[Oa] paper cutters

Wed Mar 9 12:48:37 MST 2011

I don't think real people can afford  $ 4 - 700. What are some other options?

--- On Wed, 3/9/11, oa-request at magni.evermore.com <oa-request at magni.evermore.com> wrote:

From: oa-request at magni.evermore.com <oa-request at magni.evermore.com>
Subject: Oa Digest, Vol 53, Issue 3
To: oa at magni.evermore.com
Date: Wednesday, March 9, 2011, 2:00 PM

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Today's Topics:

   1. Fwd: Re:  Desktop cutter (Andrew Crawford)
   2. Administriva: List Replies (Andrew Crawford)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Tue, 08 Mar 2011 13:41:15 -0700
From: Andrew Crawford <andrew at evermore.com>
Subject: [Oa] Fwd: Re:  Desktop cutter
To: OA List <oa at evermore.com>
Message-ID: <4D76946B.8000401 at evermore.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

I think this extremely informative post was supposed to go to the list.

-- 
Andrew Crawford

-------- Original Message --------
Subject:     Re: [Oa] Desktop cutter
Date:     Tue, 8 Mar 2011 19:39:01 GMT
From:     julieflanagan1

I have a number of cutters that I use for my papercutting projects:
Pazzles Pro (AKA DGI Omega 40), Pazzles Inspiration, Gazelle, Craft
Robo, Cricut Expression, and eCraft. I have owned or worked with most of
the other cutters marketed for home crafters.

What you want to cut would determine the best cutter choice for you.
Your design software choice is extremely important, as not all cutters
work with all software or computer operating systems. If you are
designing in Illustrator or CorelDraw already, and are comfortable using
these, then you would want a cutter that is compatible with these
software packages. However, if you are not designing in one of these
high end programs, I think you will find the learning curve quite high.
You might want to select a software package that is easier to learn to
use to start with if you have never used a vector design software
before.If you are running a Mac, you will want to select software that
will run on a Mac (unless you are running Windows parallel on your MAC.

Cost may also be a determining factor. If you are into production, and
need speed, and ability to run 24/7, you would want a machine that would
hold up for production, not overheat, or bog down with highly detailed
designs. But if you are just creating cutting files for personal
crafting purposes, you might prefer not to spend lots of money for a cutter.

Size may be an issue for some. Do you want a machine that is portable,
or one that requires major permanent desktop space?

What file formats do you want to use? Will you want to cut files made by
others, or to you want to cut only files you made? Do you want to share
your cutting files with others? What formats will they require?

Customer Service and training are also important factors in your cutter
choice.

These are so many factors involved in any person's choice of a cutter.

My cutter of choice for most of my intricate projects is the Gazelle,
because
1. It is portable (only 5" longer than the Craft Robo), and yet cuts
12.125" wide.
2. The price is very affordable for a cutter with it size and capabilities
3. It cuts with 500 grams of force, the same as the Pazzles Pro,
4. I can cut to it from Funtime Gazelle (excellent basic to advanced
design software shipped with the machine), Illustrator, CorelDraw, Make
The Cut (easy to learn and use, with lots of free training and support).
5. Cuts about 4 times faster than the Craft Robo with great accuracy.

For those wanting a production machine for speed and accuracy, you might
want to consider the DGI Omega 40 or Craft Robo Pro because they use a
servo motor rather than a stepper motor. The disadvantage of the less
expensive machines with stepper motors is that they cut one step at a
time. If there is a mis-step for any reason, the remainder of the design
will be cut inaccurately. A cutter equipped with a servo motor cuts
according to specific coordinates of the design. One missed point does
not affect the remainder of the cut, because the cut proceeds to the
next point in the design rather than counting the number of steps
between the points.

I did not like the KNK machines because the pressure handles did not
secure the feeding of the mat. Designs would be skewed when cut.
I understand that the Cougar Black Cat, available in a number of sizes,
depending on your production needs, has fixed many of the major flaws
experienced by KNK users. Cougar also boasts of up to 950 grams of
cutting pressure, allowing it to cut through thicker media. It uses a
stepper motor, though. If the blade snags for any reason during the cut,
causing a mis-cut, the remainder of the cutting will be inaccurate. The
Black Cat does cut very fast. One note on speed, the faster the cut, the
less accurate it will be.

If you have further questions about any of these machines, I would be
happy to answer them.

Julie Flanagan, Flanagan Educational Services

------------------------------

Message: 2
Date: Tue, 08 Mar 2011 13:53:32 -0700
From: Andrew Crawford <andrew at evermore.com>
Subject: [Oa] Administriva: List Replies
To: OA List <oa at evermore.com>
Message-ID: <4D76974C.40607 at evermore.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Greetings All,

I thought we had the list set for replies to go out to the list, rather
than just the original poster.  We did not.  Be aware that I changed the
setting so that replies will now go out to the whole list unless you
modify the "To" line when you reply.

Best,

-- 
Andrew Crawford

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