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Fleet Admiral)
Rear Admiral)
Liked Portable battery charger and power source. 4 months ago
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Recent Posts
📝 On my roof top this morning
5 months ago by 🇺🇸 cjanik001 (
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)✧ 63 Views · 8 Likes
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Looking over the scene!
From this point the closest tree is about 30 feet away. He better be aware of the red tail hawks. 😮
Chris
From this point the closest tree is about 30 feet away. He better be aware of the red tail hawks. 😮
Chris
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💬 Re: Continuing on with the Aztec build
6 months ago by 🇺🇸 cjanik001 ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)✧ 18 Views · 1 Like
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sorry about the picture quality.
I was sending the pictures from my phone to my email, then saving them to my computer file. This creates a very low resolution image of the picture, and when zoomed in results in poor quality.
In the future, I won't be lazy and actually download with a cable.😔
This should result in very crisp and zoomable pictures.
Chris 😊
I was sending the pictures from my phone to my email, then saving them to my computer file. This creates a very low resolution image of the picture, and when zoomed in results in poor quality.
In the future, I won't be lazy and actually download with a cable.😔
This should result in very crisp and zoomable pictures.
Chris 😊
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📝 Continuing on with the Aztec build
6 months ago by 🇺🇸 cjanik001 ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)✧ 34 Views · 9 Likes · 5 Comments
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Ahoy fellow model boaters,
The Aztec is shaping up nicely. I was able to get all of the bulkheads cut and glued to the keel, but not without incident. I started noticing that the bulkheads were not landing straight, causing the deck to appear as if it was slanted up, not level. I corrected this by cutting #11 - 18 back off of the keel and remaking them. This time, when securing, I carefully used levels to make sure that the keel remained in the correct position when the bulkheads were glued. This resulted in a very flat deck surface.
However, all was not well, once all were placed, I could tell that the stern curvature was not going to be correct. I had to add some 1/8" balsa to #18 - 22 to get the correct curvature. If you look at the .pdf drawing in the initial post, these bulkheads have an inward curvature, what I realized is that it needed an outward curve to the hull. Once I made the corrections to the existing bulkheads, I was able to measure and make corrections to the cad design.
Once all the bulkheads were in place, I added the thin strips to the bow and sides of the hull for strength.
I have started to plank the hull using 1/16" basswood strips which were cut from a sheet of 1/16" x 24" basswood on the Cricut.
I will add a second 1/16" skin over the initial planking.
all for now,
Chris
The Aztec is shaping up nicely. I was able to get all of the bulkheads cut and glued to the keel, but not without incident. I started noticing that the bulkheads were not landing straight, causing the deck to appear as if it was slanted up, not level. I corrected this by cutting #11 - 18 back off of the keel and remaking them. This time, when securing, I carefully used levels to make sure that the keel remained in the correct position when the bulkheads were glued. This resulted in a very flat deck surface.
However, all was not well, once all were placed, I could tell that the stern curvature was not going to be correct. I had to add some 1/8" balsa to #18 - 22 to get the correct curvature. If you look at the .pdf drawing in the initial post, these bulkheads have an inward curvature, what I realized is that it needed an outward curve to the hull. Once I made the corrections to the existing bulkheads, I was able to measure and make corrections to the cad design.
Once all the bulkheads were in place, I added the thin strips to the bow and sides of the hull for strength.
I have started to plank the hull using 1/16" basswood strips which were cut from a sheet of 1/16" x 24" basswood on the Cricut.
I will add a second 1/16" skin over the initial planking.
all for now,
Chris
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💬 Re: Fairey Faun 17 - Planking Hull
6 months ago by 🇺🇸 cjanik001 ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)✧ 134 Views · 2 Likes
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Great job so far!
Was looking for a way to do the bow on the Aztec (aka Banana Boat), I think I will try it like that as well.
Chris
Was looking for a way to do the bow on the Aztec (aka Banana Boat), I think I will try it like that as well.
Chris
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📝 Driving update
7 months ago by 🇺🇸 cjanik001 ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)✧ 65 Views · 1 Like
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That’s great. Congratulations on your success.
Chris
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📝 Solder
7 months ago by 🇺🇸 cjanik001 ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)✧ 70 Views · 5 Likes
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Sticker Shock!!!! The price of solder is out of this world.
So maybe finding some liquid rosin flux may be the answer.
Also the newer lead free, no clean, or water clean type solders may require a higher temperature soldering iron.
Good luck,
Chris
So maybe finding some liquid rosin flux may be the answer.
Also the newer lead free, no clean, or water clean type solders may require a higher temperature soldering iron.
