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Post by kmage on Mar 7, 2022 16:40:58 GMT
What are other people thinking? If you have one already, let us know how it is going!! There isn't really any other word for it, it just looks cool. It looks sleek, modern and like the Iphone 13 of the crafting world. I love that it has a reverse feature. Would love this one...https://www.sizzix.com/665300/big-shot-switch-plus-machine-black-inspired-by-tim-holtz Here is a starter set from Frank Garcia Studio. He only has white in right now, but the black one (which is the one I want) is on the way. www.frankgarciastudio.com/sizzix-switch-machine/sizzix-big-shot-switch-plus-machine-starter-set-whiteEdited to add the scrapbook.com link, www.scrapbook.com/store/products/?w=switch unfortunately they are not being listed as in stock, but people are already reviewing ones they ordered from there, so not sure what's going on, hopefully they get more in at the sale price-I think that's great price, thanks wendifful for sharing! Apparently it comes in pink too. The rub? I don't know if I am willing to plunk down 300 dollars (or 259 for the basic machine) just to cut with dies. I don't know. I think I am going to wait and see, watch lots of videos, and make a decision by black friday, when there might be some sales. One thing that actually is a negative for me is the footprint. My dies are all small and I don't have any large Accucut type dies, so this machine is quite large for my needs. I was also surprised they could call it a "Switch". Guess that must not be copyrighted by Nintendo, but maybe you can't copyright a word like that.
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Post by tealpaperowl on Mar 7, 2022 18:33:07 GMT
I'm wondering if I need one too... I have the electric big shot which I love because no cranking. Hoping someone has some reviews!
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Post by wendifful on Mar 7, 2022 20:34:51 GMT
I don't have one yet, but it's definitely something I'm interested in, mainly for the larger platform and how quiet it seems to be (as opposed to my current motored machine, the Evolution Advanced). Although still expensive, Scrapbook.com has it for $209 right now and $213 for the black/Tim Holtz version, so that helps take the sting off a bit.
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Post by wendifful on Mar 7, 2022 20:54:39 GMT
Edited to add the scrapbook.com link, www.scrapbook.com/store/products/?w=switch unfortunately they are not being listed as in stock, but people are already reviewing ones they ordered from there, so not sure what's going on, hopefully they get more in at the sale price-I think that's great price, thanks wendifful for sharing! Oh sorry, I didn't realize they weren't in stock right now! A week or two ago I think they even had it for $199, so that might have caused the sell out.
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Post by papersilly on Mar 7, 2022 21:50:13 GMT
having had the Vagabond, i'm not averse to owning another electric machine. the price point for this is a little steep though. if i were to get it, i want white because my Big Shot Foldaway is white.
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Post by retrofunscrapper on Mar 7, 2022 21:58:04 GMT
I saw that Scrapbook.com and other places couldn't keep it in stock for more than a few hours at a time, and same thing for Hobby Lobby. It turned out that HL had an exclusive color that works with my craft room ("Sorbet", a peachy/coral retro pink), *and* it was $100 off at $199, so I stalked the HL website until I saw it pop up again last Wednesday or Thursday and jumped on it right away. It only lasted a few hours (just like Scrapbook.com) before going out of stock again.
Got it in my hot little hands over the weekend, and I am in love. Works so smoothly, love the reverse button, and I am employing the tip Tim showed in his demo of sending folders or straight-angle dies through at a bit of an angle instead of straight-on, so it can "bite" the sandwich even more easily ...cuts like butter and embosses beautifully. Nice and quiet, too.
I would say if you can catch it for a good price in the color you like, best to pounce right away. Oh, and I'm not super familiar with Hobby Lobby's inner workings (This is one of the only purchases I've made with them, and the first one through their website), but a person at our local store told me over the phone that they restock on Wednesday-going-into-Thursday, and my timing/luck in finding mine would back that up.
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Post by retrofunscrapper on Mar 7, 2022 22:03:18 GMT
having had the Vagabond, i'm not averse to owning another electric machine. the price point for this is a little steep though. if i were to get it, i want white because my Big Shot Foldaway is white. I've been using the original Vagabond (not the 2), and that thing has been plugging away faithfully for years. I'm very careful when constructing sandwiches, but I felt like I'd better not count on it lasting forever, and the coordinating (for me) color along with the compatibility for all of my current plates and accessory tools pushed me over the edge.
