With that said they both can do mostly the same things. They have an annual or bi-annual update with improvements to the firm ware and or software. Some of the models will except a scan of the 12x24 mat and some will be able to just cut on the 12x24 mat.
There are two sizes of mats as stated the 12x24 and the 12x12. I have both sizes and I mostly use my 12x12 mat. These Machines can cut many different types of material. The obvious would be paper.
They can also cut fabric especially cotton and thin leather and other thin types of fabrics. the machines can cut thin sheets of balsa wood. Vellum, parchment paper. They can also cut thin plastic, shrinky dink plastic, Doe flex, vinyl self sticking and iron on and non iron on vinyl and glitter . Felt fabric etc.
The scan n cut machines can also cut foam. The list is pretty good of materials that can be cut. The instruction booklet states what can be cut and to what depth the blade should be set and to what cut pressure and cut speed to use for the type of material being cut.
I am going to end here with description and what the scan n cut can do.
It is really a machine that one has to experience for oneself. The scan n cut is a plotter type machine meaning it can calculate a design and cut it or draw it or emboss it out for the craftier/designer of the project.
It can now foil designs as well. It is done by the cold method not the hot method. With glue and pressed on with little nibs and then rubbed down and the foil pulled off. Here in the states however we are not offered the foiling kit and or upgrade. Why I do not know. I am appealing please give us the updates so as we too can share in the fun of foiling and enjoy its beautiful finish.
Sorry I just could not stop talking about what it can do.
I purchased my first machine back in February of 2015. I bought it to use for cutting fabric. I took it out of the box and said oh my what have I got myself into. I never had a machine like this before. I had never used a machine like this before. I read the directions enough to get me started. I then just cut out a few of the designs with copy paper to see what it would do. I did manage some very nice cut outs so I moved on to draw a design and that turned out fine.
I read some more instructions and then decided to go for the big reason of getting this machine. I first made paper patterns of the item I wanted to sew and make. I used the basic shapes the rectangle and the circle.
I laid them out on my fabric and proceeded to cut it out by hand. I then decided I really wanted my scan n cut to do it. I then prepared my fabric and used what is call a fabric high tack contact sheet. I held my breath and a way I went. When I was done my cuts where made. Wow.
I sewed my project together and the result was fair as I really am not the best sewest around. I then made the same project again and it came out fair as well. The fabric cuts were fine but me sewing?? This is the result of my project.
I am a teacup collector and made two tea cup holder containers. I still have several more to make.
In my pictures posted here I will show you a few things. The tea cup containers. A tea cozy and two little stuffed toys I made from designs found within the Brother scan n cut. A bear and the base part of the ginger bread man to make a prosperity doll. Nothing so far and have it almost a year. Ha ha.
The Bear is made from subtracting one of the bears from the bear boarder design then enlarged and duplicated. and the tummy is a circle from the base designs and the inside ears and pads for the paws are cuts made and separated from the bear design. For the bow I used one of the point designs found with in the Brother Scanncut. The Bear and parts are made with felt.
I used the cloud based program brother scan n cut canvas. new name is CanvasWorkspace.
They are both sewn on my singer sewing machine and then stuffed with poly stuffing and then hand sewn around the opening. On the prosperity doll for the eyes and mouth I used a dollar sign and cut it out with glitter iron on vinyl and the same with the shamrock on his hands and feet. the shamrock is a design found within the Brother scan n cut. the Prosperity doll is made with felt and the ribbon is shiny gold ribbon.
Brother Scan n cut machines I own are the CM550/550dx and the Brother scan n cut Cm650w. They are both updated to the latest updates and I look forward to more updates for both these machines.
I have loads of pictures and I will post them up as I discuss my scan n cut machine. My latest project is making ribbon boxes using the cutting Craftorium USB Creative Clutter. Making draw string bags for some young friends of mine.
First up of pictures is my tea cup containers tea cozy and my little stuffed bear and doll.
The draw string bag the name was created with
Siser glitter vinyl.
One thing I like about it is that it has its own carry sheet for cutting and ironing on. Very nice vinyl and nice weight.
Here is the other bag I made as I made two but could only show you one. The bags are the same made with the same fabric and I used glitter iron on vinyl for the name.
Next up is my ribbon box from Cutting Craftorium. I am making 5 boxes as I have about twenty or so ribbons. The ribbon box will hold 5 rolls of ribbons 5/8 inch wide ribbon. 1/2 inch would also fit five.
I think anything bigger like 1 inch you will only get maybe 2-3 in the box.
I have now all five made and still need to make one more.
Happy crafting hope you can see and read my blog and pictures.
Fawna
