Pen tool

Computerised Mount Cutters, Computers, other gadgetry.
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The Common Framer
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Pen tool

Post by The Common Framer »

Hi all

Will be taking delivery of a CMC this month. I am also likely to buy the pen tool to go with it. Question is: How much use is then Pen tool? Do many of you use one and how often?

thasnks!
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Steve N
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Re: Pen tool

Post by Steve N »

which machine are you buying (being nosey :oops: :lol: )
We use are a few times a month, we supply crafters with animal/hearts/stars/transport shape window mounts, some have customers who want customised messages on them, it can be more trouble that it's worth, sending samples (email) to our cutomers who then have to send to thier customers who have to approve them or ask for changes , which starts it all over again :head:
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The Common Framer
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Re: Pen tool

Post by The Common Framer »

Hi

Buying a Gunnar Hybrid F1.

still not sure on pen option... kind of like the idea though....
Jamesnkr

Re: Pen tool

Post by Jamesnkr »

Have you ever previously thought 'I wish I could do that'....?
The Common Framer
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Re: Pen tool

Post by The Common Framer »

Have you ever previously thought 'I wish I could do that'....?

Yes - but not often.. I am however, looking for value adds.
grahamdown
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Re: Pen tool

Post by grahamdown »

Hi,

I bought a refurbished F1 hybrid from Gunnar which initially had the pen tool attached but the additional cost was so high i couldn't justify it for the small number of times it would be used.

Graham
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David
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Re: Pen tool

Post by David »

I have the pen tool on my Gunnar, it's one of those, sometimes I don't use it for weeks then like now I'm using it on a couple of jobs, one in particular at the moment with a lot of lettering - pen and carved. It's good for putting lines around windows without having to get the ruling pen out, we do titles on mounts, lettering, logos and fine details that you can't cut. Lettering and titles in particular are good as you can use regular fonts without any customised designing needed.
joh5nny
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Re: Pen tool

Post by joh5nny »

I've got a F1 with a pen tool, and although I don't use it that often, I'm glad I've got it. I use it sometimes to add writing directly onto the face of a mount, text for title boxes, lines around apertures and also for embossing wording into mounts.

My machine was second hand and already had the pen tool fitted. I've therefore no idea how much extra you'll have to pay, but I'd go for it if you can :D
The Common Framer
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Re: Pen tool

Post by The Common Framer »

thanks all..

think I am convinced.....
Jules007
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Re: Pen tool

Post by Jules007 »

Does the pen do a nice job of ink wash lines around the mount or is it really only suited to more bold lines?
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David
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Re: Pen tool

Post by David »

You can't do traditional watercolour lines as you have to use standard pens, I mainly use black, gold, silver in varying thicknesses. For proper lines I still use a ruling pen it's also the only way to mix your own subtle colours and get the tramline effect.
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IFGL
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Re: Pen tool

Post by IFGL »

It's not the work that it does it's the additional work it will bring, you will be the framer that can, you can gain extra customers that will keep coming back to you even if it isn't for the pen.
The Common Framer
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Re: Pen tool

Post by The Common Framer »

Just checked out your website - Like your CMC Page. Will add a page to mine when ready!

I agree - its about adding value and opportunity.

cheers
Not your average framer
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Re: Pen tool

Post by Not your average framer »

From what I remember when I was looking into getting an F1 myself, the pens are rather expensive and if you want to import your own graphics you will need to generate the graphics using external software and then import it using the Gunnar software, so there will be some sort of learning curve and time to do the necessary work.

Having said all that, the extra potential that this will give you is mostly only limited by your own imagination. I bet that once you've got used to using this that you will come up with some really cool ideas to WOW your customers. I must admit that if I were in the same situation and had the money, I'm sure that I would really like one. Mind you, I love gadgets anyway!
Mark Lacey

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The Common Framer
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Re: Pen tool - Gunnar

Post by The Common Framer »

hi

just an update. Now have Gunnar CMC - love it. Have used the pen tool on a few occasions and it is great. Reality is - i am too busy to learn to use the machine for much more than basic mount cutting at the moment. Good news is that the machine has helped me cope with a growing order book
that I am a certain I would have struggled to fulfill. More business - more profit. Well worth the investment
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