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I want to buy a die cut machine, but there are so many out there to choose from. I have heard of a few, but not too much about them. Portable, plugged to computer, is there a difference? Is there a advantage to any of them?
Can you narrow it down a bit? Are you looking for a manual machine (Cuttlebug, Big Shot, Big Kick, Wizard, etc.) or an electric/computer-type (Cricut, Silhouette, Klic-n-Kut, etc.)
__________________ Hi! I'm ISO the Fun Stampers Journey stamp "Say Cheese" AT-0167. Thank you!
Something else to think about - what do you want to cut? Paper? Cardstock? Vellum? Thicker stuff such as chipboard, felt or magnetic sheet? Not all cutters can cut everything, and neither can all dies. For example, I use a Big Shot; the thick dies can cut all the things I listed, but the thin dies (e.g. Sizzlits) will only cut vellum, paper and cardstock reliably.
Another consideration - do you need to be able to cut the same shape in different sizes or are you OK to be restricted to fixed sizes? If multiple sizes are important to you then you're looking at something electronic (or maybe a set of Nestabilities in a manual machine for the simple shapes only). If you're OK with the shape or letter being in a fixed size, then manual will do.
You've probably seen already that there's a vast amount of info and opinions online about the pros and cons of various machines. Have a think about what you want to be able to cut, and if possible, have a play with friends' machines or sample machines in shops. Then research the machines which can do the most important things which you want. There's no simple answer to 'which is the best', like so many things, there's a big element of personal taste/preference involved.
To try and answer your original question; portable machines are just that. Many are manual, but a few are electronic (e.g. the Cricut). The Cricut's cutting instructions are held in a plug in cartridge, so you can only cut the patterns which are on the cartridge (although there is a new gadget out which lets you - I think - adapt the patterns. It's not available here yet so I haven't seen what it can do). Other machines such as the Klic n Kut must be plugged into a computer and you can download your patterns from the computer to the cutter. The advantage is that they are the ultimate versatile cutting tool (and you don't have to keep buying pattern cartridges or dies) but the disadvantage is that they are (literally) tied to the computer so you can't take your cutter out to crops unless you take the computer too. As I said, it's a matter of deciding what you believe you want to do with it and then finding out which cutters fit the bill. Maybe start with something cheap and simple, find out whether you become a die cut addict and be prepared to upgrade when and if you think it's worthwhile?
I have used a Cuttlebug once. I like the idea of cartridges, but not the narrow options with them. Unless there isn't that narrow choice.
I plan on just working with paper and cardstock, nothing thicker than that I believe. I like the option of different sizes. So does that narrow my options to not manual machines?
I have a bigshot and I'm buying the Making Memories slice electronic cutter. I did have a Cricut Expression but it was just too big and I never used it, so I sold it.
Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to that question. You really need to figure out what you will need your machine to do. I have a Cricut Expression and a Big Kick, and I use and love them both. My best advice is to do your research and read reviews so that you can make an informed decision.
I agree with the previous poster. You have to figure out what your specific needs are. Research what is available, and read a lot of user reveiws which will help you to get an idea of pros and cons.
I've had a Wizard for years, and do not like the limitations of manual cutting machines. Since I bought the nesties, I've pretty much stopped buying more dies.
I know I want an electronic machine, but i've been mulling over which one will best suit me for years. New things are always coming out. I have no need to rush the decision. I've probably narrowed it down to 3 or 4 choices. But this time last year, I would have bought something totally different to what I'm thinking of today.:mad:
Don't rush it, think it over long and hard and learn as much as you can about the different options.
I have used a Cuttlebug once. I like the idea of cartridges, but not the narrow options with them. Unless there isn't that narrow choice.
I plan on just working with paper and cardstock, nothing thicker than that I believe. I like the option of different sizes. So does that narrow my options to not manual machines?
It depends. Are you wanting to emboss paper? Use Nesties? (that can cut, emboss, use as a stencil, etc) Or are you ok with not embossing, and not using Nesties?
