Silhouette Portrait

[Geoff]

I picked up a new blade for £7 from America on a free delivery yeah I could not believe my luck, but that was a blue cloth blade but it cuts card OK. That was 2 months ago through Amazon.

My wife is on the same blade and she has cut loads of card with hers and it is still as sharp.

[Malc]

I haven't tried this on printer blades, but I have re sharpened a scalpel blade when I was desperate. I used a diamond whetstone I got from Lidl for a couple of quid. Worked a treat.

[Dorsetmike]

I've had my KNK Zing since March 2013, it came with 2 different blades, one (45 degree) for card up to about 0.6mm, the other (60 deg) for heavier card or other tough materials, I've since bought 2 new blades, but only just started using the new 45 and still on the original 60.

I do have a small sharpening stone that came with a set of craft knives, must give it a go.

[Mustermark]

The link that woodbury posted for rmweb is well worth the read... It is dozens of pages of inspiring work. The church window was my favourite (page 26).

[ScottyStitch]

I was reading October's issue of Railway Modeller and in there is 3 pages on Computer aided cutting, well I was surprised when it was about the same cutter that my wife has for her card making, and I know that another member on here has another type of cutter.

So today I started experimenting with the cutter, first I am going to do the simple bits like cutting walls for the platform, and I have to tell you what a job it has done just perfect, the Metcalfe stations did not work properly for me as they are for Peco height track so I needed an extra 3mm in height for the Kato track.

I have other ideas for this cutter but I just need to get my head round the software so I can make buildings, all this is now a learning curve for me so until I get my model railway room I am going to be experimenting with this Silhouette Portrait, and  get the most out of it.

The cutter will cut just over 300 gsm and it will also cut styrene sheet and not forgetting it cuts material, the page on Railway Modeller is 786 if any of you is interested in reading about it.

I bought my cutter from the website below.

http://www.silhouetteportrait.co.uk/

Also if you want to try the software out before you buy that is here.

http://www.silhouetteamerica.com/software/silhouette-studio

All I can say is that it is a great piece of kit and easy to set up.

Would you be able to show us some of your work please?

[Dorsetmike]

Having read some of the RMWeb thread on the Cameo and Portrait, I note the limit on thickness of card it can cut, and due to that having to resort to laminating two or more layers for buildings, which can give problems when sticking layers together and also when it comes to making corners. This was the main reason why I went for the KNK Zing (see reply #5 this thread) I usually cut 0.6mm card for houses and similar size buildings, the RM web thread mentions cutting and laminating 2 x 0.3mm; also cutting seems much quicker on the Zing, an A4 sheet with walls for 2 complete or 4 low relief 6 house terraces takes about 3 minutes to cut from card, the same cut from Slaters embossed plasticard takes quite a bit longer, cutting at a slower speed and taking 3 passes instead of 2.

Currently the Zing is a bit  over £100 dearer than the Cameo (depending where you buy) Amazon for Cameo between £223 and £289, Zing only from KNK UK £369

[Geoff]

I was reading October's issue of Railway Modeller and in there is 3 pages on Computer aided cutting, well I was surprised when it was about the same cutter that my wife has for her card making, and I know that another member on here has another type of cutter.

So today I started experimenting with the cutter, first I am going to do the simple bits like cutting walls for the platform, and I have to tell you what a job it has done just perfect, the Metcalfe stations did not work properly for me as they are for Peco height track so I needed an extra 3mm in height for the Kato track.

I have other ideas for this cutter but I just need to get my head round the software so I can make buildings, all this is now a learning curve for me so until I get my model railway room I am going to be experimenting with this Silhouette Portrait, and  get the most out of it.

The cutter will cut just over 300 gsm and it will also cut styrene sheet and not forgetting it cuts material, the page on Railway Modeller is 786 if any of you is interested in reading about it.

I bought my cutter from the website below.

http://www.silhouetteportrait.co.uk/

Also if you want to try the software out before you buy that is here.

http://www.silhouetteamerica.com/software/silhouette-studio

All I can say is that it is a great piece of kit and easy to set up.

Would you be able to show us some of your work please?

I will do when I have got the track down and wired, then I will be putting the platform walls in which are allready cut with the cutter, I have also cut arches but I want to make a large factory with the cutter, at the moment my room is upside down and when the time comes I will show you all.

[RHEINGOLD]

I hate to be a "killjoy" but if you are copying someone else's "product" whether a commercial or privately produced item even if only in outline only then you are in breach of their copyright (unless you have their express agreement)  with all the consequences some of them very punitive indeed that can and often do follow.
Sorry I am not" having a go at you" ,I just thought it only fair and for everyone's benefit to point this out (the so called "fair use" provisions that apply to extracts from books,films tv programmes etc. for educational purposes do not apply).
Be very careful but at the end of the day it's your decision.

[georgehgv]

Just discovered this idea and think it worthwhile to purchase the Silhouette Portrait, I reckon it would more than cope with N Gauge sizes and I need some decent platform canopies which I may begin with. Does anyone use Portrait here and has anyone any advice?
Thanks.

[PaulCheffus]

Just discovered this idea and think it worthwhile to purchase the Silhouette Portrait, I reckon it would more than cope with N Gauge sizes and I need some decent platform canopies which I may begin with. Does anyone use Portrait here and has anyone any advice?
Thanks.

Hi

This thread is worth a read.
http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/79025-a-guide-to-using-the-silhouette-cameo-cutter/

I'm pondering whether it's worth waiting for the Curio instead of buying either the Portrait or Cameo.

Cheers

Paul

[georgehgv]

Thanks for that Paul, it looks like Amazon.com get this on Aug 20 so coupled with thicker cuts, embossing etc etc will be well worth waiting for.

[Dorsetmike]

I still think the KNK Zing is the better buy, max cutting speed is 25"/sec against the Cameo 3.90"/sec, max cutting pressure Zing 750g, Cameo 210g.

The Zing also has embossing and engraving heads, new blades are £7.35, I don't have details for the Portrait except max cutting width is only 8" against 12" cameo and 14" Zing, but as it's about half the price of the cameo , probably slower and/or lower cutting pressure.

I know it's dearer, but for a group, club or just a few friends makes sense to me.

EDIT
Just saw the mention of the Curio, does look like a considerable improvement on the other Silhouette machines

[georgehgv]

I just found the Portrait for £112 new so gone with that, only want it for simple stuff. The new Silhouette Curio if anyone is interested releases to order on Facebook site tomorrow delivers Tuesday onwards.

Prepare for help requests from me soon.

[Railwaygun]

Curio v Cameo

http://personaldiecutting.com/silhouette-curio-vs-cameo/

now i need an excuse...

[georgehgv]

Curio v Cameo

http://personaldiecutting.com/silhouette-curio-vs-cameo/

now i need an excuse...

No you need a fat wallet get both.