Should I buy a QuicKutz hand tool?
 

I have been debating on buying a QuicKutz hand tool, but am feeling flaky about it. I don't scrapbook a lot (once a month) and I'm concerned about the cost of the dies.

BUT I found a deal on one for $40.

So, my questions are:
1) Should I buy one?
2) Or should I buy a ZipeMate?
3) Are there places I can 'swap' dies?
4) Do I even really need it?

When I go to the once-a-month swap, I usually end up borrowing one, but not every time. The alphabets seem to be what everyone uses, but they can be very expensive to buy. One local scrapbook store here rents the tool, and an alphabet set (one of 3 to choose from).

So I am in a quandry as to what to do and I have to decide today before the special runs out!

Thanks!

I love mine, don't use it a lot but am glad I bought it. For that price I say go for it!!!
Tonya

Tonnie - do you find that you spend a lot of money for the dies? Do you buy a lot of them?

Thanks!

I own currently a Quickutz and hate it unless you have wrists of steel. I love the dies they come out with.

I also own a Sizzix which i like but they don't have quite the selection IMO like Quickutz.

Hubby bought me a Zip E Mate last Christmas and I can't begin to tell you how much i love this machine. You need to buy another block other than whats with it but you can use any Die cut in there. So now i use my Quickutz - Sizzix and Zipemate diecuts not to mention you can also Emboss with it so i now use all my Lasting Impressions and Sizzix brass templates..... Again I can't tell you how much I love my Zip emate which its so worth what DH paid for it hehe

PS for the Dies for Quickutz you can do a Google Search and there are tons of places that sell them online for 40% off

Thanks for the insight. The few times I have used it, it was so difficult to press down. They say the cradle helps that. Is that true?

Can't make up my mind! Yikes! Dana

I tried a friend's QuicKutz, and I thought I would buy one too. I like the die system, but I do agree about needing strength to push down on the handle. I have been eyeing the Zip-E-Mate - so thanks, Wendy for your endorsement!

See I've been eyeing the ZipeMate too - it's just the $160 price that scares me!

:-) I don't think my hubby will spring for that under any circumstances!

Dana

$160 is pretty steep DH said he paid $120 for mine. I have the hand cradle for Quickutz and maybe its just me but wow very hard to push on it. Not to mention Zipemate you can do more than one at a time. I do several QKutz dies at a time. Sizzix are bigger so its just one of them. I did a bunch of cards with embossing backgrounds and whipped out those in minutes. It also embosses on Metal great which if anyones ever tried to emboss on metal it isn't the easiest. This makes it very easy...

Hmmm think I can get Zip E mate to give me a job LOL>..

PS I found it Cheaper on the Net its only $112 here - I've boughten some diecuts from this place before they are 40% below Retail on all Die cuts and machines.

http://store.crazyscraps.com/zipmachines.html

Another cheap place for QK die cuts
http://www.scrapbookexpress.com/diecuts.html

the cradle does help- especially if you are using it a bunch!
I have one and a font.. some dies... I would like to get a new font..
anyway, It is nice to have and for that price it is a steal!

I love my Quickutz. It is a great deal for the price; I can't afford the Zip E Mate. It is a little difficult to push down, but it really doesn't bother me. It is also extremely portable, and there is a great selection of dies.

I bought my Quickutz on QVC. They had the tool plus 1 alpha set for a reasonable price. I also buy the dies at scrapbookexpress.com. I've never had a problem with them.
I will tell you that I don't use it as much as I thought I would.

saltycatco - the price listed for the Quickkutz w/cradle is $27.99 through 6/25/05 on the website that wendalyn listed for scrapbookexpress so unless the deal you found for $40.00 includes some diecuts or something, you might want to check that website for the Quickkutz if you decide to get it and it gives you some more time to decide!

You can purchase the Sizzix Sidekick (reg. $49.99)...Sizzix did have it on sale this week for $29.99...and you can get one at Michaels with coupon (40% off) (FYI, if you get the Joann's mailer there are two 50% off coupons for the 17th & 18th and Michael's will accept Joann's coupons)...the Sidekick will cut the Sizzix Sizzlits (alphabet's are a lot cheaper than Quickutz) and with an adapter ($4.99/10) any other wafer thin dies like QuicKutz. I have the Sidekick that I use for both my Sizzlits and QuicKutz dies. It works great...and you just have to turn a handle...no wrists of steal needed. I have not used the Zaz or the Zipemate but a friend of mine who has the QuicKutz handle and the Zaz went out and got the Sidekick after using mine. She said it was easier to use. If you want a machine for the Quickutz but are worried about wrist strenght, then I would recommend the Sidekick. With a coupon, you can't beat the price (remember you have to get the adapters to use the QuicKutz)...and the Sizzlit alphabets are great...they come in a variety of sizes and fonts and the sets are complete (again with a coupon they are much cheaper). The Sizzix website runs specials and coupons too. I like turning the handle (very easy to use).

WOW!
 

Thanks to everyone! These are awesome suggestions.

I found the tool & cradle on sale for $25!!! So I bought it. It was at www.crazyscraps.com.

I am going to play with this and then probably invest in the ZipeMate later on. I can't wait to play!

Thanks everyone! Now i'm really excited - Dana

ummm shop around-the going price here is 129.99

Just found this thread!

I recently (last week or the week before) bought a zip-e-mate from joanns.com for $67. Brand Spanking New! That was using one of their 50% coupons on their website. I first ordered the purple one ('cause I love that color) and they were backordered. Joann's drops all sales (and credits you back) for any items on backorder. So, I tried again. I now have a red one for $67. I am a sizzix owner as well and it got to me that I couldn't use all those fabulous dies out there on it so I changed over to the Zipemate!

My 2 cents worth. Oh yeah, and ebates gives you 4% (I think) for Joanns so it ended up being less than $67!

HTH!

scrapbookexpress.com has the hand tool and dies on a special sale right now

When I click on this link it says $41.99??? How did you get it for $25? i went to scrapbookexpress.com and got the tool for $27,99 and that is the cheapest I found it, so i purchased it and patiently waiting. i should have it tomorrow. The dies are on sale too and if you spend $100 it is free shipping!

Karrie