Is it worth it? Cricut die cutting machine

[EMEvans]

I am tempted to by the computerised cricut die cutting machine, but at £200 + it's not something i want to rush into. has anyone got one? what do you think about it? is there any other running costs?

I would love to hear your comments.

Emma;)

[heavenlygirl]

The cricut machine isthe best thing since sliced bread, i luv it, and before i got one i never used die cuts. now i find every possible reason to use.
Used it last week to make 170 double layered heart toppers for wedding invites out of pearl card, 250 1 inch flowers and 40 2inch number ones out of glitter card for 1st birthday invites, 140 squares for matt and layering 70 number 18s in pearl card and mirri card on party invites. it makes mass producing items like this for invitations a breeze.

I am not just reccommending it because i sell it but because i luv luv luv it!! It is incredibly easy to use once you understand the controls.

Hope this helps

Heavenlygirl

[EMEvans]

It would have but i have since bought a craft robo. The cost of the cartridges put me off the cricut.

I like the robo and i'm starting to get use to it especially now i've found another forum with loads of templates to download for free.

I am now trying to decide between a sizzix or a wizard, the reason i'm after a die cutter and not a plotteris i thought i could mass produce die cuts to sell as well as for personal use. I'm keeping my robo for my personal use as i think the running costs would be to high and would take to long for this purpose.

[heavenlygirl]

Hi Emma I spent a lot of time trying to decide which manual die cutting machine to buy. The reason i chose the wizard was firstly the fact that it embossed the die cuts as well cut them and this looks fab on velvet paper, pearl card and on thin metal. Also i liked the crank handle. The dies have no blades, they are justlike a stencil with a raised edge, also it is brill for embossing your stencils which look especially fab on metal but also great on everything else, it is usually after seeing this that my customers decide to buy it.

You can use most other peoples dies in it as well, it includes a converter plate

[EMEvans]

Thanks for that, i'm leaning towards the wizard than the sizzix/ellison machine. Just waiting for a reply from the US, think i'll have to email them again as it's been a couple of days.

[CleoCrafts]

hi there,

we were looking at the cricut and the cuttlebug yesterday together for our classes - I have to say the cricut looked FAB!! Had to hold my sister (and business partner...) back from buying it there and then.... but i think i could create diecuts for our webshop during the classes on non-busy period and maybe it would pay for itself eventually???

Louise x

www.cleocrafts.co.uk (http://www.cleocrafts.co.uk)

[heavenlygirl]

I definatly agree. I cut shapes and numbers on my cricut to sell in my shop, i also have customers coming in and asking me to cut specific things for them, i find it indispensabe.

[Samm]

I love mine! it's just fab!!!

[EMEvans]

I love mine! it's just fab!!!

Which machine have you got, the cricut?

[Samm]

Yes I've got the Cricut and 15 cartridges, another on the way!!!! hehehe love it sooo much. I've also got the sizzix just for embossing now and used to have quickutz.

[EMEvans]

Wow 15 Catridges, they must have cost you a fortune.

[heavenlygirl]

Yes I've got the Cricut and 15 cartridges, another on the way!!!! hehehe love it sooo much. I've also got the sizzix just for embossing now and used to have quickutz.

Do you use them all and which do you use the most?

[Samm]

Yes I tend to use them all, even just for a little thing sometimes. My favourites are Base camp for all those lovely letters, Zooballoo for the cute animals and Beyond Birthdays for the useful card sayings. The ones I wanted most originally are the ones I use least, Animal kingdom and tags, bags boxes.

[heavenlygirl]

I use the one you get with the machine more than anyother, i seem to be able to find a use for the shapes in almost everything!!!

[Samm]

I've created my first blog header with it today! it was fun!!! I must say I'm pretty much Cricut crazy!

[Mercedes]

Hi

I stummbled across this site when looking to see if it was legal to sell die cuts, saw this thread about the Cricut & just had to register so that I could tell you....I bought my Cricut machine Saturday just gone & I love it, it is absolutly amazing.
Although expensive I think that it is worth it, I am finding that I am using it for every card I make & I know that the novilty will continue. I think that I can sell the cuts so that gives me an excuse to use it more.
Just wanted to tell you..:mf:

[Linpring]

I have a Cricut, Wizzard and Sizzix. I just tell my hubby they're all for demos. lol.


I have them for sale, cartridges too if anyones looking for them.

[Heidijw]

Just in case anyone didn't already know- next year should see the cricut being able to be attached to your main computer and using all the fonts etc from there!

