Pro's and Con's of diffrent cutting machines

[huntforjulia]

Would like to buy a cutting machine but my head is spinning with all the choices. I spend a fortune on alphabet stickers, and buying cutouts off ebay, so I thought it would be better to invest in something. Thanks for any help.

 

[rae96]

I have the Cricut Expression. I haven't had any problems with it. I buy the cartridges and don't use the online capabilities. I use it all the time and can't imagine what it was like scrapbooking before it! Good luck figuring out what will work best for you.

 

[PrincessNancy96]

I have the Cricut Expression2 currently... It is the newest model they make.. it mats are 12x24 or 12x12.. the main draw back is that it has to use the cartridges (the ones they make only) and if you want to design something you have to use the Cricut Craftroom only as it is NOT compatible with the Cricut Design Studio (which they produce).... and then your designs are limited to what you can make with the carts you own and the freebie things they give you in the Craftroom. You can also buy digital downloads of carts with the craftroom but they are the same cost as if you would go out to a brick and mortar store. I mean that's great not to go out...but my concern with that is if I buy the digital and they decide to upgrade the Craftroom to something else... will my downloads transfer or will that be money out my door?!? Also, the cricut E2, is more computer/digital screen dependent and it is a learning experience every day.

I also owned the Cricut personal cutter (baby bug) and the original cricut expression... I personally loved the expression the best!!! All of these machines utilize the same carts so you don't have to worry about that...
I got the Cricut Design Studio for these two machines and I thought any other upgraded machines...so I am very disappointed that $80 went out the door when they required the use to Craftroom w/ the E2.
BTW, craftroom is free...

The one machine that most of the girls around the boards seem to like and is on my radar is our tax check comes back pretty is the silhoutte cameo... It allows you to cut things from the internet and you can cut letters from your own computer... I don't understand it all but there are many girls that can explain it to you. I know that Reddy, one of our members shares her SVG creations for free to cut on the cameo and other machines that can cut the SVG files.

 

[scrappinstevie]

I have a Wishblade and a Cricut Expressions. I love the Cricut. It is sooooooooooooo easy to use. I love my Cricut.

 

[dogcarbon]

I remember how confusing it can be, but you have to know what you are expecting your cutting machine to do. Can you answer some of the questions below, and we can help guide you a cutter or where you might begin your search.

do you have a computer?
will your cutting machine be near a computer?
do you have a laptop?
Are you wanting to create while at a crop?
will you have internet access?
are you willing to learn a new piece of software to do what you want to do?

do you want to cut nearly any image or font on your computer?

Do you want to cut just paper? Chipboard? Vinyl?

How big do you expect to want to cut? 6" wide, 12" wide, or more? how about length? 12" or 24" or even longer?

Do you want to use cartridges with shape and fonts, and not worry about other designs? Or will you always be yearning for that other cut of some other shape? Cartridges on average are $25 (on ebay... some are more, some are less)

I personally started with a Cricut, and quickly found that I wanted more, and was able to buy the SCAL software. BUT you can no longer buy a copy of SCAL and have it work with any Cricut. (same with MTC... it won't work with a cricut).

SO, many folks gave up their cricuts and have gone with other cutters.

I went with the Silhouette Cameo. And I love it. I cut SVG shapes that I create myself, OR i can utilize the Silhouette on-line store and buy cutting files for 99 cents each. Also, they do have a subscription program too. Silhouette also makes a Portrait cutter that cuts a smaller width than a Cameo. I also use the Silhouette Studio (SS) software to cut. (but SCAL3 also works great).

All of the above software (SCAL3 & SS) are available to download for free if you want to play around.

 

[JohnsonsLoveDisney]

I have a Cricut expressions, and a bunch of cartridges,I like the ease of the shapes on there, but dont like having to buy carts everytime I need one thing. But I think you can buy them individually now on craft room.

I also have a Cameo. Love it! the pre made shapes are $0.99 each. and I can also use SCAL3 which allows me to make my own SVG's to cut out or buy them from others.

It really is a personal choice. Dogcarbon has a great list of questions there. should help you decide.

