precision base plate

[lori92760]

i was at a stamping show at the beginning of march and bought the new sizzix precision base plate . some thin dies i have will not cut cardstock at all. i have to use almost copy paper weight. this plate actually works! it is awesome. now i will use some dies i have that i just do not even think about because it was such a hassle. so worth it.

[Annecards]

Thanks for posting this Lori, good to know. The awesome benefit that appeals to me is not having to replace the cutting plate, according to Tim Holtz it lasts through thousands of cuts. How's the condition of the plate now that you've been using it for awhile?

[sprtchick]

I am going to order some of these from one of my vendors. I have so stinking many dies that I'm sure it will come in handy.

[lori92760]

anne,

it is supposed to be self healing or else its so hard it does not seem to cut. it is a heavy booger!

[gregzgurl]

I think I need one - thanks for the heads-up!

[shirlb19]

Me too!. Thanks Lori for the recommend!

Shirl

[sprtchick]

Sue I ordered some but not sure if they will be here by the 11th when you come visit or not. If I have them you can get it from me for half of retail....but you are not obligated.

[JoBear2]

I'm a little confused. Is this plate meant to be used instead of one of the cutting plates?

[lori92760]

yes it is in place of the plate you would cut into. it does not go thru the cuddle bug a bit too wide and i mean just a bit. i used my big shot pro. i almost threw this die out, i was so disgusted. i thought this would be a quick easy xmas card. it took me four hours to make four of them and i quit. i messed around with the sandwich, the cardstock, colored copy paper seemed to be the only solution and it looked cheap. wax paper. cussing. lots of cussing. (sorry baby jesus) i brought this home and it was the first die i tried. heavy card stock. i used my wire brush tool and out all the little pieces came. i am keeping the die. i still kind of hate it though for all the frustration it put me thru.

[JoBear2]

Sounds like I *need* this plate. I have a couple of Tattered Lace dies which are very detailed. When I used them in my Big Shot, I have to crank them through a million times - and did all the tricks with wax paper & turning the die around by 1/4 etc. etc. - and even then, there were parts not completely cut & I have to finish them off with a craft knife. My experience made me never want to buy another TL die. I do love these dies - so pretty - but such a pain and I would willingly fork out the money for this plate if it would help.

[stamphappy1650]

Is the plate any difference than using a metal plate? sounds interesting but not sure I need it since the metal plate does the trick. Enable me LOL

[Arizona]

Sizzix does not recommend the thin metal plates because they increase the thickness of your sandwich and may damage your machine. I have one, but I rarely used it because it would not fit using both cutting plates, and 'i had to monkey around with shimming which I found to be a PITA. Sizzix's Base plate is the same thickness as one of their cutting plates, so the sandwich stays the same. I just bought both the precision base plate and the die brush. Can't wait to get them! I got them from stamps of life. They have a video demonstrating the use of both items. Is this enough to enable you?:p

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMLmxI2LDek

[stamphappy1650]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arizona

Sizzix does not recommend the thin metal plates because they increase the thickness of your sandwich and may damage your machine. I have one, but I rarely used it because it would not fit using both cutting plates, and 'i had to monkey around with shimming which I found to be a PITA. Sizzix's Base plate is the same thickness as one of their cutting plates, so the sandwich stays the same. I just bought both the precision base plate and the die brush. Can't wait to get them! I got them from stamps of life. They have a video demonstrating the use of both items. Is this enough to enable you?:p

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMLmxI2LDek

Thanks for the video but nope, I'm not enabled - I've been using my metal plate for over 2 years with no ill effects, no having to add extra shims, no fussing around with anything to cut some extremely intricate dies.

I don't really trust much of what Sizzix has to say because sometimes their advice is not sound. They say that their thin dies are self-sharpening because the plastic plates sharpens the dies at each cut. That is not possible because a softer material (plastic) can't sharpen a harder surface (steel).

Whew - saving a little money but I really do appreciate the info. :p

[lori92760]

not to worry stamphappy, i am sure this hobby will suck up those $$$ somewhere else! i have the thin metal shim thingy. still not much success. and it was always curling up and being stupid. you would think when these companies come up with these fancy dies, they would also come up with a way to get them to work... just saying. wax paper, dryer sheets, shims, metal shims, mylar shims, a plate, b plate, c plate, thru the cuddle bug, thru the big shot pro, drink rum, repeat.

