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Post by workingclassdog on Jan 1, 2019 2:46:26 GMT
My 'stepsister' (we didn't grow up together and have only met a few times) gave my mom her Cricut Expression 2 cause she upgraded. My mom has no clue how to use these machines and gave it to me. I used to have the original one a longggg time ago and it's been years since I have used these machines.. so basically I am a newbie but understand them, I guess.
My questions are, is it kinda obsolete now? I have no cartridges although I kinda see it has some preloaded stuff on it. Can I download stuff from the computer? It has a cord from the machine to my computer but looking at the manual I found online, there is no mention of it. Should I bother cranking her up??? I think it would be worth it but before I spend a ton of time on it I thought I would get some opinions.
I have nothing yet, no mats or whatever else I need.. so I have that to consider as well.
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Post by 950nancy on Jan 1, 2019 3:20:12 GMT
No, not obsolete. It just can't do the some of the things the newer one can. I would go to PInterest for sites or YouTube the machine. You will lots of great info there. You can get a subscription to Cricut per month if you really get into it. You can find mats on sale at JoAnn's or HL now and then. Get the regular mat not the super sticky one.
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Post by 950nancy on Jan 1, 2019 3:22:27 GMT
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thriftyjenny
Junior Member
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Post by thriftyjenny on Jan 1, 2019 6:13:16 GMT
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,119
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Post by scrapnnana on Jan 1, 2019 13:17:33 GMT
Unless you can obtain some cartridges, you will probably not be able to use it.
If you have cartridges, you can definitely get some good use out of it. Unfortunately, since they no longer are supporting the online software that was for the Expression machines and older, it's basically a big paper weight without any cartridges. You might see if you can still buy cartridges (not digital). I know they had some at Tuesday Morning stores awhile back. I don't remember seeing any recently, though.
Or you can keep your eyes open for cartridges at garage sales, when they start up in the spring. Or there might be a local freecycle.org group. Freecycle is a good way to get rid of stuff you no longer want, but you can also request things AFTER you have successfully given things away. It doesn't mean you'll find what you want, but some people do. Ebay might be another option for finding cartridges. Or if you belong to your neighborhood "NextDoor" site, you could ask there if anyone has cartridges they no longer want. Check your local thrift stores, too.
You can still buy mats for it, and the blades, too.
The Expression 2 was a great machine. I kept mine as a back up, even after I got the Explore Air 2, but I have a lot of cartridges. It's a stand alone machine. You don't need to be connected to a computer to use it, but you do need at least one cartridge with designs and/or an alphabet.
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Post by mikklynn on Jan 1, 2019 13:20:11 GMT
I agree with scrapnnana It's a great machine. I only replaced mine when it quit working. I hope you can find some cartridges for sale at a reasonable price. |
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Post by workingclassdog on Jan 1, 2019 16:52:24 GMT
I might have access to some cartridges!! I had a friend who passed away and her husband and myself are getting ready to go through her extensive scrapbook collection... I know there was a huge box of them plus a machine. I think same machine but not #2. If he sold them to me I wonder what a good price would be? I think there is probably 50 of them.
Could you use those on newer machines as well?
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,119
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Post by scrapnnana on Jan 1, 2019 19:50:12 GMT
You can use the cartridges with your Expression 2, no problem.
I am sorry about the loss of your friend, but I hope you get some cartridges you like.
On sale, brand new cartridges sold for $10 to $15 each. They probably are worth at least $10 each, but see what they sell for on ebay, etc., then you'll have a better idea what to offer.
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Post by AngieandSnoopy on Jan 2, 2019 6:21:02 GMT
I was gifted an Expression with 1 cartridge 2 years ago. I never went the Craft Room direction because my desktop was too old to download whatever I needed. Also, because I knew the way that Provocraft works, that Craftroom wouldn't be around long.
I got cartridges from eBay from $5 to $15. Enjoy your new toy!
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Post by ferblover on Jan 2, 2019 16:46:32 GMT
You could use the cartridges on newer machines as well. If she didn't have them linked and you do get a newer machine you could even upload them to your account. I am not sure how we find out if they are linked though without actually trying it. Let me know if you want further help with this part (or any part truly!). We can have a circuit tutorial on our scrappy weekend !
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Post by workingclassdog on Jan 2, 2019 18:11:43 GMT
You could use the cartridges on newer machines as well. If she didn't have them linked and you do get a newer machine you could even upload them to your account. I am not sure how we find out if they are linked though without actually trying it. Let me know if you want further help with this part (or any part truly!). We can have a circuit tutorial on our scrappy weekend ! Ferbie!! Thanks.. I forgot you are really a guru on this! I doubt she linked them... but who knows. We definitely can check it out!  |
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,119
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Post by scrapnnana on Jan 2, 2019 20:46:27 GMT
Even if they were linked, Cricut/Provo Craft customer service can unlink them if they have been sold to you. They will ask you to photograph the cartridges that you buy. The rights to use the designs go with the physical cartridges, so when you buy the cartridges, you buy the rights and Provo Craft will link them to your account. You will need to sign up for an account, of course.
I recommend you photograph 4 to 6 cartridges in one photo. They need to be able to read the name on each cartridge. It can take a few weeks for customer service to add them to your account.
However, that is only necessary if you buy a newer machine, such as an Explore.
For the Expression 2, you only need the physical cartridges.
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