$100.00
$50.00
$12.99
$150.00
$200.00
$14.00 $8.99
$29.99
I can't say enought about how much I love this die cutter. I own the Sizzix and the Cricut, which I also love, but if I were to only pick one, this would be it. This is for several reasons.
Cost - the price is cheaper as are the cartridges. For the price of two sizzix, I can get an entire cartridge. The Cricut offers the same value, but this is half the price of a cricut cartridge and you get at least one alphabet with each shape unit. The cartridges also have designs where you can make the embellishments they sell. All you need to add are brads clips and ribbon and you can have the complete set.
Size - the size of the unit and the design cards are small. I am storing my cards in a pocket in my scrap carry all tote and have room for the two more I need and more. The unit itself is about a third of the size of my sizzix and cricut.
Versatile - Making Memories designs are diverse, coordinated with their product line and when all is put together you have a scraptastic page. You also do not waste paper, for you decide where it is to cut. You have the additional option of using the negative space right on the background page. With other units you need to cut the paper to fit the die and then paste the negative spaced embelishment on the page.
The only downside I have expeirenced is that I need to replace the blades more frequently. This could be only because I need to learn how to adjust the pressure better. However for the same price as two cricut blades you will get many more with each purchase.
For the money, the size and the value you cannot beat this machine. Like I said, I just can't say enough.
Used in this project: 73 B-Day
I got my slice in March and was so excited about it and impressed with it that I wanted to write a review right away. However, I held off, deciding it was only fair to review it after I had used it enough to have more of an opinion than just “This little thing rocks!”
Firstly, I want to say that I haven’t had any problems with mine at all. I’ve never had to adjust the pressure on the blade (although I’ve looked into it and it looks easy enough), never had it go wonky on me other than a few times when I tried to use it when the battery was almost dead. I’ve been really pleased with the variety of items on each card (I have 3), and with the overall quality of the cuts. I like how I can pull it out and be cutting within moments and I like how easy it is to bring to crops. I have replaced my blade once in the 3 months of using it and it was very simple to do.
Some of the limitations to the Slice are that it is a little noisy (although no noisier than my friend’s Cricut), it obviously has the 4-inch cutting size limitation, and you do have to hold it while it cuts. I personally also find the letters don’t have as sharp corners as I would want, and sometimes the Slice leaves a little corner still attached to the paper (although this is easily snipped off with scissors). Probably the biggest limitation of the Slice is that it cuts each letter one at a time, which can take a long time if you're cutting long titles.
I hear that the replacement glue is pricey, but I’ve never used the glue that comes with it. I use Kyron repositionable spray adhesive, which requires little to no drying time and seems easier and cheaper than the glue the Slice comes with. I also cover my mat with waxed paper when not in use, which preserves the adhesive for several uses. I never clean my mate before storing it because I like being able to grab it and use it without having to spray it first (although I obviously do clean it before reapplying the adhesive spray).
The strengths of this machine include its ease of use and convenience. Having used a Cricut a few times now, I have to say the Slice is beautifully simple to use. There are only a few buttons, and the menus are self-explanatory and easy to navigate. I like the cordless feature, although I often just leave it plugged in. I’ve already mentioned that it only takes a few seconds to take it out and start cutting. The only slightly difficult thing about using it, is figuring out how to get the most out of your paper. It is a little tricky to predict where the machine is going to cut. Although you can see where the blade is relative to the planned cut (a little x on the screen marks the blade’s position so you can foresee where on the paper the blade will go), it does take some experience with the machine and the different sizes of cuts to become able to predict whether you have enough space on your paper for a particular cut.
Due to space limitations I only have the small mat included with the slice, but I think the larger mat would make it even easier to get the most of your paper.
I bought the Slice because I didn’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on a Cricut and then hundreds more collecting a decent library of fonts. There has been a lot of debate about whether the Slice is actually less expensive than the smaller Cricut machine, and it seems like yes, you can get a Cricut on sale for almost as little as a Slice. However, from what I’ve seen of the cartridges, the slice cards have more bang for your buck. Having said that, I still think that if you’re someone who wants a Cricut, you probably shouldn’t get this instead. I know lots of people who have both and use both, so it doesn’t have to be a one or the other kind of decision. I got my Slice because I knew if I got a Cricut, I would want the big fancy one, and I just couldn’t afford that this year.
I wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone who wants a quick and easy way to get die cut letters and shapes in a variety of sizes up to 4 inches. I think the machine itself is good value for the price, and the design cards include a large variety of shapes and fonts to make them a great value for their price. However, this little guy does not do what the Cricut does, so if that’s what you’re looking for, then you should probably hold out for a Cricut.