[JBJB]

Just in case anyone didn't already know- next year should see the cricut being able to be attached to your main computer and using all the fonts etc from there!

Ooh, now that is interesting!! Can you try and remember to tell us if/when it happens! I'd definitely buy one then.

[EMEvans]

They have just brought out another model to that cuts smaller and bigger sizes from the current machine. It uses the original catrridges but it can do 12 x 12 inch sheets from what i've seen. Its called cricut expressions.

JBJB - if you want one that connects to a computer theres always the craft robo.

[JBJB]

JBJB - if you want one that connects to a computer theres always the craft robo.

Oooh, I got all excited then, but alas, I need it to cut felt :frusty:

[EMEvans]

the robo would be no good for that.

I didn't know that the cricut can cut out felt neither:confused:

[JBJB]

the robo would be no good for that.

I didn't know that the cricut can cut out felt neither:confused:

Check this thread

http://www.craftsforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5275&highlight=felt

[EMEvans]

Just read through it (quickly), that topic is about the sissix die cutting mahines. Couldn't see the cricut mentioned :confused:

[heavenlygirl]

They have just brought out another model to that cuts smaller and bigger sizes from the current machine. It uses the original catrridges but it can do 12 x 12 inch sheets from what i've seen. Its called cricut expressions.

JBJB - if you want one that connects to a computer theres always the craft robo.
Just had a demo of the cricut expression off someonewho sent to america for one. It looks brilliant. It can cut huge shapes which will be great for my window displays. it can also flip shapes and you can combine some of the functions.
Have ordered mine for when they come into stock at the end of august, cant wait.

As far a s i know you can not cut felt on a cricut, it wont cut handmade paper either. Felt would leave a lot of fibres on your sticky mat as well which would ruin it.

I would say to anyone thinking of buying one from America, think about the guarantee if anything goes wrong, especially when you have spent all that money on one item. This could be very difficult. And things do go wrong sometimes. I have just had one of the current cricut machines come back into myshop that has stopped working, and as it is still under guarantee they will either fix it or replace it.

Heather

[EMEvans]

I would say to anyone thinking of buying one from America, think about the guarantee if anything goes wrong, especially when you have spent all that money on one item. This could be very difficult. And things do go wrong sometimes. I have just had one of the current cricut machines come back into myshop that has stopped working, and as it is still under guarantee they will either fix it or replace it.

Heather
Just to add to the above. Any machine bought from America has no guarantee as they cannot be certain what voltage has gone through the machine in this country. Hence your guarantee will be invalid in this country.

[Funkyhand]

Thanks for that advice. When spending alot of money the guarantee is really important. I'd love one but I can't justify the cost at the moment..trying to come up with a good excuse so the business can pay!!
Anice xx :):)

[mum-on-the-run]

I've got a Craft Robo and I love it!!

It took me a while to decide between the Robo and the Cricut, but in the end went with the Robo as it's so versatile. I was a little scared it might be too technical but it's easy when you know how!!

The robo cuts any font on your PC, I have over 1000!! Why be tied down to the fonts Cricut produces AND have to pay for them? Yes, the Cricut has a USB port and there have been rumours for over a year about being able to connect it to the PC, there was expected to be a big reveal at CHA this year, but they stayed silent!!

If you get the second version of the Robo it has an autotrace facility which will also cut any image you come across, again why pay Cricut for limited shapes that other peeps will also be using? You can also design anything you like using Inkscape or similar, and there are tons of free templates on the interweb!!

Plenty of cards on my blog using the Robo if you want a nosey!!

In short, I *heart* my Robo!!

[harpie38]

Cricut wins hands down everytime. Wonderful machine in all respects.

Regards

Sid :)

[Ger]

I've had my Robo for about two years and I love it to bits I'm actually thinking of going for the pro, I think at the end of the day you'll have to weigh up which machine will work best for you :)

[melchache]

i had a robo,but sold it as i couldnt get on with it have just bought a cricut.i also have a wizard and a cuttlebug.

[craftyjan]

i have just a big shot those electronic machines look good but too pricey for me and i wouldnt use one enough to justify the exspense

[craftyc]

I love my Cricut, also have the cuttlebug and wizard. I love them all:D

[Sgois]

Hello there, I have just bought one Lite version of the Craft Robo, the CC200-20. Everything is working fine, but....
I use CorelDraw to make my figures, but the craft robo seens not to like it, sometimes it ignores the drawing. What software do you guys use to make the Craft Robo understand de "Registration marks" and cut through the figure? Thanks a lot.:pc: