Hate my Cricut

I have had my cricut for about a year now, trying to find every possible opportunity to use it, but everytime I do, I get frustrated! I have tried every possible combination of Pressure, Speed and Blade numbers. New blades, new mats, housing blades and stamps. I always get cuts that tear and drag, I can't even attempt something from the Storybook cartridge less than 3 inches. Squares, and circles come out fine, but why on earth would I spend the $400-$500 to have a machine to do that for me?! I'm frustrated. Does anyone else secretly hate the cricut, or did I get a lemon???

I just got my cricut... and i LOVE it! I am thinking that maybe the tearing the dragging might have to do with your paper. I was in the same boat the first 3 days I had my cricut. I was so mad! I went out and bought better and thicker paper, and now I love it! with the pressure, speed, and all of that other stuff you really just have to experiment with it. I was pretty fusturated too. I went online and did some research and I found some blogs were people talked about which settings they used on certain paper, and it worked out fine for me! I know I read somewhere that some fonts don't really do good small. Have you tried another cartridge? I just got the Jasmine cartridge and it works all the way down to 1 inch for me. I really hope you learn to love your cricut. Don't give up on it just yet!

I recently purchased the Cricut Expression & I do sympathize with you. It took me a few tries to get the hang of it. Paper is a big factor I do agree. But now I love it. I also have the Cuttlebug which is neat for embossing. They just came out with borders that are really cute. Just give it time & you will enjoy it

Don't Hate it!!! I agree with the other ladies. Paper is a big factor. I went and bought some thicker card stock just for using my Cricut and noticed a huge difference. Just be patient and try some new paper. You will love it!!! Also try watching the DVD that came with it. It gives your special tips and advice on everything including paper and what selections to use. GOOD LUCK!!!

So sorry to hear you hate it so.... I will agree its the paper you are using..... Try some Bo Bunny paper or Heidi Grace . Better paper will make you happy

Before I cut out a title, I make a tiny 1/2" letter and do a test cut. (Kind of like I always did with my shape cutter). If it cuts clean, then I cut my full title. IF it doesn't cut well, then I make the blade deeper etc. This way, I'm not wasting supplies and time if the settings don't work for the weight of the paper I am using.

I never thought of that! I will try that!

I hate my Cricut sometimes also but for a different reason. I've tried all size combinations w/or w/o the real dial size on and when cutting letters w/the shadow feature some of the letters DON'T match up in size over the shadow cut...Grrrr!!!! I've tried every size above the 2" size and can't get some of the letters using the shadow to fit properly. In the end I can't use the shadow feature to mat my letters. What's the point of using the shadow feature if the top letters DON'T fit? I've called Provo waaaay too many times. They have told me this shouldn't be happening and they would do some testing themselves and get back to me...ya right!

I was going to say it's your paper too. Did you try some new paper? How did it work out?

It seems like all my paper hates going into the cricut

Try these:
Thick textured cardstock, blade 6 pressure 5
Thin patterened paper blade 4 or 5 pressure 4
Speed dial on slow 2 or 3

• LacyKb Said:

I think you got a lemon.

I hate having to read directions, but I actually HAD to read the directions on mine.

You may need to talk to the company or have them send you a new one. Did you fill out/send the warranty card?

• Phlpsfamily01 Said:

I tried using textured paper and it didn't stick too well. But I blame that on the cutting mat. I just use the regular paper now.

I think its also paper. I am like you i have tried to cut storybook i can get to 1 inch and maybe 3/4 but less it tears it up. I think some of the lines are so thin anyway. But about paper i bought several types. One big pack from sams club which tears if you look at it wrong. If i put tape on it it pulls apart. I got some from J and it has texture i found it didnt want to stick to the mat,even a new one. I have the package types so far so good. I kept having trouble with my cheep paper tearing and i changed it down on the dept and it didnt seem to tear as much. I also tape my paper to the mat in middle edges top and bottom because my paper started to shift if i used the fill page and tear everything up.

Just a quick thought...could it have something to do with the way you put your needle in?

You may be right on the blade. When I first got mine I didn't have it in right. I had it in the wrong grove on the blade!!!

Dont you just put the blade in the where you can see the arrow?

I am also wondering, do you have the tool kits that they sell for the circuit. A scrappy buddy of mine got one back when they first came out, and I too was frustrated any time that I used it. She had the tools, and I realized how important they were to get the small pieces off without destroying them. I know it is another expense, but it is well worth it. I have used the machine with great results on multiple layouts.

I also like that idea of test cutting a small letter to get an idea of the settings you will need with that paper. Best of luck, and I hope you resolve your differences!

