Splitcoaststampers.com - the world's #1 papercrafting community
You're currently viewing Splitcoaststampers as a GUEST. We pride ourselves on being great hosts, but guests have limited access to some of our incredible artwork, our lively forums and other super cool features of the site! You can join our incredible papercrafting community at NO COST. So what are you waiting for?
Has anyone seen or tried the new Photo Sleeve Fuse Tool? I got an email from A Cherry on Top about it and pre-ordered right away. I hardly ever order anything before I've read extensively about it. It seems like it would be nifty to use with my Project Life projects. Please reassure me about my order. It isn't available for shipment until February.
__________________ Beth
Happy to be alive!
Last edited by mycatbillybob; 01-08-2015 at 09:47 AM..
I saw the sneak peeks and went out and did a little googling and discovered a video from Walnut Hollow about how to use their Hotmarks tool to do the same thing: HERE. I also found an instructable on doing it with a woodburning tool, which was just slightly different: HERE.
Since I have a Walnut Hollow creative something multi-tool, I am going to give that a try to see if it works. I am also going to try my battery-operated heat setting tool (for heat-set rhinestones) to see how that works - I'm thinking it would be nice to not have to deal with a cord.
If it weren't that I already have these tools that I *think* might work, I'd be all over ordering one of the Fuse tools - and I don't do the Project Life thing. I just have had a number of things that would have worked really well with cut-down page protectors, but I didn't like sewing them, wasn't happy with how they looked with double-sided tape, and my old seal-a-meal only worked if I wanted to melt lines that went the complete length or width of the page protector.
When I need to modify a page protector, I sew it on the machine but next time I will try my Hotmarks tool. I think a wood burner would be too hot and would dissolve the plastic rather than fuse it. I'll let you know.
Mary Beth
I saw a video with this tool, and it does look very interesting. My question is whether or not you can use it only with (their) special page protectors. I hesitate to try my hot-fix crystal tool, because I think it will just melt a hole in the protector or melt it so badly that it will be a "hot mess" (pun intended) ;). I might give it a try on a page protector that I've already cut up.
I saw a video with this tool, and it does look very interesting. My question is whether or not you can use it only with (their) special page protectors. I hesitate to try my hot-fix crystal tool, because I think it will just melt a hole in the protector or melt it so badly that it will be a "hot mess" (pun intended) ;). I might give it a try on a page protector that I've already cut up.
Jeanette - I think I have finally managed to carve myself out a little time for play in the crafting cave tonight. I have both a Hot Marks tool and a hot fix crystal tool (ok, I have two of those - one battery operated) and I am going to try this with all of them and report back. For page protectors, I have some cheap ones from the office supply store, and some of the Paper Studio brand from Hobby Lobby. I'm also going to try a low-temp glue gun with no glue and see how that works. I'm not sure if the tip of the glue gun will get hot enough.
It's not that I have a problem with buying the tool; I just have so much other stuff that might work. For this year, I am really trying to cut down on the recreational shopping - no more heading into the craft store or onto the internet with the attitude of "I'm buying something - anything! - or else!".
Has anyone played or tried this with a different tool? I got out my old "imaginisce i- roc tool" you know the one that you could use for your bling rhinestones... etc Either my batteries are not strong or what ever, it did not seal my page protectors. I am using the cheapie page protectors too from Wal-farts. I wonder, if my soldering gun with the fine tip on the end would work or would melt the page protector. Going to have to pull my soldering gun out and give it a try. Anyone else out there trying anything. I also have one of those $4.00 ceapie ones that were hanging on the end of a asile "heat and seal battery thingies too". going to see if I tossed that while ago or hunt that down to. Would love to hear what others are trying before they dive into this "fuse tool" like I'm thinking about too. Thanks.
arubberstamper
I tried it with my purple cow tool - the one that was made for wax. It takes some practice and a good ruler helps; (i used the perfect ruler) one that won't slip around on the protector.
Thanks to the OP - I now have another way to make pockets
This tool reminds me of a stencil making tool I bought years ago. I bought it to make my own stencils for quilting. It came with 2 pointed tips but no wheel tip. Of course, it has gone MIA since I wanted to see if it could be used to make the pouches for shaker cards.
I was wishing I could do that, too! I have several heat-type tools and really don't want another one. It would be so nice to be able to buy just the tip.
I have the WRMK fuse tool and have used it to make shaker cards - really easy and don't have to use dimensional tape and the card is way thinner so easier to mail.
I really like it and I do not use their plastic sleeves - any ones will work.
Brenda. I don't see why you would even need the special tip. I have the walnut hollow hot tool and it fuses the plastic well. Yes the wheel is cute but I don't see how it would serve a better purpose. Also. What if you placed the hot knife down only every .5 cm or so. Create your own dotted rows? Does that make sense ?
__________________ Creativity is intelligence having fun. - Albert Einstein
When you use the fuse or other tool to seal plastic page protectors, what do you put under the page protector to protect your work surface?
They recommend a tempered glass cutting mat, looks similar to the one for cutting with circle scissors but it is a frosty white color and has measurements and guides on it. Check We R Memory Keepers website.
