Manual die cutting machine pros! Help a newbie out

Big Kick or Big Shot if you are willing to turn a crank. It’s a bit less expensive. It pains me to recommend them because I don’t like Ellison/Sizzix business practices, but they are good machines. Sometimes you can find one at Tuesday Morning, or were able to in the past, anyway.

Gemini Jr. is a really good choice, because it’s motorized so it’s easier on the wrist. However, you’ll pay more for it, unless you can find one at Tuesday Morning. They have shown up in the past. I’m having trouble finding the plates and other accessories for it, though, which makes me wonder if it’s been or will be discontinued. I think the Big Kick/Big Shot plates are the same size and thickness, though.

I have the WRMK Evolution Advanced machine. It's not made anymore, but at the time I bought it, the other main motorized die cut machine was the Vagabond. There are a lot of people who love it but I also found some reviews that if you tried to put something in that was too thick, the machine would try to accept it, then burn out the motor, so the whole thing was then useless. What I liked about the WRMK machine is that the motor is an optional add on, so that if it broke, I could buy a new motor without having to pay for a new machine. I also liked that I had the option to hand crank in some circumstances (where the motor was too loud or getting it plugged in was an obstacle). I wish there was another die cut machine that offered this hybrid model, but there isn't one that I'm aware of.

If I were to buy a manual die cutting machine today, I'd definitely go for a motorized version because when I die cut, I die cut A LOT! I don't mind the "workout" of hand cranking, but years ago, I was die cutting like a madwoman to make Christmas cards using my older hand crank Epic 6, and I woke up one morning with an incredibly stiff/painful neck on the side that corresponded with my cranking hand. I still can't say for sure if the cranking caused it, but given that I'm prone to neck pain anyway, I figured it was a good idea to get a motorized version. Probably the most popular motorized version these days is some iteration of the Gemini (full size or Jr) so that's probably what I'd get. If you want hand crank, I know the Spellbinders Platinum machine gets good feedback/reviews.

I know that smaller die cut machines (like the Sizzix Sidekick or the Diamond Press) have been gaining in popularity and I think they're great for their price, size and portability. I'd just think very carefully about WHAT you want to cut. As a test, go to a site like Simon Says Stamp and pick out your top ten favorite dies you'd buy if money were no object. Add them to your cart, now look at the dimension of those dies...would most of them fit in a smaller die cut machine? If so, then a small one may be it for you! If not, then you're probably better off paying more money up front to get a machine with at least a 6" opening.

As to your general die cutting questions (manual vs electronic), I'll copy and paste what I wrote in another thread days ago:

Hmmm, interesting, thanks for sharing that tutorial! I'm not sure that technique will replace faux stitching dies for me, because I love the details that the pressure of manual die cutting provides. I have a Silhouette Cameo and a manual die cutter and I've found that I use each for different things.

I love using my Silhouette for:
1) 3D cards, boxes, crafts
2) Print and cut
3) One-off designs (something I'm only going to use once and don't want to pay $$$ for a physical die)
4) Cutting out stamped images
5) Mass producing (it does the work for me!)

I use my manual die cutter for:
1) Dies with stitching, piercing and embossing
2) Super intricate designs
3) Basic shapes I'll use again and again (like A2 layering dies)

Of course, I haven't always followed this rule of thumb, but over the past year, I've been more observant of my crafting habits and decided on this system to help guide me for future purchases.

Before acquiring either machine, I remember spending a lot of time agonizing over manual vs electronic. My mom actually bought the Silhouette as a Christmas present for me, which solved my initial dilemma! I later picked up a manual die cut machine mostly to do letterpress with the L Letterpress platform, but then began doing die cutting as well. Obviously having either one is a luxury, but for me, I think they're two very different tools, so I prefer a hybrid approach.

A manual system will also do embossing if you have the folders.

I started with a Cuttlebug which is now discontinued I think, but you may be able to get a deal on one on eBay. It is a crank machine. Plates are about 1/4” narrower than for BigShot. But it may be an inexpensive way to see if you like using a manual system. 

I now have a Vagabond which is also discontinued. Two of mine broke down but the manufacturer replaced them free of charge. If you are thinking of getting one second hand or on line, make sure it is version 2. No issues since they replaced the second version 1 with this one.

One factor you may want to think about is space. A BigShot takes up a lot of room. I like the Vagabond cuz it folds up. Thinking the Gemini jr does too?

i used to have a Vagabond. the first version. i think the 2nd generation was much better and didn't break down because the gears were metal and not plastic, as in the 1st gen vagabond.  

Tim Holtz is collaborating with Sizzix again on a die cut machine since the vagabond has been discontinued.  the new machine is actually the Big Shot Foldaway, just in black instead of the current white color.  it's supposed to be released in April.

I love my manual die cutting machine. I use the Anna Griffin Empress electronic die cutting and embossing machine. Love that you don't have to crank it through and you just have to press a button and the die goes through. I've had it for a couple of years now and have no issues. There's a regular sized one and a smaller one. There is also a nice, sturdy handle so it's easy to hide or move around in case you don't have too much space.

I bought mines on HSN or you can go directly to the Anna Griffin site. Here is the link to the HSN package one: 
www.hsn.com/products/anna-griffin-empress-machine-with-concentric-cutting-di/9917694

As for storing dies, I do have quite a collection but I really like the results of metal dies vs. what you get with the cricut. But that's just my preference. 

Also have the cuttlebug but found it cumbersome to have to crank all the dies through, takes a long time, especially if you plan to die cut a lot of things. 

I also have a Cricut but find it too big to use since I have a pretty small craft space. And plus you have to find your designs, which I think is kind of a pain.

Can anyone weigh in if this would be a good one to start with?

www.scrapbook.com/store/sbc-bigshotbundlecircles.html

I’ve looked at used ones but for what people are asking on eBay I may as well just buy a new one.

If I had my ScanNCut set up and ready all the time I would use it more, but I still think I would use my Big Shot most days. I like the look of the embossed edges and stitched dies are my favorites. I don't have many matching dies &stanps but for the ones I do sometimes it's easier to stamp and cut with the die cutter. Faster than setting up my SNC if I'm only doing a few. If I had to give up one of my cutters I think I would do without the SNC before I gave up my manual machine.

I did look into the Spellbinders Platinum machine with the fold up bits but couldn't find enough reviews to take the chance on it (it had just come out then). There's another thread about that one.