cutting parts with lots of cut-outs, such a superstructures on ships, with the Cougar. For large pieces, like 40" x 6" hull shapes, I'm still using the Silhouette, with a score and snap technique. I'm still working with the Cougar folks about getting true cuts on large pieces. Styrene has a tremendous drag on the blade!

My Silhouette is nearing end of life, having cut many a piece of styrene the past two years. A new blade helped a lot, but it's making end of life groans and clicks. So I started experimenting. I ground off material from one of the tips, so that it cuts .04 mm deep instead of the usual max of .03 mm. Works like a charm, but obviously puts more strain on the machine and blade. The mod allows me to cleanly scribe 1.5 mm strips out of .02" styrene. It still needs a snap, but doesn't curl like before (or if I make the strips narrower). I'll continue removing material from the tip to see what happens.

For those unfamiliar with what I am doing in ships, all cut with a Silhouette (except the PE brass and wire):