Best Machine for Cutting Scrapbook Titles

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Which die cut machine do I buy?

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May '09 Kimmig

Ok...I'm completely and irreversibly addicted to scrapbooking. I think I need a die cut machine because my LO's are missing titles. How do I know which one to buy? Manual or Electronic? What do they do besides fonts? How much is too much to spend?
May '09 Naf

If you have enough money to get an electronic machine maybe that could be the best choice,(IMHO) Silhouette its around $146 on evil bay and you dont need to buy cartdriges.There are too many differents electronic machines it just up to you wich one its better/easier for you!!!
May '09 Naf

Ohh Im sorry I forgot to say WELCOME to this site!!!
May '09 Chattycat

If you're looking for the most economical die-cutting machine--go electronic. I recommend the Silhouette,wishblade, Pazzles, or anything that doesn't take cartridges. (or do the Cricut and get SCAL and limit your cartridge purchases).

If the sky's the limit, I recommend QuicKutz alphas and any manual machine that cuts many different manufacturer dies (Cuttlebug, Bigshot, new QK Epic Six). Some of the Cuttlebug and Sizzlit alphas are nice and versatile so having a machine that cuts various manufacturer dies is the best option. Plus, you'll probably fall in love with shape dies too and want some from different companies.

You could do a search in the forums here and look for the posts dealing with the die-cut machine dilemma. There are MANY.

There are pros and cons to both electronic and manual cutters. I have several different machines and all serve their own unique purpose so I'm not the best one to advise on frugality issues but I'm familiar with just about every die-cutter out there so if you have specific questions--ask away
May '09 CommaHolly

Ok, I'm in the minority here, but unless you're REALLY computer savy, I'd go with the Cricut,,,,,,you can get the middle bug for 150.00 on Evilbay,,,,,,,,,carts can be pricy, but if you buy them on sale or on Evilbay, they go for between 30.00 and 40.00 each,,,,,,you do not need every single cart they make to really get alot of use out of it,,,,,I have five, though I do want one more font cart,,,,I buy one every time they're on sale,,,,

If you're computer savy, then I recommend one of the computer ones,,,,,I am HORRIBLE with computer stuff, so I stuck with the Cricut which is reeeeeeeeeeeeeally easy,,,,,,I was cutting away 10 minutes after getting it,,,,

if you go manual, you'll have to buy the alpha dies and THOSE are very pricey, PLUS you're limited to one size,,,,,,

with the electronic ones you can change your size at the flip of a dial,,,,
May '09 Ekip2

I have the Sizzix Big Kick and love it - but I mainly use it for embossing and die cuts. I find cutting out titles way too time consuiming. I agree with Holly - I have the baby bug and for titles an electronic machine is the way to go. I chose the cricut vs one of the other machines that can use a true type font (TTF) vs having to buy cartridges because I know I would spend forever and ever obsessing about finding the exactly awesome and perfect font to cut vs using what I have and my time is limited so I wanted to be able to do more vs surf more....plus my sb area is so small my laptop wouldn't fit near where the cricut is.

Andrea
May '09 Scraprabbit

I have the Silhouette and LOVE it! You never have to buy dies/cartridges. You can cut any true type font and make your own designs. I haven't learned that yet (making my own designs), so I've just downloaded hundreds and hundreds of free files you can find in various places on the net. It's very affordable and I've found it easy to use.

The cons: Can't cut chipboard, and only cuts 8.25" wide.
May '09 JaymieLiz

Both the electronic cutters and manual have their advantages. The electronic of course you get a lot with either the software or the cartridges, I use mine for matting as well - but I also do adore my sizzix bigshot (or bigkick) and the sidekick, you actually can snag up the alpha sets for a decent price either on sizzix sales, this site, or they even have an ebay outlet - or I have bought dies from other sellers on there for a decent price - big bonus is that the sizzix big shot seems to take pretty much every die made - and the original & bigz dies both cut thick materials such as felt, fabric - I make ton's of felt and fabric alpha with my sizzix - so great to not have to go buy them, one set, for 5.99, used once and gone, this way I pay X amount for the die, and I have fabric and felt alpa as much as I want! The sizzlit alphas don't work with the fabric and felt though, or I have not found a way for them too! The link below has a chart on the manual die cutting machines and die compatibility - nice reference!
http://www.scrapbook.com/articles/tech/363.html

They also have many video's on this site to show you how each of the machines work, really helpful!
May '09 Traceyjean

I've got a few different ones and they do serve different functions. But if I had to choose only one to keep, the it would be my Pazzles Inspiration. You do need a computer to use it, but it does cut almost every font on my laptop. It is a 12x12 machine, although there is a 12x24 mat as well. I haven't gotten into it yet, but I can pretty much cut anything I can design, and also create cutting files from pictures and clipart. There are a few optional attachments which will allow you to use a pen or marker instead of the blade, or emboss up to 12x12. You can buy cd's with cutting files, find free files on the web, or design your own. It will also cut vellum, stiffened fabric, and lightweight chipboard without needing to change the blade.
May '09 SheCre8s

cant go wrong with cricut but get scal not cartridges.
jm2c