[Annecards]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stamphappy1650

Thanks for the video but nope, I'm not enabled - I've been using my metal plate for over 2 years with no ill effects, no having to add extra shims, no fussing around with anything to cut some extremely intricate dies.

I don't really trust much of what Sizzix has to say because sometimes their advice is not sound. They say that their thin dies are self-sharpening because the plastic plates sharpens the dies at each cut. That is not possible because a softer material (plastic) can't sharpen a harder surface (steel).

Whew - saving a little money but I really do appreciate the info. :p

I'm with you. I've been using the thin metal plate since it was first released. I think companies use scare tactics to stop competitor sales, when they realize the sales they've missed by not coming out with their own solution. This time they chose to suddenly use one here to promote sales of their new plate. It's a bad move when so many have been using the thin metal sheet for so long without any issues.

I'm not saying I wouldn't purchase one, but it's not on my priority list. It would be nice not to have to buy a new plate, takes the place of one cutting plate, due to a warped and heavily cut up bottom plate. But, I don't like scare tactics!

[stamphappy1650]

Lori - I love your process - "wax paper, dryer sheets, shims, metal shims, mylar shims, a plate, b plate, c plate, thru the cuddle bug, thru the big shot pro, drink rum, repeat." Only I need to substitute tequila :p:p

Anne, I agree about the scare tactics. I get that they want to give us warning so we don't break our tools or void warranties, but it is so annoying.

My machine is pretty old, very heavily used so it's really loose so I understand that it is hard to get all dies to work with all materials but companies that design intricate dies need to make the dies much sharper with deeper cutting edges. It's like some stamp companies where the red rubber is not deeply etched - I just won't buy from them anymore.

[ekip2]

I saw a video on it from CHA and have wanted one. Glad to hear it works well. Everytime I remember to look they are always out of stock. I will keep checking

[Annecards]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ekip2

I saw a video on it from CHA and have wanted one. Glad to hear it works well. Everytime I remember to look they are always out of stock. I will keep checking

Keep checking, it works great. I've tested in the Vagabond, Big Shot, and Big Shot Pro, and it works great. I don't have a Cuttlebug, but hear it's too wide for it. Now a clear replacement pack will last twice as long. You'll use only one plate on the top, not cutting into it, no telling how long it'll last. The only drawback is the magmatic plate isn't strong enough to work as it should, but it holds the precision plate in place nicely.

[Bahb]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Annecards

The only drawback is the magmatic plate isn't strong enough to work as it should, but it holds the precision plate in place nicely.

The magnetic plate doesn't work as it should anyway, once the regular cutting plate warps, which is after one or two passes, so we're stlll better off if the "precision plate" is strong enough that it won't warp.

Is there any consensus on whether the cutting edge of the die should be up or down, for best chance of keeping the precision plate safe?

Sizzix is out of stock at the moment, darn it.

[Annecards]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bahb

The magnetic plate doesn't work as it should anyway, once the regular cutting plate warps, which is after one or two passes, so we're stlll better off if the "precision plate" is strong enough that it won't warp.

Is there any consensus on whether the cutting edge of the die should be up or down, for best chance of keeping the precision plate safe?

Sizzix is out of stock at the moment, darn it.

The cutting edge of the die is down. The precision plate can withstand thousands of cuts, according to Sizzix. I have used mine many times since getting it, and I don't see any cut marks or warping. It's a substantially heavy gunmetal plate, in my opinion. It's not suppost to dull dies. Gunmetal is strong smooth resilient metal containing bronze and zinc. Gunmetal is corrosive resistant and smooth, allowing bullets to travel smoothly and swifly down the barrel, that's why I think it is gunmetal. I think it's a plate worth purchasing, and will save lots of frustration not having to deal with chewed up warped plates. I think the top plate will be less prone to warp too.

[xayide2]

I'm hoping to get that plate soon. Stacey, at Scrapbooking Made Simple says it can cut through the mylar shimmer sheets.

[Sibs]

Hi,
I am Sibs from Hamburg and joined only a few days ago for exactly a question like this.

I have a load of Spellbinders and used to put them through the Double Do XL, now I thought I'd go big and got myself the Big Shot Plus, but the cutting is very ... exasperating. Furthermore, I'm lacking both rum and tequila. The embossing I haven't even gotten round to try yet.

So yesterday I saw Stacey's video, too, about the precision plate, and got very excited, found even a German shop that sells it.

