So much better than a Cameo!

Hi,
Just remember that adhesive sign vinyl is not safe to cut in any laser. It gives off fumes that can harm people and corrode the Glowforge very quickly.

Paper is OK, Heat Transfer material is generally OK.

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That is why I will keep mine unless someone really needs a used cameo. May, not us it often now but if I need it for that tone use case…

I’ll still use mine a lot for vinyl signs and decals, but will want to laser a lot of cardstock for Christmas cards. My Glowforge is having a little trouble picking up the focus for very thin stuff flat on the bed. I ordered one of the Seklema mats that was discussed on the forum. That little bit of height should get it to focus. I did report it to support.

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I’m thinking seriously about a Seklema, let us know how you like it.

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There is going to be a run on them, and they will wonder why.

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I’ll definitely post my experience with it. It’s not available on Amazon, so no idea how long it will take to get here. I just got a 12 x 12 mat.

I’m sure you’ve seen this post, which got me off the bubble to order one. That and the focus problem ive had on thins.

https://community.glowforge.com/t/paper-fun-with-seklema-mat/8917?u=bill_laba&source_topic_id=8906
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This is fantastic!! No problems with the paper moving? :slight_smile:

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Not at all, but I did put a magnet on each corner to keep it in place, and the outer circle was cut out at the end, so that definitely helped. Some of the scraps moved around, but they mostly stayed in the general area they were cut from so it didn’t affect anything.

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Your help tracking down this bug was very useful - we’re working on something that will make this better.

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I didn’t realize they made laser-safe HTV! I’ll have to look into mine and see if it is laser safe - that opens up lots of fun new project ideas :grin:

Most of it is polyurethane, even though it’s commonly referred to as Heat Transfer Vinyl. Here’s a video from Stahls TV that shows cutting and engraving on a Universal laser using their material. I’m 99% sure Siser is the same, but can’t guarantee that all types of their product are the polyurethane. Designs need a little extra prep and the laser may not replace the Cameo for simple designs, but now complex designs that would kill your eyes when weeding should be possible using the Glowforge. Just need to set up your designs a little differently to make sure what you want removed is black. I’d do some closer trimming or reduce laser time also. Maybe use an offset around the outside of the design, instead of a big box like they show in the video.

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Some of the metallic / holographic / sparkle HTV is actually vinyl. It is well documented, but be warned.

I would never be able to replace my vinyl cutter with the glowforge; at 4’ wide it is still too small for certain projects.

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Gorgeous, gorgeous! I think I’ll have to take a year off work when mine arrives.

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It came out great. What material did you cut?

this is beautiful! i wonder how it would be to etch where lines cross or touch. i want to do celtic designs when i receive my GF and this lends itself to a lesson with cut lines and etched lines. this is an open question to anyone and Karaelena, thank you so much for sharing your terrific design.

Have you tried cutting htv with the gf yet?

Cutting works great, but etching HTV is an art I haven’t mastered. I can’t quite get the settings down in order to cleanly engrave away just the color layer, leaving the backing. I’ve come close, but always have a little residual color on the clear sheet. It also takes so long for a big engrave. I might try it again if I have really intricate designs that would be impossible to weed. Otherwise, I find weeding kind of therapeutic. Unless you have to do a hundred of the same design. :dizzy_face:

incredible!

Terrific! Would you mind sharing your settings? Thanks, great job.

But now every time I search for the settings I find your post suggesting to search for “cardstock settings” :thinking:

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