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My boyfriend wants to get me a laser cutter or Cricut for Christmas...i've been researching the differences for months but am still a little uncertain as to what would be my most compatible option with the best results. I understand the difference in operation & already know that if I were to go with the cricut, it'd have to be the maker 3 as this is the first one with enough pressure to be able to cut through balsa wood (the main thing I'd want to do with it). But have been having a harder time figuring out which option will yield the best/most accurate results when it comes to finesse in the details of cutting things out for miniatures... My other requirements are: -It needs to be a fairly user-friendly program for design as I'm not super tech savvy & if it gets too technical in operation, I don't have that much time available for such a learning curve -I'd also like to be able to engrave with it -i like the idea of being able to scan in my own drawings with the Brother scan-n-cut, but as long as the program can import images, I've read reviews saying the brother's scan feature kinda comes up low quality resolution & the touch screen is small so that it makes it hard to do minute adjustments with it -i'd like the design program to be able to use svg files (preferably without having to pay extra for an additional subscription or upgrade to make that compatibility happen, as with the silhouette cameo) -I'd also like to be able to cut fabric for quilting (i'm not sure a laser cutter can do this?) -not the biggest requirement, if I have to,I can make it fit, but the craft room is already low on real estate so I'd prefer something that's a sleek design/not gonna take up too much table space (or require it's own whole second table) Has anybody got some advice or experience with using any of these machines? How satisfied were you with navigating the software? How accurate are the cutting results?

Hi! I just received my half scale Diana kit, which is laser cut. My research indicates that die cut dollhouses should always be dry fit, but I haven't been able to really find anything about laser cut houses. Any advice? Should I dry fit my Diana before assembling? The instructions mention nada on the subject ... and also say to use hot glue which seems to be incorrect Thank you!!!

My original plan was to modify a Dura Craft Newberg. Then I found the Birdswoodshack laser cut model kit of the UP House on Etsy. The model is laser cut from 1/8" Baltic birch plywood. Its dimensions are 19" wide by 16" deep by 21.5" high. The kit was not intended to be a dollhouse, but rather a fully enclosed model. It does, however, include the lower and upper floors, as well as a stairway. I have enlarged the window openings to accept commercial windows, but I will need to make my own doors. I have attached clapboard siding, and will also attach the straight and fishscale shakes. The house is slightly smaller than 1" scale, perhaps 1/14 scale or so. This hurts my sense of scale, but it is based on a cartoon house, so I am going to make it work. I am going to need to devise a way to open the back of the house for access, probably hinged to open like a book. I haven't drawn plans for the interior yet, but I think it will have five rooms, or areas. Two upstairs will be a bedroom and bathroom. Downstairs will be a living room, kitchen, and an entry hallway with the stairway. Ok, now I will try to upload some pictures. So, apparently my pictures are too large. I will need to downsize them, but cannot accomplish that on this android device. I will try to do that on my computer tomorrow. Until then, Happy Miniaturizing!