Anyone used "Cricut cutters" for making stencils?

[frank williams]

Are the desktop machines any good?  I can get one on Craigslist for $30.  Can you interface to your computer fonts?

[Mark Scarborough]

My lady does scrapbooking, my understanding of the CriCut system is that it only works with "modules" you purchase that are exclusive to the machine, so the simple answer is, from my experience no you cannot use fonts from your computer, or graphics of any sort

after soem google time, it appears that you can edit things on your computer, but I dont know about fonts from your computer

here s a link with some info

http://us.cricut.com/home/learn/software/craft-room

[TigreST]

My daughter has one and after the first thrill of it's use some years ago now sits in the bottom of the craft cabinet and rarely see's the light of day.  This doesn't mean that it is not capable of cutting clean stencils and such, because it can.  The issue is that her particular unit is not one that will interface with a P.C. so your are stuck with the preloaded modules that contain the fonts and graphic's that come on them. I went looking for a module that had a font that I might like to use on my models but gave up very early on in the search.  I've not looked for any Cricut plug in modules in a very long time but they were not cheap here in Canada.  And so it sits.  There are other desk topic P.C. compatible units out there like the "Silhouette" (I think that's one?).  After seeing Sparky's work I was also tempted to purchase the same unit. I might still do it.

Tony

[frank williams]

Mark, Tony
Thanks for  your input ....
what you have said is kinda what I was beginning to think ... I'd be better with a bit more research and spend a bit more for one that would connect to my PC
Thanks again for your help
Frank

[Dane Martin]

I'll just echo what was said about the cricut cutter. It cuts really good,  but it has proprietary modules for different fonts.
The silhouette cameo can cut other stuff. Whatever you design basically.  If you recall this ringmaster from the 2014 roundup, the ringmaster graffiti graphic and ama numbers is black monokote cut with the cameo.

[Avaiojet]

Frank,

Take a walk into your local sign shop and ask if they have an old cutter hanging around?

Some shops usually do, the reason, because they don't want to sell them to someone that may use it to compete with them.

Explain what you need it for. There are plenty of shops you can try, or just make a call.

You might get lucky.

I've had cutters for well over 20 years because I have a sign and graphics business. Go to the Vendor's corner, I'm CFC Graphics.

Best of luck,

Charles

[Geoff Goodworth]

Cricut has several different models and my bride has two.

The first has the Model Number CRV 001 on a label underneath. This one uses little plug-in cartridges for fonts and trim shapes. At our place it used used regularly.

The second is called the Explore One. This connects to a computer via a USB cable or Bluetooth. It is run from an application called Cricut Design Space. Our son has used it for paint masks but I'm unsure of the level of success. We are in OZ so the model names may be a bit different. Also, the Cricut Bluetooth dongle is not cheap, nor is one for a PC that is not Bluetooth enabled.

[Rick Bollinger]

My Wife also scrapbooks and has a cricut. I have used it to cut monokote and also to cut shelf paper stencils. There are cartridges of just different fonts. You can change sizes of the fonts. Is this top level stuff? No but it is ok especially if you can pick it up for $30.00. Here is a picture of my flightbox I re-did and my Vector using shelfpaper stencils.

[George Albo]

Here's a thread on Hippocket you may be interested in. The cutter can be programmed from your PC with what you want, and interestingly enough it is also being used to cut balsa!


http://www.hippocketaeronautics.com/hpa_forum/index.php?topic=19248.0

George Albo