This could be useful for scratchbuilders

[tramcar trev]

http://iainrobinsonmodels.blogspot.com.au/2014/11/day-return-to-kingsford.html

This chap uses a "Cameo Cutter" to cut plasticard etc for model railway construction. I had never thought that a glorified vinyl cutter would be capable of making things out of plastic card and it can "emboss" stonework into foamed PVC....


http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Silhouette-Cameo-Starter-Kit-Bundle-Cutter-Free-Shipping-/171369826409?pt=US_Die_Cutting_Machines_Dies&hash=item27e6700869

 

[cbeckett]

It looks just the job - never really heard of these - but beyond my pocket unfortunately. BUT - I belong to an Oz "MensShed" -workshop - and there is a 1% chance I could persuade them to come up with $300 or so (couldn't see price of consumables). To be honest, although I hate doing fine cutting with a knife, I don't do enough of it to warrant the costs.

But, very interesting. I know there is a Design Company that does architectual models, in our small town, so I may just go and lean on thier doorstep!

 

[cbeckett]

well slap me around the head with a wet kipper! MensShed (30 minutes after getting my request this morning) have approved purchase - so look forward to learning/playing with it!

 

[tramcar trev]

The CAMEO CAN be quite expensiv dpending on types.e. The one advertised is reasonable. There was a discussion about these machines on the Large Scale Central forum (US) a couple of months ago.
I am not sure (as I have never tried it)..but a STIKA (Roland) is similar but I do not think it will cut thickish plastic sheet (and I aint trying it on mine!!)......

On the other hand...I may well give it a go sometime on some 10 or 20 thou plastic just to see how it goes. At most it may need a new blade if it goes wrong! (Blade and holder OEM are VERY expensive) but, thanks to China 1/3rd the price.....say no more!!

Ian Robinson mentions the RM website. Really worth reading the posts re this Cameo machine.....
http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/79025-a-guide-to-using-the-silhouette-cameo-cutter/page-5

EQUIPMENT

http://www.yolo.co.uk/silhouette-store-11-c.asp?gclid=CJDvjI7b_MECFcrKtAod2WkA-Q

I think Robinson is smart enough to realise that model making consists of more than a kitchen table and an assortment of exacto knives. He suggests the score and snap method for plastic sheet and thats what I have done for years with a sharp blade. This device though can score nice radii on corners and would be the ducks gutz for making carriage sides or such...

 

[tramcar trev]

Good oh....BUT make sure you read the blog on the RM website I mentioned above.
There are quite a few "wrinkles" to this machine and they explain it very well....note that the knife cuts as well as a scalpel...if not better! (I found that out with my STIKA)

You may need a raster to vector prog for drawings. WinTopo (freeware) will be ok for conversions.

Obviously the oem blades were problematic and there is a clever Chinaman making replacement blades that can be resharpened, meaning that deliberately blunt blades have a use as an "embossing" tool which Robinson does with "foamex" board to create stonework etc....
I dont think its unduly expensive, I remember when an A3 plotter cost $5000 and I threw one away which I could have modified to do the work this device does....

 

[stockers]

Sounds just like ink cartridges to me Ross. The machine is too cheap and the spares are too expensive. :