Good luck,
Chris
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📝 Solder
7 months ago by 🇺🇸 cjanik001 ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)✧ 68 Views · 6 Likes
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Yes, the flux in solder can get old and not have the wetting action which makes the solder ball up and yield cold solder joints.
Throw your old stuff away, and get some new fresh solder.
You can purchase rosin solder flux on its own, but it is probably more expensive that route, then just investing in new rosin core solder.
Chris
Throw your old stuff away, and get some new fresh solder.
You can purchase rosin solder flux on its own, but it is probably more expensive that route, then just investing in new rosin core solder.
Chris
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📝 The Aztec Construction begins
8 months ago by 🇺🇸 cjanik001 ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)✧ 43 Views · 4 Likes · 1 Comment
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First off, I appreciate all for the likes, follows and suggestions sent in so far about the build.
With the design now in a CAD, I am able to print out a 1:1 pattern of the keel and cut out the 3/16" basswood using my bandsaw. The bulkheads are constructed using the Cricut cutting machine. I can download the cutting files directly from the cad software saving a lot of time with tedious cuts on the band saw. The Cricut has limitations to the thickness of material which it can cut, so I purchased some 1/16" Basswood ply and cut duplicates of each bulkhead with the grain of the wood at a 90 degree angle, then glued the two together to get the 1/8" requirement. I am able to put multiple patterns on a sheet of plywood to be cut by the machine.
I created the bulbous nose of the keel by making item "0". (see pdf from initial blog) and placing it on the keel, then fill the remainder with balsa wood, and then sand to fit.
Two pictures show the sheets cut with the different grain direction. Once cut the two matching pairs are glued together, sanded and then glued to the keel.
The Cricut machine does take time to do the cuts. The cut time varies between 2 and 3 hours depending upon how many items are on the pattern, but once started, there is very little that needs to be done until finished. There is a picture of how clean the machine cuts, and a short video of the machine in action.
Chris
With the design now in a CAD, I am able to print out a 1:1 pattern of the keel and cut out the 3/16" basswood using my bandsaw. The bulkheads are constructed using the Cricut cutting machine. I can download the cutting files directly from the cad software saving a lot of time with tedious cuts on the band saw. The Cricut has limitations to the thickness of material which it can cut, so I purchased some 1/16" Basswood ply and cut duplicates of each bulkhead with the grain of the wood at a 90 degree angle, then glued the two together to get the 1/8" requirement. I am able to put multiple patterns on a sheet of plywood to be cut by the machine.
I created the bulbous nose of the keel by making item "0". (see pdf from initial blog) and placing it on the keel, then fill the remainder with balsa wood, and then sand to fit.
Two pictures show the sheets cut with the different grain direction. Once cut the two matching pairs are glued together, sanded and then glued to the keel.
The Cricut machine does take time to do the cuts. The cut time varies between 2 and 3 hours depending upon how many items are on the pattern, but once started, there is very little that needs to be done until finished. There is a picture of how clean the machine cuts, and a short video of the machine in action.
Chris
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📝 Question of the Day?
8 months ago by 🇺🇸 cjanik001 ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)✧ 57 Views · 4 Likes
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I have to agree with this comment. I never understood how not answering a question did not count against your score. If I knew this in high school I would have been a straight "A" student. Not the average Joe I truly am.
Scrap the overall, and have an all-time average based on number of correct answers to total number of questions.
Just my 2cents worth.
Chris
Scrap the overall, and have an all-time average based on number of correct answers to total number of questions.
Just my 2cents worth.
Chris
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📝 A Banana Boat??!
8 months ago by 🇺🇸 cjanik001 ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)✧ 84 Views · 12 Likes · 5 Comments
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Happy Groundhog Day fellow model boaters. Seemed like a good day to start a build blog after the weather we have been having here in SE Texas. From hurricanes to snow fall, now nice sunny temps in the 70's.
I asked my grandson earlier this summer what boat would he want me to build next. Without hesitation, he said a cargo ship showing me a picture of a Maresk Lines container ship in a children's picture book. I thought about this one for several weeks wondering how to build a realistic replica of something that large. My dry dock isn't very big, and the Admiral frowns on large models. One morning at breakfast I was peeling my banana, and I realize the perfect boat. A quick google search verified my thinking of the perfect cargo ship.
I have lived in this area all my life, and my first job was in the small gulf port town of Freeport, Texas. In the early 80's it basically only served the shrimp boat operators and commercial fishermen as well as a few cargo ships for Dow Chemical and the like. The size does not compare to the Port of Houston or even Galveston. However, in the 90's the Dole Fruit Company started operations delivering containers of tropical fruit for distribution to the US.
At that time I was commuting to Houston for work, and would see the Dole container trucks on the road and would chuckle to myself "must be a banana boat in port!
The Dole company just celebrated 30 years of service in Freeport, and in 2023 launched two sister container ships, the Aztec and Maya, specifically for the Gulf of Mexico deliveries. These are smaller ships which I estimate carry only about 500 containers.
Since I could not find any plans on the internet for a smaller container ship, I decided to make my own. From pictures of the Aztec, I free handed a graph paper drawing of what I intended to build, and when satisfied, I produced a CAD version in Autosketch.
The attached pictures are of the Aztec in port at Gulfport MS.. The Maya being built in drydock. My hand drawn rendering on graph paper, and a .PDF of the cad version with bulkhead detail.
The model ship will be about 26.5 inches long with a width of about 4.5". I plan to have a brushless motor driving a 1 inch 5 bladed brass prop.
Chris
I asked my grandson earlier this summer what boat would he want me to build next. Without hesitation, he said a cargo ship showing me a picture of a Maresk Lines container ship in a children's picture book. I thought about this one for several weeks wondering how to build a realistic replica of something that large. My dry dock isn't very big, and the Admiral frowns on large models. One morning at breakfast I was peeling my banana, and I realize the perfect boat. A quick google search verified my thinking of the perfect cargo ship.
I have lived in this area all my life, and my first job was in the small gulf port town of Freeport, Texas. In the early 80's it basically only served the shrimp boat operators and commercial fishermen as well as a few cargo ships for Dow Chemical and the like. The size does not compare to the Port of Houston or even Galveston. However, in the 90's the Dole Fruit Company started operations delivering containers of tropical fruit for distribution to the US.
At that time I was commuting to Houston for work, and would see the Dole container trucks on the road and would chuckle to myself "must be a banana boat in port!
The Dole company just celebrated 30 years of service in Freeport, and in 2023 launched two sister container ships, the Aztec and Maya, specifically for the Gulf of Mexico deliveries. These are smaller ships which I estimate carry only about 500 containers.
Since I could not find any plans on the internet for a smaller container ship, I decided to make my own. From pictures of the Aztec, I free handed a graph paper drawing of what I intended to build, and when satisfied, I produced a CAD version in Autosketch.
The attached pictures are of the Aztec in port at Gulfport MS.. The Maya being built in drydock. My hand drawn rendering on graph paper, and a .PDF of the cad version with bulkhead detail.
The model ship will be about 26.5 inches long with a width of about 4.5". I plan to have a brushless motor driving a 1 inch 5 bladed brass prop.
Chris
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📝 Baby Bootlegger
8 months ago by 🇺🇸 cjanik001 ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)✧ 64 Views · 5 Likes
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I just ordered balsa wood and bass wood from National Balsa. Good price and good delivery. Packaged in a way as to not get damaged in shipping. The only down side is the cost of shipping is not cheap. But if you purchase $100.00 US it’s free!
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📝 2025
9 months ago by 🇺🇸 cjanik001 ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)✧ 17 Views · 6 Likes
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I just want to say to all the new members who have just signed up, I hope you find this group of model boating hobbyists as informative and genuine as I have the past few years.
Do not hesitate to ask any questions you may have. This site is very friendly and open.
Good luck with your hobby and take part in the conversations. We also like pictures and videos!
Have fun😀
Chris
Do not hesitate to ask any questions you may have. This site is very friendly and open.
Good luck with your hobby and take part in the conversations. We also like pictures and videos!
Have fun😀
Chris
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📝 Merry Christmas!
9 months ago by 🇺🇸 cjanik001 ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)✧ 47 Views · 13 Likes
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Merry Christmas from the greater Texas Gulf Coast. No sign of snow here, temps are in the 70’s!
Wishing all a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a wonderful and prosperous New Year.
Chris
Wishing all a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a wonderful and prosperous New Year.
Chris
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📝 Fishing nets
10 months ago by 🇺🇸 cjanik001 ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)✧ 76 Views · 8 Likes
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I’ve used cheese cloth in the past. Also, a gauze bandage may do as well.
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📝 Question of the Day?
10 months ago by 🇺🇸 cjanik001 ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)✧ 65 Views · 1 Like
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I also have items arriving on gmail. Funny thing is it’s only a subset of what is trending. I would also like to remove myself from Gmail if possible.
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📝 Happy Thanksgiving
10 months ago by 🇺🇸 cjanik001 ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)✧ 38 Views · 5 Likes
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Lew,
Yes it has been a trying year, and I too living on the Texas Gulf Coast am aware of what damage hurricanes can do. I wish you, your family, and all Model Boaters a Happy Thanksgiving as well.
