What Cutter To Buy (Instead Of Cricut)???

Decorating By kathik Updated 19 Apr 2010 , 1:03am by JenniferAtwood

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kathik Posted 15 Apr 2010 , 4:46pm
post #1 of 37

Okay, I was all geared up and saving towards a Cricut Cake Cutting Machine, but after learning about ProvoCrafts lack of ethics (my opinion), I am looking for another option.

Does anyone have experience sucessfully using a different cutter with Linda McClure's methods?

Thanks,
Kathi

36 replies
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-Tubbs Posted 15 Apr 2010 , 4:54pm
post #2 of 37

Sorry, no answer for you. I just wanted to say that I'm in the same situation. I was looking for the chance to pick up a Cricut at a good price, but have become really disgusted by the heavy-handed way Provocraft seem to be dealing with several issues right now.

I would also be interested in hearing about alternative cutters.

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tiggy2 Posted 15 Apr 2010 , 5:02pm
post #3 of 37

Looks like Linda McClure is experimenting with the Gazelle. She talks about it on her web site.

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linedancer Posted 15 Apr 2010 , 5:09pm
post #4 of 37

I love my Silhouette. I have not cut gumpaste with it, but I do cut icing sheets. I also make cupcake wrappers and cookie bag toppers with it.

It comes with its own software, Robomaster, so there are no cartridges or additional software to buy.

It also has a nifty print and cut feature. I do a lot of edible image cookies. I design the image in Printshop, then take it into Robomaster, where you can print it on the icing sheet, with an edible image printer, of course, then cut it with the Silhouette.

I bought mine on ebay, new and free shipping, for $169. I used the "Buy now or Best Offer", and they accepted my offer. I think they run about $250, if you can't find a deal.

Sorry so long and no gumpaste, but it is a nice machine and I wanted to let you know about it.

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metria Posted 15 Apr 2010 , 5:15pm
post #5 of 37
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victoria7310 Posted 15 Apr 2010 , 5:16pm
post #6 of 37

I emailed Linda and she said she is using the BossKut Gizelle and really likes it. It's not cheaper than the Cricut Cake unfortunately but it doesn't use cartridges, comes with it's own software and from what I can tell you can import your own images. I personally feel I need to do more research on the options though.

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Rosie2 Posted 15 Apr 2010 , 5:39pm
post #7 of 37

I feel the same way...I will NOT sponsor ProvoCrafts because of their lack of ethics. Plus I've read that after your buy the Cake Cricut you still have to buy a license to use it and this is something that ProvoCrafts won't tell you.
However, I'm also looking at the brand that Linda Mclure suggest in her website, and I've also heard a lot of good comments for the Silhoutte.

I'm a hobby baker so I'm in no hurry to get one, but hmmmmm I want one!!!!!!! icon_biggrin.gif

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andpotts Posted 15 Apr 2010 , 6:25pm
post #8 of 37

Just my take...

This whole situation with PC & Linda is just so sad, it's awful that a company as successful as PC seems to be unwilling to share credit and compensation where it is due. I truly feel for Linda and I would be beyond livid if I were her. That being said she did not have a very good lawyer to allow her to be taken advantage of so fully, it's absolutely rediculious the way she was used. I just don't understand what lawyer would let things continue to unfold the way they did!

That being said I love my Cricuts, they are excellent tools that I will continue to use happily. This in no way means I condone this current situation. Would I buy the Cricut Cake, absolutely not.

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Rosie2 Posted 15 Apr 2010 , 8:33pm
post #9 of 37
Quote:
Originally Posted by andpotts

Just my take...

This whole situation with PC & Linda is just so sad, it's awful that a company as successful as PC seems to be unwilling to share credit and compensation where it is due. I truly feel for Linda and I would be beyond livid if I were her. That being said she did not have a very good lawyer to allow her to be taken advantage of so fully, it's absolutely rediculious the way she was used. I just don't understand what lawyer would let things continue to unfold the way they did!

That being said I love my Cricuts, they are excellent tools that I will continue to use happily. This in no way means I condone this current situation. Would I buy the Cake, absolutely not.


Hi Andpotts I feel exactly the same way...I was shocked to hear that PC treated Linda they way they did! it is very sad indeed icon_sad.gif and it makes me not want to sponsor a company that conducts itself with such low values and poor business ethics...I rather look somewhere else!

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ibmoser Posted 16 Apr 2010 , 7:39pm
post #10 of 37

I have had a Silhouette for almost a year. It will only cut about 8" in width, but it will cut 36" long. I have used gumpaste and 50/50 fondant/gumpaste with it. While I have not done much intricate work, I am getting good, clean cuts. I can use almost any thin, flexible plastic as a mat, too - the expensive Silhouette mats are not necessary.