But - if it is so hard (steel) that the die won't cut into it, then will it not eventually blunt the dies?

Love from Hamburg
Sibs

[Arizona]

According to Stephanie Barnard the plate will not dull the die blades. Her company works closely with sizzix and they produce all her dies.

[PikkuLilla]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sibs

Hi,
But - if it is so hard (steel) that the die won't cut into it, then will it not eventually blunt the dies?

Hi Sibs, apparently the dies cut with pressure, not sharpness. So they shouldn't get blunted by using the metal base plate.

[Sibs]

Yes, that is kind of reassuring, thank you both!

[Calichk]

I bought the Precision Plate and used it with a very intricate die and some VERY heavy cardstock. Cut through it with no problem. I use to fight with some of my intricate dies but no more. I also have the metal shim which I will now donate to a friend. LOL

[Sibs]

I found one shop so far that sells the precision plate in Germany and it is not in stock yet. So I thought I'd try the Spellbinders Cutting Plate and it works with my thin dies, even Memory Box, which are pretty tricky. But as soon as I can get my hands on a precision plate, I'll have one.

[JoBear2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calichk

I bought the Precision Plate and used it with a very intricate die and some VERY heavy cardstock. Cut through it with no problem. I use to fight with some of my intricate dies but no more. I also have the metal shim which I will now donate to a friend. LOL

I just ordered one a few minutes ago. I have some dies that I love but fighting with them to get them to cut cleanly makes me crazy to the point that I just don't use those dies anymore. Can't WAIT to try the new plate with those particular dies to see how they go!

[Peezie]

My experience with the Precision plate was a ho-hum kinda deal. I purchased it online. And I loved it... No more clear plates to crack, warp and break! I have a Big Shot. My sandwich was as follows: 1) Sizzix Magnetic Plate; 2) Sizzix Clear plate; 3) Die (cutting side face up); 4) cardstock; 5) The Precision Base Plate. Never did my die cut into that metal! Wonderful right??? Wrong! I store my plates rolled in the Big Shot, no pressure, no thing. Went in my craft room one morning and the base plate was curled and the metal was ungluing from the plastic. So I called Sizzix/Ellison. They told me that this is not normal and she wanted me to take pictures of it... which I'd already kinda stuck back together. So I continued to use it as is. Then just this past weekend, I go in my craft room ( I don't usually get in there during the week after work) and its the same way... So I took a couple of pictures and called Sizzix again. The lady contacted me back and they are shipping me out another one.. It should NOT be doing this! Wonder if anyone else is having that issue with theirs.

Thank you Ellison/Sizzix for making good on your product and sending me out another one.

[Arizona]

I'm wondering if it was your sandwich that was the problem. The plate is designed to be placed directly on top of the magnetic platform and it is slightly longer to make it easier to pull back off. The sandwich should be 1) Magnetic plate 2) Precision plate 3) cardstock 4) die face down 5) cutting pad. placing the precision plate on top may have created pressure that caused the curling. It may not have shown right away because of the glue, and the glue bond weakened overnight due to the tension caused by the plate wanting to curl out of its shell. Not sure if this is really what happened. Just making a guess. Hopefully it's not a faulty product. The downside of the sandwich is you lose the magnetic feature of the base plate, but this is not really needed for the intricate dies.

[Annecards]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peezie

My experience with the Precision plate was a ho-hum kinda deal. I purchased it online. And I loved it... No more clear plates to crack, warp and break! I have a Big Shot. My sandwich was as follows: 1) Sizzix Magnetic Plate; 2) Sizzix Clear plate; 3) Die (cutting side face up); 4) cardstock; 5) The Precision Base Plate. Never did my die cut into that metal! Wonderful right??? Wrong! I store my plates rolled in the Big Shot, no pressure, no thing. Went in my craft room one morning and the base plate was curled and the metal was ungluing from the plastic. So I called Sizzix/Ellison. They told me that this is not normal and she wanted me to take pictures of it... which I'd already kinda stuck back together. So I continued to use it as is. Then just this past weekend, I go in my craft room ( I don't usually get in there during the week after work) and its the same way... So I took a couple of pictures and called Sizzix again. The lady contacted me back and they are shipping me out another one.. It should NOT be doing this! Wonder if anyone else is having that issue with theirs.

Thank you Ellison/Sizzix for making good on your product and sending me out another one.

