Reddit reviews Silhouette Cameo --

Silhouette cameo vinyl cutting machine I used one of these guys to cut the vinyl. They're handy machines.

Here is what I currently use, but I would suggest browsing the sites linked for materials that fit your exact needs. For example, you may want stronger adhesives or a laminate with UV protection for outdoor stickers.

Print Media: http://www.texascraft.com/hps/Glossy-White-Waterproof-Film-Removable-Adhesive-8.5-in.-x-11-in.-10-Sheets-GWVF8511G1.html

Laminate: https://www.amazon.com/Avery-Self-Adhesive-Laminating-Sheets-73601/dp/B00007E7D2/

Cutter (love this thing): https://www.amazon.com/Silhouette-Cameo-Starter-Bundle/dp/B00NAX7H78

You'll want a cutting mat as well as a good craft knife so you can make adjustments/fixes as needed or if you plan to do all the cutting by hand rather than buy a machine. Also, get a couple of vinyl squeegees to apply the laminate firmly.

This

Here are some more pics of the calendar:
https://flic.kr/s/aHskHu1Ska
I originally tried to make the squares fit the boxes exactly, but it was too difficult to get them in and out, so there is 3/16" clearance all around.
Boxes and lids cut with Silhouette Cameo:
https://www.amazon.com/Silhouette-Cameo-Starter-Bundle/dp/B00NAX7H78
Using templates found here:
http://templatemaker.nl

My wife has a Silhouette Cameo and loves it. Could it work for your needs?

• Beer Cap Map $44.99
  
  
• Cutting Machine like the Silhouette Cameo or Cricut - around $200
  
  
• Wireless headphones

You can cut paper at home using a Cricut or Silhouette cutting machines. I linked to the most popular of each brand, but there are more machines to choose from, and each have their pro's and con's. Both brands go on sale regularly, and can be bundled with different kits and accessories either on Amazon or Joann's or Michaels or the manufacturer's websites.

However, you are going to need time to do this. We cut paper lace similar to this picture for my friend's wedding and had two machines running at the same time and it took us months to cut out 100 invitations... and they were unbelievably pretty in the end. This is a great way to do it, but it is not easy or fast.

Could be talking about a Silhouette Cameo? http://www.amazon.com/Silhouette-Cameo----Starter-Bundle/dp/B00NAX7H78/ref=sr_1_4?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1449524026&sr=1-4&keywords=silhouette+cameo

I use one to make stencils all the time, but I've never tried making a custom pop.

Hi all,

Budget - under $1000

Country - USA

Experience - new to 3D printing, but experience with screen printing, vinyl cutters, etc

Kit - trying to avoid

Objective - Wife is actively working on a graphics design degree, with over a decade of experience in screen printing and other similar work. Potential small-scale commercial implications, typically uses her skills to make items for friends and family that spread the word to their friends and gets some business from those folks. Trying to find a good balance of quality and potential without going overboard - don't want the learning curve too steep to dissuade her, but also don't want to find out a year down the road that we undershot the mark and we need to upscale. For instance, we got a silhouette cameo vinyl cutter (home hobbyist cutter) and a year later ended up getting a Titan2 (entry-commercial grade cutter) - trying to avoid that if possible :)

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Was looking at the flashforge dreamer as a possible option, but not sure how it compares to other printers in its price range, quality - she's liking the open-ness of the sides for the potential of excess filament, but the closed-ness of the case to protect the print head, etc (just her initial judgment). Are those relevant concerns or thoughts?

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Thanks in advanced

What kind of experience are you guys coming into this with?

Do you have mentors/are you yourselves familiar with the use and safety precautions necessary around power tools?

What kind of space are you in? Do you have a dedicated space to use or do you need to move things in and out of an area every meeting?

How much do you want to learn? Are you planning on using primarily Matrix/Tetrix this season or do you want to do custom fabrication?

If you're planning on using chain, I'd recommend getting at least one of these (Dark Soul #25 chain tool). You won't need to use master links again, and they're just in general great to have around.

I would definitely recommend getting Anderson Powerpole tools and items. Definitely get a TriCrimp and associated wire, connectors, and contacts, if you don't have them already.

I'd also recommend a few tools that come in useful just in general when it comes to FTC-- a good adjustable wrench is good to have around, whether you're doing custom or not. A ratcheting screwdriver is also good to have around, in addition to more standard versions. I'd also recommend my personal favorite allen wrenches (you can get just metric or standard sets, but I linked the paired version). For taking care of stuck bolts or anything else stuck, a good pair of locking pliers are also great. Also getting some good pliers for all your electrical needs is a good idea. Also extremely useful is a good square. On a similar note, a level is good for checking whether you actually bolted that part on straight.

You should also get a general set of combo wrenches and some of the specific sizes most common for FTC. Pretty much any reputable brand is fine for this-- don't spend more than about $50 for a set and $10 for an individual wrench (honestly, that would be super high, you should probably target half of that). A decent ratchet set is also good, but not absolutely essential.

Other good things to have around are a heat gun or heat bar (for doing custom plastic parts for your robot). You can do some great stuff with some creativity and some sheet polycarbonate.

To go with that, a vinyl cutter is great for doing sponsor decals and general cool stuff.

As far as "essentials" go, that depends on where you want to go. If you want to do lots of custom work-- or use something like 80/20, then you'll want some other tools to do that work. A good power drill is absolutely essential, and if you have the space, I'd definitely recommend getting a solid miter saw and an aluminum cutting blade (I know some people consider them too dangerous, but with proper safety training and precautions, I've never had a student or mentor get injured with one).

As far as materials for doing custom work go, I'd recommend getting some box aluminum (1x1 and 1x2) tubing, 1/8" and 1/16" polycarbonate (I'm partial to the dark tinted stuff, but it's a bit more expensive), and a full assortment of #6 and maybe #8 hardware. You'll also want some M3 screws for face mounting AndyMark and REV robotics motors. I like to use Copper State for this, because while they have a totally garbage web ordering system, their prices are great, and their website isn't that bad (to be honest, I'm a bit spoiled by McMaster-Carr).

You probably don't need me to tell you what kind of COTS parts might be good (if that's within the scope of this money). Electronics, good phones (not those stupid ZTEs), motors, are all good.


You'll notice that I'm not suggesting the very budget stuff-- while you can go that direction if you need to, quality tools help you get quality results. If you have the money to get and use the right tools for the job, I always recommend doing that as opposed to cheaping out with something you'll just end up breaking and messing up your robot with later.

A decent chunk of the tools I linked are suggested by my personal favorite review site, The WireCutter/SweetHome. I've used the majority of them, and my experience has been good enough that I don't have an issue recommending their suggestions for other tools relevant to FTC.

Hopefully that was somewhat helpful. I'd definitely consider the answers to the questions at the top-- they can help you narrow down what will actually be useful for you. I can definitely give more specific suggestions if you know what direction you're taking with robot building techniques and how much space you have/ whether you have to move.

I think people don't relise how cheep it is to cut custom stickers now. I bought one of these the other day and it cuts the same window stickers and stuff that he is putting on here. The quality is only different based off the material that you use.

This is the one I have. https://www.amazon.com/Silhouette-Cameo-Starter-Bundle/dp/B00NAX7H78