What is the best die cutter on a budget?

I would like to get a cutting machine, but i do not really have that much to spend on one. I like how you can hook one up to your computer but I'm guessing that is one of the more expensive ones. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks!

You can get a manual die cutting machine (Cuttlebug, Sizzix)Or electric die cutting machines (cricut personal, slice) for not much money. With the personal cricut, you can purchase design studio to have more creative features that are found in the other two cricuts (create and expression). A lot of people also buy Sure Cuts Alot instead of buying cartridges....I promise you though, if you get the original cricut, you are going to want the expression!

Thanks, I work at AcMoore, so I will wait for one of the machines to go on sale, I get a discount so I will probably get it for a really good price.

You have to look at total overall expenses.

A Cuttlebug or Big Shot are relatively inexpensive - but then you need to start buying cutting dies, and that's a never-ending process. Still - especially if you like the hands-on process of papercrafting a manual die-cutter is very satisfying. Plus you can use all the great embossing folders in them.

For electronic machines like Slice or a Cricut, you should be able to find a deal somewhere. But to get new designs you have to keep buying new cartridges, they're not cheap and this cost can really add up over time. On the positive side, they're easy and portable.

Computer-driven machines like Silhouette or Gazelle are more expensive up-front, but if you spend the time to learn the software well then you actually do not need to buy anything else, ever. (Except replacement blades and mats, which you have to replace on any machine.) You can buy SCAL for Cricut to do the same thing. Of course, if you don't feel particularly creative or don't want to take the time to work out your cutting designs, then you wouldn't like these.

I have a Gazelle, which I adore, and I find a lot of pleasure in the designing process for all my cutting files. I also have a Sizzix Texture Boutique for embossing, someday I'd like to graduate to a Big Shot or Wizard for expanded embossing abilities.

I have a Wishblade and love it. They are pretty pricey (IMO) but I have seen them at Tuesday Morning for a fraction of the retail cost. You do not have to buy software or anything. The machine comes with mat, blades, blade houseing, 2 kinds of software, etc. That is all you need (and a computer to hook it up to). Then you go online and find the gazillions of free files to cut.

Downside, it will only cut 8.5 inches wide but can cut pretty long (I do not know how long because I have only tried the standard 8.5 by 11). It takes a bit to learn but once you learn but there are many many tutorials online.

Tiffany

cricut with SCAL

yes a cuttlebug or sizzix is a cheaper investment at first but then you gotta buy all the dies and each diw only does one thing one size.

cricut if you go with carts you have thousands of different cuts all different sizes you choose

but if you get SCAL you can cut any image you can find or make any size you want.

I am CHEAP I did the math