I, like Arizona, am anxious to know if you may have used the incorrect sandwich. I've had mine for a few weeks and haven't had any problems, but wonder if there could be a problem down the line. Was there any damage to your magnetic platform or machine? I've found Sizzix to be pretty fair when dealing with faulty equipment, but wouldn't want to risk damage to my magnetic plate or machine, now out of warrenty, so I'm quiet anxious to know. Thanks for your post!

[Peezie]

Thanks ladies... I will surely change my sandwich with the new one they are sending me. My question is ... will the magnetic plate still work putting the precision plate on top of it? Wouldn't it defeat the purpose of the magnetic plate??? I'll be back to taping my dies to my cardstock??? I'm willing to try anything at this point.. don't want to mess up another precision plate. HELP! Looking forward to your thoughts. No problems with the magnetic plate or the Big Shot. Very confused at this point. I told Sizzix what my sandwich was and they didn't seem to think that it was the problem otherwise, wouldn't she have told me something different???

[Arizona]

It may be they are not aware if the sandwich is that crucial. Especially since it's still a very new product. Then again, it may be that you just got a lemon. The instructions on the plate do state to place it directly on the magnetic base. Stephanie Barnard also demonstrated it as such, so that's what I go by. As far as the magnetic property, you do lose it with the precision plate on top. It's not a problem for me since I only need the magnetic property when placement is important, such as die cutting stamped images. For these I would not use a metal shim anyway. As far as intricate die designs I need a metal shim for, I just place them on the cardstock and don't even bother with taping them down.

[Peezie]

Well.. I'm doing it your way from now on. They are not that cheap to keep replacing and I have to buy them. . Thanks so much for all of yalls help.

[youcanscraptoo]

I am so fascinated by this thread, I have been so disappointed in this plate. It still does not cut any intricate dies for me. I use a magnetic platform,precision plate,die face down with clear plate on top. I can barely get it to go thru the big shot and when I do get it to go thru, the clear plate warps. Maybe I'm doing something wrong. Wish it worked as I was anxious to get it and quit using it.

[Annecards]

Quote:

Originally Posted by youcanscraptoo

I am so fascinated by this thread, I have been so disappointed in this plate. It still does not cut any intricate dies for me. I use a magnetic platform,precision plate,die face down with clear plate on top. I can barely get it to go thru the big shot and when I do get it to go thru, the clear plate warps. Maybe I'm doing something wrong. Wish it worked as I was anxious to get it and quit using it.

I use the same sandwich you're using, but on a Bigshot Pro. One would think they'd both work the same. All of the dies used so far cut beautifully, and the clear plate is nice and flat. I wonder if you got one that's defective, a little off in thickness. I'd give Sizzix a call, maybe they've had others with the same problem.

[Peezie]

I have some intricate Spellbinders dies and Tattered Lace dies that no matter what I try, it will NOT cut through all of the cuts! I just quit using those dies. It's only a couple or three of them anyway. Might be the dies, I don't know. I've tried all the sandwiches with and without a metal shim. Nothing will cut these intricate dies. So, my work-around is to just not fight with the dies and get so frustrated.

[shirlb19]

re the sandwich.....is it alright to use the regular platform instead of the magnetic base, so that I do not have problems pulling the precision base plate off?

thanks
Shirl

[Arizona]

Quote:

Originally Posted by youcanscraptoo

I am so fascinated by this thread, I have been so disappointed in this plate. It still does not cut any intricate dies for me. I use a magnetic platform,precision plate,die face down with clear plate on top. I can barely get it to go thru the big shot and when I do get it to go thru, the clear plate warps. Maybe I'm doing something wrong. Wish it worked as I was anxious to get it and quit using it.

I've heard that the rollers can vary slightly in different machines. Have you tried one of the plain metal shims from other companies? They are thinner than the sizzix one and may work better for you. Also, have you tried placing the dies at a slight angle?

[Arizona]

Quote:

Originally Posted by shirlb19

re the sandwich.....is it alright to use the regular platform instead of the magnetic base, so that I do not have problems pulling the precision base plate off?

thanks
Shirl

The magnetic base is the same thickness as the regular platform with all the tabs in place, so I would say it's alright. The precision platform is longer than the magnetic platform by about an inch and it's easy to slide off, so I wouldn't worry about it. It may be harder for people who have difficulties with their hands though, such as arthritis or carpal tunnel.