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Post by Linda on Aug 22, 2021 20:10:56 GMT
Considering getting a Gemini Jr - I like the idea of not having to turn a crank.
I have a Cricut and I have a QK Epic Six (which the handle keeps falling off and the cutting plates are hard to find). The Gemini would replace the Epic Six.
Reviews online seem mixed - people either love it or think it's a piece of junk. So I'm asking the experts here.
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Post by mcjunkin on Aug 22, 2021 20:19:00 GMT
Sizzix is coming out with a new machine in The fall—the Switch. No crank. Heavy price tag though-$250ish. Google for sneaks. Tim Holtz will have his version of it as wel.l. Still put out with Sizzix, but it is an option.
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Post by Linda on Aug 22, 2021 20:30:09 GMT
Sizzix is coming out with a new machine in The fall—the Switch. No crank. Heavy price tag though-$250ish. Google for sneaks. Tim Holtz will have his version of it as wel.l. Still put out with Sizzix, but it is an option. Thanks for info. I would prefer not to buy from Sizzix if there's another comparable option. The Switch looks nice but BIG (and spendy) - I'm an 8.5x11" scrapper so I don't need as big a cutting surface |
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Post by cmpeter on Aug 22, 2021 22:44:13 GMT
I love my Gemini Jr...no regrets at all.
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lindas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,303 
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Post by lindas on Aug 22, 2021 22:47:38 GMT
Pros: no crank to turn
Compact size
Cons: plates tend to warp easier and faster then they do with a manual machine
You need an outlet close by which in my case means it can’t stay on my table.
You need to grab the plates as they come out since there’s no platform.
I only use mine now when I use my Gemini hot foilpress.
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Post by Linda on Aug 22, 2021 23:42:51 GMT
thank you
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lindas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,303
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Post by lindas on Aug 22, 2021 23:51:13 GMT
Just saw this video from Jennifer McGuire on how to fix warped plates
It worked! My Spellbinders plate was badly warped and now it’s as flat as it was when new.
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Post by CardBoxer on Aug 23, 2021 1:17:23 GMT
Pros: no crank to turn Compact size Cons: plates tend to warp easier and faster then they do with a manual machine You need an outlet close by which in my case means it can’t stay on my table. You need to grab the plates as they come out since there’s no platform. I only use mine now when I use my Gemini hot foilpress. I put a cardboard box behind it which catches the plates. |
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Post by CardBoxer on Aug 23, 2021 1:27:01 GMT
I love die cutting but avoided it sometimes because it hurt my hand, and because of different sandwiches needed for regular dies. I’d write the sandwich down on a sticky and put it in the die pouch, and whether a die needed a partial shim over a stubborn area, etc. Annoying.
Pros:
Cuts like butter - the bits fall out or are easy to remove.
No shimming because no trouble spots.
No cranking, of course.
Cons:
My plates stay flat despite being used hundreds of times, but I baby them two ways:
- every single cut rotating and turning the plates, and then if the barest warp begins, not flipping in order to get it back to normal.
- remembering to use the entire plate not just the middle. Not that that’s a con, but is part of keeping plates flat.
- I don’t think there are extended plates, not that I’ve had the need.
I’ve never talked to anyone who didn’t like theirs - but there are people who really don’t like the company or owner, and way back when I wondered if some of the negativity is because of that, rather than the machine. Just a “wonder,” not a definite.
