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Post by justcindy on Jun 6, 2019 14:17:44 GMT
I've never purchased dies or a die cutting machine. I came across a really cool alpha stamp set and matching die set at Elle's Studio and I REEEEALLLLY want them! 😆. I'm wondering if I NEED some type of cutting machine to use the dies, or is there a way to use them without one, and without damaging the dies or my hands?
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Post by freeatlast on Jun 6, 2019 14:31:14 GMT
There are some YouTube videos that show die cutting by using a rolling pin like this one: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ot-NdUQnE0I've never tried it so I can't give you any personal experience. Dies have so many uses. I'd say invest in an inexpensive machine. |
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Post by justcindy on Jun 6, 2019 14:42:02 GMT
That looks like a bit of a pain....I might have to break down and just buy a die cutter....Can you recommend one? I have no idea which ones work better than others!
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GiantsFan
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Post by GiantsFan on Jun 6, 2019 15:31:24 GMT
When I was first getting into die cutting I read on a blog that you could use a pasta roller. I didn't have one and thought it would be cheaper. Went looking for one and even at Ross they seemed too pricey for a "will this even work" work-a-round. So I broke down and bought a Cuttlebug. At the time I'm glad I did, although I found out that CB has size limitations compared to other machines. It's 1/4" narrower.
Now Cuttlebug is discontinued, so I wouldn't go that route even if you can get one for a good price because the plates are also being discontinued.
Anyway, I have a Spellbinders Platinum 6. Good sturdy machine and the sides fold up for smaller footprint (for storing). The Sizzix Big Shot is also another popular machine that "everyone" has. Right now the Gemini Jr is popular due to it being electronic, so no cranking.
If you have a Michael's near you, I bought my machine using a rare 50% off coupon.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2019 15:40:22 GMT
If you live near a Tuesday morning, I have seen both the Gemini and the Sizzix there. You can also still order the cuttlebug from cricut and from JA I think-I saw on another thread someone just ordered 2 due to them being discontinued.
I think with all the cool dies out right now and how inexpensive you can get them for, (Darice, omg, nesting dies for 3.99) I think it is a worthwhile investment. They are easy to operate, no electricity required and tote along very well. I brought my cuttlebug to a crafting event at my local library and everyone loved it. That I will let others touch, not my cricut, lol.
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Post by hop2 on Jun 6, 2019 15:46:09 GMT
I have seen several brand cutters at Tuesday mornings for $50 or less
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GiantsFan
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Post by GiantsFan on Jun 6, 2019 15:58:47 GMT
I forgot about TM. Yes, try there first.
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Post by mcjunkin on Jun 6, 2019 16:48:45 GMT
TM is carrying the Tim Holtz Sidekick machine right now for around $25.
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Post by walkerdill on Jun 6, 2019 16:59:45 GMT
Go on your Facebook marketplace & look for used die cut machines. I just bought a big shot on there over the weekend for $15. I kept winning free dies at retreats & expos & couldn't use them.
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Post by Frazzled Mom on Jun 6, 2019 18:50:46 GMT
Now Cuttlebug is discontinued, so I wouldn't go that route even if you can get one for a good price because the plates are also being discontinued.  Found a Cuttlebug at the thrift store for $6 and rediscovered die cutting in a BIG way, but am worried about finding cutting plates in the future. |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2019 18:56:53 GMT
Now Cuttlebug is discontinued, so I wouldn't go that route even if you can get one for a good price because the plates are also being discontinued. Found a Cuttlebug at the thrift store for $6 and rediscovered die cutting in a BIG way, but am worried about finding cutting plates in the future. See if you have an ACE hardware anywhere near you. I took my plates in and showed them to the guy and he said he should have no problem cutting me some plexiglass plates if I need them in the future. I mean, they are just plastic, right? |
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Jun 6, 2019 22:53:18 GMT
