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Cutting thick cardstock with electronic die cutter?
Which electronic die cutter would you vote for if you were to cut intricate designs like a doily on a thick cardstock like Papertrey Ink (110lb)? I'm mainly looking between Cameo and Gazelle but am open to others too.
I currently have a cricut (which I use with SCAL) and am looking to upgrade to something that can cut thick cardstock like butter
Bazzill is the thickest CS I've cut on my Silhouette Portrait, if I slow down the speed and set the blade to the deepest setting I've had pretty good luck with intricate designs but it is hit or miss sometimes. If I'm cutting something really detailed I'll try to stick with a med. weight CS.
Looks like Silhouette's cutting power is very similar to Cricut. On my cricut expression, I can cut PTI CS by cutting twice but not intricate designs and that's why I use 65lb cardstock for intricate ones.
Check out KNK machines - they'll cut thick material: Your #1 Source for Computerized Cutting Machines and Supplies.. Lots of threads on SCS about the Zing and Maxx. Good reputation and KNK has great customer service (at least that's been my experience - I have a Maxx).
__________________ "May your mind whirl joyful cartwheels of creativity." - Jonathan Lockwood Huie.
I have a KNK and with practice I have been able to cut some fine shapes from 1.2mm chipboard. It takes several passes and the right blade and pressure but Klik-n-Kut can do it.
__________________ There is no such thing as lack of sleep, only caffeine deficiency.
Unfortunately I don't have it written on my sheet but definitely the 60 degree blade and 2or 3 passes.
The rest is more of an educated guess as I haven't done anything except sticker vinyl for ages (worse luck).
Blade sharpness and depth seemed to be the biggest issues. Depth because the blade gets wider as it goes in further so it can tear corners when it turns. Sharpness because chipboard is just plain tough to cut.
So fresh blade if you can and don't make it any deeper than absolutely necessary.
I had it slowed right down to 50 or 100 and pressure I think abour 400. I broke the tips on a couple of blades when i was trying to figure it out.
You also need to make sure the board is really secured well on your mat - I had mine masking taped at the edges. If it moves it will make the second/third passes off line and that just doesn't work.
I could never get the edges as beautifully neat as a die cut piece from the shop but I know others do a pretty good job of it.
It is fiddly to learn but well worth it for the flexibility it offers.
This was her answer to someone about chipboard thickness - it explains some of the furring issues I was having.
Sandy McCauley on January 21, 2012 at 2:51 pm said:
Between 1/16″ and 1/8″ thick, however chipboard varies tremendously from one type to the next. You must find a type that will cut without crumbling or fraying at the edges. Also, if the chipboard is extremely dense, it will not cut or will wear out the blade quickly. The best guide it to try cutting your chipboard with a craft knife. If you can cut it easily in two or three passes, then it will probably cut fine on a Maxx. You also need to remember that larger simpler images will cut better than smaller intricate images from thick dense materials.
__________________ There is no such thing as lack of sleep, only caffeine deficiency.
Thanks for the link Cathy! Yes I looked at that and other places on the internet but somehow reviews here seem more "personal" So I wanted to hear from people here on SCS before I made my decision.
I'm leaning more towards Gazelle than Silhouette but want to make sure that it's really worth the extra $. Do you mind elaborating on why you like Gazelle more than Silhouette?
I too have a Maxx and was able to cut the chipboard sold by KNK Usa in one pass. Other chipboard I've cut with several passes. Both Sandy and KNK USA have a PDF file with recommended settings for different materials which helps.
I too have a Maxx and was able to cut the chipboard sold by KNK Usa in one pass. Other chipboard I've cut with several passes. Both Sandy and KNK USA have a PDF file with recommended settings for different materials which helps.
Ooohh...I shall have to hunt that down. I have my settings on a sheet of paper stuck to my little tool box.