 

[huntforjulia]

Thank You for all the information. I started to scrap last year, but then I have really been doing it all my life, just not with acid free paper and things. Need to go back and redo a lot of albums!
I admit I am a lurker. Before last years trip I made the grandsons autograph books, thanks to the Dis! The original plan was to put a pic of them and the character opposite the autograph, but then after getting home, I decided to make them each a scrapbook. That's 4 and 1 for me,then Maybe one for my 3 kids! I need to figure out how to post pics,so far they are turning out pretty well. I also do lots of other crafts.
I have a desktop and laptop with internet to both. I am trying to learn about svg files and scal ect. Not sure how big I would want to cut,but would like the capability to cut any shape/image. I literally spent hours putting together 3 diffrent Tinkerbell patterns together to make one pattern and then piece them so I could have her over the pics of the castle with glitter coming from her wand. I couldn't find the right sticker, in the right size! Used waxed paper and black sharpie to trace it off my computer screen and a pattern from a wordpress disney book I have. DBF thinks I've lost my mind.
I figure no matter what I buy, I will learn it and then find something that does more/diffrent to lust after. Sorry this ended up being so long.

 

[dogcarbon]

With that information.... Cameo.

You will love the print and cut features.... for images that are just too complicated to paper piece together.

 

[JennyKS]

I don't post here often but thought I would add my 2 cents.

I have a cricut and a silhouette. I tend to pull out my silhouette more often just because I find it so much easier. You can buy fonts for the silhouette and shapes.

Of I bought my silhouette before cricut came out with their craft room where you can easily search for shapes. I hate looking for what I want on a cartridge. I have such short amount of time to scrap I don't want to be looking through all my cartridges to see what has what.

Of course all that being said, I think its easier to figure out the layering with the cricut than the silhouette sometimes.

Maybe I shouldn't have put my 2 cents in. I am however saving my pennies to buy the silhouette cameo and not looking to replace my original expression (that still works) and haven't bought a cartridge in YEARS.

 

[dogcarbon]

JennyKS.... thanks for your input! Yes, the searching for images in the handbooks drove me crazy too. I would KNOW I saw something, but couldn't find it!

And come back and play more often!

 

[PrincessNancy96]

Thank you for adding your thoughts, JennyKS!!
I don't think I have bought carts in years either... some of the items are redundant!

I agree with dogcarbon.. I now there are certain items I want on the cricut because I've seen it in a handbook and it takes forever to find it sometimes..

 

[morgansmom2000]

There is a very helpful site that has a search feature. My Cut Search. I use it all the time.

I hope that helps!

Thinking about ordering a Cameo...

 

[Reddy]

hmmm what was the last cart everyone bought???
I think mine was "just because" cards - forgot what I wanted it for, I know I made one of the cards & that is it off of it
then sent it to someone else for them to use

 

[PrincessNancy96]

The last cart I bought was a digital one.... Greek Letters...

 

[huntforjulia]

Thank You all for the help, I think I am going to buy a cameo, have to save up. My friend has a cricut she is letting me use, so I am learning that. Just bought a Tinkerbell cart. for $20 at Big Lots

 

[beaucoup]

I used to have a Wishblade years ago. Having to make your cut files in one software & move it to another software was more than I wanted to deal with learning & I am not one to shy away from technology. Back then, there just was not a lot of file sharing on the web like there is now.

I have a Cricut Expression & the Sure Cuts A Lot 2 software meaning I can cut SVG files that I can find online - often free - that others have made & share. I can also cut any font I have in my computer without having to buy cartridges. However, due to lawsuit, Sure Cuts A Lot cannot sell their software for Cricut any longer. I'm in luck to have already owned it. But I also like having the option to use cartridges if I just want something fast. I only own a few.

While some gave up their Cricuts because of the software issue, I didn't see the need to. I can use cartridges AND I can use files found online. Or get adventurous & learn to make my own. Good enough for me. What more could I want really? I only cut paper. And I'm tired of always having to run out & get the latest & greatest which has more features than I really need. Learning to be content with what I have.

I would look for a machine that allows freedom to use cut files found online IF you are tech savy enough & patient enough to search, download & use. If you want instant, then you may want to use a machine with cartridges of pre-designed files.

NOW, what I really want is enough space to be able to leave my Cricut set up & plugged into computer so its ready to go at a moment. Having to set it up & connect to computer is what sometimes prevents me from even using it at all.