Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Questions about making a vinyl cutter...

chris_vinluan wrote:

> Hi everyone!
>
> (snip) I also can't figure out what the blades look like, how
> they are mounted, and how much torque is required from the motor to
> pull the blade through.

You can see "swivel holders" at http://www.enduragloss.com/Merchant/land_supplies.htm

Look for blades and holders on the left side of the page.

I have one of their machines...... The material is pulled back and forth between pinch rollers (X) axis and the Knife runs back and forth on the Y axis. A simple up/down Z axis exists, with some not
real obvious depth-pressure setting. The knife swivels ever so minutely, and you rarely see marks from that in the cut. The knife only cuts thru the vinyl, not the wax paper backing, allowing you to
"peel" the waste away. Under the knife is a small strip of teflon just in case you set the pressure so it cuts thru all, and it will !

You can cut some pretty thick stuff. Gaskets, Sandblast mask........

The $75 blade holder shown for the Vinyl Express machine is identical to the pens of HP plotters. So, if you want to build a small clamp to hold that blade holder to an existing machine, you'll also
have the benefit of Pen Plotting !

All in All, you can BUY a new machine for around $1500. Just do it. Obviously, it is not the most expensive/best one out there, but I really like mine. I dropped mine
(http://www.signwarehouse.com/cutters/ve/up24desk.htm) on a credit card and found enough work without really looking to have it paid off within 2 months. that was 2 years ago. Glad I didn't build
one :-) I was so impressed with how easy cash flows in with it, I was showing it to my neighbor. Guess what HE did ?? Yep, he has one too ! Still plenty of work for everybody.

The rascals really fly.... I think mine will hit 48 Inches per second !

Buy one. You'll love it.

Chris L