(If you use this machine with Make-the-Cut, please add your opinions about this machine under the COMMENTS section of this post. Please only comment if you use the Silhouette Cameo. Also, do mention if you are using the machine with MTC or Silhouette Studio. If I see any comments relating to any other cutters on this page, I will move or delete it. Thank you.)
This is my third electronic cutter. I started with a craft robo many years ago and upgraded to a Bosskutzt gazelle for the extra width. I got on quite well with that until it made a nasty noise and smell one day. Being in the uk it was not easy to arrange for it to be repaired. The Cameo had just been launched and I wanted to give it a try. Best thing I could have done. I have had no problems with it at all and am still using the same blade after 8 months of almost daily cutting. I wouldn't swap it for any other cutter out there at the moment, I love it and it is certainly the best one I have ever had.
ReplyDeleteForgot to say I use MTC and Studio, depending on the project and files I have available. Both program's rock!
ReplyDeleteI have one and love it. I've used MTC but mostly use the software that I have from the Silhouette.
ReplyDeleteI love my Cameo. (I got it at Christmas time.)I use it with MTC 99% of the time. The other 1% I use Silhouette Studio. The blades and mats last much longer than my previous machine's which is refreshing too. I love how it handles small details as well as cutting vinyl longer than 2 feet. I am having a blast with the print and cut using MTC too. (I know you can do it in Silhouette Studio, but I'm just more familiar with MTC.) I highly recommend the Cameo and MTC!
ReplyDeleteI have had mine since Novemeber2011. I love it! I use the designer series studio program. Still learning it. :) I am on the same blade use it lots, just cut out48 sheets of 12x12 to make 16- 3-D teacups, blade still cutting fine. I am however on my second mat.. need to get another one. I did try my cricut mat in it and it worked but its a bit larger and you have to move it in the machine further which I think messes with the mat measurement??
ReplyDeleteI love my cameo but i don't use Make the Cut, i use the studio challenge premium edition. I love it...I have 3 mats and 2 blades :)
ReplyDeleteI wanna ask you: but at what level of blade do you arrive? I cut till 5 blade leerl, on a thick kraft cardstock.
And you?
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ReplyDeleteI have been using the Cameo ever since a driver for Make The Cut became available for it. I use it a lot, since it handles 12"x12" paper, and is so light and portable. I cut only from Make The Cut.
ReplyDeleteI do not like the blade holder that ships with the machine. Mine quit working after the first use. Customer support was great. They shipped me a new blade holder, and it works fine. However, the blade dulled quite quickly. I think it is a bit expensive to have to replace the holder when the blade goes bad. At first it cut my heavier cardstock well. I have a couple other click blade holders that fit in the Cameo, but I don't like to use them too much, since they weigh quite a bit more than the Cameo blade holder, and I don't want to ruin my machine.
I learned this week that the Cameo is rated to cut with up to 210 grams of pressure, and I shouldn't cut any cardstock heavier than 80# on it. This is interesting, because I thought that my Craft Robo was rated to cut up to 230 grams, and Cameo definitely cuts heavier paper better than my Blue Craft Robo ever did.
I have to use a different machine for most of my cutting, since I mostly cut heavy cardstock. I don't want to ruin my machine by cutting media for which it is not rated. However, when I want to do print and cut projects using printer, photo, or presentation paper, I use the Cameo. It does a great job. I like the ease of use and accuracy of using the Cameo's optical reading feature to cut around printed images.
I wish that I could cut a full 12" width from Make The Cut to the Cameo. It will only cut up to 11.8" from MTC. So if I need to cut the full 12" width, I have to use Silhouette Studio, or just use one of my other machines, which is what I usually end up doing.
The affordable price of the Cameo, especially when on sale, made it an irresistible buy for me. This is a great starter machine for those getting into electronic cutting systems. It is also great for those who do mostly print and cut projects. It cuts accurately, which is important to me. I have not regretted making this purchase.
I just received my Cameo last week. I really like it. I use it will both MTC and SSDE. It cuts cleanly and is a great machine if you like to do a lot of Print n' Cut. I think it is a great beginner machine or if you are looking to upgrade from a cartridge-based or manual cutter as its pretty simple to load and cut. Very minimal set-up.
ReplyDeleteOn the negative side, I really dislike the sticky on their mats. I have used 5 different companies mats and these are probably the worst. They go from way too sticky to won't hold the paper on. And again, I have only had mine for a week.
I am new at making stuff.I have a cameo and MTC software and the one that came with the cameo.The silhouette is easier for me to use .The MTC is one i am learning to use.I wish when we buy cut outs from the store's or peoples sites they would let us know how to put them together to look like the picture of what you bought.I love your site.I have learned more from your videos and tutorials then from any where else.Thanks for all the help to a newbie!
ReplyDeleteI got a Cameo 4 months ago to replace my Cricut Expression and to get away from the cartridge system. I love how it cuts, however, I feel as if cutting heavy card stock dulls the blade rather quickly and sometimes the blade does not go all the way through the heavy card stock. I do like how it works, much better than the Cricut, and I use both MTC (70% of the time) and SSDE (30% of the time, mostly for PNC) and like using both.
ReplyDeleteI have had my Cameo since December. It is a truly amazing cutter and has 100% replaced my expression. Love that I can print and cut and design and so many other things. The intricate cuts are so precise.
ReplyDeleteI have been using the Cameo with MTC (almost exclusively) for the last 7 months. I find that it does everything that I need right now (and more). I do not cut chipboard, so I have not seen that as a problem.