Mary Beth
Now they are recommending a silicone mat. :rolleyes: More money. Someone on another messsage board suggested an inexpensive silicone mat that you can buy at a dollar store. I'm going to try a small corner of my Sizzix silicone embossing mat. I have the glass mat; and, although it does skip a little on the glass, it works well enough.
Now they are recommending a silicone mat. :rolleyes: More money. Someone on another messsage board suggested an inexpensive silicone mat that you can buy at a dollar store. I'm going to try a small corner of my Sizzix silicone embossing mat. I have the glass mat; and, although it does skip a little on the glass, it works well enough.
I saw a fairly large silicon mat at Hobby Lobby and, while it is heat resistant, it seemed too squishy for use as a cutting surface. It felt like a silicon hot mitt. A heat resistant acrylic cutting board from a kitchen store might be a good bet.
Mary Beth
I have a hot knife, do you think I can just buy a tip for it to turn it into a fuse tool when needed?
I would love for some company to come out with the serrated wheel tip to use in the Walnut Hollow Versatool! Hmmm, maybe if we were to bombard them with the request they might be able to come up with one?!
Unless someone else here knows of where to find one for me to buy.
What am I doing wrong!? I can't get it to fuse. I can't get it to cut. I tried thin plastic. I tried thick plastic. May be I need to find something in between. Am I just using the wrong material or is my technique wrong? I've seen the videos. Tried going slow, tried going fast, kept a steady speed in between as well. But it just won't fuse or cut. The thinnest material looked like may be it had fused but came apart - even left it for a bit but it still came apart later. The thicker material just gets the lines on the top part but nothing else happens. Tried cutting just one of the thicker sheets...I think these are .007 and even that wouldn't cut :(
Also tried the plastic sheets that come with stamp sets - same result. Sigh.
I am heart broken. I was so looking forward to making shaker cards.
Erum - it sounds to me like your tool isn't getting as hot as it should. Are you giving it plenty of time to warm up before you use it? Otherwise, you might have a defective one.
I'm far from any kind of expert, I've just kind of played with mine for a while on page protectors, but the tool should pretty much do the work for you.
I remember hearing them say give it 10 minutes to reach the appropriate heat. I bought one and will try it today.
Also, I am going to use the heat protector sheet that I already have. If you can bake clay on it,bake wax on it, it should work under this tool too. It is flat with no bulk. It is the same mat Ranger sells to use with their melt art pot.
__________________ .
Keeli
Time passes, memories fade, feelings change, people leave, but HEARTS never forget.
Erum - it sounds to me like your tool isn't getting as hot as it should. Are you giving it plenty of time to warm up before you use it? Otherwise, you might have a defective one.
I'm far from any kind of expert, I've just kind of played with mine for a while on page protectors, but the tool should pretty much do the work for you.
Ouch! I have a feeling 'cos I tried the recommended 10 min, then I tried 30 min, then I grew desperate and let it heat for an hour. I even let it sit on the plastic hoping it will at least melt so I know the tool is working. It just leaves marks in the plastic and that's it. What do I do?
I can't return it :(
I got someone to bring it overseas. I am so disappointed.
I would contact the company. No matter that someone picked it up for you from overseas, it still sounds defective. The company should stand behind their product wherever it ends up.
I would contact the company. No matter that someone picked it up for you from overseas, it still sounds defective. The company should stand behind their product wherever it ends up.
Just emailed them. Hope they are ready to stand behind their product as I really wanted to use it. Had my entire shaker card ready to go - now everything is just lying there :(
Ouch! I have a feeling 'cos I tried the recommended 10 min, then I tried 30 min, then I grew desperate and let it heat for an hour. I even let it sit on the plastic hoping it will at least melt so I know the tool is working. It just leaves marks in the plastic and that's it. What do I do?
I can't return it :(
I got someone to bring it overseas. I am so disappointed.
Overseas? Is it possible that the voltages aren't matching up, so the tool warms up somewhat but not all the way to temperature?
Another thought: do you already have a soldering iron or hot knife or something like that that you know works? If you do, the tips from the Fuse should screw into that other tool. The handle that heats isn't anything special - it's the tips that do the work.
Overseas? Is it possible that the voltages aren't matching up, so the tool warms up somewhat but not all the way to temperature?
Another thought: do you already have a soldering iron or hot knife or something like that that you know works? If you do, the tips from the Fuse should screw into that other tool. The handle that heats isn't anything special - it's the tips that do the work.
Nope, not a voltage problem. I used it with the correct one. It would have just blown a fuse if I had put it in the wrong voltage.
Nope, don't have any of those items. But I guess I can look into that if they don't get back to me.
OMG Would you believe it, they already got back to me and are sending me a replacement? I love this company!! And how amazing it is to know that you can feel confident about your purchase from them because they stand behind their product.
It will take some time cos it is international shipping - that wait is going to kill me. But I am so happy to be getting a replacement
Glad to hear they're replacing your tool. Mine stopped heating enough to work...now I use the tip in my Kandi Professional tool (which I like better because it has an on/off switch).