What can't the cricut personal do?

[Kathi OD]

The title says it all. What are the limitations of the cricut personal (the cheap model)? The description on the website says you don't need a computer, but does that mean you can't take advantage of computer programs, like SCAL?

I know absolutely no one who does scrapbooking and I think at this point I'd be using the machine primarily for lettering, so I don't want to be spending several hundred dollars.

TIA for your help.

 

[hopemax]

You can use SCAL and Make the Cut with the Personal. You can use a Gypsy and/or Cricut Design Studio.

What you can't do: If you don't have a Gypsy or Cricut Design Studio, you can't rotate or flip your image. The Create and the Expression, have a button on the machine you can push to do these things. The Personal is also missing the other buttons like "Fit to Page" (automatically figures out the largest size that you can cut), "Auto Fill" (automatically figures out how many of the same cut you can fit on your mat). There are also some other buttons available on the Expression that aren't available on the Personal. Also, on the Personal you can't cut anything smaller than 1". The other machines, allow you to cut as small as 1/4"

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

You can use SCAL and Make the Cut with the Personal. You can use a Gypsy and/or Cricut Design Studio.

well you can, if you have it hooked up to the computer.

But stand alone, you can just cut the images as you see them in the booklets for the cartridges from 1 inch to 5 1/2 to 6 inches depending on the design.

Kathi, are you a teacher? I ask because of your signature quote.

I'm not a teacher but a mom of 4 and PTO VP. I use my cricut a lot at school for bulletin boards, projects, science fair, etc. Basically when the school needs signage one of the 3 of us with cricuts uses it.

 

[Kathi OD]

well you can, if you have it hooked up to the computer.

But stand alone, you can just cut the images as you see them in the booklets for the cartridges from 1 inch to 5 1/2 to 6 inches depending on the design.

Kathi, are you a teacher? I ask because of your signature quote.

I'm not a teacher but a mom of 4 and PTO VP. I use my cricut a lot at school for bulletin boards, projects, science fair, etc. Basically when the school needs signage one of the 3 of us with cricuts uses it.

I did understand the part about having to have it hooked up to the comp to use those 2 things, but wasn't sure if that was one of the limitations of the personal.

Yes, I am a teacher, but probably won't be using it there very much. I teach in a unique situation (I work at the county detention center) and only have 1 very small bulletin board in my classroom.

I really want to use it for the project I described in my post about paper AND thought maybe it would kickstart me into doing some other projects that I've been wanting to do for a loooong time. The thought of cutting everything by hand has kept me from even attempting to start.

I am seeing the personal on that auction site (are we allowed to name it here?), and they seem pretty reasonable. I also saw the expression on WalMart's site for $254, which seemed like I good buy. I just didn't want to spend that much if the personal would do pretty much the same thing.

You guys are great. Thanks for answering my newbie questions so quickly. I'm sure I'll have a lot more.

Now it's off to work. Have a good day!

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

yep you can say ebay. I would definitely shop there or if you can wait until Black Friday, Walmart and Michael's usually have some pretty good deals.

I figured you knew about plugging it in to get added benefits but all the cricut machines are the same in that regard, they all have to be hooked up to the computer for SCAL and CDS. So that's not really a limitation for just the personal.

The only real limitation I see with the personal is the sizes. They only go up in 1/2 inch increments and most of the time you don't get a full 6 inch letter, they are mostly 5 1/2.

One of my projects is vinyl letters for my kitchen which I will probably use the bigger machine for (I have both).

 

[Kathi OD]

yep you can say ebay. I would definitely shop there or if you can wait until Black Friday, Walmart and Michael's usually have some pretty good deals.

I figured you knew about plugging it in to get added benefits but all the cricut machines are the same in that regard, they all have to be hooked up to the computer for SCAL and CDS. So that's not really a limitation for just the personal.

The only real limitation I see with the personal is the sizes. They only go up in 1/2 inch increments and most of the time you don't get a full 6 inch letter, they are mostly 5 1/2.

One of my projects is vinyl letters for my kitchen which I will probably use the bigger machine for (I have both).

Hmm....well I don't know that I need both, but that sure would be nice.