ReplyDeleteI love, LOVE, love that this machine does not need cartridges. I enjoy their selection of files (and the free ones every week) and know how to convert them to another format if needed (go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MTC_Tuts/ for more info, it is free to join). But mostly I create my own files or use Lettering Delights.
I find MTC so much more intuitive to use than SS. I do occasionally use SS but I find it somewhat cumbersome and awkward. But I do like the choice to use either.
The Cameo is my go-to cutter - easy to use and cuts great.
I got a Cameo in February to help me with my phobia of electronic cutters from my Zing. I use Make the Cut, SCAL3 and the Silhouette Studio to operate the Cameo. I have nothing bad to say about it, my only critique is the blade and blade holder not being very environmentally and pocket book friendly. It is a great machine that is consistent, fun, easy, and does a beautiful job cutting whatever paper I've put in it. I used some pretty thick bazzil paper, and AC stock that it cut lovely.
ReplyDeleteThis machine is worth the money over and over and user friendly. Hands down a great all around machine!
I just received my Cameo this past Saturday as an addition to my Expression. I LOVE my Cameo. I think it's both the freedom of not having to use carts in addition to being able to use my own artwork. I purchased MTC when my machine arrived and I am currently still trying to figure out which program will be my go to program. I have cut with both SS (not the DE because I decided to get MTC over the DE since I could use Adobe Illustrator with MTC) and MTC but I have not attempted a print and cut with either program yet. I'm looking forward to reading more of this blog so that I can learn more about my machine and how to use it with MTC. I have a feeling that I will end up using MTC more with my machine because compatibility with AI is a must for me. Ramping up for a fun weekend with You Tube, MTC, and my Cameo :-)
ReplyDeleteI have had the Cameo since Christmas. It's a great machine. I almost never cut with my cricuts any more. I've had no issues with the machine, mats or blades. I love being able to prin and cut anything. I exclusively use the SSDE. I do not have MTC. SSDE does everything I need and it was so easy to learn with all the great ideas out there!
ReplyDeleteI have been using my Cameo for about two months. I love it! This is the first time I've had a cutter and I purchased this one after your comparisons. I use the designer edition of Silhouette Studio.
ReplyDeleteHeather
i have had my cameo for a few months now and i find that i use it way more than my other e cutter. i really like that i can do small intricate cuts that my other machine won't do. i also like that i can buy just the images i want without the expense of buying a whole cart. i have found that the blades dull rather quickly and are rather expensive to replace. although i have mtc, i haven't used it very much and mostly use the software that came with the cameo.
ReplyDeleteI started off using the Cricut (but haven't used that in a long time). I have a Blackcat Cougar, Bosscut Gazzelle, Sizzix Eclips and the Silhouette Cameo. My "GO TO" machine has been the Cameo since day 1. I just love, love, love that little machine. I have never had a problem with the original blade - it worked just fine for a very long time. However, I do think they are very expensive. I purchased a blade holder for it (from DOCTAHDIVAH) and it works great so I can now use regular blades.
ReplyDeleteI don't cut chipboard on it, but I do use quite heavy cardstock and I never have a problem. One day I cut 64 boxes (for a party) and it never gave me a problem.
I would HIGHLY recommend this machine.
Valerie
I just love my Cameo and I use the designer edition. I have been having a ball with this great machine. I am a quilter and just love how well it cuts fabric. I have not had any issues with the blade and to help take some of the stickness out of the mat I just places it on a piece of fabric. I have had my Cameo for 3 months. I love under a cherry tree site and have learned many things from Jin, thank you. I have the cricut expression and have not used it since I got my Cameo.
ReplyDeleteI love my cameo but since changing the blade, I find that I have to increase the blade depth on everything. I also really wish it would cut cardstock. I still keep my Cricut around for that.
ReplyDeleteI got my Cameo right before Christmas last year. It was a replacement for the Gazelle (which was the most difficult machine/software *ever* - thus replaced) and has been everything I wanted! I did have issues with the blade that was shipped with the machine originally, but Silhouette c/s replaced it for me without a problem. It's worked well ever since (and yes, I do cut card stock almost exclusively). I do have MTC (from the Gazelle days) but have been using the free software from Silhouette up til now. As soon as I feel capable of doing "more" then I'll probably make the switch! :)
ReplyDeleteWhere can I find information on what SSDE, SS, DE, MTC etc means. This is difficult for a person who is reviewing and trying to decide if I would like the Silhouette.
ReplyDeleteHello! I too am new but have worked out, by reading the comments above, that SSDE = Silhouette Studio Designer Edition, SS = Silhouette Studio (the basic package that comes with the machine), DE = Designer Edition and MTC = Make The Cut software - hope this helps!!
DeleteHi! I 'm new in this so I have been practicing the cupcake topper tutorial but I can´t weld my image, maybe because it is not a SVG image? is a png. Eveytime I want to weld the top imagne got up and the shadow layer is gone. Do I have to do something else? Please help!
ReplyDeleteI have 2 E's and 70 cartridges . Then got my Cameo. I use the DE edition for it. I LOVE how this machine cuts! AWESOME ! Intricate no problem ! I am slowly learning how to use it and the DE program ! The first blade lasted 3 months then started shredding paper. I see others mentioning a seperate blade housing. WHERE do you get it? Would love to get away from expensive blades. I use my cricut mats in the Cameo all the time ! That is a huge savings plus I reburbish the cricut mats over and over !!
ReplyDelete