Post by paperlovinggal on Jul 20, 2023 19:27:36 GMT
Hi, a few months ago at a scrapbook store flea market, I purchased a 2nd hand Gemini Jr. die cutter that included the former owner's set of used cutting plates/shims, etc. and new sets of cutting plates/assorted shims and was told the "package" also included what may have been a set of new Sizzix cutting plates, etc.
The machine was "tested" to ensure it was operational before I made the purchase.
Yesterday I played with the Gemini Jr. I wanted to use my "older" NEW Dollar Tree cutting mat (SKU# 392277945693). I
traced the Gemini Jr. cutting mat onto the back of this DT cutting mat. Also traced & cut 2 cereal box chipboards and 2 pcs. out of
one Dollar Tree kitchen Flexible cutting mats (thin, white plastic, 11" x 14") for shims - SKU #608814037801.
Just like a few days ago, it took a very long while to slice through the Dollar Tree cutting mat using my Olfa box cutter blade &
Xacto knives.
Wanted to try out the "used" set of cutting plates & shims first. I followed the sandwich instructions in the Gemini Jr. booklet.
Apparently, the sandwich "refused" to go through the machine. That happened 4 times. I made sure I double checked the
layers. I thought perhaps the older somewhat warped Gemini Jr. cutting plates and warped metal shim might be the cause? I also
wanted to try out the new Sizzix cutting plate.
So, I changed portions of the sandwich as follows: from bottom to top layers- new Gemini Jr. clear plate, new Gemini Jr.
plastic shim, used magnetic shim (shiny side UP), Crafter's Companion intricate die face UP, 65 lb. paper face down, Sizzix cutting plate, new Gemini Jr. metal shim, DT kitchen flexible cutting mat. The end result was fine 'cept the DT kitchen flexible cutting mat was badly warped. I placed it in an aluminum pan and poured boiling water over it, laid a heavy plate on
top, eventually dried it off and placed a heavy object on top. The warpage remained.
My 2nd experiment was using the DT cutting mat, etc..with the sandwich as follows from bottom to top layers - Gemini Jr. clear plate,
plastic shim, magnetic shim (shiny side UP), Crafter's Companion intricate die face UP, 65 lb. cardstock face down, Dollar Tree cutting mat, Gemini Jr. metal shim, DT kitchen flexible cutting mat, 2 cereal box chipboards. The sandwich worked and the die cut was
fine with NO Dollar Tree cutting mat warpage. It should be noted that I placed the Gemini Jr. metal shim on top of the Dollar Tree cutting mat. I didn't want the die shape imprinting into the metal shim. The DT kitchen flexible cutting mat and the 2
cereal box chipboards were slightly "wavy" after going into the Gemini Jr.
My 3rd experiment and the best results: sandwich from bottom to top layers - Gemini Jr. clear plate, plastic shim, magnetic
shim (shiny side UP), Crafter's Companion intricate die face UP, 65 lb. cardstock face down, Dollar Tree cutting mat, Gemini Jr.
light green mat (for double-sided dies), cereal box chipboard. Note: I didn't use the metal shim. The DT cutting mat
didn't warp. There were slightly waves in the cereal box chipboard.
As I mentioned in a prior posting, I wouldn't recommend the newer DT cutting mat (SKU # 195464100448) for usage in your die cutting machines as it's quite softer/weaker.
SKU #'s can be found on the printed label on the back side of the DT cutting mat.
I realize with continued use of cutting plates & shims, they will eventually warp/bow (consummables). But it's good to have an
inexpensive cutting mat option even if it's not a self healing DT cutting mat. I think it's held out quite well so far.
The Dollar Tree website sells a set of 3 cutting mats/pkg. with a different SKU #. But that could be because it's sold in a SET of 3
pcs. and that's how they can monitor sales? No ideal of their quality.
The machine was "tested" to ensure it was operational before I made the purchase.
Yesterday I played with the Gemini Jr. I wanted to use my "older" NEW Dollar Tree cutting mat (SKU# 392277945693). I
traced the Gemini Jr. cutting mat onto the back of this DT cutting mat. Also traced & cut 2 cereal box chipboards and 2 pcs. out of
one Dollar Tree kitchen Flexible cutting mats (thin, white plastic, 11" x 14") for shims - SKU #608814037801.
Just like a few days ago, it took a very long while to slice through the Dollar Tree cutting mat using my Olfa box cutter blade &
Xacto knives.
Wanted to try out the "used" set of cutting plates & shims first. I followed the sandwich instructions in the Gemini Jr. booklet.
Apparently, the sandwich "refused" to go through the machine. That happened 4 times. I made sure I double checked the
layers. I thought perhaps the older somewhat warped Gemini Jr. cutting plates and warped metal shim might be the cause? I also
wanted to try out the new Sizzix cutting plate.
So, I changed portions of the sandwich as follows: from bottom to top layers- new Gemini Jr. clear plate, new Gemini Jr.
plastic shim, used magnetic shim (shiny side UP), Crafter's Companion intricate die face UP, 65 lb. paper face down, Sizzix cutting plate, new Gemini Jr. metal shim, DT kitchen flexible cutting mat. The end result was fine 'cept the DT kitchen flexible cutting mat was badly warped. I placed it in an aluminum pan and poured boiling water over it, laid a heavy plate on
top, eventually dried it off and placed a heavy object on top. The warpage remained.
My 2nd experiment was using the DT cutting mat, etc..with the sandwich as follows from bottom to top layers - Gemini Jr. clear plate,
plastic shim, magnetic shim (shiny side UP), Crafter's Companion intricate die face UP, 65 lb. cardstock face down, Dollar Tree cutting mat, Gemini Jr. metal shim, DT kitchen flexible cutting mat, 2 cereal box chipboards. The sandwich worked and the die cut was
fine with NO Dollar Tree cutting mat warpage. It should be noted that I placed the Gemini Jr. metal shim on top of the Dollar Tree cutting mat. I didn't want the die shape imprinting into the metal shim. The DT kitchen flexible cutting mat and the 2
cereal box chipboards were slightly "wavy" after going into the Gemini Jr.
My 3rd experiment and the best results: sandwich from bottom to top layers - Gemini Jr. clear plate, plastic shim, magnetic
shim (shiny side UP), Crafter's Companion intricate die face UP, 65 lb. cardstock face down, Dollar Tree cutting mat, Gemini Jr.
light green mat (for double-sided dies), cereal box chipboard. Note: I didn't use the metal shim. The DT cutting mat
didn't warp. There were slightly waves in the cereal box chipboard.
As I mentioned in a prior posting, I wouldn't recommend the newer DT cutting mat (SKU # 195464100448) for usage in your die cutting machines as it's quite softer/weaker.
SKU #'s can be found on the printed label on the back side of the DT cutting mat.
I realize with continued use of cutting plates & shims, they will eventually warp/bow (consummables). But it's good to have an
inexpensive cutting mat option even if it's not a self healing DT cutting mat. I think it's held out quite well so far.
The Dollar Tree website sells a set of 3 cutting mats/pkg. with a different SKU #. But that could be because it's sold in a SET of 3
pcs. and that's how they can monitor sales? No ideal of their quality.