I am pretty sure that the die cuts for the Ellison as well as the Mark V can be interchanged. I would like to say make sure you have extra cutting pads on hand and give a lesson on how to properly use the machine you will get a longer life span. Also Ellison.com has monthly specials and a contest yearly that makes a donation in the amount of over 1,000 dollars, My school didn't win but we give it a good try!!!
We just bought our school the Mark IV Accu-Cut Machine. In MA, where we are located, you can check out Accu-Cut dies thru the Southeastern Mass. Regional Library System. www.semls.org
They have lots of dies in stock, your school librarian would have to check it out, but I believe you can have it for two weeks. Maybe other states have the same thing. This program was why we decided to go with the Accu-Cut instead of the Ellison. We did buy some sets but with the ability to check out dies it was the best way to spend the alloted money.
Our schools have these machines and the ISD with appro. 5 school districts) has set up an exchange program. Their office puts out a list of all dies available at each school and hten it is up to the individual who wants a particular die to request it from the school that has it. It is then sent through inter-ISD mail by currier. It really saves on having to budget for new dies. The only down side is you need to put in request at least one week prior to needing it.
We have several of their die-cut machines. Our PTO budgets $1000 every year for die cut purchases, and we usually get something free because of the amount spent. Ellison sends a catalog every so often, and this last time it had a couple of coupons for a free cutter and a free shuttle-system upgrade for older model cutters. The first required at least a $750 purchase, and the other a $225 purchase(I think I have those amounts right), so we split our order to reflect those amounts, and got both things. As for an exchange program, I don't know of any. Sounds like an interesting idea.
our pto is ready to purchase an ellison die cut machine for school. does anyone have words of wisdom befor we make our inital purchase? is there any type of a die cut exchange anywher? i dont want the "scrapbook" exchange, more wher i can send 30 or 90 of a requested die cut out to exchange same. thanks!