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Ryann
Pearl Clutcher
Love is Inclusive
Posts: 2,629
Location: PNW
May 31, 2021 3:14:17 GMT
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Post by Ryann on Mar 7, 2022 22:30:30 GMT
As much as I would like a coral one, I’m not giving a dime to Hobby Lobby. Other than SB.com pink, are there other non-neutral “exclusive” colors available that anyone has seen?
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Post by retrofunscrapper on Mar 7, 2022 22:41:18 GMT
The scrapbook.com pale cherry blossom pink is the only other non-neutral that I've seen, too. And I hear you on the HL thing --my husband and I both questioned it, and in the end we decided we'll donate to women-focused and LGBTQ-focused charities to try to offset it somewhat (at least for my peace of mind). I 100% admit that I was weak in the face of the color I loved, and I knew I had very little time to decide.
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Post by CardBoxer on Mar 7, 2022 23:03:33 GMT
What are other people thinking? If you have one already, let us know how it is going!! There isn't really any other word for it, it just looks cool. It looks sleek, modern and like the Iphone 13 of the crafting world. I love that it has a reverse feature. Would love this one...https://www.sizzix.com/665300/big-shot-switch-plus-machine-black-inspired-by-tim-holtz Here is a starter set from Frank Garcia Studio. He only has white in right now, but the black one (which is the one I want) is on the way. www.frankgarciastudio.com/sizzix-switch-machine/sizzix-big-shot-switch-plus-machine-starter-set-whiteEdited to add the scrapbook.com link, www.scrapbook.com/store/products/?w=switch unfortunately they are not being listed as in stock, but people are already reviewing ones they ordered from there, so not sure what's going on, hopefully they get more in at the sale price-I think that's great price, thanks wendifful for sharing! Apparently it comes in pink too. The rub? I don't know if I am willing to plunk down 300 dollars (or 259 for the basic machine) just to cut with dies. I don't know. I think I am going to wait and see, watch lots of videos, and make a decision by black friday, when there might be some sales. One thing that actually is a negative for me is the footprint. My dies are all small and I don't have any large Accucut type dies, so this machine is quite large for my needs. I was also surprised they could call it a "Switch". Guess that must not be copyrighted by Nintendo, but maybe you can't copyright a word like that. Bulky size would make it a no for me - plus my electric machine cuts like butter. Curious about your comment about the reverse feature. The electric ones don’t all have that?
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Post by retrofunscrapper on Mar 8, 2022 0:59:18 GMT
Not sure about other electric models, but the Vagabond had reverse capability, but you had to press and hold the button the entire time. The Switch has one-touch reverse, and it will also reverse/spit back any sandwich that it deems too thick.
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lesley
Drama Llama
My best friend Turriff, desperately missed.
Posts: 7,317
Location: Scotland, Scotland, Scotland
Jul 6, 2014 21:50:44 GMT
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Post by lesley on Mar 8, 2022 1:24:06 GMT
It doesn’t sound any better than my trusty Gemini Junior, so I’m just going to stick with that, thank you very much. 😊
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Post by mikklynn on Mar 8, 2022 14:37:36 GMT
I really want a die cutting machine that I don't have to crank. I am NOT spending money until after I move. Rinse and repeat!
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Post by kmage on Mar 8, 2022 14:57:41 GMT
I really want a die cutting machine that I don't have to crank. I am NOT spending money until after I move. Rinse and repeat! I know, lol, this thing is so much $$ and I so do not *need* it that I cannot even slightly justify it right now. But as my SIL so wisely told my BIL one time, "It doesn't hurt to want things for a while." (He was wanting a new boat )
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Post by infochick on Mar 8, 2022 16:37:45 GMT
But as my SIL so wisely told my BIL one time, "It doesn't hurt to want things for a while." (He was wanting a new boat ) I love this! The Switch is gorgeous, and I would love a die cut machine that I don't have to crank. However, I have been trying not to buy too many dies as I have a Silhouette Cameo that is still working just fine and a Big Shot, so I will continue on with what I have. Not to mention that the price in Canada is quite high, so for that amount of money I would probably be better off to upgrade my Silhouette.