Chris
Yes it has been a trying year, and I too living on the Texas Gulf Coast am aware of what damage hurricanes can do. I wish you, your family, and all Model Boaters a Happy Thanksgiving as well.
Chris
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📝 I no longer receive notification emails.
10 months ago by 🇺🇸 cjanik001 ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
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Apparently, this did not work either! 😒
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📝 I no longer receive notification emails.
10 months ago by 🇺🇸 cjanik001 ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
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I am experiencing the same. I logged in and went to the support tab. There is a selection for “not receiving emails”. I followed the directions and will see if this helps.
Chris
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📝 Minature action camera
12 months ago by 🇺🇸 cjanik001 ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)✧ 75 Views · 3 Likes
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I found a “cheap” about $10 camera off of Amazon. Camera will record on a memory card, however I also would like to view and record to my phone while sailing. With limited success I have gotten this to work, but the wireless connection is limited in distance to about 20’ from the phone.
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📝 Question of the Day?
12 months ago by 🇺🇸 cjanik001 ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
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See picture
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📝 Question of the Day?
12 months ago by 🇺🇸 cjanik001 ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)✧ 74 Views · 2 Likes
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Well AI did me in today!! I chose sloop of war, and AI indicated frigret was the correct answer, but the verbiage read sloop of war is the correct answer! How can anyone win with AI like this!!!
May just have to let the QofD go and stick to my solitaire card games.
May just have to let the QofD go and stick to my solitaire card games.
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📝 battery
1 year ago by 🇺🇸 cjanik001 ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)✧ 51 Views · 3 Likes
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Good morning Fulmic,
If the 6v lead acid battery is giving a low battery signal, then the additional 6v battery is probably not going to solve the issue.
Check your receiver specifications for voltage input range!
You may need to power the receiver with a separate higher voltage battery, and wire the motor independent with the 6v lead acid.
Good luck
If the 6v lead acid battery is giving a low battery signal, then the additional 6v battery is probably not going to solve the issue.
Check your receiver specifications for voltage input range!
You may need to power the receiver with a separate higher voltage battery, and wire the motor independent with the 6v lead acid.
Good luck
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📝 Motor burn out?
1 year ago by 🇺🇸 cjanik001 ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)✧ 73 Views · 5 Likes
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I don’t know if this post has any previous posts, but it sounds like it may be a motor over voltage situation.
Double check the motor specifications and adjust the battery voltage accordingly.
Good luck
Double check the motor specifications and adjust the battery voltage accordingly.
Good luck
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📝 Question of the Day?
1 year ago by 🇺🇸 cjanik001 ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
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I think it’s an A.I. plot to bolster the United Kingdom’s score.😁
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📝 Question of the Day?
1 year ago by 🇺🇸 cjanik001 ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
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I have to agree with that one as well!
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📝 Recovering from cataract surgery
1 year ago by 🇺🇸 cjanik001 ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)✧ 31 Views · 2 Likes
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You will be back at it in no time.🙂
Good luck and take care.
Good luck and take care.
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💬 Re: Little Shelley Foss first float
1 year ago by 🇺🇸 cjanik001 ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)✧ 24 Views · 1 Like
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I have to admit the captain was preoccupied with running his own video of the event, and not watching over the bow. 😊 The Admiral actually caught the incident on record.
Anyway, had we several inches or rain the past week, now the pond is higher covering the snags.
Anyway, had we several inches or rain the past week, now the pond is higher covering the snags.
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📝 Little Shelley Foss first float
1 year ago by 🇺🇸 cjanik001 ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)✧ 34 Views · 6 Likes · 3 Comments
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This past Memorial day weekend the Admiral an I went to the local park “duck pond” for the first outing with the Little Shelley Foss.
The Admiral insisted on a photo op with the tug in hand before its maiden voyage.
The tug run very well and I was quite pleased with the performance despite running into exposed logs, as the pond is shallow due to lack of rain the past few months!😎
The Admiral insisted on a photo op with the tug in hand before its maiden voyage.
The tug run very well and I was quite pleased with the performance despite running into exposed logs, as the pond is shallow due to lack of rain the past few months!😎
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📝 Vinyl cutting machine choice
1 year ago by 🇺🇸 cjanik001 ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
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“Cricut” ( I hate Apple’s autocorrect!)
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📝 Vinyl cutting machine choice
1 year ago by 🇺🇸 cjanik001 ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)✧ 35 Views · 3 Likes
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Crocus has its own download software that runs it. Plenty of online videos on operation.
Good luck😊
Good luck😊
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