584,837 active members*
5,606 visitors online*
Register for free
Login

Thread: Vinyl Cutter

Results 1 to 7 of 7
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Posts
    65

    Vinyl Cutter

    Is there a low cost blade that can be chucked up in the router to allow me to cut vinyl signs? I saw one on ebay awhile back but it was $150.00.
    I can cut vinly (PVC) signs in my laser but it releases chlorine gas. Posionous as well as corrosive to the laser.

    Dave

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Posts
    327
    Dave,
    There are several settings that a vinyl plotter has that you won't have available in a cnc router so I don't think you'll get a great result going that route. If you do vinyl often the you may be better off looking into a plotter instead of making do with your router. I bought a used plotter with a bunch of vinyl for about $1,500 - it was worth about $5k if new.

    Gary

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Posts
    65
    I've toyed with the idea of a plotter but for just the occasional small window sticker I couldn't justify the cost.

    Dave

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Posts
    3215
    yes you can make your own drag blade, set the tool to touch top of vinyl, then cutting depth will be thickness of vunyl film, make a file just like you would cutting and machine online.

    http://www.cuttingedgecnc.com/vinyl.htm

    Joe

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Posts
    327
    Quote Originally Posted by joecnc2006 View Post
    yes you can make your own drag blade, set the tool to touch top of vinyl, then cutting depth will be thickness of vunyl film, make a file just like you would cutting and machine online.

    http://www.cuttingedgecnc.com/vinyl.htm

    Joe
    Funny, the link you provided proves just how difficult it really is and in the end a plotter was the solution. I say save your time, effort and money and buy a used plotter...

    Even though vinyl should be of uniform thickness, you'll find it varies quite a bit. You need an adjustable blade holder to account for that. You also need to adjust the offset amount so that a corner is square, not rounded. Speed is critical, fast for large letters with lots of straight lines and slow for smaller letters or lots of detail.

    Obviously a plotter could be made, someone else did it, but for the amount of time needed to create a truly usable machine, you could just buy one.

    An alternative is to find a sign shop that needs cnc work and trade time. If you were close to me I would gladly cut your "once in a while" stickers for pretty darn cheap. It's not my main business, I do laser engraving, dye sublimation, sand carving and cnc routing. The plotter is mainly for cutting sand carving masks.

    Just my .02

    Gary

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Posts
    1
    Alternatively, you could get something like a Cricut machine (Search EBay, they're available much cheaper there) and the "Sure cuts a lot" software (3rd party, not supported by Cricut, who want you to pay $90 a piece for their font carts rather than using TTF fonts on your PC!), which will then give you a full CNC cutting station.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Posts
    10

    Lightbulb Cricut parts to cut vinyl on cnc

    You don't need the whole cricut just parts. I belive part of success is combo of mat and blade. The mat is Teflon coated or something which makes knife blade glide easily. Also they use solinoid arm to vary pressure. If you somehow springload the cricut blade holder you might acheive same function. Their blade is held in magnetically and has an adjustment to vary the amount the blade sticks out of holder.
    If someone tries this let me know if it works. Bill

Similar Threads

  1. Looking to buy a vinyl Cutter
    By Mif4 in forum Printing, Scanners, Vinyl cutting and Plotters
    Replies: 13
    Last Post: 08-22-2021, 05:06 PM
  2. Vinyl cutter
    By Motorcoach1 in forum Printing, Scanners, Vinyl cutting and Plotters
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 02-02-2008, 10:24 PM
  3. New vinyl cutter on way, need cheap mtl?
    By carlnpa in forum Printing, Scanners, Vinyl cutting and Plotters
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 10-16-2006, 04:44 PM
  4. Vinyl cutter/plotter
    By jleiwig in forum DIY CNC Router Table Machines
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 11-30-2003, 03:27 AM
  5. HP Pen Plotter to Vinyl Cutter?
    By tjstraz in forum Printing, Scanners, Vinyl cutting and Plotters
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 08-05-2003, 10:49 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •