# Cutting plotters **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 12, 2008, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cutting-plotters/472299 "2008-11-12T03:48:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2008, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cutting-plotters/472299/1 "2008-11-12T03:48:58Z")
I caught part of an infomercial for the Cricut[Sup]tm[/Sup] which is a self contained cutter\*. One of the stated advantages is that one does not need a computer. While I though it would be neater to have a similar device that was computer controlled. I know there are industrial and possibly prosumer level machines that exist. I’m wondering if there are any consumer (under $1000, preferably under $500) devices. I’m not seriously looking to buy one, I am just curious. (Note that I’m more interesting in cutting thick cardstock than vinyl) The closest I found was the Craft ROBO ([Craftrobostore.com](http://craftrobostore.com/index.html)) though even the pro model (~$1k) can cut only .25mm where the Cricut says .7mm) Any others? (I did find this: [http://www.uscutter.com/Creation-PCUT-Craft-Sticker-Decal-Mini-Cutter\_p\_77.html](http://www.uscutter.com/Creation-PCUT-Craft-Sticker-Decal-Mini-Cutter_p_77.html) ) Thanks, Brian - website for the curious: [http://www.getmycricut.com/](http://www.getmycricut.com/) note the final prices is ~$400 ---
**Author:** ![Ruby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@Ruby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2008, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cutting-plotters/472299/2 "2008-11-12T05:19:53Z")
Maybe it’s just me but I would have a hard time buying anything from a company that describes their product with typos… Type MC270 Mainboard 32-bit ARM _ **Drier** _ PWM, micro-step driver Maximum paper Feed width 270mm Maximum cutting width 205mm Maximum cutting speed 120mm/s Maximum cutting length 1000mm Maximum cutting thickness 0.5mm _ **Cuttong** _ force 0-225g Mechanics precision 0.05mm Repeatable precision 0.01mm _ **Blde** _ type Carbide blade Plot pen All types Diameter 11.4mm plotter pen _ **Protocl** _ Compatible HP/GL Interface USB2.0 Power source External power supply DC24V/1A±10% _ **Operationg** _ environment Temperature:+5~45,relative temperature 30%~70% External size 400mm x 150mm x 150mm ---
**Author:** ![Ruby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@Ruby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2008, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cutting-plotters/472299/3 "2008-11-12T05:26:38Z")
Oops, missed the edit window… ETA: I forgot to mention the reason that I’m posting. IMO, not being compatible with a computer is a negative. I’ve been waiting for a computer-based cutter since the Cricut came out and haven’t found one to my liking or in my price range yet. ---
**Author:** ![si\_blakely](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@si\_blakely](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/si_blakely)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2008, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cutting-plotters/472299/4 "2008-11-12T09:02:16Z")
I will be buying my wife a Computer controlled cutter in the very near future. She has looked at all the available options. There is a (3rd party, invalidate your warranty ) USB interface for the CriCut. Without this, you will pay lots for the cartridges to get different fonts and designs. The CraftROBO is popular, but she has chosen the 13" [Cougar](http://www.blackcatcutters.com/) (from BlackCat Cutters). It provides a good mix of flexibility and cutting power, and is big enough to cut full sheets for her Photo scrapbooks. I think I can get some use from it as well. Si ---
**Author:** ![Gus\_Gusterson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/85f322/32.png) [@Gus\_Gusterson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gus_Gusterson)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2008, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cutting-plotters/472299/5 "2008-11-12T14:21:43Z")
I got my wife the CraftRobo last year. It is very difficult to use and she gave up after trying several tutorials. I considered getting her Klik-n-Kut Element, but it costs twice what the CraftRobo cost and I’m not convinced that she would use it now that she’s had such a bad experience with a cutter. My research suggests that nobody makes a good consumer-level cutter yet. My father used to have a professional cutter that was easy to use and could cut anything, but it cost several thousand dollars. I haven’t seen anything under $1,000 that looks even half as capable as what he had. ---
**Author:** ![clnilsen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecccb3/32.png) [@clnilsen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clnilsen)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2008, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cutting-plotters/472299/6 "2008-11-12T18:46:35Z")
> [@N9IWP](#): > > I caught part of an infomercial for the Cricut[Sup]tm[/Sup] which is a self contained cutter\*. One of the stated advantages is that one does not need a computer. > > While I though it would be neater to have a similar device that was computer controlled. I know there are industrial and possibly prosumer level machines that exist. I’m wondering if there are any consumer (under $1000, preferably under $500) devices. I’m not seriously looking to buy one, I am just curious. (Note that I’m more interesting in cutting thick cardstock than vinyl) With a $99 third party application, you can control the Cricut w/ a USB connection on a Windows machine. I got this setup for my wife, and with that functionality is more cost-effective than the CraftRobo’s. ---
**Author:** ![clnilsen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecccb3/32.png) [@clnilsen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clnilsen)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2008, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cutting-plotters/472299/7 "2008-11-12T18:48:47Z")
> [@si\_blakely](#): > > I will be buying my wife a Computer controlled cutter in the very near future. > > She has looked at all the available options. There is a (3rd party, invalidate your warranty ) USB interface for the CriCut. Without this, you will pay lots for the cartridges to get different fonts and designs. Just to clarify, the 3rd party USB application I am referring to is NOT the Cricut crippleware application, but [Sure Cuts a Lot](http://www.craftedge.com/)