If you live near a Tuesday morning, I have seen both the Gemini and the Sizzix there. You can also still order the cuttlebug from cricut and from JA I think-I saw on another thread someone just ordered 2 due to them being discontinued. I think with all the cool dies out right now and how inexpensive you can get them for, (Darice, omg, nesting dies for 3.99) I think it is a worthwhile investment. They are easy to operate, no electricity required and tote along very well. I brought my cuttlebug to a crafting event at my local library and everyone loved it. That I will let others touch, not my cricut, lol. I think a manual die-cutting machine is a good investment, too. Unless you have arthritis / hand / wrist problems, and are planning to do a LOT of it, I don't think the manual cranking is that difficult. I found a Sizzix 'fabi' machine (it's a Big Shot, only it was marketed specifically to quilters) at Tuesday Morning in their CLEARANCE section for $25. I am amazed it was still there! And you can bet I snapped that thing up in a hurry! Of course, now that I've started collecting all the dies and embossing folders, I've MORE than made up for the $$ I saved buying it on clearance, lol. You can find pretty inexpensive dies and embossing folders at TM, too. I think MOST of my collection has come from there, to be honest. The regular Sizzix Big Shot platform is 6 inches wide, which is plenty large for any die-cutting I'll want to do. The larger one looks just a bit too heavy and bulky to me. TM is carrying the Tim Holtz Sidekick machine right now for around $25. just be aware of what you're getting; the Sidekick looks like it wouldn't emboss or cut anything even as large as a regular card-front size. For the investment, unless you're SURE you ONLY want to do tiny things, I'd spend the extra $$ and get the Big Shot, personally. |
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scrapnnana
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Post by scrapnnana on Jun 7, 2019 13:47:25 GMT
The Sidekick is very small. I got rid of mine. It was just a nuisance and took up space. I have small dies, but I can cut them with my Big Shot.
I recommend that you buy a machine that has a 6 inch opening for the dies. Most dies will fit that.
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Post by hop2 on Jun 7, 2019 14:13:37 GMT
I use my side kick all the time. It sits right next to my big shot. I just find it easier to run all my tiny arrows, words & bits thru my side kick.
I’m not sure if I would replace it if it broke, depends on the cost. But I use it every time I scrap, so I’d definitely consider replacing it. 80% of my dies fit thru it.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2019 6:20:02 GMT
justcindy Are you in the States? If you are not in the States you have the cutest die cutting machines from other companies. They are affordable too. Just throwing that one out there. I am always seeing those cute die cut machines on my IG and YT. They are made for thin rule dies. AliExpress has some cute die cutters too. I think in the States our die cutters can be a bit overkill for thin rule dies. I have the Spellbinder's Platinum 6. I work with steel rule dies which are the big thick ones. I love my cutter. I am not going to recommend that one for you. I think it's overkill for what you need. Have you looked at the Sizzix Texture Boutique? Peek at some YT videos for girls cutting with Texture Boutique. It is made for embossing. I do have one. I emboss more than die cut. I love mine. I have cut dies with it. Why I am recommending that one because you can find them cheap. For like under $20. I do like the Sizzix Sidekick. It is for very small dies. It's lightweight. That might be all you need. Our big die cutters are heavy. When you are working with thin rule these big cutters like I said are such overkill for these tiny little dies. Spellbinder's has a tiny die cutter called the Prizm. I have heard mixed reviews. It doesn't hurt to see if that might fit your needs. I hope that helps. Look for a small die cutter made for thin rule. You can upgrade later to a cutter that fits your needs if you find a love for die cutting.
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Post by streetscrapper on Jun 8, 2019 13:13:30 GMT
I think that once you buy a die cutting machine you may end up buying a whole lot more dies! Before I bought my first one, I really didn't think I needed it, or that I would invest in the dies. But here we are today and I have more dies that I can count and am on my 4th die cutting machine! Started with a Cuttlebug, moved up to a Big Shot, got a Vagabond on clearance and now I have a Gemini Jr. I sold the Cuttlebug and the Vagabond but I kept the Big Shot because that thing is a work horse and if my Gemini Jr. ever shuts down, I know I can depend on it. So if you think that you might like it, make sure that you get something that can handle normal size dies. Second hand or something on clearance would be a great way to find out!
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Post by artisticscrapper on Jun 11, 2019 3:12:35 GMT
I’d go with one of the bigger machines. That way you have room to grow your die collection and can experiment with embossing folders. As the others have pointed out you can get a Big Shot for not that much more than a Sidekick. We all seem to agree that once you get started you’ll more than likely become a fan
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nicolep
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Post by nicolep on Jun 11, 2019 15:11:31 GMT
When I moved my Big Kick was in the storage unit. I tried the rolling pin and even a heavy-duty roller from our wet lab at work. It was a lot of work for a die cut that came out only 80% of the way. I was SO happy when I got my BK out of storage lol!
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