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kathik Posted 16 Apr 2010 , 10:19pm
post #11 of 37

Thanks ibmoser! Has anyone here actually used the Gazelle?

Thanks,
Kathi

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TrulyScrumptious852 Posted 17 Apr 2010 , 1:45pm
post #12 of 37

After doing lots of research I bought the craftrobo - reasonably priced and comes with free software to cut any images you want from the internet. It is actually the same machine as the silhouette but was the Japanese version, they are now both sold by the same company in the US but I heard that if you get the silhouette you need to pay extra for the software to convert illustrator files into the cutting program but you get all the software free for craft robo.

Just one question - was the deep cut blade required to cut gumpaste on the cricut? If so what is everyone doing with other machines that do not have a deep cut blade? Will it still work?

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learnincakes Posted 17 Apr 2010 , 1:57pm
post #13 of 37

I believe the craft robo has a deep cut blade included with it. At least the one I read about did.

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debster Posted 17 Apr 2010 , 2:02pm
post #14 of 37

I'm with the rest of you, I had my heart set on the cake cricut , but since learning how some were done wrong I'm rethinking my options. I can say that Linda has been VERY helpful when I've emailed her or talked to her. I wonder how the BIG company would treat us if we needed them? Just wondering????????????????????? There is more than enough money to be made off this for everyone. I can't stand GREEDINESS!!!!!!

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learnincakes Posted 17 Apr 2010 , 2:08pm
post #15 of 37

I have a little cricut, it was given to me as a gift. There is no way I would have purchased one even before all of this news. As a consumer I found other choices out there that would do just as well. I don't want to be held hostage by PC. when it is just not neccesary. Did you notice the add to the left by Global, Blow out prices! I checked it, the price is 399.

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Tracy7953 Posted 17 Apr 2010 , 2:17pm
post #16 of 37

Wow! I had no idea there were all of these cutters out there. I was not aware of the issue with PC. I just bought my Cricut Cake on HSN yesterday and was so excited. I would have rethought my purchase if I knew what I know today.

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ibmoser Posted 17 Apr 2010 , 3:51pm
post #17 of 37

The Silhouette does not have a deep-cut blade, but I am getting good cuts anyway. There is a longer blade manufactured by another company that will work with the Silhouette (requires the purchase of a holder and a blade), but it is pricey and I don't seem to need it LOL!

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costumeczar Posted 17 Apr 2010 , 5:23pm
post #18 of 37

I still say an exacto knife works just fine. It also takes less room to store it! icon_wink.gif

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JenniferAtwood Posted 17 Apr 2010 , 5:52pm
post #19 of 37

Make sure that you research what type of material the blade is made of. Some are stainless, some carbon plated, and some are nickel or nickel plated. The later can cause nickel poisoning with prolonged contact. Just research before you buy.

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shelbycompany Posted 17 Apr 2010 , 6:11pm
post #20 of 37

Jennifer,
I have the cricut personal cutting system. Since I already have it I will not be purchasing another machine. I was just wondering, What material is the blade for the cricut made of? Should I be concerned about posining with this one? Thanks.

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JenniferAtwood Posted 17 Apr 2010 , 6:30pm
post #21 of 37

I am 99.9% sure that blade on the cricut expression is carbon coated. However, I am not sure what type of carbon. I will not tell you it is safe or toxic as I do not want to be held liable, I am sure you understand.

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TrulyScrumptious852 Posted 17 Apr 2010 , 11:05pm
post #22 of 37

ibmoser, would you mind sharing the settings and recipe you are using with your silhouette?

I have tried it once but it was dragging and tearing the material.

You are right, the craftrobo comes with 3 blades, shallow, medium and deep. I have been using the deep one but thought there was a special perhaps deeper one to be purchased separately.

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cheatize Posted 17 Apr 2010 , 11:40pm
post #23 of 37

Good to know about nickel. I didn't think about that at all.

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brooklyncaillouet Posted 18 Apr 2010 , 1:07pm
post #24 of 37

I think Jennifer's remark about the type of blades the other machines use is silly. She has no way of knowing what they are made of. She sells Provo Craft products, including the Cricut Cake machine, and what she is doing by posting a remark like this is either malicious or ill-informed. Here is the research on the subject. So, if you have one of the other machines feel comfortable using it. Do not worry about nickle poisoning.



