To answer your question about what is the best die cut machine to buy depends on what you plan to do with the machine.  For example, if you want to produce massive amounts of die cuts or want larger sized die cuts, then the larger machines are what you want.  If you want to take your cutting machine to crops, then the smaller portable ones will do.  Or if you want to design your own die cuts on the computer, then one of the Silhouette, Wishblade or Craft Robo machines are what you want.

• Large Machines (Accucut, Ellison Designs, Sizzix) -
• PROS - Heavy duty, cuts larger dies, easy to use, perfect for mass production 
• CONS - Too big to travel with, need adapter for thin dies, large dies more expensive
• Small Machines (Cuttlebug, Sidekick, Tagalong, Quikutz) -
• PROS - Lightweight/Compact, easy to use, perfect to take to a crop or craft event, no electricity needed
• CONS - Cannot use large dies, limited by whatever the die mfg creates
• Personal Cutters (Cricut, Xyron Personal Cutter)
• PROS -  Ability to create own letters/words die cuts, can cut up to 8 1/2 inches wide depending on machine, easy to use, portable enough to take to a crop or craft event, perfect for the person who knows just a little bit about computers.
• CONS -  Noisy, limited to cartridges produced by manufacturer, alphabet font cartridges are expensive
• Computerized Machines (Wishblade, Sihouette, Craft Robo, Expressions)
• PROS - Can cut any True Type Computer Font, Ability to create own designs (not Cricut), can cut up to 8 1/2 or 12 inches wide depending on machine,  can print and cut printed design (good for outlining people in photos), can do very intricate cuts
• CONS - Requires attachment to computer (not Cricut), must know basic computer graphics/editing skills,  noisy, not as portable as small machines

Thick cut dies are higher in cutting depth. Dies are sometimes 1 inch thick. So, you could cut thicker paper.  Thin cut dies can cut through paper the thickness of Bazill.  They are about the thickness of a quarter... wafer like and very portable. Not all machines can use both.  Larger die cut machines like the Sizzix or Revolution cut both, but require a special adapter for the thin dies.  Thin dies were originally designed for smaller machines like the cuttlebug, sidekick, quikutz and tag-a-long. 

Choosing a die cutting machine based on your needs is the best way to save yourself money.  Take the time to review your needs and choices.  You will be glad you did.

Deb (YouScrapbook)

Scrapbook items for sale by YouScrapbook.