looking for a die-cut machine, any suggestions?

[jeanie nieva]

hi!it's me again.:)would you have any suggestions for a die-cut machine? i'm interested in buying one especially to cut letters. i saw an ad for the provo craft electronic cutter. but i think it's too expensive and not sure if it is available here. what's the cheapest die-cut machine and with lots of templates? thanks. :)

[Michelle Bertuzzi]

Hi Jeanie,
I'm not sure in Manila if some scrapbook stores provide free use of personal die-cut machines/cutters but here they do (if you pay a membership, some charge $25/yr). It's always best to do the "test drive" prior to buying and see how comfortable you are prior to spending $$$. If you have friends who have them, maybe you can ask if you can try them. Otherwise, I think it'd be good if you start with Cuttlebug. It accepts many templates from different mfrs & it embosses too. It has 9 diff. alphabet templates. You can also go for Sizzix - Big shot may be best since it's lighter than the other Sizzix machines & they have lots lots of templates. They also have an outlet store on Ebay. You'll find it on Sizzix website. Hope this helps!

[Cel Cunanan]

I've read before that Cuttlebug is the best choice for beginners. But then again the author may be biased. I say you research on each that is available here in the country. If you have the special issue of CK - Scrapbooker's Ultimate Product Guide, it's one source of info too. The voted Best New Product of 2007 (in that magazine) was the Cricut Expression Personal Electronic Cutter. I think this is a bit pricey.

I personally don't have a die-cutting machine, yet. I am waiting (and saving) on the new Making Memories Slice. For me, it's the perfect choice. But that's only for me ha. You can watch the demo at YouTube here. You just place on the paper that you want to die-cut and then select the shape and then it cuts the paper. Plus, I love Making Memories products so I believe their shapes (dies) are based on existing products (shapes).

Anyone knows how much this MM Slice costs?

[Michelle Bertuzzi]

Hi Cel,
MSRP is $149.99USD for the slice. If you convert to pesos at 42 exchange rate, it'll be around P6,300.

[Cel Cunanan]

That's what I've heard nga. But I think there's a site that's taking preorders at around $129 only. I forgot the site though.

[Honey Amabelle D. Young]

wow! i saw the demo(s) of the slice on youtube and i can't wait for this product to come out. i just hope that some of our retailers here will carry the product para we can buy it minus the shipping, hehehe :)

[Gracie Ann Tan]

I own a Xyron Wishblade, the pink one. It's sort of pricey but I got mine from Ebay & it came with a bonus Xyron 900 (sticker maker/laminator) and a $25 GC to purchase files for the machine. It's worth it since I don't have to buy additional cartridges like other cutters. Plus there are hundreds of sites online that provide free files that you can use with the machine.