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pinklady
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,046
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Post by pinklady on Aug 23, 2021 1:35:12 GMT
Pros: Cuts like butter - the bits fall out or are easy to remove. No shimming because no trouble spots. Oh how I wish this were true. I bought a Gemini Jr to eliminate issues with intricate dies. The dies that don’t cut well in my Big Shot don’t cut well in the Gemini Jr. I was so disappointed that I haven’t taken it back out of the box since. |
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Post by CardBoxer on Aug 23, 2021 1:40:20 GMT
Pros: Cuts like butter - the bits fall out or are easy to remove. No shimming because no trouble spots. Oh how I wish this were true. I bought a Gemini Jr to eliminate issues with intricate dies. The dies that don’t cut well in my Big Shot don’t cut well in the Gemini Jr. I was so disappointed that I haven’t taken it back out of the box since. Could they be problem dies? Or manufacturer in general? I had an intricate die that had one tiny part that wouldn’t cut. It was a defective die; the replacement was fine. I have so many/too many dies from lots of companies, many intricate, and other than the defective die they’ve all cut beautifully. Same for others I know who have it. Or maybe your Gemini needs to be adjusted? Anyway, that’s really too bad. |
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pinklady
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,046
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Post by pinklady on Aug 23, 2021 2:21:01 GMT
Oh how I wish this were true. I bought a Gemini Jr to eliminate issues with intricate dies. The dies that don’t cut well in my Big Shot don’t cut well in the Gemini Jr. I was so disappointed that I haven’t taken it back out of the box since. Could they be problem dies? Or manufacturer in general? I had an intricate die that had one tiny part that wouldn’t cut. It was a defective die; the replacement was fine. I have so many/too many dies from lots of companies, many intricate, and other than the defective die they’ve all cut beautifully. Same for others I know who have it. Or maybe your Gemini needs to be adjusted? Anyway, that’s really too bad. I know, I was really bummed. I thought I found the magical answer! 😁 The dies aren’t defective in that I can see where a cut line was missed or anything. I’ve had that and actually had the company replace them. It just doesn’t cut any different/better than my Big Shot. You’ve inspired me to try again! 👍🏼 |
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angel97701
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,557
Jun 26, 2014 2:04:25 GMT
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Post by angel97701 on Aug 23, 2021 2:56:59 GMT
I have the Gemini pro and LOVE IT! I do need the larger size as I have some large dies for card making and such. I broke my Spellbinders pink machine on an intricate die, and then bought the new Platinum Spellbinders machine. My Gemini Pro I bought on special from Hot Off the Press shortly after. Guess I am glad I have both?
I did a series of measurements with my husband's calipers to determine the thickness of different cutting plates.
Pros: - Cuts intricate dies and the pieces just fall out.
- No sore hand from cranking (carpel tunnel is setting in, no need to aggravate it crafting!)
- Mine is set up next to an outlet, so it is just fine.
- Used the aforementioned Jennifer McGuire method to avoid warping plates, and it is wonderful (Actually bought a few extra plates, so I'm set for awhile)
- Can find plates (no longer able to do this for the Cuttlebug)
Cons - Need to set up a platform like CardBoxer suggests!
- Need to figure out good sandwich for embossing plates . . . still use my cuttlebug for this, just a matter of time to measure the embossing folders, and 3-D folders. They have various thickness depending on manufacturer. Time to borrow the caliper again and mark directly on the embossing folders or have a cheat sheet card.
- If you order from Directly from Crafter's Companion is does take awhile to get here from England. Still love their dies though.
So Linda I think you will have to determine if you have a spot next to a outlet where it can live permanently in your craft space. |
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,449
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Post by scrapnnana on Aug 23, 2021 4:17:29 GMT
I have the Gemini Jr. and love it, but I mostly use it for the highly detailed dies that don’t cut well with my Big Shot.
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Post by CardBoxer on Aug 23, 2021 6:57:16 GMT
I have the Gemini pro and LOVE IT! I do need the larger size as I have some large dies for card making and such. I broke my Spellbinders pink machine on an intricate die, and then bought the new Platinum Spellbinders machine. My Gemini Pro I bought on special from Hot Off the Press shortly after. Guess I am glad I have both?
I did a series of measurements with my husband's calipers to determine the thickness of different cutting plates.
Pros: - Cuts intricate dies and the pieces just fall out.
- No sore hand from cranking (carpel tunnel is setting in, no need to aggravate it crafting!)
- Mine is set up next to an outlet, so it is just fine.
- Used the aforementioned Jennifer McGuire method to avoid warping plates, and it is wonderful (Actually bought a few extra plates, so I'm set for awhile)
- Can find plates (no longer able to do this for the Cuttlebug)
Cons - Need to set up a platform like CardBoxer suggests!
- Need to figure out good sandwich for embossing plates . . . still use my cuttlebug for this, just a matter of time to measure the embossing folders, and 3-D folders. They have various thickness depending on manufacturer. Time to borrow the caliper again and mark directly on the embossing folders or have a cheat sheet card.
- If you order from Directly from Crafter's Companion is does take awhile to get here from England. Still love their dies though.
So Linda I think you will have to determine if you have a spot next to a outlet where it can live permanently in your craft space. Yes, since there’s no industry standard for embossing folders, sandwiches vary for all machines. Same issue for my manual machine. The Gemini manual gives two sandwiches and they take care of most of mine, one exception being the super thick Tim Holtz texture plates, so I added that. |
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Post by kkrenn on Aug 23, 2021 7:51:11 GMT
I picked one up in the hopes of replacing my Vagabond 2 but alas no luck.
I LOVE it when it come to using my Foil Press but I haven't been able to figure out sandwiches to cut my dies properly. It's ok though I just had to put my Vagabond back in place and my gemini has a different spot.
