aelizben
Shy Member
Posts: 30
Aug 16, 2022 16:01:29 GMT
|
Post by aelizben on Sept 13, 2023 15:50:42 GMT
Hi!
I just bought a Big Shot last month and have been having so much fun cutting my own dies.
I know I'm overthinking this, but I was wondering what your best practices are for metal dies?
Is it better to do more sheets of paper at once? I am still using the plastic cutting pads and cringe a little when it seems to cut too much into it. I did buy the magic pads but haven't used them yet. I just want to make sure my dies last a long time.
Again, I know I'm overthrowing (I can't help it!) Any tips are appreciated!
|
|
basketdiva
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,661 
|
Post by basketdiva on Sept 13, 2023 16:42:15 GMT
I sometimes double up when using thin paper to cut dies or when I'm needing multiples of the die for a project. Fact of life- the cutting pads will get cuts but they still work. An alternative to doubling the paper ( to reduce the cuts) is use a piece of junk mail on the the cutting pad.
|
|
aelizben
Shy Member
Posts: 30
Aug 16, 2022 16:01:29 GMT
|
Post by aelizben on Sept 13, 2023 17:18:26 GMT
I sometimes double up when using thin paper to cut dies or when I'm needing multiples of the die for a project. Fact of life- the cutting pads will get cuts but they still work. An alternative to doubling the paper ( to reduce the cuts) is use a piece of junk mail on the the cutting pad. Makes sense to use a piece of junk mail/scrap paper. I honestly don't care as much about cutting up the plastic plates - I guess I'm just not sure if cutting more of the plastic pad wears down the die faster, or using multiple sheets of paper. Thanks so much for the tip! |
|
GiantsFan
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,509
Site Supporter
Jun 27, 2014 14:44:56 GMT
|
Post by GiantsFan on Sept 13, 2023 17:18:43 GMT
I use the same plate to cut into and the same plate on the top of the die every time. So one plate does not get cut into. Occasionally if you cut a image with the "cut into" plate on the top of the paper the lines from past cuts will show on the paper.
I also flip my plates each time or every few cuts so they don't warp as much.
|
|
FurryP
Drama Llama
To pea or not to pea...
Posts: 7,286
Site Supporter
Jun 26, 2014 19:58:26 GMT
|
Post by FurryP on Sept 13, 2023 19:16:24 GMT
I’m certainly no expert, and I have not made multiple hundreds of cuts with any of my dies, but I don’t think they are going to wear out. That thought never even crossed my mind. They are sharp, yes, but not sharp like a knife. Personally I would not worry about that.
|
|
aelizben
Shy Member
Posts: 30
Aug 16, 2022 16:01:29 GMT
|
Post by aelizben on Sept 13, 2023 19:27:07 GMT
I use the same plate to cut into and the same plate on the top of the die every time. So one plate does not get cut into. Occasionally if you cut a image with the "cut into" plate on the top of the paper the lines from past cuts will show on the paper. I also flip my plates each time or every few cuts so they don't warp as much. Flipping plates makes total sense - I've been kind of winging it, but I think I'll approach it like you and use one for cutting and the other for the top. Thank you! |
|
aelizben
Shy Member
Posts: 30
Aug 16, 2022 16:01:29 GMT
|
Post by aelizben on Sept 13, 2023 19:28:45 GMT
I’m certainly no expert, and I have not made multiple hundreds of cuts with any of my dies, but I don’t think they are going to wear out. That thought never even crossed my mind. They are sharp, yes, but not sharp like a knife. Personally I would not worry about that. Good to know, thanks  I have a 3 year old and have been making Halloween houses for a pre-school party, and I'd love to make houses in the future until she tells me to stop but am dreading if they ever do wear out. But I'll try just enjoying the process and whatever happens, happens. I wish I had your outlook! Thanks for putting it into perspective. |
|
FurryP
Drama Llama
To pea or not to pea...
Posts: 7,286
Site Supporter
Jun 26, 2014 19:58:26 GMT
|
Post by FurryP on Sept 14, 2023 1:15:22 GMT
I’m certainly no expert, and I have not made multiple hundreds of cuts with any of my dies, but I don’t think they are going to wear out. That thought never even crossed my mind. They are sharp, yes, but not sharp like a knife. Personally I would not worry about that. Good to know, thanks  I have a 3 year old and have been making Halloween houses for a pre-school party, and I'd love to make houses in the future until she tells me to stop but am dreading if they ever do wear out. But I'll try just enjoying the process and whatever happens, happens. I wish I had your outlook! Thanks for putting it into perspective. Well if you have a 3 year old (and yourself, too), if you have any of the dies that you have to cut apart yourself, watch out for the cut pointy parts. Those are sharp. You can try to file them down, but I personally get bored of that so I cut as close to edge as I can, and then just am careful no to touch those parts. |
|
|
|
Post by artisticscrapper on Sept 14, 2023 2:52:21 GMT
I use the Magic Mat as my bottom plate. It works really well so all my plates are used as top plates. I make sure to flip and rotate the mat and plates so I’m getting way less warping.