__________________ There is no such thing as lack of sleep, only caffeine deficiency.
I hate to throw a wrench in, but I sold my Gazelle for a Cameo. I'm a 40(ish) woman, plenty of "tech" type experience and I found the software to be ridiculous. I had problems with it from day 1 - and the dongle experience is not something I want to repeat either. While most people seemed to have great experiences with it (and great c/s and great help on the forums) I never did. When I asked questions on the forums I got a *lot* of answers - but they were almost all "Give it a chance and you'll love it!", although there were some rude answers and a few "go watch X video". (without acknowledging that the videos often had technical problems and you couldn't actually READ the pop-up instructions - and there was no voice over either) I *hate* that I didn't love the Gazelle and I *hate* that it totally defeated me. I just couldn't seem to figure it out and the stress (for something that I was supposed to enjoy) was just too much.
Jin posted reviews of several cutters on her site: Under A Cherry Tree and I found these to be very non-biased and informative. I won't say "Don't buy one!" but I will say "Buyer beware!"
That's my 2 cents. ;)
Thank you ladies for all your input! After much thought and research I've decided to go with KNK Zing. The thing that most swayed me in its direction is that in its price range, it has the highest pressure (750 gsm) (for comparison Gazelle has 500 gsm and Silhouette 250 gsm).
I'm waiting to see if KNK has any sale in the holiday season and then I'll order it.
Thank you ladies for all your input! After much thought and research I've decided to go with KNK Zing. The thing that most swayed me in its direction is that in its price range, it has the highest pressure (750 gsm) (for comparison Gazelle has 500 gsm and Silhouette 250 gsm).
I'm waiting to see if KNK has any sale in the holiday season and then I'll order it.
Congrats on your decision!
If you're so inclined, you could email '[email protected]' to see if they have any specials or sales on the horizon....oh, are you gonna have fun
__________________ "May your mind whirl joyful cartwheels of creativity." - Jonathan Lockwood Huie.
Thank you ladies for all your input! After much thought and research I've decided to go with KNK Zing. The thing that most swayed me in its direction is that in its price range, it has the highest pressure (750 gsm) (for comparison Gazelle has 500 gsm and Silhouette 250 gsm).
I'm waiting to see if KNK has any sale in the holiday season and then I'll order it.
Congrats! You will love your Zing. I saved and scrimped for over a year to get one and finally got mine in July.
I use a lot of SU cardstock and find when I slow it down and use a deeper cut I also set it to "double cut" this has worked very well for me.
Blessings
I hate to throw a wrench in, but I sold my Gazelle for a Cameo. I'm a 40(ish) woman, plenty of "tech" type experience and I found the software to be ridiculous. I had problems with it from day 1 - and the dongle experience is not something I want to repeat either. While most people seemed to have great experiences with it (and great c/s and great help on the forums) I never did. When I asked questions on the forums I got a *lot* of answers - but they were almost all "Give it a chance and you'll love it!", although there were some rude answers and a few "go watch X video". (without acknowledging that the videos often had technical problems and you couldn't actually READ the pop-up instructions - and there was no voice over either) I *hate* that I didn't love the Gazelle and I *hate* that it totally defeated me. I just couldn't seem to figure it out and the stress (for something that I was supposed to enjoy) was just too much.
Jin posted reviews of several cutters on her site: Under A Cherry Tree and I found these to be very non-biased and informative. I won't say "Don't buy one!" but I will say "Buyer beware!"
That's my 2 cents. ;)
I was one of the members here who suggested the videos to you. If I came off rude then I am sorry. I never thought any of the die cutting advice I gave over the years over here or on other forums was ever mean or rude. If I was then I apologize to any one who I offended. I am truly sorry.
This is the main reason I got out of helping with die cutters. The stress and hours of trying to help ended up making me hate the cutters and the industry.
I got my Zing over the weekend and have been playing with the pen testing tool (not yet cut anything); and I'm totally amazed at how well it works! I can already see what an upgrade it is over Cricut! It also looks so beautiful! It was hard to leave it home alone and go to work today
Cutting thick cardstock with electronic die cutter?
