Post by old squirmydad on Jul 29, 2009 7:42:46 GMT -9
I'll be putting my experience and experiments with the Craft Robo hardware and software here.
First of all Mel Ebbles of Ebbles Miniatures has really led the charge to make Craft Robos more appealing as an instrument of construction for paper-modellers so a huge thanks to him for the time and energy that he's invested in researching the tools and software and assembling tutorials and guides for the Craft Robo experience.
Speaking of Mel, if you haven't read his basic guide to the Craft Robo and paper-modelling, go do that now.
www.ebblesminiatures.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=136
The Silhouette SD from Quickcutz is what i purchased. they have a very nice incentive program going where you only pay $30/month instead of $220 up front.
Some of the things I've learned;
- Don't use the sticky carrier sheet that comes with the machine-the glue will destroy your papermodel.
- Use a repostionable spray adhesive like KrylonEasy-Tack 7020 or Sulky KK2000. You can use the Sulky indoors (not so the Krylon!) but I can't get it where I live.
- Use light coats of spray adhesive. Heavy coats will cause problems with removing model bits from the frames and may cause problems removing the frames (printed sheet with model pieces) from the carrier sheet.
- Let the adhesive dry a little before running the model and carrier sheets through the cutter. The models came off the page a little easier once I let the tackiness settle a bit.
- I use 110lb paperstock as my backing carriers, in fact, I use the same four sheets repeatedly. A light coat of adhesive makes it easy to remove the frame when done, but is still tacky enough to be re-used. When I'm not cutting things I cover my carrier sheets with wax paper to keep them from getting dust and lint stuck on them.
- Alexio had the good idea to use a file folder to align his printed sheets and his carrier sheets. I highly recommend this method.
- The Silhouette SD will cut through 110lb paperstock, even at a cutting setting of 45-75 lbs. Setting the cut lower like this (or just forgetting to reset it) will create some areas that are not entirely cut through.
- I haven't picked up a knife to cut out a model in over a week, my wrist is much happier now. Within the past week my cutter has cut out;
25 Ebbles interlocking ground tiles
3 Ebbles modular hills sections
1 Ebbles Dassault Marchand Crotale IV
27 Elf cavalry (One Monk)
1 Elder Dragon (Jabbro)
2 Owlbears, 2 carrion Beasts, 2 Dragon Snakes (One Monk)
1 page of 25x50mm cavalry bases (One Monk)
3 5x1 cavalry stands
1 5x2 cavalry stand
1 Bloodhound recon vehicle (30mm scale)
I forgot to say that all of the above was also scored by the Silhouette SD, so my pen and ruler sit in the box gathering dust next to my knife.
That's the hardware end of things, next up is the software.
First of all Mel Ebbles of Ebbles Miniatures has really led the charge to make Craft Robos more appealing as an instrument of construction for paper-modellers so a huge thanks to him for the time and energy that he's invested in researching the tools and software and assembling tutorials and guides for the Craft Robo experience.
Speaking of Mel, if you haven't read his basic guide to the Craft Robo and paper-modelling, go do that now.
www.ebblesminiatures.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=136
The Silhouette SD from Quickcutz is what i purchased. they have a very nice incentive program going where you only pay $30/month instead of $220 up front.
Some of the things I've learned;
- Don't use the sticky carrier sheet that comes with the machine-the glue will destroy your papermodel.
- Use a repostionable spray adhesive like KrylonEasy-Tack 7020 or Sulky KK2000. You can use the Sulky indoors (not so the Krylon!) but I can't get it where I live.
- Use light coats of spray adhesive. Heavy coats will cause problems with removing model bits from the frames and may cause problems removing the frames (printed sheet with model pieces) from the carrier sheet.
- Let the adhesive dry a little before running the model and carrier sheets through the cutter. The models came off the page a little easier once I let the tackiness settle a bit.
- I use 110lb paperstock as my backing carriers, in fact, I use the same four sheets repeatedly. A light coat of adhesive makes it easy to remove the frame when done, but is still tacky enough to be re-used. When I'm not cutting things I cover my carrier sheets with wax paper to keep them from getting dust and lint stuck on them.
- Alexio had the good idea to use a file folder to align his printed sheets and his carrier sheets. I highly recommend this method.
- The Silhouette SD will cut through 110lb paperstock, even at a cutting setting of 45-75 lbs. Setting the cut lower like this (or just forgetting to reset it) will create some areas that are not entirely cut through.
- I haven't picked up a knife to cut out a model in over a week, my wrist is much happier now. Within the past week my cutter has cut out;
25 Ebbles interlocking ground tiles
3 Ebbles modular hills sections
1 Ebbles Dassault Marchand Crotale IV
27 Elf cavalry (One Monk)
1 Elder Dragon (Jabbro)
2 Owlbears, 2 carrion Beasts, 2 Dragon Snakes (One Monk)
1 page of 25x50mm cavalry bases (One Monk)
3 5x1 cavalry stands
1 5x2 cavalry stand
1 Bloodhound recon vehicle (30mm scale)
I forgot to say that all of the above was also scored by the Silhouette SD, so my pen and ruler sit in the box gathering dust next to my knife.
That's the hardware end of things, next up is the software.