Used in this project: Work table setup
I received some early Christmas cash and bought a Slice two weeks ago. I was really tempted by the Cricut Expressions infomercials I'd been seeing on tv recently but was concerned about (1) the size of the machine, (2) the cost of the Expression package, and (3) the cost of buying cutting mats and cartridges over time. When I found out that I could get the Slice for less than half the cost of the Expression I got one.
I love it--Merry Christmas to me! It's easy to use and even my husband is using it for one of his hobbies. The machine will cut the Monocote plastic that he uses to cover radio control airplanes. He's using the Slice to cut his license number and he's attaching the number to all of his planes.
One tip about the adhesive, I've found that if I rotate the glass plate after each cut I can extend the life of my adhesive by at least a couple of cuts. That way I'm not cutting over the same location on the plate each time.
Used in this project: Happy Valentine's Day
Great machine. I took it out of the package and within minutes was using. Very easy. I love the way you can see where the cut starts (bottom of the machine is clear) so you can position on your paper and not waste paper. As long as you use the adhesive correctly it does not mess up. I confess I tried to cut without reapplying and it messed up. Totally my fault. So far, I am enjoying very much. Look forward to new cartridges. I bought all they have right now and got each one on sale plus free shipping. Not bad for brand new items. I was interested in the Cricut but the price of the cartridges were too much. I can get 2 of the Slice for the price of 1 Cricut. Love the alphabets. No more running out of letters!!! Plus can have the exact color I want. I have the machine, all cartridges that are available right now, a bonus cartridge coming from the company (rebate from scrapbook.com) in Feb for half the cost of the Cricut. Not bad!!!
I can't say enough about the Slice. It is the most economical die cut machine, and the easiest to use. I have one and got one for my mom. I am having so much fun with it.
Hello!
I love the new Slice I got for Christmas. I was trivially worried because I have read about some problems, but so far so good! It's so easy to use. Turn it on, put it on some paper, and hit the start key. The intricate cuts can take a long time, but I was surprised how quickly some of the other shapes cut out - some of the flowers only take a second or two! It makes some noise because of the glass mat, but it's not bad, and if you have to scrap quietly it shouldn't wake up anyone.
I did't get Noteworthy, my favorite card, but I ordered it and it should be here in a week or so. Basic Shapes 2 and 3 have a lot to offer. I had never really looked at Basic Shapes 1 (the card that comes with it) so I was really happy to see a lot of useful shapes. I have limited desk space and this little cutter takes up less room than a 6x6 sheet of paper. I was also surprised to see how big 4" really is. I mean, I thought that was a little small even though I was excited about the Slice... but on a 12x12 page (and especially an 8.5x11 page) that's actually pretty big.
All in all I'm so excited about the Slice. It does have a learning curve, though. It can be hard to judge where the Slice is going to cut. I have come up with solutions, though. First of all, when you "select" a shape, the blade moves into position. Before you start cutting, look at the blade (the base of the Slice is see through) and then decide where to put the paper on the mat (if you have the little mat) or the Slice on the paper (if you have a big mat). This has saved me a ton of paper.
I have found that I do have to apply some pressure when I am holding it down, but I am a weakling (I have never had much arm strength for some reason). However, I read that a woman set a 16 oz. can on top of her Slice and it cut fine without holding. This is great, but most cuts are quick so it's not a big deal to hold the Slice for the duration. The adhesive it comes with is sort of a pain in the butt; I am definitely going to buy Krylon Repositionable Easy-Tack spray.
Some of the cuts can only be as small as 2" (especially on Basic Shapes 3), but those are really intricate. I have not had any problems with edges that weren't perfectly straight - I have had clean, crisp cuts. My "secret" is a firm hold and a little extra adhesive (and I apply it regularly, but I've read that you don't really have to). I also keep my Slice fully charged. It is so nice to leave it plugged in and then just pull the plug when I want to use it. Unfortunately, there is no light or anything to tell you when the Slice is charging. However, I've left it plugged in for hours at a time and the charger has not done so much as to heat up.
All in all I'm thrilled with the Slice.It has a couple of minor cons, but it cuts beautifully and it has an excellent and trendy library of shapes. The price is excellent (especially because the cards go on sale for about $25) and it's really versatile.
My next project? Cutting a window in a card and hanging a butterfly. I'm excited to see what CHA Winter brings for the Slice.
Sarah
P.S. - Don't forget that the alphabets and some of the letters are proportional. Therefore, a letter is probably not going to be exactly 4". This is so that the letters maintain their shape. I haven't found it to be a problem yet.