I think I am leaning more and more toward the Expression. My birthday is at the end of the month and I could ask for it as my gift. I am not good at waiting. I won 3 auctions last night for cartridges and I don't even have the machine yet! I'm not so sure I will make it to Black Friday. Right now I am like a kid in a candy shop! Maybe if I knew for sure the deal would be significantly less than the online price at WalMart.

Do you have a place where you leave it out all the time for ease of use? Right now I don't have that kind of space (DS moved back home and has invaded my craft room). How cumbersome would it be to have to take it out and put it away each time I used it? Maybe I'll have to clear some space in the basement for the time being....

Do tell...what are you doing in the kitchen?

Thanks again. I really appreciate the input and suggestions.

 

[ilovemickeymost]

Kathi - 1st Thank you for doing the hardest, but most important job in the world. I think clearing some spacee in the basement is a great idea & then I'd set up a cot & a dresser & introduce your DS to his new room. I was almost done w/ my craft room & found out I was pregnant. Now I crop in the dining room. I've had my Personal for 4 years & just recently found the biggest draw back to it. I was using the Wild Card cart. & made 20 cards. When I went to make the envelopes, the Personal wouldn't allow the size I needed b/c it wouldn't fit on the 6x12 paper. The expression cuts the tiny details that the Personal won't. I'd definately buy the larger one if you have the choice. If you can wait until Black Friday, last year Walmart had the expression for $178 & I think it came w/ a cart or two. As far as size, its not enormous. Welcome to the club & enjoy your new toy. I'm getting my Expression on Black Friday.

 

[wdwmickey]

I just got an Expression on ebay. I love my Expression, I've had the personal for several years and just couldn't justify the cost for the Expression. I got an amazing deal on ebay (2 cart, vinyl, other extras & the machine for $174--I was shopping after midnight). I would either shop there or wait for black Friday deals

I have to take mine out each time I use it and I don't find it to be any trouble, I keep it on a shelf because my scrapping area isn't big enough for me to leave it out all the time.

 

[hopemax]

I am seeing the personal on that auction site (are we allowed to name it here?), and they seem pretty reasonable. I also saw the expression on WalMart's site for $254, which seemed like I good buy. I just didn't want to spend that much if the personal would do pretty much the same thing.
!

Last year, Walmart's BF special was an Expression with Plantin Schoolbook and Serenade for $188. This year you could expect that or even see it for cheaper. Online retailers also had super deals. So if you can just hold out the not even 3 weeks, I think you will be well served.

 

[katied]

I have the Expression (purchased on ebay for just under $200) and love it. My friends who have the Peronal are jealous. I also use SCAL for most of my lettering projects, because I love the way I can merge and stretch.

I have a craft room, but rather than use up the space keeping it out, I keep it on a shelf and pull it down when I'm going to use it - takes about 1 min to set up (maybe 2 min if I'm hooking it up to my computer). Just pull it down, plug it in, and then load my cutting mat.

 

[Kathi OD]

Thanks so much, everyone! You are getting me very excited!

Keep your fingers crossed. Someone in the next town over, has a NIB Expression for sale on Craigslist for $175. I just sent an email and now have to hope no one has beat me to it.

If not I guess I will have to wait and see what BF brings, or I can always wake up at 3AM and try to snipe one on eBay.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Hmm....well I don't know that I need both, but that sure would be nice.

I think I am leaning more and more toward the Expression. My birthday is at the end of the month and I could ask for it as my gift. I am not good at waiting. I won 3 auctions last night for cartridges and I don't even have the machine yet! I'm not so sure I will make it to Black Friday. Right now I am like a kid in a candy shop! Maybe if I knew for sure the deal would be significantly less than the online price at WalMart.

Do you have a place where you leave it out all the time for ease of use? Right now I don't have that kind of space (DS moved back home and has invaded my craft room). How cumbersome would it be to have to take it out and put it away each time I used it? Maybe I'll have to clear some space in the basement for the time being....

Do tell...what are you doing in the kitchen?

Thanks again. I really appreciate the input and suggestions.

If I had to do it all over again, I would just buy the expression. I barely use my little one anymore.
I even haul my big one to school.