http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/phs15.html




The most common harmful health effect of nickel in humans is an allergic reaction. Approximately 10-20% of the population is sensitive to nickel. A person can become sensitive to nickel when jewelry or other items containing nickel are in direct contact and prolonged contact with the skin. Wearing jewelry containing nickel in ears or other body parts that have been newly pierced may also sensitize a person to nickel. However, not all jewelry containing nickel releases enough of the nickel ion to sensitize a person. Once a person is sensitized to nickel, further contact with the metal may produce a reaction. The most common reaction is a skin rash at the site of contact. In some sensitized people, dermatitis (a type of skin rash) may develop in an area of the skin that is away from the site of contact. For example, hand eczema (another type of skin rash) is fairly common among people sensitized to nickel. Some workers exposed to nickel by inhalation can become sensitized and have asthma attacks, but this is rare. People who are sensitive to nickel have reactions when nickel comes into prolonged contact with the skin. Some sensitized individuals react when they eat nickel in food or water or breathe dust containing nickel. More women are sensitive to nickel than men. This difference between men and women is thought to be a result of greater exposure of women to nickel through jewelry and other metal items.
People who are not sensitive to nickel must eat very large amounts of nickel to suffer harmful health effects. Workers who accidentally drank light-green water containing 250 ppm of nickel from a contaminated drinking fountain had stomach aches and suffered adverse effects in their blood (increased red blood cells) and kidneys (increased protein in the urine). This concentration of nickel is more than 100,000 times greater than the amount usually found in drinking water.

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snowshoe1 Posted 18 Apr 2010 , 1:44pm
post #25 of 37

Oh no! I pre-ordered the cake cricut as I use my 'non-cake' cricut quite a bit in the bakery. Did I miss something? Can't find any posts on what the issue is so will someone please educate me.

Also, what's the deal about having to buy a separate license to use it after I already bought the cake cricut.

Any input will be most appreciated as I'll certainly have no issue cancelling the order whether they allow it or not!!

Please help as this was an investment I thought was worthwhile!!

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tootie0809 Posted 18 Apr 2010 , 1:48pm
post #26 of 37

snowshoe, see link below that will "catch you up" on all the issues with Cricut Cake.

http://cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=6785147#6785147

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JenniferAtwood Posted 18 Apr 2010 , 1:56pm
post #27 of 37
Quote:
Originally Posted by brooklyncaillouet

I think Jennifer's remark about the type of blades the other machines use is silly. She has no way of knowing what they are made of. She sells Provo Craft products, including the Cake machine, and what she is doing by posting a remark like this is either malicious or ill-informed. Here is the research on the subject. So, if you have one of the other machines feel comfortable using it. Do not worry about nickle poisoning.
.




I am sorry you feel that way. I don't care what type of machine someone buys. If a machine works for you then great. I didn't tell anyone to not buy a machine only to research the machine they wanted to buy. I do sell cricut products on my site, because I had several people in the baking community ask if they could purchase it from me. I will also be carrying a few other items non PC related soon. I said in my post with "prolonged use" and people can have a allergic reaction to nickel. I can have a way of knowing that. You can too. It is called research. Call the company, google it, read an article in print. I research the products I use in my store. I used the expression and I found that it is a carbon coated blade. The cake is stainless steal. I research these things because I care about my customers. I want to know what I am talking about if someone comes in claiming they had an allergic reaction to a product.

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snowshoe1 Posted 18 Apr 2010 , 2:28pm
post #28 of 37
Quote:
Originally Posted by tootie0809

snowshoe, see link below that will "catch you up" on all the issues with Cake.

http://cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=6785147#6785147




Thanks for the link (so suprised I didn't see it). I don't use cartridges as my designs are all done using graphic programs and tracing into SCAL. But the SCAL people (who responded in a matter of seconds from my email) told me they don't know if their product will work with the cake cricut. Looks like I may be returning it or cancelling my order. Bummer - but glad I saw these posts.

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EJCakelady Posted 18 Apr 2010 , 2:48pm
post #29 of 37

I always read and never write on here, but this is wrong yall!
brooklyncaillouet or linda mccLure: just because u want that people use other cutters dont mean its all good. Im buying a cutter and not sure which but my sister had cancer last year and im not buying anything that puts some kinda anything in my gumpaste. All that girl said is to do ur research and ill make sure i do that. I dont want no three legged grandbabies neither.

Looking at ur posts, i think its wrong u pretend to be somebody else. anD then all u do is try to sell ur dvds.

Quote:
Originally Posted by brooklyncaillouet


I am Linda McClure and we ship ALL OVER THE WORLD! GO to my web site w w w . c r e a t i v e d e s i g n s c a k e s . c o m to order. Jeff will be happy to send you the DVDs and we do not charge extra for international shipping.




Here http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopicp-6704099-.html#6704099

I hope this comes out right I had to have my son help with the link thing.

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learnincakes Posted 18 Apr 2010 , 3:32pm
post #30 of 37

Hmmm, I wonder what my exacto blades are made of?

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