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Post by streetscrapper on Jan 6, 2018 2:23:42 GMT
So suddenly this machine seems to be the next greatest die cutting/embossing machine. I haven’t seen a lot but what I have seen makes me want one. Anyone have any hands on experience?
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Post by riversong1963 on Jan 6, 2018 15:50:29 GMT
I have the Gemini, and it's a great machine. It's really heavy, and the plates tend to warp because of all the pressure, but it cuts like a hot knife through butter. If you flip and rotate the plates regularly, you can minimize the warping, and the plates cut fine whether they're a little warped or not. It's a fantastic machine.
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Post by Restless Spirit on Jan 6, 2018 17:19:55 GMT
I have a Gemini. I'll do a review from my perspective if you are interested. It may be a little long, but maybe it will help. First, I'd like to start by saying I'm older than most of the RefuPea papercrafters. I've owned a several manual die cutting machines over the years, starting with the original red Sizzix cutting machine from years ago. I currently have a Sizzix Vintaj Big Kick, an Anna Griffin Cuttlebug, a Sizzix Side Kick, a Diamond Press manual machines. About a year ago I purchased the original large Gemini. While the manual machines had been adequate and "got the job done", I started having pains in my hands and found it increasingly difficult to use the manual crank machines. I started looking for an electric machine to use my dies. I first invested in a Cut n' Boss and was really disappointed in it. For my purposes, the Cut n'Boss did not have the pressure to cut some of my intricate thin dies no matter what the sandwich or shim. My deep embossing folders results were okay, but I thought they could have been better. A year ago (Jan 2017), I took a chance and purchased the large Gemini. Here are some general observations: The Cons: - The orginal Gemini is very heavy. - The plates do warp. A lot. There are several ways to minimize the warping I wish I would have known about before mine got so bad. - It is expensive compared to a manual machine such as the Cuttlebug. The Pros: - This is by far the best machine for cutting intricate dies, usually on only one pass through the machine. - I like to cut thick card stock and thick paper and this machine does an great job. - I like to do mixed media and now have a number of mixed media cutting dies. The Gemini cuts through a variety of material and thicknesses easily. - Not having to crank the machine was extremely important to me. - If the "sandwich" is too big, the machine most likely won't take it, or if it does, the machine will stop. A press of a button reverses the plates back out of the machine. I've yet to get one seriously stuck in the machine. I like this machine so much that I just ordered the Gemini Jr. I plan on leaving it out on my work desk. I have a lot of little dies that I only cut one or two pieces at a time. I think handling the smaller plates will work better for me because of the difficulties I have been having recently with my hands. TL;DR: I have the Gemini. It's my favorite die cutting machine. It works great for my purposes. I like it so much, that I have ordered the Gemini Jr!
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Post by jstblondie on Jan 6, 2018 17:54:48 GMT
I love my Gemini. Just as riversong says it cuts like butter. It usually cuts with 1 pass. I only had run on die threw twice. All the other ones have cut through o bye first pass. . The only drawback is finding replacement cutting plates. I searched the internet for replacement plate. Amazon had one plate for $60. The was outrageous. They are expensive to replace but that was over the top. I checked out Crafter’s companion and they sold each plate for $15. I didn’t know about rotation of the plates to prevent warping so mine warped rather quickly. I spoke with the customer service and was told to flip around the plates top to bottom and flip and over frequently. She also said both plates upper and lower can be cut on. I’m going to label my plates a1 on top and a2 on bottom side and flip over the cutting plate label b1 on top and b2 bottom of the plate. That way I’ll know where I’m cutting. Doing this way there will be 8 places to cut on which will maximize the life of the cutting plates. In all I love my Gemini. Much better than my big shot due to the fact it cuts much better and it’s a superior electronic cutting machine. I recommend this machine. I give it 4.5 stars. 1/2 star off due to cut plate issues.
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Post by anniefb on Jan 6, 2018 22:45:53 GMT
I saw Jennifer McGuire was promoting the junior on IG the other day. The Gemini is NZ$450 and the junior is NZ$325 here in New Zealand. Don't think I'll be buying either anytime soon!
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Post by streetscrapper on Jan 6, 2018 23:04:45 GMT
Thank Restless Spirit and jstblondie for your input. I had no idea the Gemini existed until I saw Jennifer McGuire promote it recently. I’m very intrigued. I’m currently using a vagabond and I also have a big shot that’s sitting on a shelf for when my vagabond calls it quits, but I do find that intricate dies need more than just a pass or two to cut through a lot of different types of papers. The one pass/cuts like butter has me very interested in this machine. Initially I was thinking that I’d have to get the big one but the junior might do the trick. Maybe I’ll try to sell my vagabond locally to justify getting it!
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Post by jstblondie on Jan 7, 2018 0:21:28 GMT
The original Gemini really isn’t so big. It’s smaller than my cruicut explore air 2 and it’s really not that heavy. It wouldn’t be that difficult to transport.
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Mar 29, 2024 5:57:58 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 7, 2018 1:33:06 GMT
I had the full size one and sold it because it was too large. I now have the junior and I LOVE it! It is small enough to fit on my desk and it works great. Quicker than the large one since the plates are smaller.
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Post by streetscrapper on Jan 7, 2018 13:14:57 GMT
I don't go to crops and would never have a need to transport it. For that reason I was thinking about getting the larger Gemini.
But this is the reason that I am thinking the Jr. might be a better idea for me. Desk space is at a premium in my craft room right now. Maybe if I'm ever lucky enough to get the basement renovation I've been wanting, it won't be as much of an issue... But right now I'm not sure I have room for another large machine... And I really only cut one or two dies at a time. How does the Jr. compare to a Big Shot?
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Post by woodysbetty on Jan 7, 2018 14:22:59 GMT
Does anyone know how it compares to the Vagabond 2? I have the original vagabond which works pretty well, but I'm wondering what the changes were made to the new one. I am trying to decide if it's worth to stay with the same style or venture into new territory with the Gemini...
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Post by riversong1963 on Jan 7, 2018 15:49:18 GMT
The original Gemini really isn’t so big. It’s smaller than my cruicut explore air 2 and it’s really not that heavy. It wouldn’t be that difficult to transport. I agree that it is smaller than my Cricut Explore Air, but I think the Gemini is really heavy. You must be a lot stronger than I am.
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Post by hmp on Jan 7, 2018 17:26:08 GMT
I have the Gemini jr. I love it. Absolute best embossing ever! Can't even compare to what my big shot does. Also agree that it cuts the most intricate dies with ease on the first pass. It's small enough to keep out. The pads are the same size as the big shot's standard size pads. It is very noisy.
While I intend to keep my big shot, I do find myself using my Gemini more & more because of the quality I get from it. I've been rotating my pads from day one and have had no issues with them. I labeled mine with a sharpie to help with this.
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Post by jstblondie on Jan 7, 2018 22:23:01 GMT
I was curious to see how much the original actually wts so I weighed it and it was 15 lbs not much more than a big baby. It’s loud like a baby but you have an automatic shut off to the squelch the noise when needed. However I can still here my Netflix over it. Lol. My big shot pro is a hefty one I think it’s around 35-40lbs. That one I don’t move around much.
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Post by streetscrapper on Jan 10, 2018 17:21:46 GMT
Any Canadian peas know where to buy one of these?
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Post by anniefb on Jan 10, 2018 22:40:08 GMT
Any Canadian peas know where to buy one of these? Not a Canadian, but try Amazon.ca and EBay.ca. The Crafters Companion website says the Canada distributor is Canuckcrafts.com but they don't seem to have any Gemini machines in stock.
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Post by streetscrapper on Jan 11, 2018 1:16:30 GMT
Yeah, Amazon and eBay are a little pricey. Could get one from SSS for less. Funny about Canuckcrafts being the Canadian distributor because when I looked at the Crafters Companion website, it said Michael’s. Maybe Michael’s will be stocking them in time! Chances are they’ll be super expensive there too! Funny thing is that I was in the US just after Christmas and I saw the larger one at Hobby Lobby but didn’t think I wanted one! Of course now that I can’t get one, I have to have one!
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Post by anniefb on Jan 11, 2018 2:10:40 GMT
Yeah, Amazon and eBay are a little pricey. Could get one from SSS for less. Funny about Canuckcrafts being the Canadian distributor because when I looked at the Crafters Companion website, it said Michael’s. Maybe Michael’s will be stocking them in time! Chances are they’ll be super expensive there too! Funny thing is that I was in the US just after Christmas and I saw the larger one at Hobby Lobby but didn’t think I wanted one! Of course now that I can’t get one, I have to have one! Canada is similar to NZ with everything being super pricey. At least you're closer to the US
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Post by scrappersue on Jan 11, 2018 18:00:27 GMT
I bought one last night on HSN - the junior. I have a Big Shot and I have problems getting it to cut through the fine detailed dies. I'm hoping this will work better.
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Post by meridon on Jan 13, 2018 17:49:05 GMT
I had no idea this machine was even a thing! I have an OLD Cuttlebug that I should use more than I do now, but it's kinda hard to use....wondering if I'd use embossing & die cutting more if I had a machine I actually liked to use...I wouldn't pay full price, but if I could get a deal on the jr. I'd be tempted.
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Post by jstblondie on Jan 13, 2018 17:52:36 GMT
I’d like to edit my review of the Gemini. I discovered 2 days ago I was cutting a large Wonky card panel that it didn’t lay flat. It was warped. I tried other large shapes and got the same result. I cut it on the big shot with minimal pressure and that worked. I guess find combination for it to work with all dies. It cuts outta intricate dies fantastically.
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