Hi Guys
Got myself a CRICUT Joy for crimbo and only just gotten round to doing anything apart from wasting materials. With hindsight I should have gone for one of the more expensive machines as it can cut thicker and harder materials such as balsa. The machines are not cheap and I just couldn't justify it to myself for the use it would get. The Joy is almost £200 with the dearer ones going up to over £400. I did manage to snag this one of EBAY, still factory sealed, for £100 so bargain!
First real job done. Original idea was to have 2 layers of balsa painted different colours to make markers but.... Reverted to sticky backed plastic. Found a good source on EBAY as the actual CRICUT materials are very expensive.
(https://i.postimg.cc/dZV9pBtx/IMG20230118130911.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/dZV9pBtx)
Yet again, with hindsight, I should have done the background colour on the pre-cut wooden marker (big bag of mixed sizes for £1.50 - Works) yellow or something bright. Lesson learned for next job.
Will do the job I think.
Derek
Looks good Derek.
Will you be using some at 4th FEB CK???
martin :)
That does indeed look the job, Derek!
Simon
Yep, will have them with me to use. done a dozen up. Assault on one side morale fail on the other.
Derek
So that's a vinyl cutting machine? You can get some clear transfer paper which will help transfer and position the missing center of your letters, like your 'a'
I know. Only starting out in things so far so a learning process.
Its a non-cricut vinyl used so trying to figure out the correct cut settings. Had too much pressure so cut into the backing too much to use the transfer tape method. Changed settings so will see when I do it next time.
All the vids online say you do waste a fair bit of materials when learning so I don't feel too bad about it.
Derek
That looks smashing! And answers a question for me - I keep getting Hobbycraft sales emails talking about Cricut gear but never knew (or was bothered to find out...) what it was all about.
But seriously - this is really interesting, thanks for sharing
Jimmy
I would suggest have a look at some of the vids on u-tube. Very informative. You can also download and play with the design software free of charge to have a go. Its a little fiddly but once you get the hang of it it kind of makes sense.
Be aware the machines can be very pricy new. Also a lot of the machines on EBAY are either deactivated, missing parts and are for spares or otherwise seem a little suspect to me. Make your own choice.
At this stage I wish I had the funds available to have got one of the larger, more expensive machines that could cut thin balsa/ply. The world of possibilities available with this are huge. Almost like having your own personal laser cuter. Even if you have to cut twice and stick back to back lol.
Cheers
Derek
One of the aspects I am now very familiar with in the Netherlands is Dutch directness. This takes most ambiguity out of the written word and conversation. Thus, the phrase "kind of makes sense" I now find very difficult to interpret. Either something makes sense or it doesn't. What then does kind of makes sense actually mean?
Sorry for the ambuiguity.
In this case it means I can follow the videos showing how to use the software and can do the same things. I can use the software but don't pretend to understand all the "whys" and "wherefores" of using it. Its a sometimes tricky piece of software that makes you wonder why the developers want you to follow so many steps to do something that should be a lot easier to do.
Hope that makes a kind of sense for you. :)
Derek
Yep, thanks Mog.
Been experimenting a bit more now.
Here is the Mk 2 versions
(https://i.postimg.cc/gnFBThg4/IMG20230217225210.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/gnFBThg4)
Different font used to keep the middle of "o"s etc. Stencil effect. Plus have found out I can use normal Fablon which is about 80% cheaper than CRICUT branded materials. At that price I don't mind trying things out, failing and having more tried at it.
Still a learning process though.
Suggestion appreciated for other markers that could be useful.
Derek
I do like Mk 2, Derek - that perseverance is paying off!
Simon
Finally got round to doing some more markers
(https://i.postimg.cc/565yf8h2/IMG20230420124018.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/565yf8h2)
I know, a bit large! I wanted to have something that was clear in what it was to both me and my opponent. I do love Martins small single figure markers but find they often get lost in the battlefield and then forgotten about.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Pp2G6r9h/IMG20230420124000.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Pp2G6r9h)
Slipped a little with the placement of the Low Ammo sticker on that one. Didn't notice until looking at the piccy.
Just need to get dis-ordered done now and should have enough. Is there any other marker frequently used I could have on the back. Seems a shame to not use the reverse of something..... yep, cheapskate!
Derek