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Gemini go
May 29, 2021 17:17:08 GMT
via mobile
Post by hop2 on May 29, 2021 17:17:08 GMT
Hi all
My 12 year old sizzix side kick crank is starting to go. I won’t replace it with a new sidekick unless I find a super cheap used one. ( I saw one on FB for 25 with an alpha set I don’t have only reason I’d get this is I have several brand new plates still )
Looking to the next 12 years I was thinking that I might eventually appreciate not cranking it. Question is, my side kick gets/got daily use. I literally rarely craft without using my side kick. Can the Gemini go ( the little one ) hold up to that kind of use?
Also it will take up more desk space than the side kick, not as much as the Gemini junior but almost. Is it worth getting it at all if I end up wanting a bigger motorized machine? Although 80% of my die cutting fits in the side kick and it would be 90% if it was 3” wide as opposed to 2.5. ( which is why if I do get a small desk top manual it will be one of the 3” ones. ( altenew, WRMK or Bira ( which looks just like the wrmk ) should I save up for the Gemini junior? Will that hold up to daily use?
Lastly, I almost never buy motorized items 2nd hand, it’s too hard to verify if they are working, would you buy a 2nd hand Gemini go for $50?
Thoughts?
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PaperAngel
Prolific Pea
Posts: 7,980
Jun 27, 2014 23:04:06 GMT
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Post by PaperAngel on May 29, 2021 18:37:34 GMT
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Post by CardBoxer on May 29, 2021 20:21:31 GMT
I don’t think we can count on machines lasting for 12+ years, mechanical or electric, though some do. If the size difference isn’t a big issue, and you would like to be able to use larger dies, you might consider the Gemini Junior. My Gemini Junior sits on a corner of my computer desk and I do love it. My Cuttlebug and Big Shots used at an LSS hurt my hand eventually.
The Gemini Junior is $145 on scrapbook.com now minus another 5% so $138, not much more than the Go, and in some places less.
I personally wouldn’t buy a used one without trying it out unless I knew the person or the story (age, usage) or unless it was extremely inexpensive and looked in perfect condition - and I’d have to be willing to take a chance.
I hope you post what you decide!
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Post by hop2 on May 29, 2021 20:21:35 GMT
I’m unfamiliar with Gemini machines, but recently saw the discontinued brown/black Tim Holtz Sizzix Sidekick Starter Kit in stock at a Tuesday Morning store for $24.99. Thanks, if I had any TM in my state anymore I’d go look. They closed them all down. |
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Post by hop2 on May 29, 2021 20:27:43 GMT
I don’t think we can count on machines lasting for 12+ years, mechanical or electric, though some do. If the size difference isn’t a big issue, and you would like to be able to use larger dies, you might consider the Gemini Junior. My Gemini Junior sits on a corner of my computer desk and I do love it. My Cuttlebug and Big Shots used at an LSS hurt my hand eventually. The Gemini Junior is $145 on scrapbook.com now minus another 5% so $138, not much more than the Go, and in some places less. I personally wouldn’t buy a used one without trying it out unless I knew the person or the story (age, usage) or unless it was extremely inexpensive and looked in perfect condition - and I’d have to be willing to take a chance. I hope you post what you decide! You might be right that’s only 10$ more than the Gemini go. And the size isn’t a huge difference between the two either. Both take up more room than my sidekick. When I move the size would be a non issue but right now my desk top is limited. That move might be a year or so away now too. My sidekick is still limping along but I know the crank is starting to go. There’s dust coming out the side of it where the crank is and it feels different than it used to. I’m pretty sure if I buy another crank mini it will be one of the 3” wide ones. That 1/2” boost in the width makes a big difference |
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Post by CardBoxer on May 29, 2021 20:39:54 GMT
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Ohno
Junior Member
Posts: 82 
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Post by Ohno on Jun 1, 2021 13:22:23 GMT
Probably too late to be helpful, but I would recommend the Empress mini. Plates are about 4.5l wide so more usable and the Empress product is much quieter than Gemini. PLUS the p,ages fo not bow, in my e perience. I suggest doing some YouTube research.
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Gemini go
Jun 1, 2021 14:17:45 GMT
via mobile
Post by hop2 on Jun 1, 2021 14:17:45 GMT
Probably too late to be helpful, but I would recommend the Empress mini. Plates are about 4.5l wide so more usable and the Empress product is much quieter than Gemini. PLUS the p,ages fo not bow, in my e perience. I suggest doing some YouTube research. Definitely not too late as I’m still eeeking along with my dying sidekick for now. ( I have the big shot for ‘back up’ so not an emergency ) Thank you for the suggestion, it looks like there is less desk space taken up as well so that’s a plus. |
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Post by CardBoxer on Jun 4, 2021 20:00:21 GMT
The one issue I’d have with a really expensive small machine is paying that much and not being able to use standard 6” plates - even if I only did once in a while.
BTW, Gemini Junior (and I assume Gemini) plates will warp if the guidelines for keeping them flat aren’t followed. I’ve had plates for ages and they’re completely flat. But I always turn and flip the top plate (usually both) between cuts, and put dies on different parts of the plate, not just in the middle - and that was the habit it took a while to get.
I once die cut about 80 boxes and then a couple hundred small die cuts to put on them. While I was bored out of my mind, the plates were flat at the end.
Btw, I just noticed that narrow extra long plates that fit the Sidekick (and other machines) are out there.
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