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Craftcutter Projects for Hobbyists
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Craftcutter Projects for Hobbyists

This article was originally written for our model railroading pages, in the "Structures" section. However, we wanted to share information about this topic that would overlap into several other areas, so we are republishing it, with updates and additions here.

We define "craftcutters" as tabletop machines that are designed chiefly for the purpose of cutting vinyl and other materials for craft projects. These machines are mostly interesting to me because they can also be used to cut out objects used for other hobbies such as model railroading, wargaming sets, dollhouses, putz houses, and more.

About "Projects"

The wonderful thing about these machines is that once you have an idea of any kind, it's possible to take it quite far. For example, if you download .svg files that will allow you to cut the windowframes for a two-story building, it's relatively simple to tweak the same file to make it cut windowframes for a ten-story building. (Your cutter just stays busy longer.) If you see an example of a slate roof pattern you like, and it's in the wrong scale, it's not hard to change it to the scale you use (although HO can be tricky with some patterns, and I'm not going to vouch for N).

So while we will be providing original patterns here for various projects, we'll also try to link to examples of other folks doing projects that should inspire you to try your own.

About SVG Files

Most folks who share cutter-friendly files share them in .svg (Simple Vector Graphic) format. That's a format that stores images as lines and curves. Not all .svg files are cutter-friendly. But most cutters' software, including Cricut's newest programs, can import .svg files easily. To me it's important to save any graphics you create as .svg files as well, in case you change cutters later, or your vendor abandons support for your machine (which HAS happened).

Note about Silhouette Studio and .svg Files: For some indiscernable reason, Silhouette's "free" software does not import .svg files, though it will import several other formats, including .dxf (an Autocad format). If you have CorelDraw, Adobe Illustrator, or Inkscape (a free program), you can export .dxf files for your Silhouette to read. Alternatives include:

  • Paying $50 "upgrade" fee to get the Silhouette Studio "design" upgrade. (Some places offer it on sale, too.)

  • Buying Sure-Cuts-a-Lot 5 for about the same amount of money and using it to drive your Silhouette directly.

More information about graphics programs and file formats is contained in our Graphic Software for Craftcutters article.

Project Links

This section will contain projects we have done with our cutters or that we have found online and consider informative.

  • Structure Projects for Craftcutters. Click to go to article.Structure Projects for Craftcutters - Craftcutters are great for things like cutting out many complex windowframes precisely in a single operation, even if you use other materials for the rest of the building.

    The Structure Projects page is a place for listing patterns, articles, and links that should help you create or detail custom buildings for your railroad, diorama, or holiday village display.

  • Click to see ideas for using craftcutters in construction of rolling stock.Rolling Stock Craftcutter Projects - Ideas, examples, and svg files for using craftcutters to create parts for rolling stock.

    Recent additions include the MK1 coaches that dominated UK's railroads for decades in the mid-to-late 20th century, and are featured in the Harry Potter movies.

  • Click to see ideas for using craftcutters to create signage for models of all kinds.Model Signage Projects - Ideas, examples, and svg files for using craftcutters to create signage for model structures, etc.

Conclusion

We have more articles about specific projects planned, but we wanted to get these out as soon as we could.

Watch this page: more articles are in the works.

As always, we want to hear your suggestions, criticisms, additions, etc. Enjoy your hobbies, and especially any time you can spend with your family in the coming months!

Paul

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Visit related pages and affiliated sites:
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Return to Family Garden Trains Home page
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 Garden Railroading Primer Articles: All about getting a Garden Railroad up and running well Big Indoor Trains Primer Articles: All about setting up and displaying indoor display trains and towns. Garden Train Store: Index to train, track, and other products for Garden RailroadingBig Christmas Trains: Directory of Large Scale and O Scale trains with holiday themes
On30 and O Gauge trains to go with indoor display villages and railroads
 Visit Lionel Trains. Click to see Thomas Kinkaded-inspired Holiday Trains and Villages. Big Christmas Train Primer: Choosing and using model trains with holiday themes Free Large Scale Signs and Graphics: Bring your railroad to life with street signs, business signs, and railroad signs Click to see HO scale trains with your favorite team's colors.
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Visit the FamilyChristmasOnline site. Visit Howard Lamey's glitterhouse gallery, with free project plans, graphics, and instructions. Click to return to the Old Christmas Tree Lights Table of Contents Page Click to sign up for Maria Cudequest's craft and collectibles blog.
Click to visit Fred's Noel-Kat store.
 Visit the largest and most complete cardboard Christmas 'Putz' house resource on the Internet.
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Look to Riverboat Music buyers' guide for descriptions of musical instruments by people who play musical instruments. Learn 5-string banjo at your own speed, with many examples and user-friendly explanations. Explains the various kinds of banjos and what each is good for. Learn more about our newsletter for roots-based and acoustic music. Folks with Bb or Eb instruments can contribute to worship services, but the WAY they do depends on the way the worship leader approaches the music. A page devoted to some of Paul's own music endeavors.