pantsonfire
Drama Llama
Take a step back, evaluate what is important, and enjoy your life with those who you love.
Posts: 6,294 
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Post by pantsonfire on Jun 17, 2023 16:52:34 GMT
I saw that the Gemini ii came out and was wondering what everyone's thoughts were about their electronic die cutting machine.
Between the Gemini (crafters companion) and the Sizzix Big Shot Plus, which one do you have?
Pros and cons? Noise level? I watched a few videos about the new Gemini ii and it seems very quiet!
I have the QuicKuts Revolution and the Big Shot hand crank die cutting machines. Thinking about moving to electronic. With the cost, I want to make sure this is something I will be happy with so would really appreciate any information you can share. Thanks!
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Post by cmpeter on Jun 17, 2023 17:30:04 GMT
I have the Gemini Jr and the Empress Mini.
I am waiting to see some reviews on the Gemini II before deciding if I might move to it or the full size Empress.
Gemini Jr - it's noisy and I don't like how it warps your plates. I do use the JM recommended green double sided plates w/ clear plates sandwiches. That does help a lot with warping. It's been better with intricate dies.
Empress Mini - super quite and I like the magnetic mat. I do have trouble with it cutting thru some dies. I end up using their metal shim + an extra piece of cardstock. But, it's so nice and handy.
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Post by Linda on Jun 17, 2023 18:12:52 GMT
I have a Gemini Jr - really no complaints. It's small enough to have on the corner of my desk so quick and easy to use but big enough to handle any of the dies I own (I'm not a 12x12 scrapper). I haven't found the perfect embossing sandwich yet but that's probably because I so rarely emboss. I did find my Epic 6 better for embossing (it's handle broke off though)
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Post by kkrenn on Jun 17, 2023 21:00:47 GMT
I have a gemini jr and a Vagabond 2, I only use my gemini when hot foiling. I find the vagabond is far easier to use. I wouldn't say its really quiet but it's not disturbingly loud either.
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Post by kmage on Jun 18, 2023 13:04:47 GMT
I had (still do have) an ancient Cuttlebug, but it was tired and so was my arm and hand. HSN had the Mini Empress for 129 and free shipping, so I bought that. I LOVE it. LOVE. The plates are 4.25 inches wide, which work for 99% of my dies and if I ever need that huge heart die cut, I will bust out the Cuttlebug. It's just so handy, load up the magnetic plate and zip the stuff on through. I justified it as I am making wedding invitations, no way I could crank all the stuff I need out.
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Post by artisticscrapper on Jun 18, 2023 23:01:03 GMT
I have the Gemini Jr. as well as a Big Shot. I use the Gemini for die cutting, especially intricate dies. I use a SBC Magic Mat which helps with the warping issue. I haven’t tried those new plates yet. I don’t use the Gemini for embossing since it’s very powerful and sometimes squishes the paper to death. And it is a bit noisy but not bad.
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Post by mbanda on Jun 20, 2023 21:16:10 GMT
I have the original full size Gemini. I really like it! I wanted the Gemini Jr but my husband bought me the full size one for Mother's Day years ago (I guess he thought bigger was better!). I have the Gemini foiling system so I'll likely be sticking with the Gemini brand for awhile. As others have said there are issues with the plates warping but like cmpeter I also use the green double sided plates and that does seem to help. It's also on the noisier side but that doesn't bother me. I'm interested in the Gemini II but mine works fine so I can't really justify getting a new one just yet. |
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Post by Sharon on Jun 20, 2023 21:42:20 GMT
I have the original full size Gemini. I really like it! I wanted the Gemini Jr but my husband bought me the full size one for Mother's Day years ago (I guess he thought bigger was better!). I have the Gemini foiling system so I'll likely be sticking with the Gemini brand for awhile. As others have said there are issues with the plates warping but like cmpeter I also use the green double sided plates and that does seem to help. It's also on the noisier side but that doesn't bother me. I'm interested in the Gemini II but mine works fine so I can't really justify getting a new one just yet. What are the green double sided plates? I have the full size Gemini too. |
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Post by cmpeter on Jun 21, 2023 1:09:22 GMT
Here are the green double sided plates. www.scrapbook.com/store/cci-gem-acc-dsdp.htmlI tape one to each of my clear plates and cut into the green plates. When a side gets beat up, un-tape, flip the green plate and re-tape. I accidentally bought the full size ones once. But, dh was able to cut them in half and they end up being Gemini Jr size. |
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Post by dewryce on Jun 21, 2023 5:51:29 GMT
I have the full sized Gemini as well, I’m really good about flipping the plates and they do warp. But that doesn’t impact using the machine or my results. Will have to check out the green plates, thanks for the link! I feel like it does a really good job, even with intricate dies.
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Post by Sharon on Jun 21, 2023 10:56:18 GMT
When you use the green plates, do you adjust the sandwich you use for the different dies?
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Post by cmpeter on Jun 21, 2023 16:20:00 GMT
No, I haven’t made any adjustments.
Clear plate
Green plate
Paper
Die
Green plate
Clear plate
Taping your clear and green plates together just helps minimize the layers since they can now be used as one “plate”.
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Post by tealpaperowl on Jun 21, 2023 17:24:15 GMT
I love my electronic sizzix. I haven't made adjustments but I did buy and love the magnetic bottom plate so I dont have to washi tape dies on  |
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Post by joblackford on Jun 21, 2023 21:52:07 GMT
I've been hearing about the Empress machines all of a sudden. Are they new? I gather Jennifer McGuire uses one. I'm getting sick of my Big Shot, mostly trying to keep it stable on my desk while cranking - I have a very small space. And certain die cuts stick in the dies so badly, it's a real hassle to get them out without messing them up. Do the motorized machines help with that?
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Post by lilacgal on Jun 21, 2023 23:28:54 GMT
I have the full sized Gemini and love it. So much so that I bought the Gemini Pro. The plates do warp but flipping and turning still has me using the plates that came with my original machine. I’m surprised but the Pro is quieter than the standard. Maybe more insulation since it’s larger? I don’t know. It has a permanent place on my desk next to my trimmer though.
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