I currently have a Big Kick. I LOVE it. I have quite a few sets of Nesties, several sets of alphabets (that I got in a kick-butt sale like others here for $9.99 per set). Mostly I love to be able to emboss - it makes such a difference in cards. I've been very happy with my Big Kick for the past several years, but have been saving lately to get a digital die cutter called the Gazelle. It's expensive, thus the constant saving, but I think I will get my money out of it.
If you are considering going digital/electronic for a die-cutter, there are more things to consider. Do you want to create your own shapes and cut them? Do you want to have cartridges? Are you a designer? Do you know image programs relatively well, like Photoshop or Photoshop Elements, etc? Do you want it to be portable or will it only be used at home?
I chose the Gazelle because there are no cartridges. I use Photoshop so learning the software isn't an issue. I can make my own images, use my own designs, or download designs off the Internet - some for free, some for a fee. I don't need it to be portable, because I won't be taking it anywhere. I didn't want to buy cartridges. I liked the option of the print-and-cut feature and honestly it was THAT feature that sold me on the Gazelle. I can print out my stuff on my printer, stick it in my Gazelle and it will cut it out.
If you want to use cartridges, want it to be portable, don't want print-and-cut, then a Cricut might be a better option.
I LOVE my personal cricut. With carts, I can take it anywhere, but with the scal software, I have a limitless variety of images to cut. The only downside I can think of is that I can't emboss, so I do a lot of freehand dry embossing. I guess I will be picking up some templates soon!
I decided on a Silhouette SD. I love it. The range of shapes is amazing. I also got a cuttlebug for embossing as well as a xyron 500 sticker machine. They make my scraping easy and fun.
I personally will always love my cuttlebug the most, it allows cutting of simple/thin materials but it also dry embosses (sure beats the old fashion way of doing it by hand.) In Nov Hubby surprised me with the Cricut Create and I also love it, never paid more then 29.00 for a cart and with all the creative options it seems like an awesome deal. I do plan on looking into the expression2 when it is released. Good luck and never allow the cost of carts to detour you from looking at the cricut becasue if you try - you can be sure to never pay more then 1/2 cost for carts. I didn't want a machine hooked up to my PC- I like being able to take it to crops and to friends houses to use. It is also so easy to use my 3 yr old can help me when just playing around. Best of luck making your decision- take your time and make the right choice for you and only you and your needs.
Sheena
I have a Big Shot and love it. What do I love about it?
I love that:
I can cut through multiple pieces of card stock at a time
I can cut thicker materials and fabric when using a Sizzix rule based die (the thick ones)
I can dry emboss with a HUGE variety of embossing folders
It's portable
It doesn't require electricity
Customer service is great!
I don't lovethat:
some of the larger dies are quite expensive
That over time I'm going to have to come up with some very creative storage solutions because my fairly large drawer that I currently store them in is almost full and they take up a lot of space.
So..really you need to decide what types of things you want to do the most and take it from there.
__________________ Shellie G
Aspire to be a better person than you were yesterday
I think you have gotten great advice here so far so I will just chime in with my experience with my machines:
I have a cricut expression:
I love the ease of use
I don't buy carts at full price but find great deals on ebay on them AND I share between my sister and I so that saves some money as well.
I love the cute designs they come out with and quite frankly- I don't think I am that creative or patient to do it on a computer!!!
It is portable- I have a cricut bag that I use so i don't damage mine when I take it to crops.
I love being able to adjust size to fit whatever need I may have.
I have Big Shot Pro:
I love the ease of use
Adorable dies- and you can basically use any die there is- it is just getting the right "sandwhich" in the machine.
I love being able to emboss and as a scrapbooker- I can wait until for the 12X12 embossing dies!!!!!!
Con with the big shop pro: HEAVY!!! I won't be taking this to any crops!!!!! (even as I say heavy- I feel disloyal to my loved pro!!! It is heavy but well made!!!!!)
I know I am in the minority, but I'm in the "Keep it Simple" camp. I bought my much loved Cuttlebug a couple of years ago at Mike's with a coupon for around $40, and have lived happily ever after with it. It embosses and cuts cardstock and paper, which is what I use on my cards. I don't do much with chipboard or other materials, so I don't need a more heavy duty machine like the Big Shot.
