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Post by riversong1963 on Jul 6, 2017 17:45:59 GMT
I'm considering buying this machine, but it's gotten mixed reviews on both HSN and Amazon. Does anyone have it, and can you give your honest opinion of it? Thanks!
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,130 
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Post by scrapnnana on Jul 7, 2017 13:03:20 GMT
I had not heard of it, so I went to Amazon to look it up and read reviews for the machine. Most who had bought it liked it. The one negative review seemed to be about the number of plates required and that the plates warped. Plates for any "manual" die-cutting machine will warp. They are replaceable.
FWIW, unless you need to cut tons of die-cuts using manual dies, or have carpel tunnel, I just can't see paying that much. You can buy a really good electronic cutter for just a little more. Or even less if you choose a smaller electronic cutter like the Silhouette Portrait and buy it on sale.
I have both manual and electronic cutters. I have a LOT of dies. I use my electronic cutter more, especially if I need to cut a lot of shapes.
Tim Holtz used to have his name on an electronic powered manual die-cutter. I assume the Gemini is similar. I don't think the Tim Holtz machine is available for sale anymore. Too many people had their machines break down over time. It was such a heavy machine, too.
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Post by riversong1963 on Jul 7, 2017 14:38:25 GMT
I've read all those reviews too. That's why I'm hesitating.  I have a Cricut Air, an original small Silhouette, and a Big Shot. I have a lot of experience with other die-cutting machines. The Gemini is much larger, and can accommodate larger dies and embossing folders. The Vagabond is the same size as the Big Shot. I'm also looking at the Big Shot Plus. Yes, the plates on any machine like this will warp, but these appear to warp terribly after only a few uses. Thanks for the input, though. I appreciate it. |
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Post by thracian on Jul 7, 2017 17:56:42 GMT
See if it goes on sale for Prime day.  |
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Post by riversong1963 on Jul 7, 2017 18:35:33 GMT
See if it goes on sale for Prime day. We think alike. I put it on my Wish List, and I'll be notified if it does go on sale.  |
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Post by scrapcat on Jul 7, 2017 19:44:09 GMT
My Mom just got this. I haven't had time to play with it a lot, but what I saw was pretty cool. She was borrowing my Cuttlebug, but liked the idea of this being automatic, and she's not really savvy enough to use a Silhouette or anything like that. She likes the dies and embossing. She makes cards mostly. At first I was skeptical, but it came with a lot of parts for the price. I told her about moving plates around to prevent the warping. But like someone said, that just seems to happen with all manual systems. For what it's worth, I had the Spellbinders large manual die cut machine, bcz I just had to have those large circles/scallops, etc. I never used it enough and ended up selling it. I figure the few times I want something large like that I can break out my Silhouette or Cricut. Generally I'm just lazy and would just buy a die cut sheet lol. If you already have those other 3 machines, not sure you will feel you need this, but it does seem fun to play with! |
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Post by riversong1963 on Jul 8, 2017 0:51:31 GMT
My Mom just got this. I haven't had time to play with it a lot, but what I saw was pretty cool. She was borrowing my Cuttlebug, but liked the idea of this being automatic, and she's not really savvy enough to use a Silhouette or anything like that. She likes the dies and embossing. She makes cards mostly. At first I was skeptical, but it came with a lot of parts for the price. I told her about moving plates around to prevent the warping. But like someone said, that just seems to happen with all manual systems. For what it's worth, I had the Spellbinders large manual die cut machine, bcz I just had to have those large circles/scallops, etc. I never used it enough and ended up selling it. I figure the few times I want something large like that I can break out my Silhouette or Cricut. Generally I'm just lazy and would just buy a die cut sheet lol. If you already have those other 3 machines, not sure you will feel you need this, but it does seem fun to play with! Thanks! I really want to be able to use some dies on card fronts without having to fold the cards, and I like the large embossing folders. I appreciate the feedback. |
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Post by garagesaler on Jul 9, 2017 2:27:36 GMT
The Big Shot Plus looks pretty nice. Knowing it is made by Sizzix means it is durable. The Gemini looks nice, but I don't know about having to rotate the plates on the machine with each cut. I don't think I would remember to do that. Also, if you have the thicker Sizzix dies, they will not work in the Gemini. I love seeing Sara Davies demo the machine on HSN. She will be on HSN on Tuesday, on their 24 hours of crafting day. You might watch her on there and see what you think. They usually make some really nice bundles with their machines.