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Post by Restless Spirit on Mar 8, 2022 16:55:59 GMT
It doesn’t sound any better than my trusty Gemini Junior, so I’m just going to stick with that, thank you very much. 😊 I’m extremely interested to see how it compares to the Gemini machines. I have the larger Gemini and the Gemini Junior. I mainly use my Gemini junior. The biggest downside of the Gemini Junior, at least for me, is the warpage of the plates. There’s just so much pressure from the Gemini machine. It makes it great to cut out intricate dies, but I’m killing my plates. I’ve been watching a bunch of YouTube‘s about people trying and using all sorts of different sandwiches, using different products as the plates. If the Switch proves to be better and easier on the cutting plates, I would certainly consider making the “switch” to the Switch. Ha.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,436
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Mar 8, 2022 17:47:41 GMT
I have both the Gemini Jr and the full sized one. I mainly use the Jr. It does the job, and the cutting plates for the Jr seem to be the same as the ones Sizzix uses, so I don’t care if they warp. They are replaceable.
The Sizzix Switch looks really nice, but it also looks bigger, like it would take up more room. I’m content with what I have.
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lesley
Drama Llama
My best friend Turriff, desperately missed.
Posts: 7,317
Location: Scotland, Scotland, Scotland
Jul 6, 2014 21:50:44 GMT
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Post by lesley on Mar 8, 2022 17:53:34 GMT
Restless Spirit, I have used my Gemini Junior half a dozen times a day for the last three years. I have not had to replace a plate in all that time. I do use an offcut of a cutting mat as part of my sandwich which I think I have replaced three times. The small amount of warping I have doesn’t bother me at all. As you say, the pressure in the machine is really strong - I haven’t noticed warping making any difference to the cleanliness of the cut. 😊
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Post by marg on Mar 8, 2022 18:43:43 GMT
I have the Gemini Jr and it is a real workhorse. I definitely have gotten my money's worth. I have been looking at larger machines, though - a larger platform would be really handy and more efficient. I just came across Tim Holtz's video for the Switch Plus this morning and it's exactly what I'm looking for. I'm going to ask for it for my birthday in May - hopefully it will be in stock by then! My husband is going to Florida in April so if he can drive the pretty coral one home that would make me very happy, but I'd also settle for the Black one.
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Post by mcjunkin on Mar 8, 2022 19:01:38 GMT
I was super interested and tempted by the auto-feed, but I am one who likes to build my die sandwich on the platform of my Vagabond. I even took the side guide flaps off of mine to make it easier for me to do so. This is impossible to do on the Switch. You have to build the sandwich and then pick it up and put it into the machine. No big deal, just not my workflow. Did not consider gemini for the same reason.
Also, I am still trying not to buy Sizzix, except of course the Tim Holtz dies I have to have.
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kitbop
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,609
Jun 28, 2014 21:14:36 GMT
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Post by kitbop on Mar 8, 2022 22:30:07 GMT
I mainly use my Gemini junior. The biggest downside of the Gemini Junior, at least for me, is the warpage of the plates. There’s just so much pressure from the Gemini machine. It makes it great to cut out intricate dies, but I’m killing my plates. I’ve been watching a bunch of YouTube‘s about people trying and using all sorts of different sandwiches, using different products as the plates. I was struggling with warping in a big way. Then I watched Jennifer McGuire's videos: 1. how to unwarp plates 2. using the "double sided cutting plates" as part of your sandwich Now I love those double sided cutting plates and have had SO much less warping since I switched. I also have had good luck and less warping using the SB.com magic mat. I use it with 1 big shot plate, and 1 gemini plate, and that seems to be just right thickness. It depends on the die as to which sandwich I use. I love the look of the Switch, but the main attraction of my gemini jr is how small it is - it lives in one of my Kallax cubes and never has to move, I can just feed stuff through right in the cube.
