ack...so lost!

[arimaciasnyc]

i inherited my baby bug from my mom and of course she didn't keep any type of manual.
i am lost about the basics of the machine. plus i think it needs a new blade and the ones they had at m's were $14.99.
is that right? seems like a lot for 2 little blades. i would love to know where to get the best customer service and prices online.
anyways i would appreciate amy help at all. i just got the SCAL software and am loving it....but i KNOW things would be easier if i actually knew what i was doing.
i am not big on cutting diecuts or things like that, more like fonts and basic shapes, scallops and borders:)
did i mention i have the very first original cricut? and i am not even thinking of upgrading any time soon, since i scrap 8.5x11 exclusively.
any help would be much appreciated:)

ari macias.

[Sweetness4713]

If you look at the bottom of the homepage it will show you various sites to for tutorials to using SCAL... Get the free Inkscape download so you can start designing you own work... It may seem a little tedius at first but you will eventually get the hang of it.. As for the prices for the blades at Michaels.. I buy 2 for 10 dollars at Walmart.. Michaels is a little more expensive.. Here in Ontario Canada the blades are 2 for 24 bucks at Michaels... So I go to Walmart which is practically across the road and pay the cheaper price..
This online usual manual will help you...http://www.cricut.com/res/mManual/CricutUserManual.pdf

[HeatherM]

You can see/print the owners manual here. http://www.cricut.com/res/mManual/CricutUserManual.pdf
$15 is the list price for the deep cut blades. The list price for the regular blades is $9.99. You can get them for a little less at Wal-Mart, or use a coupon at Jo-Annes. These are the US prices.

Another option if you don't need them right away is to buy either the 45 or 60 degree Roland blades on Ebay. The 45 degree blades are what Cricut sells as regular blades. A lot of us prefer the 60 degree Roland blades. They cost less and cut better than the Cricut blades. Search for "Roland blade" on Ebay, they aren't in the craft section. HTH

[Sweetness4713]

LOL Heather here we go posting at the same time with the same info again..LOL

[lynnscraps]

Newbie here (so new I don't own SCAL...YET) I looked on ebay for the Roland blades...is the one that says"5x60 "the right one to order? Why is the 60 better than the 45? Do you use it to cut all materials on the Cricut?? TIA

[HeatherM]

The 60 degree blades are the right ones. They are at a sharper angle to the cutting surface than the 45 degree blades-better cuts, less tearing on textured papers. I use them on everything now. So far they seem like they are better quality than the Cricut blades (I have had a few bad Cricut blades, but haven't had any bad Roland blades yet). HTH

[pennsylvaniakate]

Heather, I saw your suggestion and bought some of these blades. However, they are too short. Even with the pressure turned up all the way they just cut about halfway through the paper. I put them up against a Cricut blade and they are 1/32 shorter. How do you all get yours to cut?

[HeatherM]

The Roland blades I bought are exactly the same size and length as the Cricut blades. I use the exact same settings. I don't know what to say.

[jrichards]

I just found the Roland blades on Ebay. The price is really good so I wanted to make sure that I got the right item. The 60 degree blades fit in the cricut? If that is right it is a steal. Joanns here will not let you use your coupon on ANY cricut item, including blades.

[jrichards]

maybe the length has something to do with the brand. What name brand did you buy Heather? If it works for you I would rather stick with the same one instead of spending money to experiment.