Dies are usually pretty sturdy. I’ve never had one warp or break.
|
|
scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,451
|
Post by scrapnnana on Sept 14, 2023 13:36:37 GMT
I’ve never had a die get damaged or dulled by use. If it did, I would probably use the same technique that sharpens the blades of electronic cutters: cut foil with them. It sounds like it would have the opposite effect but foil can sharpen blades if you’re concerned about that.
I just flip my plates to avoid warping as much as I can, and I buy new plates periodically off Amazon. They aren’t that expensive.
|
|
|
|
Post by scrapperal on Sept 14, 2023 15:06:10 GMT
Probably the best practice is to not buy every cute die you *think* you might use, lol. I have so many dies that I just had to have that are sitting in their packages unused.
|
|
FurryP
Drama Llama
To pea or not to pea...
Posts: 7,286
Site Supporter
Jun 26, 2014 19:58:26 GMT
|
Post by FurryP on Sept 14, 2023 19:44:39 GMT
Probably the best practice is to not buy every cute die you *think* you might use, lol. I have so many dies that I just had to have that are sitting in their packages unused.  |
|
craftgranny
Full Member
Posts: 174
Jul 30, 2020 11:56:27 GMT
|
Post by craftgranny on Sept 16, 2023 13:57:37 GMT
Probably the best practice is to not buy every cute die you *think* you might use, lol. I have so many dies that I just had to have that are sitting in their packages unused. Guilty of the same! So I started listing on Ebay and they sell pretty well! |
|
Shakti
Pearl Clutcher
Troubled, complicated, and constant
Posts: 3,254
Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
|
Post by Shakti on Sept 18, 2023 12:11:39 GMT
So I started listing on Ebay and they sell pretty well! Hmmmm, I used to try listing stuff on eBay, but not things that are as easy to mail as stamps and dies. Do you find the process of creating listings pretty easy? I vaguely remember that you could get apps for creating listings, but I don't remember why, if that makes any sense.... |
|
|
|
Post by scrapperal on Sept 18, 2023 15:03:18 GMT
aelizben I hope I did not discourage you from enjoying your craft supplies. I just wanted to caution that it is easy to overbuy in this hobby (or any hobby, really). I've never heard anyone complain about their dies wearing out, but even they did, think of all the use you got out of it to get to that point.
|
|
aelizben
Shy Member
Posts: 30
Aug 16, 2022 16:01:29 GMT
|
Post by aelizben on Sept 18, 2023 15:26:40 GMT
aelizben I hope I did not discourage you from enjoying your craft supplies. I just wanted to caution that it is easy to overbuy in this hobby (or any hobby, really). I've never heard anyone complain about their dies wearing out, but even they did, think of all the use you got out of it to get to that point. Not at all!!! Everyone here is always so helpful There are so many cute dies, that's for sure. I went a little crazy on the Ellen Hutson retirement sale (justifying that I wouldn't be able to buy them in the future) and am trying to slowly add more versatile dies. I just love how fun it is to play around with them! So true about using them even if they *might* wear out - I'm definitely guilty of hoarding and saving special papers and things because I want them to last, but it's way better to use and enjoy them than have them collect dust so I'm trying to apply that here too. |
|
|
|
Post by lisacharlotte on Sept 19, 2023 15:09:18 GMT
I've had my Big Shot for at least 12 years and I'm still using the same cutting plates. I am a manual die crafter, so it is very well loved. I don't have any issues with my very used and warped plates not cutting.
|
|
I have a 3 year old and have been making Halloween houses for a pre-school party, and I'd love to make houses in the future until she tells me to stop but am dreading if they ever do wear out. But I'll try just enjoying the process and whatever happens, happens. I wish I had your outlook! Thanks for putting it into perspective.
I have a 3 year old and have been making Halloween houses for a pre-school party, and I'd love to make houses in the future until she tells me to stop but am dreading if they ever do wear out. But I'll try just enjoying the process and whatever happens, happens. I wish I had your outlook! Thanks for putting it into perspective.