I do believe HSN will be having a special on the gemini jr coming up soon but I don't remember exactly when.
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Post by Linda on Aug 23, 2021 11:28:07 GMT
Thank you all - I do have an outlet near/at my scrapbook table so that shouldn't be an issue. For an older house (1980), there are a ton of outlets. It is sounding like what I need - I have arthritis so am definitely looking to avoid a handcrank if possible.
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kitbop
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,615
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Post by kitbop on Aug 23, 2021 11:38:50 GMT
I love mine.
I'm going to unwarp my plates tonight as the above Jennifer McGuire video shows, and I'm going to buy a couple of those double sided plates as well. They are out of stock EVERYWHERE this morning. Already. Funny thing is I almost bought them by mistake a couple of months ago...
I'm using die cuts 1000% more often than before because it doesn't take up desk space! I have ZERO extra desk space - only my actual creating area. So when I wanted to die cut, I had to get my big shot off it's shelf, and put it on top of my creating area.
Now the gemini sits in a kallax cube shelf beside my elbow. Plugged in, ready to go.
Because you don't need any side room to crank, I just run it right in the cubby. The depth of the cubby is just right to allow the plates to come out the back.
Brilliant.
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craftgranny
Full Member
Posts: 174
Jul 30, 2020 11:56:27 GMT
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Post by craftgranny on Aug 23, 2021 13:15:52 GMT
I'm interested in the new machine coming out from Sizzix the Switch. I like that it is self feed and has a 9 inch opening! So you could put a whole 8.5x 11 piece of paper in and die cut away! Plus it takes bigz dies, 3D envelopes, intricate dies and Impresslits! mcjunkin why are you put out by Sizzix? I have Vagabond 2 and it works like a charm. The main complaint I hear with Gemini is that it warps plates so badly and that it doesn't take bigz dies or 3D embossing folders. I suppose it depends on what you do for die cutting. |
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Post by scrappinheather on Aug 23, 2021 13:54:11 GMT
I’m a little over excessive in my die cutting machines but here is my take. I love my Gemini jr. because it cuts THE BEST of all of my machines for intricate dies. It is fast and easy to use. I did Jennifer mcguires original taping trick snd my plates stopped warping. She released the video on inwarping plates about 2 weeks ago to her Facebook group and I bought the new recommended plates off Amazon just haven’t used them yet.
That being said, I also have an altenew mini blossom that I love using for just quick individual small cuts.
I have a spellbinders platinum that is great for embossing folders, dry embossing, being portable, and cuts great with very little warping.
Lastly I have an empress which I also really like because you can get three different sets of plates you can get for it so you can run a full 8 1/2 x 11 sheet through it and lots of die cuts, super small plates like the blossom or the plate size of the jr. doesn’t warp. The magnetic mat is amazing. I can line up my stamped images with the dies on the mat snd not have to use tape to cut them. All that being said I don’t think it’s a tight enough pressure to always get perfect cuts on more intricate dies.
All this to say I’m no help as I like 4 machines and use them all.
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Post by CardBoxer on Aug 23, 2021 14:21:04 GMT
I'm interested in the new machine coming out from Sizzix the Switch. I like that it is self feed and has a 9 inch opening! So you could put a whole 8.5x 11 piece of paper in and die cut away! Plus it takes bigz dies, 3D envelopes, intricate dies and Impresslits! mcjunkin why are you put out by Sizzix? I have Vagabond 2 and it works like a charm. The main complaint I hear with Gemini is that it warps plates so badly and that it doesn't take bigz dies or 3D embossing folders. I suppose it depends on what you do for die cutting. All of my 3D embossing folders work well - mostly Tim Holtz Texture Fades. The manual lists a sandwich for their own brand, but different manufacturers’ EF thicknesses are different - plus cardstock comes in different thicknesses so you have to play around. I keep the couple sandwiches I use on a PostIt in the embossing folder. Nothing to do with the Gemini, but a 3D EF hint, is to very lightly mist or swipe a damp cloth or paper towel over the CS. It allows the paper fibers to stretch instead of tear. Tim Holtz recommends it and it’s mentioned in many videos. Sometimes I do that, but not if lazy and already seated. Re warping, Crafters Companion has a video that vehemently orders us to flip *and* rotate plates with every cut. Warping will quickly happen without that. So will plopping dies only in the center - which is something I had to re-re-remind myself at the beginning. My top plate has hundreds of cuts and the bottom none, ad they are flat. Once in a blue moon a tiny hump will begin, so I won’t flip them a time or two, or run through without a dies couple times. Then they’ll flatten. |
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Post by nicoleq on Aug 23, 2021 18:01:57 GMT
I bought a Gemini Jr a few months ago and LOVE IT! I had no idea how much I would love it or how much more I die cut.
