For affordable and available now, think beyond lasers. They will keep coming down in price, but that's going to take more time.
Another option are the various computer-controlled material cutters. One is the Silhouette Cameo, part of a line of similar machines:
http://www.silhouetteamerica.com/
It cuts paper and styrene up to at least .010". The sfotware is free IIRC, so you can play around and see what it does.
Circut is another brand, not sure what its capabilities art:
http://us.cricut.com/home/
What is attractive about both is that they might just be easy to talk your significant other into purchasing, because of the many dual-use options that might appeal for crafts, etc.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
If you're using the laser on an existing paper model, it may be tough to line everything up. Even if you get the starting point right, if the paper is the slightest bit skewed it won't line up when it gets to other parts of the model.
If all you're cutting is paper, people have built cutters using the laser from a Blu-Ray machine.
Steve S
Can get some on e-bay for as little as $500. The cheap machines can work but most require fiddling to get right and you will need to upgrade things like the blower most likely.
mlehman For affordable and available now, think beyond lasers. They will keep coming down in price, but that's going to take more time. Another option are the various computer-controlled material cutters. One is the Silhouette Cameo, part of a line of similar machines: http://www.silhouetteamerica.com/ It cuts paper and styrene up to at least .010". The sfotware is free IIRC, so you can play around and see what it does.
At the very least, this would be great for cutting paper shingles.
mlehman For affordable and available now, think beyond lasers. They will keep coming down in price, but that's going to take more time. Another option are the various computer-controlled material cutters. One is the Silhouette Cameo, part of a line of similar machines: http://www.silhouetteamerica.com/ It cuts paper and styrene up to at least .010". The sfotware is free IIRC, so you can play around and see what it does. Circut is another brand, not sure what its capabilities art: http://us.cricut.com/home/ What is attractive about both is that they might just be easy to talk your significant other into purchasing, because of the many dual-use options that might appeal for crafts, etc.
How small and precise a cut can they make? When you want to cut out a door or window frame in N-scale, that is a high standard. Both are pitched to the craft market and would be working at a rougher level then that. They also seem to be pitching to a closed market where you would have to use files keyed internaly to their software rather than open sourced material.
One upside was a utility that would allow the use of Adobe files directly. The only problem is those to cheap to use Adobe, like me who uses Gimp to play with files.
Will look into these more.
Got no personal experience, was reading a thread about it that trailed off for now: http://atlasrescueforum.proboards.com/thread/3698/new-tool-silhouette-cameo
A feature called "overcut" permits close cutting of windows and other openings. Some other similar machines simply cut a sharp radius curve to do a corner like that. The Cameo lifts the blade, repositions and makes a nice square cut.
As for accuracy down to N scale, I think it would, but can't say for sure.
mlehman Got no personal experience, was reading a thread about it that trailed off for now: http://atlasrescueforum.proboards.com/thread/3698/new-tool-silhouette-cameo A feature called "overcut" permits close cutting of windows and other openings. Some other similar machines simply cut a sharp radius curve to do a corner like that. The Cameo lifts the blade, repositions and makes a nice square cut. As for accuracy down to N scale, I think it would, but can't say for sure.
I just got my Cricut Explore machine and have been 'playing' with it for 2 days now. I had hoped it would cut styrene (.030 - .040") but it is limited in what it does so far. I cut some .030" sheet styrene today and it took 4 passes with a deep cut blade. It leaves a ridge around the outside of the cutout piece but does cut it. I haven't tried square window/door cut-outs yet (this is what I was hoping it would do) but will try it tomorrow.
I also tried cutting some window masks for a roundhouse model; it has 39 windows that need to be masked off for painting. I bought it partially assembled and can't get the window castings out, so I will have to mask them when painting. I measured the round top openings and created the pattern in CorelDraw, then imported to svg for the Cricut. I cut the masks from a sheet of clear laminating film, which worked quite well and they fit perfectly. This is one area that I will get a lot of use from the machine.
Another feature that I like it that it will print, using my inkjet HP and then cut it out on the Cricut. This could be another useful feature that may get a lot of use. I am just getting used to the machine and what I need in the way of software, but I think it will be a worthwhile tool, but it won't replace a laser cutter!
-Bob
Life is what happens while you are making other plans!