I LOVE this machine. I researched the different options for die cutting machines before I bought it and read lots of reviews. I chose the Slice because of it's small size and the affordability of the design cards. Yes, I would have liked to have a Cricut but I can't afford $89 for design cards. I have not had any problem with the adhesive or the machine itself. I took the Slice out of the box, charged it for an hour, put the adhesive on the mat and away I went. It worked perfectly and was easy, easy to use. After the first cut or two, it was very easy to figure out how close you could place the Slice to make the next cut and use as much of the paper as possible. This machine opens up a whole other realm to use my scrapbook supplies. I also love that every design card has alphabets. Now that I have that option and can use any paper, the possibilities are endless and afforadable. There are only two things I would recommend. One is the 12" x 12" glass cutting mat is really preferable to the 6" x 6" one that comes with the starter kit. The larger mat means you don't have to cut your paper and gives you more space to make cuts closer together. Two, the starter kit really should include the spatula. It makes removing the images once they are cut a breeze. One tip I read somewhere that works is to cover your mat with wax paper once you're done. You can then reuse it a few times without having to reapply the adhesive. I love everything about this little machine and would recommend it without hesitation.
Now, how cool is this 'lil thing?
First...it's not pink. Yes, that's a plus for me. LOL! Not all girls like pink.
And it's cute!!! And cordless. Cordless is excellent. Portable, too, and no computer needed.
Very little in the way of "disposable" supplies - the mat is glass, no replacement needed. Apply a bit of extra adhesive with a foam brush, you're ready to go again!
A couple of janitorial tips. First, when they say to wait til the white adhesive turns clear before using the mat? They mean it. Wait. Or your paper will be REALLY stuck.
Take out your scrap pile. Spend some time doing test cuts. You'll get a really good feel for what cuts well, and what doesn't. If you're having a tough time with something like the darker Bazzill colors - do NOT move the Slice after your cut. Simply press the start button again. It does a nice job of doing a clean second cut, if you need it for thicker materials.
Add a couple of extra cards, that adorable bag, and you're set to go cropping!!!
It cuts for quite awhile, too. So far, my 'record' is ~50 test cuts without plugging it in.
You do need to rest a hand on it, as it's cutting. I haven't found that I need to "hold it down", really...just resting a hand firmly on it is enough.
It's quieter than I expected, too. Especially with a glass mat. There's a bit of noise, but nothing extreme.
Consider this one 5 mops UP!
This is a great little machine. I don't have a lot of space, and wanted something simple to use that would add something more to my layouts, while allowing me to save money on stickers and die cuts. This will certainly do that! I had no problem using it at all, and started playing with it right away. It is easy to position on the page, as the bottom is clear so you can see the blade, and the screen tells you where the starting point is on the design. Another fun thing? I didn't purchase the carry bag, but for Christmas I received a larger camera bag for my camera, and on impulse I checked to see if the Slice would fit in my smaller one. It did! Although the cord will have to go in my tote, I can carry the tools, memory cards, 6 X 6 mat, and how-to guides. Whoohoo! How cool is that? And it weighs less than my camera does! The problem is going to be convincing my 5 year old daughter that this is mommy's toy and not hers... :o) I don't have experience with other machines, and it is possible that the cuts on this may not be quite as accurately smooth as using a real die(I noticed a teensy jog in the inner circle of a flower), but that could have been a jiggle as I was holding it down. As far as I'm concerned, the result is good enough--and then some--for the majority of projects. My hearty recommendation on this product.
I am so in love with this item! It really does do what it says it does- you just need to practice practice practice! I have been doing some demos of this machine at the local store where I work, and through the process of trial and error, and some troubleshooting, I can really say it gives you the most bang for your buck! Don't forget that this baby is only 1 month old! The Cricut is several years old, and the Sizzix is older than dirt! Remember several things- HOME the blade occasionally, especially after a bungled/mangled cut- APPLY enough adhesive, smooth the paper on the cutting mat, and keep the mat free from fingerprints/dust- KEEP it charged up/ or plugged in; when it gets low on power, it will not cut properly. I have been able to cut a small scroll design onto a precut bookmark, in the area that I wanted it- so it can be done with patience and practice. But for the most part, it really is like they say on some of those video games- plug it in and play!!! I look forward to future disc releases, and I LOVE the color so much- no more awful pink scrapbook stuff PLEASE!!!!
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I purchased the Slice on ebay as a never used item and it came with everything the starter kit included new. I charged the machine, put in an MS+ card and let it update. I cannot get the machine to cut at all, and it does not matter what card I'm using. I have tried the calibration but it will not even cut the calibration design. I changed the blade even though it has never made a cut. Does anyone have any suggestions?
By:
thorvath30
(01-Jan-18)
Did you ever get solution? I am having exact same problem & I bought new from retail store.
I would ask the question in the Forum, under general. I had this happen. I was in a time crunch for a design team project so I bought another one. I feel assured someone on the boards can help you. Good Luck. It really is a convenient machine and normally works very well.
By: Debby Lewis
(04-Jan-18)