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Post by riversong1963 on Jul 9, 2017 4:13:35 GMT
The Big Shot Plus looks pretty nice. Knowing it is made by Sizzix means it is durable. The Gemini looks nice, but I don't know about having to rotate the plates on the machine with each cut. I don't think I would remember to do that. Also, if you have the thicker Sizzix dies, they will not work in the Gemini. I love seeing Sara Davies demo the machine on HSN. She will be on HSN on Tuesday, on their 24 hours of crafting day. You might watch her on there and see what you think. They usually make some really nice bundles with their machines. Thank you. |
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Post by Restless Spirit on Jul 9, 2017 23:20:49 GMT
I have a Gemini. I love it. I also have a Cuttlebug and a Sizzix. I bought it because I own a lot of intricate thin metal dies (they are my paper crafting weakness ). I wasn't happy with how my other machines cut the intricate dies. Trying to create the right sandwiches and having to run them through the machines multiple times and still not getting the results I wanted. I have De Quervain's tendonitis in my right hand and when it flares up, I find it extremely difficult to crank the dies through the other machines multiple times. The Gemini is a more powerful machine, that puts more pressure on the plates as the sandwich goes through. Because of this I have found it's rare that I have to pass the dies through more than once. And embossing folders come out very deep. With the Gemini, you can cut thru many different materials besides cardstock and paper. I've cut acetate, felt, glittercard, fun foam, thin cork - all with thin metal dies and in one pass. The motor automatically adjusts the pressure on the plates for what is being cut. Sara Davies demoed cutting multiple layers of fabric for appliqués and even thin leather using thin metal dies and the right sandwich. I've also found the set of heavy duty mixed media dies I have work the best in the Gemini. As far as the warping plates, I rotate, rotate, rotate. I've marked my plates so I can visually see how I've placed them and never make the sandwich the exact same way they second time flip and rotate, flip and rotate. . That's my motto. So far, so good.  I'll be keeping my Sizzix because I have a number of thick dies I'm not ready to part with, and I still use my Cuttlebug because it's light and portable. I grab it I want to run one die through the machine really quickly. HTH |
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Post by riversong1963 on Jul 10, 2017 10:44:47 GMT
I have a Gemini. I love it. I also have a Cuttlebug and a Sizzix. I bought it because I own a lot of intricate thin metal dies (they are my paper crafting weakness ). I wasn't happy with how my other machines cut the intricate dies. Trying to create the right sandwiches and having to run them through the machines multiple times and still not getting the results I wanted. I have De Quervain's tendonitis in my right hand and when it flares up, I find it extremely difficult to crank the dies through the other machines multiple times. The Gemini is a more powerful machine, that puts more pressure on the plates as the sandwich goes through. Because of this I have found it's rare that I have to pass the dies through more than once. And embossing folders come out very deep. With the Gemini, you can cut thru many different materials besides cardstock and paper. I've cut acetate, felt, glittercard, fun foam, thin cork - all with thin metal dies and in one pass. The motor automatically adjusts the pressure on the plates for what is being cut. Sara Davies demoed cutting multiple layers of fabric for appliqués and even thin leather using thin metal dies and the right sandwich. I've also found the set of heavy duty mixed media dies I have work the best in the Gemini. As far as the warping plates, I rotate, rotate, rotate. I've marked my plates so I can visually see how I've placed them and never make the sandwich the exact same way they second time flip and rotate, flip and rotate. . That's my motto. So far, so good. I'll be keeping my Sizzix because I have a number of thick dies I'm not ready to part with, and I still use my Cuttlebug because it's light and portable. I grab it I want to run one die through the machine really quickly. HTH That does help a lot. Thank you. |
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samb
New Member
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Post by samb on Jul 10, 2017 14:59:39 GMT
I've got the Gemini...also have a Cut' Boss, a Grand Calibur and a Big Shot...mostly use the Gemini tho as really like it. Agree with all Restless Spirit said in her review...much stronger machine and I rarely have to run even complicated detailed dies through more than than once.
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Post by riversong1963 on Jul 10, 2017 22:05:11 GMT
I've got the Gemini...also have a Cut' Boss, a Grand Calibur and a Big Shot...mostly use the Gemini tho as really like it. Agree with all Restless Spirit said in her review...much stronger machine and I rarely have to run even complicated detailed dies through more than than once. Thank you. It looks like the Gemini is going to be my birthday gift to myself. I have some money left from gifts, and I might put it towards one. Now I have to figure out the best place to buy it. As someone said above, maybe it will be a special on Amazon's Prime Day. And HSN has an all-day craft event tomorrow too. |
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Post by riversong1963 on Jul 11, 2017 11:06:18 GMT
I just ordered it from HSN. $5 shipping and 5 Flex Pays. Happy Birthday to me! Thanks for all the help in deciding.
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Post by riversong1963 on Jul 16, 2017 13:17:48 GMT
My Gemini arrived Friday, and I played a little yesterday. So far, I love it! You do need to learn how your machine cuts (e.g. how much pressure it takes to cut various dies, how many shims and plates to use, etc.), but the directions that come in the booklet are pretty accurate. Plus I've watched some videos, which I found very helpful. I'm hoping to play more later.
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I have a Cricut Air, an original small Silhouette, and a Big Shot. I have a lot of experience with other die-cutting machines. The Gemini is much larger, and can accommodate larger dies and embossing folders. The Vagabond is the same size as the Big Shot. I'm also looking at the Big Shot Plus. Yes, the plates on any machine like this will warp, but these appear to warp terribly after only a few uses. Thanks for the input, though. I appreciate it.