• coffeenow Said:

I did the same EXACT thing! I freaked out! I thought "I just got this thing and it's not even cutting?!?!"
After looking closely at the picture, I just thought 'Oh.' LOL!

u could use twisers to pick up the small cut oouts that keeps it from tearing when pull them off the mat. And as far as the cheap paper save it for something else because no matter what u do it's not going to work i have found that anything under 65lbs wght does not work in the cricut machine it tears the paper it's to thin. Also if u buy paper that doesn't have to much lint works better because it sticks better on the mat.

I got the toolkit (used on ebay) and sold it (used on Craigslist). I thought it was a waste of money. It even had the spatula that you have to buy separately. The spatula was too thick to help and the rest of the stuff either didn't help, was more trouble to take out and use than it was worth, or I had some already like the exactoknife.

A good spatula to get is the cheap kind in the art dept (of J's, M's etc) used for mixing oil or acrylic paint. It's very thin metal and has a wooden handle. That easily slips between the paper and the mat. I usually just bend the mat back and the stuff is easy to pull off or use the spatula-- after the mat isn't new and so terribly sticky. When I re-treat the mats, it's never as terribly sticky a when they are new.

I have had mine since end Dec/Jan. My 1st one didn't work in the area where the LCD screen was so I had to send it back. Got my replacement one and I have not had a problem any more. The thicker paper works better and the thin paper will cut, the shapes or letters on to your page, but no matter the pressure, you will need a pair of scissors to cut the shapes out. I love the machine, but I think that the cartridges could be less expensive. Now the new machine is twice what we paid for the Cricut. Go figure!

I was playing with my cricut & cuttlebug last night & didn't stop for 4 hrs. The more I play the more I learn. I even turned on the CD they sent so I can learn more as I go. I love shadowing & yesterday I did ruin a few pieces of paper but no big deal it was my fault. Pressure to high & needle not set properly. I will be playing again tonight. I've been on e-bay bidding on more cartridges always getting outbidded by $1.

I have had my cricuts for several years but to be honest have not used them that much. I have the small cricut and the expression machine. There are times when I want to use it badly and nothing works out for me at all then there are times when it all goes great. I think it all depends on what cart I am using, what type paper, mats being sticky and blades being sharp. And then there is also the me being in a hurry and messing it all up. So I have decoded to just take my time and my cuts usually come out ok.

I didn't read what everyone wrote so if this was already mentioned...my bad! Try changing your blade. Maybe the blade has a defect or is just dull. Can't hurt to try.

Never thought of changing the blade. But like we all said it takes practice. I am going to take a class at AC Moore to learn more

• pjangel Said:

Good choice. I did the same thing when I first got my cricut. There are so many cool things you can do with all those buttons. Also, the instructor will be able to answer your paper ripping problem.

In case anyone is interested Michaels is having a sale on a cricut cartridge today $29.99 reg $49.99

The paper may be an issue, but honestly, I can cut just about anything. I had a hard time at first, too, but I find that I need a sharp blade and I played around with the settings. Now, I don't have to touch the settings and I can cut just about anything. When my paper starts to shred when I cut, I know it's either time to change the settings or the blade. I've found the blades very inexpensively on a well known auction site (hint, hint) so I don't worry about having to change them more often. It certainly saves on frustration. Good luck.

Awwww I'm sorry that you and your Cricut are not bonding! To be honest, I don't use mine nearly enough to know whether or not I like it :S I hope that maybe you've started liking it or using it a bit more often to get to like it since this post was posted!!! I have to figure out where mine is exactly...I took it to a cardmaking party in November and I'm pretty sure I haven't unpacked it since then...eek!

I LOVE my Cricut! I have had some problems with thinner papers but I did what I always do... asked my kids (19 & 21 yrs)! They helped me figure out how to use the thickness and speed dials and ow I have no problems. Card stock is still the easiest, but I really love it.

I Love my cricut, in fact i sold mine and bought the expression. I use setting 1 on thin paper and 6 on cardstock. But it's true it depends on the paper also. Keep working with it. You'll love it.

I absolutely love my Expression cricut. I use the cardstock and can cut 3/4" letters just fine. Using the low speed, and 3 for pressure I have really good luck witht all of the fancy letters.
Use a slightly heavier paper does't have to be the heavest card stock. Try this, hope it helps.

I just started using my cricut after owning it for two years and I like it.

Don't be afraid of your Cricut!!!Lots of playing with different pressures, speed and papers is the best way to learn.

It sounds like something is wrong - that shouldn't be happening

I am so thankful for this thread. I thought I was going crazy. I have only had my cricut expression since July, used it a hand full of times really.

My blade had been dragging and tearing the paper some times. I tried changing pressure, speed, depth... still would do it. Then I tried replacing the cutting mat, thinking that was the problem that it wasn't sticky enough and it was lifting. Brand new mat, same problem.

But then I realized it is only on the thinner papers that I have this problem. My stock papers (card stock, coredinations, etc) all cut just fine.

Whew.

I really thought I was going crazy or just incapable of using this machine.

It is just a problem with the thinner papers, and that I can deal with.