New member and SO confused over machines!

[mavenik]

Hi! I have been reading up on all of these diecutting machines over the last several weeks and I'm entering information overload! :o

I orginally was looking for the best deal on the cricut expressions and found there are machines you could hook up to your computer? with unlimited fonts? who knew?! (I guess I've been living under a rock!) I had the pink wishblade in a "cart" but then read about the pazzles inspiration on HSN - I looks like a GREAT deal! I did more research and found something new called a gazzelle from bosscut?? The thing I don't really like about the wishblade is it seems like you need a lot of patience (which I lack!) and support to make it work...:(

I know everyone has there own opinion, and there is not one right answer, but I really need help! I've checked out the machine comparison chart, but I don't think the inspirations is on there and this new gazelle looks good too... AUGH - maybe I should just stick with my craft knife!

[eddita]

Michelle just posted a new thread on the Pazzles/Inspiration with information. Check it out as it may answer any questions you have.

http://www.paperthreads.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4886

I too was origionally looking at the Cricut but it was my DH who found this site and bought me a KNK for Christmas.

This is a great site with a lot of information.

Eddita

[mavenik]

thanks! that does help - A LOT! If you don't mind me asking - why the KNK over the Pazzles?

[Paperthreads]

The Pazzles Inspiration was just released and just started shipping. We will get our order in by Monday at the latest.


if I were choosing between the Pazzles Inspiration and the Gazelle, I would go with the Inspiration, HANDS DOWN. The Gazelle is being distributed by a company that has no experience in the electronic die cut business. I would be leary about the technical support you would get and about warranty information. The Pazzles has been in the market for a few years new, with the Inspiration being their latest model they have released. They are experienced in working with scrapbookers on the machines, and so you can guarantee you will get good support that has been out there and know what they are doing.


I still like the KNK machines overall. Again, it's a matter of what you plan on using the machines for, and how much production you plan on having. The KNK has 2 machines with a wider bed for cutting, and is a sturdier model - all in all. I use my KNK machine in daily production of cut items, and know it can truly handle the volume.

While I don't physically have the Inspiration in hand, I'm sure that it will be a great machine for many users, and I will be putting it through some paces as soon as mine comes in!

However, they state on their own website that this machine is not a production machine, and is not intended for high end usage over the long term. (it's in essence, a non-production machine, which makes sense, because they are still selling what they consider their "production" machines, which is the pro model, and this is the model that I compare the KNK machines to.)

No matter what machine you go with, you will be happy! As they all make your scrapbooking/crafting experience more enjoyable!

[doreenm119]

I don't know much about the other machines but I do know about the knk. I was originally getting a widhblade, then knk came out with the elelment. So, I went with that. After having it for about 5 months, I sold it to upgrade to a larger knk. I have never regretted my decision.

KNK has wonderful customer support. Not only from the manufacturer but also the retailers and fellow users. There is also a fabulous manual that comes with the knk. Very informative. Yes, there is a learning curve but it is doable and well worth the learning. BTW, I lack in the patience department, also.

Doreen

[eddita]

Hi Mavenick,

I origionally wanted a cricut because that was all I knew was out there. It was my DH who found this forum and really was the one to do the research on the various machines. He really liked the fact the the KNK cut everything and could handle heavier use.

When Christmas came and I opened the box expecting an Expressions, let me tell you I was kind of dumbfounded when I saw the Element. He explained that he thought I would get very tired of only using cartridges and after he figured out the costs for the machine and then all of the cartridges, the Element got better and better looking.

He then took me to a U-Tube video so I could see the machine running.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mluHpYIf6ag

He was very worried by my first reaction that he had made a mistake, but after watching the video I was hooked. After reading and working through the manual as well as slowy purchasing the training videos in the Paperthreads store, I am using the machine daily. I even tell my DH everyday how smart he was and how much I LOVE my KNK.

Right now I am fine with the Element which has a smaller cutting area than the larger models, but who knows maybe one day I will move up. I will say however, that the support for the machine and answers to any questions I have had have been WONDERFUL!

I give it a BIG THUMBS UP!

My best suggestion is to try to figure out exactly what you want to be able to do not only now but in the future. Go to the comparison chart again and then see which one fits the bill.

I would also recommend purchasing your machine from the Papertheads Store, you will not regret it.

Hope this helps!
Eddita

[mavenik]

honestly, I haven't really looked at the knk... not sure why... Guess I'll do that tonight...

What a great thing for your husband to do for you! I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to make this big purchase without it being christmas or birthday!

[Beloved K]

I had the wishblade first, then I got the KNK element - and then I got the KNK 13!!!

I love it!!!

Lori

[CJR]

I've done a lot of research on all of the machines that are sold here, and have decided that I'm going to buy either the Craft Robo or the KNK. Price is important, but I'm more concerned about how the machine will stand up to repeated usage. No where did I come across any info about this, except for in this forum.

Will the Craft Robo stand up to daily use? And how often a day is considered normal or too much? When I'm creating my paper crafts, I can spend several hours printing everything out, then I spend days cutting them out, then assembling them. I want one of these machines to cut down my time spent making things.

Would it be better to go with the KNK right off the bat, and not wait a few years to upgrade to it? That is what I'm leaning towards, the more I learn about it. Price is a consideration with it, but I'm willing to wait several more months to buy one if that will work best for me. And how long does it take before I will need to replace things on the KNK? I realize the sheet and blades will need to be replaced frequently, but haven't found anything out about the rest of the machine parts.

BTW, I am not a scrapbooker. I make all our Christmas cards, and some special greeting cards for special occasions. I design them, too. I also love papercrafts, the 3D cardcrafts. I don't make as many of those, just make a few for gifts, but if I had a way to cut them out easier, then I'm sure I'd make more of them. I mention this because I'm not sure if this would make a difference in how the machine is used, or how long parts will last.

I am also not real clear on the different file formats for the KNK and Craft Robo. I have found some info here, but it's confusing. Will I need to convert all of my files to a dedicated file format for either machine? I found that my version of Paint Shop Pro will save images in some of the file formats that I read about here, so I'm not too worried about it. But I have a lot of paper crafts in PDF format. Will I have to make screen caps or scans of those, then save them to the dedicated file format for either machine? There are some craft files here that I'd like to buy, so I'm hoping they will come in the format needed for which ever machine I buy.

Sorry for so many questions. Hope someone can help!

CJ

[doreenm119]

CJ,

I have the KNK and the blades and mats don't need to be repalced as often as you might think. I use the Cricut mats and have been using the same 4 mats for 9 months now. When they get gooky, I wash and respray them. I have yet to replace blades either. I do not handle my blades. I have a blade holder for each type of blade to lessen the chance of damaging the blade when changing it for whatever material I am cutting.

I don't know much about the CR. All I can comment on is the KNK. I have never regretted my decision to purchase this machine. This forum is awesome for help and there is also a KNK Yahoo group that is also very helpful.

Doreen