The Cricut that Wouldn't Cut... Pls HELP

[dreamscometrue]

Hi All~
I have had my Cricut Expression since 9/08 and LOVE it!! Just last week I took it out and it wasn't cutting. It went through all the motions, but no cut. I removed the blade housing and took out the blade and re inserted it. After doing this same thing 3X it started cutting and worked fine for the rest of the day. Next day, same problem, not cutting--- removed blade.... finally working.... this has become a pattern I would like to correct. I called Cricut support and because I am out of warranty she suggested reseting the maching. She talked me through step by step and told me to wait an hour. She said if it didn't work I would need to BUY A NEW ONE!! Well it didn't but once again I removed and inserted several times and it worked fine.

Wondering if any other Disney scrappers have had this problem and have come up with a solution?? I am going to an all day Crop in a few weeks and don't want to spend my time playing with the Cricut when I could be scrapping... of course I have become very dependent on the Cricut for carrying out my creative ideas so I NEED IT!!!

PLEASE HELP!!! Thanks for any advice you might be able to share!!! : )

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

is it not moving or is the blade just not cutting?

If it's just not cutting I would start by purchasing an new housing and blade. Way less expensive then a whole new machine. There may be something broken in the housing and the blade is getting pushed up to far.

You checked your depth and everything right?

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

I also wonder if your depth dial is broken on the housing. Maybe the numbers are off?

 

[dreamscometrue]

The machine moves as if it is cutting but the housing does not go down low enough to actually cut.

I did replace the blade because that was my first thought. The housing may be a good thing to try because it seems to work after I take it in and out a few times and turn the dial. I have always cut on 4 but the other day I got it to work when it was set on 5. I wonder how easy it will be to buy a replacement housing???. I have seen the deep blade housing but don't recall seeing a regular one when I have been in Michael's or AC Moore.

Thanks for your speedy replies... I will gladly try any suggestions to restore my wonderful Cricut to working order.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

you can order a replacement housing for $30 from cricut.com

http://www.cricut.com/shopping/productList.aspx?sc=4

You might be able to find one from somewhere else but I'm not 100% sure.

It really sounds like a housing problem especially since you say it works on 5, I'd be willing to risk the 30 bucks before dishing out money for a new Bug.

Do you have a friend that would lend you their housing just to test?

Let me know how it turns out.

Oh another idea!!! The blades, did they come from the same package? I wonder if they are short, maybe a manufacturers defect.

 

[dreamscometrue]

Ok... so last night I called AC Moore and Michael's and Joann's and all they had was the DEEP CUT HOUSING.. I was going to call Cricut this morning to see if they could give me the name of another store to try because I am too impatient to plce and order and WAIT. So I call and the girl offers to send me a replacement blade housing on them!! : ) OK.. I guess I can wait. There is still no guarantee that this is the problem but I am hoping it is since the part is on its way. I had the housing out again and the blade does not stick out on any of the six settings so perhaps it is shot. I needed to cut some frames for tags for some favors so I gently pushed down on the tip of the housing and then it cuts fine. What a pain.. especially because I held it down even when it would have lifted and I ruined a few frames. LOL
Crossing my fingers that the new housing will help my Cricut!! I have become addicted to it and cannot imagine the 16 hour crop on February 6 without it. Thankfully my scrapping pal has hers which she will bring. We usually take turns bringing it so we both don't look like we are moving in!!! LOL

I will update when the housing comes.!! Thanks and Happy Scrappin'

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Glad you got one for free!!

Let me know if it works. The more you explain, the more it sounds like the housing. To bad you aren't near by or I'd run up one of mine just to try.

 

[dreamscometrue]

Thanks~~~ you are so sweet !! I will let you know how I make out when I get it. Crossing my fingers I will be cricuting again real soon. Enjoy the rest of the weekend!! ; )

 

[dreamscometrue]

OKAY.. Finally got the housing from Provocraft... Almost two weeks... apparently original order got lost. Since it was FREE I wasn't complaining. Received it and it was plastic, not metal like the original. Tried it today and still not able to cut. : ( I guess I will have my Dad aka Mr. Fix it check it out, but in the meantime I told my DH I guess I know what I want for my bday in April. He told me to take the money he won in the SuperBowl pool and get a new one now. I already put that money in our Disney can. but I thought that was sooo sweet. Today I am searching E-bay and considering the Cricut Create instead of the Expression if I can get it for a good price. Anyone own the CREATE or have an opinion about the CREATE vs. the EXPRESSION???. Funny how DH realizes what a BIG deal it is to have a Cricut that won't cut. I went to a CROP last weekend and I took 2 new mats with me to use on a friends EXPRESSION. Brand new, fresh out of the package and they could not hold the paper. I have old ones that have more stick. I think I have a Cricut curse....... yet it is my favorite scrappin tool.... what is a Cropper to do??? : ) : )

 

[hopemax]

If you want a Create...Big Lots is having them Sun and Mon for $99.

 

[LindaBabe]

They're in stock at my big lots right now - I didn't see what they were marked, though.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

darn, I was hoping it was just the housing. And what is up with the plastic housing?

Sounds like maybe the whole arm is broken.

I don't know much about the create, but I do know it's basically the Expression for 6x12.

 

[PrincessNancy96]

I love my create... I prefer it over the E..just because of the amount of room I have.... if I were a teacher, I'd go with the E for my bullentin boards and other fun crafts with my students...

 

[dreamscometrue]

Believe me... I was really disappointed. We are on our second snow day and today was going to be my day... did laundry and bills and other necessary thing yesterday so today was going to be scrapping day (even though I just scrapped for almost 24 hours last weekend. I will have my Dad look and see what he sees. It it annoying because it is going through the motions, just not coming down low enough. I can push the top tip down, but sometimes the cricut moves, without cutting and when you hold it down it cuts more than it should. LOL Bidding on a CREATE on e-bay. I always go for FREE shipping and am trying to get a good price. Crossing my fingers. I figure if my Dad can fix it, my daughter can always take the CREATE. She is 15 and enjoys scrapping too!!

 

[dreamscometrue]

Thanks for the CREATE critique. I thought it would be good because I like the features of the Expression but it is smaller and less $$$$ especially since I am hoping my Dad will find a mystery "fix" for my current Expression.