I want a Cricut

[Captain Catnip]

But don't need one. Is there a cheaper knock off?

[winecat]

A rescue group just asked if I know of any crafts that can be done with a bunch of donated bandanas. Pinterest is now suggesting all these adorable sayings so now I'm all "I need a cricut!" But I don't really. I'm hoping someone has a suggestion. I'm also thinking that there'll be some for sale shortly after people realize they're not using their Christmas/Hanukkah gifts.

[shortcake2675]

What do you want to do with it?

[Captain Catnip]

Jan 25, 2020 21:07:50 GMT -5 shortcake2675 said:

What do you want to do with it?

I don't know lol

Just make a bunch of random junk. An acquaintance got one and now I want one seeing all the stuff she's made.

[shortcake2675]

So a cameo 3 might be perfect. I would skip a portrait (idk if they even make it anymore) because the width is narrower. Cameo 2s are showing up on my Facebook messenger feed, but I’d avoid a Cameo 1 because of a Windows big/conflict.

Because of cmeon I don’t ever want to give Provo Craft (they make cricut) money. I don’t really remember what her conflict was, but it’s enough for me to buy a silhouette.

[shortcake2675]

The cameo 4 is a big upgrade, similar to the Cricut Maker with a rotary blade among other things. But unless you want to cut fabric or some of the other things it does, I wouldn’t spend the money at this point.

I’m not familiar with the other cutter brands.

And I suppose if you’re buying used, whatever the cricut before the maker was would probably be ok. But I hate Design Space.

[Captain Catnip]

Jan 25, 2020 23:10:05 GMT -5 shortcake2675 said:

So a cameo 3 might be perfect. I would skip a portrait (idk if they even make it anymore) because the width is narrower. Cameo 2s are showing up on my Facebook messenger feed, but I’d avoid a Cameo 1 because of a Windows big/conflict.

Because of cmeon I don’t ever want to give Provo (they make cricut) money. I don’t really remember what her conflict was, but it’s enough for me to buy a silhouette.

I assume these types of machines are how you made my unicorn? 

[shortcake2675]

Yep! Silhouette cameo 3

[cmeon]

shortcake2675, good memory! My issues with PC (as a company) go back so far that I almost need a refresher (but, not quite)!

I will start off by admitting that I disliked Cricut's original machine from the beginning-it was based on propriety, expensive, and honestly cheesy design cartridges. It was incredibly limited. And PC (backed by $$$ BoA investment lawyers) employed nuisance law suits to stifle the innovation they benefited from (a lot of people, myself included, only bought the cutters to use with 3rd party software). It was incredibly frustrating to watch (and be semi-affected by).

There have been tons of other issues over the years- shoddy machines with no support, promised and well advertised features that never surfaced, clunky software design, the effective bricking of customer owned machines when they abruptly stop supporting the software that runs them, various complaints from artists and innovators alleging theft, even really gross things like "we own your designs" in their various ToS over the years- they're just an all around really icky company.

ANYway, I have a Cameo 1/original (which- FWIW- is supposed to work on Win10 again via a software update), a 3, and a still-in-the-box 4 (I plan to break it out this week ha). Woot has featured the 4 (a a package) several times around $200- worth keeping an eye out. They also have wider machines coming out this spring (IIRC).

And there are definitely other options- you really need to nail down your plans, I guess, for a perfect rec. I think the Cameos are great for someone who has a more varied interest, though- I've used mine for cardstock decorations, vinyl screen printing screens, wood/pottery/cloth stencils, cutting fun foam for texture blocks/rollers (for pottery)- and of course I've used vinyl for shirts and other things. I'm eventually going to try cutting thin layers of clay (I have a sturdy porcelain that I think will be great) - they've been used to cut polymer and metal clays for some time now, so it feels within reach- and I really want to try the 4 with thin wood (which is ridiculous, given my garage full of tools, but, whatever)! I will probably get the rotary blade, too, though, my sewing is pretty sporadic these days. They really are fun consumer level machines!

[Captain Catnip]

cmeon, I think I would be using it to make apparel etc. and then maybe glasses/water bottles/etc.

[cmeon]

So you primarily (at least for now) want to cut vinyl- that's easy peasy! Have you checked what's out there in the marketplace/CL world? I think a Silhouette would still be great- their free software handles fonts nicely (and you're going to want that with vinyl), but, you probably don't need a 4 unless you come by one at a great price. There are tons of more professional vinyl cutters in the same price range that offer greater widths, but, likely have a lot less support and documentation.

Until I *know* the Cameo 1 is truly operational again, I'll recommend skipping it (if you ever make it to FL, it's yours- it's just way to clunky to ship for how old it is). I would stick to Cameos over Portraits, the larger cutting width is worth it. Other than that, just make sure you can watch it work!

[mala]

My mother has a brother scan n cut. I've used it a few times to cut plastic sheets, and it has worked really well, after the learning curve.

[shortcake2675]

[cmeon]

I was just coming to post that, LOL! Captain Catnip, that's the lowest I've seen them go!

[Captain Catnip]

Feb 23, 2020 9:06:12 GMT -5 cmeon said:

I was just coming to post that, LOL! Captain Catnip, that's the lowest I've seen them go!

I'm waffling because I know I don't need one, just want one. Lol.

[cmeon]

Feb 23, 2020 16:15:45 GMT -5 Captain Catnip said:

Feb 23, 2020 9:06:12 GMT -5 cmeon said:

I was just coming to post that, LOL! Captain Catnip , that's the lowest I've seen them go!

I'm waffling because I know I don't need one, just want one. Lol.

Well, you are on the wrong board if you want us to side with "you don't need one". <3