CARL RT200 12" Professional Rotary Trimmer At SAMS

[Jenw333]

Just thought I would let you all know that I went to SAMS today and they had the CARL RT200 12" Professional Rotary Trimmer for 9.99!!!!!!!! So of course...I bought it. Haven't opened it yet so I can't tell you how it works. Anyone have this?

Jen

[beadfreak22]

I got mine last month, and to be honest I'm not thrilled with it. The paper doesn't line up quite right so the cuts are just short of being straight, and the blade is dull already. sorry...

[Softangelkisses]

Hmm, I'll have to see if they have it available online!

[Jeanstamping]

I bought it at Sam's last summer -- the cuts are clean however, I cannot cut more than 3 sheets of cardstock and the cut is not straight like my Fiskers Rotary Cutter!! It is great for diagonal cuts very accurate because of the clear guard.

I have heard of Carl cutters cutting up to 10 sheets of cardstock and wonder what model it was and if it was our SU cardstock.

[Misermom]

Most of the Carl's that can cut multiples are the heavy-duty DC series and, yes, it is SU! cardstock. It doesn't cut it all in one single pass, but rather you can put a big stack on there and cut them all the same with a few swipes back and forth of the rotary blade.

[scrapbean]

I have the same cutter from Sam's a year ago - paid a little more if I remember correctly. But I LOVE mine. It cuts great with up to 5 sheets of SU! cardstock and I think had an extra cutting mat and blade. It's my favorite way to prep for workshops unless you need small layers - under 2" doesn't work on this one.

[katydidnt]

Here's a hint for straighter cuts. Go to Joann's or Michaels or a sewing shop and buy a quilting square. I think they're about $5. Use it as a quide to keep the paper straight and square while you're cutting. It's an annoying extra step, but at least your cuts are straight. Plus I've found that if you stand up while you cut the machine works better. I guess the pressure is more even that way?

[beadfreak22]

Thanks Katy, I'll try it!

[Mistoffoleese]

Quote:

Originally Posted by katydidnt

Here's a hint for straighter cuts. Go to Joann's or Michaels or a sewing shop and buy a quilting square. I think they're about $5. Use it as a quide to keep the paper straight and square while you're cutting. It's an annoying extra step, but at least your cuts are straight. Plus I've found that if you stand up while you cut the machine works better. I guess the pressure is more even that way?

DITTO! it works great especially with little pieces that tend to get off easier.
I also use my square, which is a bias cut square and has marks every 1/8
inch, to measure the layers to see which size I want, I think that I use this more than most tools in my office.

[se_stamper]

I have this cutter and I like it alot I paid $24 for mine last year though at Sam's...congrats on getting such a good deal!

[ktc_texas]

I have this and use mine all the time. I have found I can cut smaller pieces by lining up the paper on right hand side of the blade. If you line it up with the line on the ruler on the right side you get a cut that is about an inch.

[Donna Cook]

I like mine a lot!!!

[Wake Me Up]

wow, that's a deal. I got mine online at Sam's for $23 and a couple weeks later found it at Sam's for $12.85 with the extra mat and cutter.

My upline has the more heavy duty one. It runs about $76 through Sam's online. I can't remember the model number offhand except it takes the K series blades while the RT200 takes the B blades and there are a lot more options for the RT2OO blade-wise than the more heavy duty cutter (there's also another model number in between the two). I got a scoring blade and a perforating blade plus a set of decorative blades (I haven't tried them out yet).

I set up one cutter with a regular blade and another with the scoring blade. I'm going to keep them out on a table in my workroom so I don't have to switch back & forth.

Mine's a bit fussy but I still like it.

christa

[palval77]

I have one and I love it for preparing for WS and Events. I go back to my 12" Fiskars for just putzing around.

[scrappersister]

Thanks for the idea. I will buy one and try it. I am on my 2nd Carl Cutter from Sams becuase the first cutter did not cut my cardstock striaght. My second one does not cut straight either.:(

Mary

Quote:

Originally Posted by katydidnt

Here's a hint for straighter cuts. Go to Joann's or Michaels or a sewing shop and buy a quilting square. I think they're about $5. Use it as a quide to keep the paper straight and square while you're cutting. It's an annoying extra step, but at least your cuts are straight. Plus I've found that if you stand up while you cut the machine works better. I guess the pressure is more even that way?

[Aznewmom]

subbing to this....................
My dear DH overheard me talking about Carl cutters, so got me this one for my B-day at the beginning of March. Isn't that sweet?!?!?!?
Anyway, after reading here, I'm not sure it's the one I want/need.
I take it there are better or more heavy duty ones out there?
I hear such good things about the Carls...............and I really wanted one, but perhaps this isn't the one. Besides, he paid something like $39 for it! YIKES. Perhaps I should take it back and keep on looking. I'm sure he won't mind. OR.......send him to Sams. LOL! (Do you have to be a member?)

Cheers,
Stacy

[kpaisley1]

I have this one, and I also have the heavy duty DC 220. They are very different, and most demos that are talking about the must have carl cutters are referring to the DC models - my DC 220 can cut up to 16 sheets of CS and makes workshop prep a breeze. I use the RT200 for personal cutting, photo trimming, etc - not workshop prep. I do like it, but it is definitely not as accurate and does not have the ability to cut the same amount etc. If you are looking for something for workshop and class preparation, I would look at the DC models and if you are looking for hobby use at the RT200 -- that is a great price!

[mcwig]

I have been a demo for 4 years and have used this model the whole time. Mine cuts straight and I can cut thru 4 sheets at a time. I didn't see the need to buy the more expensive models when this one did all that I needed!
I do 3 workshops a month, 2 clubs a month. So this little carl cutter is getting a lot of use. And I am very happy with it. Prepping for class is easy.

You really need to see how much you are needing to cut before purchasing the bigger models. I am able to prep for all my classes with my cutter and it does great!

[Challenor]

I just got mine from Sam's this afternoon. It was less than $10 bucks and it works great!

[judi_stamparooni]

Quote:

Originally Posted by beadfreak22

I got mine last month, and to be honest I'm not thrilled with it. The paper doesn't line up quite right so the cuts are just short of being straight, and the blade is dull already. sorry...

The cutting blade is probably not dull. Chances are it's the mat. There are 4 cutting 'fields' on each mat. take the mat out and turn it NOT filp it - 180 degrees. You now have a new cutting surface. When that one is used up filp the mat over and you have 2 more surfaces.

I love my cutter. I've had it for years. What I have done is take a fine point sharpie and mark where the guide has to be for the 5 1/2 " cuts. I marked it on the 'fence' the guide goes over and on the flat surface where you put the paper. I use that to place the guide, and the I cut a piece of scrap paper to make sure both side will be the same. HTH

[Judi Farr]

Thanks so much for all the info on the Carl cutter. I've been thinking about buying one, now I think I need to research a little more.