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Post by refugeepea on Mar 8, 2022 22:47:15 GMT
I like that it cuts all kinds of dies. I have quite a few Sizzix dies and that keeps me from buying a machine like the Gemini.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,436
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Mar 8, 2022 23:08:48 GMT
I am still trying not to buy Sizzix, except of course the Tim Holtz dies I have to have. I haven’t bought anything from them since their stupid lawsuit, except replacement cutting plates. They’re still on my list of companies that I avoid supporting.
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Post by refugeepea on Mar 8, 2022 23:12:21 GMT
I haven’t bought anything from them since their stupid lawsuit, except replacement cutting plates. They’re still on my list of companies that I avoid supporting. I forgot about that. Ugh! I'm not sure what other companies make machines like this one though? The ability to cut multiple sizes of dies and electronic.
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craftywendy
Full Member
Posts: 116
May 29, 2018 14:56:21 GMT
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Post by craftywendy on Mar 8, 2022 23:31:56 GMT
Just left Frank Garcia studio and they had a stack of TH switches, was very tempted if they still have them by this weekend I may go back.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,436
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Mar 9, 2022 22:19:48 GMT
I haven’t bought anything from them since their stupid lawsuit, except replacement cutting plates. They’re still on my list of companies that I avoid supporting. I forgot about that. Ugh! I'm not sure what other companies make machines like this one though? The ability to cut multiple sizes of dies and electronic. The Gemini only cuts the thin dies, like Silhouette. I have a Big Shot for cutting the thicker, original Sizzix dies in my stash (both dies and Big Shot were bought long before the lawsuit). I rarely use the thicker dies, though. The thin dies are so much more detailed. I can deal with using my Big Shot for the rare times that I need to cut the thicker dies. The lawsuit was dismissed, but in a way that would allow Ellison (parent company of Sizzix) to start it up again if they so choose. Because of that, I still avoid buying from them, but I’m not going to find fault with anyone who decides that this is the machine for them. Those with wrist/hand problems need an electronic die cutter, and if you have older, thicker Sizzix dies, I can see why you (or someone else) would need this machine. Don’t feel guilty about it. Hopefully the backlash from the crafting community was enough that Ellison/Sizzix won’t try to start up the lawsuit again in the future after enough crafters have forgotten about it, but I wouldn’t bet on that. It looks like they left the door open.
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Post by freeatlast on Mar 9, 2022 22:59:28 GMT
I was super interested and tempted by the auto-feed, but I am one who likes to build my die sandwich on the platform of my Vagabond. I even took the side guide flaps off of mine to make it easier for me to do so. This is impossible to do on the Switch. You have to build the sandwich and then pick it up and put it into the machine. No big deal, just not my workflow. Did not consider gemini for the same reason. Also, I am still trying not to buy Sizzix, except of course the Tim Holtz dies I have to have. Yes, as much as I would like the auto-feed function, not having a platform to build a sandwich on is a big deal for me due to arthritis. I tried a friend's Gemini Jr. and had problems picking up the sandwich and feeding it in. I hope my Vagabonds continue to function so I don't have to face this decision.
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Post by kmage on Mar 10, 2022 1:26:18 GMT
Just left Frank Garcia studio and they had a stack of TH switches, was very tempted if they still have them by this weekend I may go back. LUCKY!! I love that store!
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Post by songbird on Mar 12, 2022 19:38:36 GMT
My husband pre-ordered one for me as a gift but hasn’t gotten a shipping notice yet. It’s the TH version, which seems to be the last one making its way to the US.
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stacey562
Junior Member
Posts: 67
Nov 28, 2015 19:52:11 GMT
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Post by stacey562 on Mar 12, 2022 20:48:05 GMT
My mother has one. She also has a larger Gemini. She placed a preorder for it 2 years ago and then with the long wait ended up buy a Gemini. She's very happy with it. I'm not sure there is a big difference between it and the Gemini but it does maybe seem a bit quieter and a bit more smooth. I like the size of it but I have the gemini juniour so ..... I think it's really just personal preference. I did notice that there are sandwich instructions on the base plate. I do really like that because I feel like sometimes its a bit of a crap shoot with the Gemini to get it right. She has't had the kind of warping that you get with the Gemini plates but she did just get it and has only used it a handful of times.
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