I use it on almost every card I make, either with the embossing folders or various dies. I have a pretty good selection of Nesties in basic shapes and labels, with a few fancy ones thrown in. I have dies for scalloped borders and ric rac dies in a couple of sizes. Lately I'm loving the Papertrey dies to match their stamp sets and have purchased several.
I have a limited space for crafting and the size and simple operation of the Cuttlebug work well for me. So far, I haven't wanted any kind of Cricut machine, or the ones that work on your computer with software, like the Pazzle or Silhoutte. (I'm retired, and learning how to use a program on my computer and using software seems like work to me.)
I just want to color in the coloring book and cut things out.:mrgreen:
__________________ Bugga in OK
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Dalai Lama
I have:
Cuttlebug...my most used tool...very easy to get out and use.
Big Shot...for some reason I dont use this one hardly ever
Grand Caliber a birthday gift from a friend.
Slice Elite. I love this little unit...it is perfect.
i have Cricut small, expression, slice.
Do you my cricut but use it more with MTC or SCAL
but now with the changes that cricut made, I think i might save for a silhoutte, but will use cricut as much as I can before buying ;)
I just had to get a Cricut when they first came out, but I don't use it very often anymore. I find it a bit of a pain to use and, as others have said, cartridges are expensive. A year ago I got a Big Shot and I love it. Mostly I use nesties (keep buying more) and embossing folders. For a cardmaker, I think it (and similar machines) are more useful, but it would really depend on what you want the machine to do.
My manual machines are the Sizzix family. I started with the tiny sidekick - I wouldn't really recommend buying it. The Big Kick can do everything the Sidekick can and SO much more. At the time though, it was what I could get. Then I upgraded to the Sizzix Press which is an outdated machine now and not something I would recommend either (although I love it and still use it, it is not as versatile as most current machines).
I own the Big Kick - the regular one.
Pros:
It's versatile
It's affordable
It's sturdy
It's easy to use
It's easy to take to crops
It works WONDERFUL!
Cons:
It's not going to take the Spellbinders Grand or the Sizzix Bigz Pro dies.
The dies are bulky and do take up storage space
My digital machine is a Bosskut Gazelle
Pros:
It's an amazing machine
Compared to other machines it is a little more expensive ($389 right now) but COMPLETELY worth it
It has wonderful, amazing customer and technical support
It is software based, no cartridges to store
It cuts a true 12" wide
Can cut up to 80" long
Can cut from thin vellum to medium weight chipboard
You can engrave, emboss (but not dry embossing-folder quality)
It's pink!
Cons:
It's a little loud. And it can't cut really thick chipboard. That's it! Those are my only cons.
My next machine purchase will be the Big Shot Pro Westminster Edition. It will replace my Big Kick/Sidekick/Sizzix Press. I'm very excited!
I'm very happy with my Big Shot and I think a manual machine is indispensable if you want to do embossing. Also if money is a concern, one could always start with a manual and then take it from there.
I was very happy with my Cricut but lately have realized that it doesn't cut intricate cuts very well. I mainly use it with SCAL so that I can cut my own designs - no carts here. That said I do use it regularly and have no plans of changing it since I recently bought it. It gives me a lot of flexibility because I can cut any shape/design as long as I've an image for it. Once I had the cricut I stopped buying any of the nestabilities and just used their SVG counterparts.
I want to buy a die cut machine, but there are so many out there to choose from. I have heard of a few, but not too much about them. Portable, plugged to computer, is there a difference? Is there a advantage to any of them?
I have a BigKick, an Original Sizzix, and an eCraft...so I'm pretty much covered in the die cut machine area! Love each of the machines for what they do. Went with the eCraft for an electronic machine mainly because there's no sticky mat. Like the fact that they have individual designs from the cartridges on their site for sale (most are around $1.00), so I can get the images I want and don't have to purchase the full cartridge. Since Cricut has now 'outlawed' the use of SCAL and MTC programs (eCraft doesn't), I'm very happy with my decision.
If there's anyway you can 'test drive' the machines (local store, maybe?), I strongly recommend your doing that.
If you do get an electronic machine, be sure to check Etsy for cartridges. I found one I really wanted for my eCraft at less than half the retail price. The package had never been opened, so I was more than delighted with the purchase.
Which DieCut Machine is the best and why?
