About to purchase a stamping platform (OLD THREAD)

My experience is limited to the hinge-type stamp positioners. My favorite is no longer sold in the US. My second favorite is one you haven't mentioned - Stampin' Up's Stamparatus. It's a little bit more expensive than the 2 you are considering but it has 2 "doors", meaning you can put your image on one and your sentiment on the other. Very handy for mass production and layered stamps. Here's a link www.stampinup.com/products/stamparatus-(imperial-measurements)

I did not have a good experience with the owner of the Misti so I won't recommend her product.

The only thing I've heard about the Precision Press is that the pegs can get loose which impacts your ability to get the stamp back in the exact same place if you are trying to fix an incomplete impression.

Hope this helps. A stamp positioner is a game changer.

IF those are the only two options you're considering, go with the Misti. The owner of that company will never see one cent of my money, but a hinged platform is very preferable to the WRMK (I'm another tool junkie and I have several of them). The Stamparatus linked above is definitely the best one that's a available now.

I believe the pink MISTI has a bible verse printed on it.(As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God's varied grace. 1 Peter 4:10)  The black one I guess does not.

I managed to snag a Tim Holtz before the supply ran out, but I really like it.  I almost never pull out my blocks anymore.

A few new Tim Holtz/Tonic stamping platforms are on ebay and one is on amazon. Some ship from the U.S., some from other countries. If you go that route, just note the two sizes - 9.5x11.5 vs. 6.5x6.5.

The small one is great for cards. With one flat side and bottom, larger paper can be used. 

Occasionally someone mentions having a problem with getting a good impression right in the middle of the platform, but putting a piece of fun foam in or some cardstock should take care of that.

BTW, Buddly Crafts in the UK carries the full size Tim Holtz platform. I’m in the U.S. and purchased from them a while back. Several others weighed in positively about the shop when someone recently asked about it. You can select U.S. dollars in a drop-down menu for all items. I might email them to check they’ll ship it due to possible agreements between Tonic and retailers due to the lawsuit.

buddlycrafts.com/shop/product-35156/tim-holtz-21cm-stamp-platform/

I have and love my Misti. I bought it before I read any of the bad press about the owner here. I have a Tom Holtz one too…the Misti is much better. No issues at all with the hinge interfering with the stamping.

Another company to consider for sentiment stamps is Honey Bee Stamps. As examples, here are 2 sets, one for birthday sentiments, the other for get well.

honeybeestamps.com/products/inside-birthday-sentiments-6x6-stamp-set?_pos=9&_sid=d2e663bb0&_ss=r

honeybeestamps.com/collections/modern-spring/products/get-well-soon-6x6-stamp-set

They also have several Buzzwords in 2 sizes. They feature a large word (like "kind") and small phrases to support that word (like "you are so"). Also matching dies. An example here

honeybeestamps.com/collections/modern-spring/products/kind-buzzword-3x4-stamp-set

Have fun shopping. You will love that TH platform - they are my favorite. What a kind pea to send you that.

Well I’ll be no help when it comes to restraint!

Maybe think of themes, like birthday, thinking of you/just a note, congrats, holiday, sympathy… And look at cards to see what grabs you? I no longer post there, but splitcoaststampers.com has a gallery you can view and search by occasion. 

MichyM, be very careful of the magnets. They don't place nice with each other. If they get too close they can snap together so fast and break. Also it is better if you wrap some washi tape on them and sort of create a "handle". Easier to pick up that way. You can probably use some scotch tape or packing tape.

I could not find any images, but here is a video (1:19 min mark)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjhQKvQAr4g

I agree with joblackford - think about what types of cards you plan to make. I make a bunch of 'thinking of you' type cards, birthday cards, and a few thank you cards. Other than that? mostly holiday cards. So wedding sentiments - super pretty fonts usually - would be unused here. I do have one sympathy stamp - because sometimes I do need to make sympathy cards but I'm not making a bunch at a time or needing a lot of variety.

If you are new and just beginning, it’s all too easy to overspend and have regrets later, so what I’m about to say is probably going to seem like heresy to fellow stamp fans. I am definitely a die hard stamp collector, but if I knew then what I know now, I would have far fewer phrase stamps.

I started years ago, when rubber stamps on blocks were the only option, and they were a bit expensive. I foolishly thought I would save money making cards instead of buying them. Now, when card prices are so expensive, and stamps have come down in price, you might be able to save money making your own cards, but there is no guarantee.

As a stamp addict who has collected far too many stamps, I finally realized that sometimes (not always, but sometimes), it can be better to use your computer to print off phrases, especially when you are new and just starting out. Many printers can print on card stock through a rear sheet feeder. You can choose whatever font suits you (and there are lots of free, fun fonts out there), adjust the sizes, and tailor the phrase to the person and the occasion.

When you are a newbie, start with the more important basics, and yes, a good stamp platform is a necessary basic. If you find a good, basic phrase set you like, great, but if you can use your computer to print your phrases, then phrase stamps are optional, at least in the beginning, when your spending money needs to stretch to buy the basics first.

I still buy stamps, but I’m a lot pickier now, and the stamps I buy these days tend to be images that I love.

For card phrases, I like being able to change the font, tweak the wording of the phrase, etc., so that my card is more personalized to the person receiving it.

I recommend that you spend your money on necessities, and the stamps you truly love, first. Phrases can be done on your computer.

Thanks so much for that reminder that you can print your own sentiments. I keep telling myself I need more sentiments but I can rarely find what I am willing to spend money on because at least 1/3 - 1/2 I won't use. 

Thanks for the links...I forgot that I had "liked" her FB page way back...just went and "unliked" it.