Plotter cutters

Dorsetmike · May 19, 2025, 09:08:57 PM

Anybody got recommendations for plotter cutters currently available, Cricut, Brother, Silhouette, particularly for cutting card.
Looks like I've got a fault on my KNK Zing, not surprising I'v had it at least 12 years, one of the stepper motor drive chips appears to have failed, it's buried under a heat sink and it's surface mount which with my eyesight and failing dexterity buying new seems to be the best option.

Bealman · May 19, 2025, 10:54:55 PM

Could be worth having a go at it first, before getting a new one? Nothing to lose!

I've surprised myself of late with being able to cope with SMDs.

Dorsetmike · May 19, 2025, 11:43:35 PM

Problem is I have 2 Zings both have the same problem, biggest obstacle is a small ribbon cable which partially disintegrates when trying to unplug it, which is necessary to allow removal of the PCB to give access to the screws holding the heat sink over the stepper motor driver chips.

Bealman · May 20, 2025, 12:28:02 AM

Hmm, yes. They make things hard, don't they. They're designed to be unfixable so you have to get a new one. Annoying!

martyn · May 20, 2025, 08:23:46 AM

Dave/Southerngooner has used a Cricut to make the bodies of the buildings on James Street, then Steve covers with Scenecraft brick paper. He's also using it for his own Brick makers Lane layout, and the results can be seen on the threads on the Forum.

Martyn

Bealman · May 20, 2025, 09:10:49 AM

Definitely a bit of gear worth having - I think Roger may have used one for the magnificent buildings on Wrenton.

RailGooner · May 20, 2025, 09:23:25 AM

Following exhaustive research last year, I put a Cricut Joy+ on my Xmas list. Though, Santa decided not to prioritise that last Xmas!

Southerngooner · May 20, 2025, 10:14:29 AM

After chatting to Toger of Wrenton fane I bought a Silhouette Portrait which has proved very good for doing fine work. Steve then bought a Cricut Maker 3 which he passed to me to design and cut all the new buildings for JS as @martyn has said. Both have their advantages, with the Cricut able to. cut up to 600mm x 300mm thick card, which has been excellent for the viaducts on BL while the Sulhouette software is a bit more technical than that for the Cricut. Both are worth the money so you pays your money you takes your choice