Right now I'm in the middle of renovating my craft room (formerly the dining room) so my cricut is out on top of my MIL's antique sewing table but once I get my last shelf it will be housed there. The little cricut has a handle and the expression has side hand holds so it's pretty easy to move around.

In my kitchen I have a breakfast nook that we converted to a bulters pantry.

Over the door I'm going to cut "M is for Mom not for Maid"

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Oh and when you get mats, invest in alcohol free baby wipes. We use those to wipe down the mats before you put it away for the day. It takes the paper lint and odds bits off. Just don't wipe to hard or you'll take the adhesive off.

 

[Kathi OD]

If I had to do it all over again, I would just buy the expression. I barely use my little one anymore.
I even haul my big one to school.

Right now I'm in the middle of renovating my craft room (formerly the dining room) so my cricut is out on top of my MIL's antique sewing table but once I get my last shelf it will be housed there. The little cricut has a handle and the expression has side hand holds so it's pretty easy to move around.

In my kitchen I have a breakfast nook that we converted to a bulters pantry.

Over the door I'm going to cut "M is for Mom not for Maid"

Glad to hear that the expression is so easy to move around. I'll just be using mine on the dining room table for awhile. I can probably store it in the bottom of my china closet. It's not like I have any china in it anyway.

I love the "M is for Mom not for Maid" quote. Very cute.

Oh and when you get mats, invest in alcohol free baby wipes. We use those to wipe down the mats before you put it away for the day. It takes the paper lint and odds bits off. Just don't wipe to hard or you'll take the adhesive off.

oooo....a good tip!

I just heard back from the person w/ the Expression listed on Craigslist. We are going to meet tomorrow evening...so tomorrow I might have a new toy to play with!! Yippee Skippy!!!

I've been looking at some of the pictures posted on the threads. If I can do 1/2 as good a job w/ my projects, I will be one happy woman!

Again, thanks for all the help! What a great bunch you all are!

 

[DisneyMSF]

.... Also, on the Personal you can't cut anything smaller than 1". The other machines, allow you to cut as small as 1/4"

If you use the Gypsy with the personal, can you cut smaller than an inch? And can you cut in intervals smaller than 1/2 inch? I just got a Gypsy, but haven't had too much time to play with it yet. It looks like the Gypsy will let you size to any size (doesn't force a specific interval) - will it cut to whatever the size is on the Gypsy (regardless of the machine)? I have an Expression, but been toying with the idea of getting a personal (if the price is right) to bring with me when I scrap with friends for cutting titles. But that will only work if I can go smaller than 1 inch (I often use 3/4 inch on titles). Thanks!

 

[Kathi OD]

WOOHOO!!! Doing the happy dance!!

Met the lady from Craigslist and bought the Expression she had for sale!!! Not only had it never been used, but the box had never been opened! It still had the cricut tape on the box. We opened it and plugged it in. There were lots of funny looks, as we were in the middle of the mall. But everything was there and I got it for a great price!

Brought it home and just tried it out a bit. I am going to like it big time once I figure it all out.

Oh and when you get mats, invest in alcohol free baby wipes. We use those to wipe down the mats before you put it away for the day. It takes the paper lint and odds bits off. Just don't wipe to hard or you'll take the adhesive off.

Just a question about the mat. Do you put that protective sheet back on it after each use or not? Would seem to me that it might be a good idea.

thanks again everyone, for all your help and encouragement! I hope you don't get too tired of me asking even more questions.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

yes, definitely put the sheet over the mat when not in use.

And keep asking questions!! We don't mind at all!

 

[hopemax]

And there is a good and bad side of the protective sheet. If the bad side is facing the mat, it will pull off the stickiness. So before I take off the sheet the first time, I write on it so I know which way to put it back on.

 

[Kathi OD]

And there is a good and bad side of the protective sheet. If the bad side is facing the mat, it will pull off the stickiness. So before I take off the sheet the first time, I write on it so I know which way to put it back on.

owell...not sure if I got the right side down or not.

not going to worry about it now.

 

[wdwmickey]

Another good tip is to use blue painters tape to hold your paper in place when your mat isn't sticky enough.