I also didn’t realize how much I hated cranking the Spellbinders Platform until I was able to stop! Lol.
I do all the tips and tricks from Jennifer McGuire and I haven’t had any warping issues yet. But I saw a new video was posted to get the warps out, so that solves that problem when it happens.
I would highly recommend. It cuts amazing and it’s so easy.
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lesley
Drama Llama
My best friend Turriff, desperately missed.
Posts: 7,335
Location: Scotland, Scotland, Scotland
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Post by lesley on Aug 23, 2021 20:16:27 GMT
If I could only keep one tool in my arsenal, it would be my Gemini Jr. You can take my stamping platform, my scoreboard and my Tim Holtz mat. You can have my paper trimmer - wonderful though it is, my blending brushes and my heat gun, even though I use these things regularly. Nothing has made such a difference to my crafting as my GJ has. I have RA, and was finding my Cuttlebug more and more difficult to use. I had an increasing stack of dies that I was rarely using because their level of detail required several passes through the Bug. That issue disappeared when I traded up. I don’t really have any issue with my mats warping, and I use cutting mats as part of my sandwich. Go for it - you’ll never look back! (P.S. Please don’t actually take my tools away, I need them all.  ) |
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angel97701
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,557
Jun 26, 2014 2:04:25 GMT
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Post by angel97701 on Aug 24, 2021 0:24:34 GMT
I too find that the Gemini has me reaching for my dies . . . it is so easy! I also use my Scan-n-cut but it has different uses. It doesn't do the fine detail with the rolled edge that I like for my die cuts!
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Post by marg on Aug 24, 2021 16:50:11 GMT
My Gemini Jr is my most used tool. I'm really into die cutting these days - I love the layered dies that have been coming out the past few years. They make such a huge impact on a card or page. If I had to hand crank all of those dies I probably wouldn't because just one flower can take several layers - that's a lot of cutting.
I will have to check out Jennifer McGuire's latest video on warping plates, I'm intrigued.
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Post by mcjunkin on Aug 25, 2021 13:00:29 GMT
I'm interested in the new machine coming out from Sizzix the Switch. I like that it is self feed and has a 9 inch opening! So you could put a whole 8.5x 11 piece of paper in and die cut away! Plus it takes bigz dies, 3D envelopes, intricate dies and Impresslits! mcjunkin why are you put out by Sizzix? I have Vagabond 2 and it works like a charm. The main complaint I hear with Gemini is that it warps plates so badly and that it doesn't take bigz dies or 3D embossing folders. I suppose it depends on what you do for die cutting. Check out the following thread. Breaks my heart. Sizzix products have been the best. My Vagabond 1 is still going strong. I only break my refusal to buy Sizzix for Tim Holtz things, usually on clearance somewhere, at Tuesday morning, or second-hand. I also bought the Vag 2 at a clearance price when I found out it was being discontinued. I figured less money for Sizzix if I bought that to replace mine when it dies, than if I bought the Switch. Which looks like a great machine, but....... Sizzix Thread |
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Post by Linda on Aug 25, 2021 13:50:28 GMT
Thanks everyone - DH has ordered the Gemini Jr for me as a birthday present
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Post by scrappyem on Aug 25, 2021 23:12:32 GMT
Has anyone tried the metal plate mentioned JM's video? I was bummed it was sold out everywhere by the time I watched it. I'm curious if it makes a big difference or not. I've really enjoyed my Gemini Junior, but the plates warping so badly does bug me. I do use the JM "sandwich method". Still wraps more than I'd like.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Nov 16, 2024 7:24:16 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 25, 2021 23:21:23 GMT
Has anyone tried the metal plate mentioned JM's video? I was bummed it was sold out everywhere by the time I watched it. I'm curious if it makes a big difference or not. I've really enjoyed my Gemini Junior, but the plates warping so badly does bug me. I do use the JM "sandwich method". Still wraps more than I'd like. Have you seen her recent video about warped plates? With the hot water? Pretty impressive! |
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lindas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,303
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Post by lindas on Aug 26, 2021 0:54:49 GMT
I may have to start using my Gemini jr again. My plate wasn’t just warped, it had a bubble in the center. After using JM’s hot water technique (had to do it twice) that plate is now perfectly flat again.
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