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At the hardware store, I can't find wire snippers with a fine enough tip to cut wafer thin dies that are close together. What do you use?
Thank you,
Karen
I also bend mine to take them apart and then use a dremel to file down the sharp edges. Nothing hurts more than a sharp stab to the underneath of your nail.
__________________ Linda E
Caution: You are entering an artistic zone. This is not clutter - this is creating. These are not pajamas - it's my work uniform.
Thank you for the help and the link. I do bend my dies back and forth until they break, but there have been a couple of dies where I can do this because of the way they are attached. I begged at the hardware store for someone just to snip it the first time, but I can't keep going in there asking for favors. I just hate to spend the money on snippers - would rather buy another die. :0) I guess I will though. :0)
Thanks again,
Karen
I am frustrated right now b/c I am having a senior moment-but some of the die makers sell their own snippers and files. Check with them. Sorry I just cant remember who at the moment. (sigh)Maybe someone else will remember.
No, the scissors are too thick to get between some of the dies. I had heard that some of the die companies were selling snips, but I don't know which ones either...
Thanks again,
Karen
So... these are what you bought in one of the craft stores? Then you could use a coupon. I have to go shopping.
K
Yes, those look exactly like the ones I have for my jewelry making. They also make Memory Wire cutters, as I mentioned above, which are even sturdier. Those are the ones I use to cut the dies, but I think the regular snippers would work fine. That price is about right, but you could use a coupon in the larger craft stores. In fact, sometimes jewelry supplies are on sale for 40-50% off.
I have not tried to use it to snip dies because I have not had dies yet that needed that...except once and I think I used my Holtz scissors for it? The chain I was cutting them with was pretty thick-like box chain so I would think this should not present a problem.
It does seem like wire cutters should do it too if you can get needle nose or the right size to get into small space. You could take a die over to the hardware store and show them. I would also get the file though. It would be annoying to me to keep having a sharp point on a die.
I just ordered several of the Elizabeth Craft Designs scissors and file sets for my webstore...oh and one of each for me. Those little pieces of metal left behind when you break the dies apart are so sharp.
Blessings.
I went to Ac moore last night and got some snips in the jewelry dept. They were 8 dollars and I had a 50% coupon. I would say, the brand I got, are not the most substantial, but they work fine for the few times I need them, when the dies are too close together to bend and twist. Thank you for all of the help.
Karen
I will have to be on the look out for the fine jewelery snips. I have been using my baby wire cutters, which work ok, but if I can get closer, then I am doing it.
I just ordered these last night after having a chance to try out the ones a friend of mine had: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006H2GPLS/...190_TE_3p_dp_1.
They did a good job with the snipping, bit I was still left with a sharp nub that required filing with her heavy-duty filer, which I have no idea of where to purchase. Now that more companies are selling these die sets that are connected, I agree with the sentiment that it would be nice to have a sturdy, well-made set of snips and files that we could buy from the companies we're buying the dies from.
Any flush cutters will work. Just don't get any that are too fine. And make sure to use them with the flat side of the cutters flush with the die. This helps with the 'nub' left over. It should leave a pretty smooth edge.
__________________ RebeccaEdnie Mixed Media Artist, Paper Crafter, Jewelry Designer SCSDirtyDozenAlumni Www.Boxofchocolatescrafts.Com YouNeverKnowWhatI’mGoingtoMake
I just ordered these last night after having a chance to try out the ones a friend of mine had: 301 Moved Permanently.
They did a good job with the snipping, bit I was still left with a sharp nub that required filing with her heavy-duty filer, which I have no idea of where to purchase. Now that more companies are selling these die sets that are connected, I agree with the sentiment that it would be nice to have a sturdy, well-made set of snips and files that we could buy from the companies we're buying the dies from.
Lola, thanks for the link for the snips, just checked it out. Likely you have long found a file set to work for getting rid of the sharp nub, but in case you have not, I have two suggestions.
One is a precision file set by Basic Grey, it's approximately $6.99 at a number of online craft stores. Frantic Stamper has it, I've shopped there before and have had great service. It is a 6-pc set with 4 different metal files plus 2 sanding boards, you can use some for filing chipboard but the metal files are for sanding down dies, I believe. This set is recommended on Ellen Hutson's store for her own brand of dies, but it's not in stock. But a smaller set by Kaiser Craft is there with I think 3 metal files and a sanding board for
I hope you find this info helpful. I have had trouble getting the snips I bought at a hardware store to work terribly well. I will try the snips in the jewelry section of Hobby Lobby the next time I go there.
Elizabeth Crafts made a set of two metal files which look very sturdy and I think worked well, but unless you find them in a store somewhere, you will have to try another brand, as these are no longer made. One review suggested they didn't work well for smaller dies, other reviews gave these an excellent rating.
I've had excellent service at Ellen Hutson, would recommend shopping there...
Joanne, that was so kind of you to leave all that information – here's hoping others will benefit from the links you've provided. What I ended up doing was getting a cordless Dremel tool. I really enjoy using it, and the results are terrific. When I'm done smoothing that point, I usually can't find a trace of where it once was! Here's to smooth dies and crafting adventures!
Bad timing! lol A couple of hours before Joanne posted, I ordered a pair of Zutter wire snips. A few people mentioned them on line, plus they come in a little pouch, nice for sharp or fragile items kept in a drawer. I refuse to admit that their being pink influenced my choice.
At $6.32 (Prime free shipping) they can't be high quality like real jewelry wire snips, but may do the job.
I gave those Zutter snips, and they work just fine for cutting dies apart. They cut through thin metal with no problems. The pink is cute, too, as is the pouch.
My only problem with them - and it might be just my pair - is that the pink rubber hand grips tend to slip off with use. So I have to keep sliding them back on over time. But it's a minor complaint and not so frustrating that I needed to purchase another pair of snips.
Oh good, thanks so much Elle. And if the grips slip on mine, a little adhesive on the handle might take care of it if it's annoying, though with a few minutes of snipping a month (?), can't imagine it mattering to me either.
thistothat.com suggests Household Goop for sticking rubber to metal, but maybe the handles aren't rubber.
It's come up so few times that I hadn't even looked at how to fix it, honestly. But I thought it was worth mentioning just in case.
I did go on a snipping crusade, though, and cut down all those sharp little nubs from where I'd bent the dies apart in the past. You can get into really tight spaces and cut down the sharp pokey parts very well.
Joanne, that was so kind of you to leave all that information � here's hoping others will benefit from the links you've provided. What I ended up doing was getting a cordless Dremel tool. I really enjoy using it, and the results are terrific. When I'm done smoothing that point, I usually can't find a trace of where it once was! Here's to smooth dies and crafting adventures!
Thanks for your reply, Lola, so kind!!! Now that tool sounds FANTASTIC!!! I may just have to think on that one, what a GREAT idea!!!
In the meantimeI am still looking for the right manual snips (still considering your option though, SO smart!!! ), ordered the Basic Grey precision files set to file down the sharp ends, plus you can sometimes see the marking of those ends on your die-cuts which isn't so nice. Am going to take a look in Hobby Lobby when I go across the border in the next few weeks (I live in Ontario, Canada about 45 minutes from the border, and about an hour from the nearest Hobby Lobby, but of course I then go another 30 minutes to an amazing stamping store, Buffalo stamps 'N Stuff, and am near to Joann Fabric and Michael's too although we have Michael's in Canada too, and I've just re-discovered Tuesday Morning, wishing I was around for the amazing dies influx they had about a week or so ago!) in the jewelry-making section and see what I can find in fine wire-cutters. My snips are a bit thick to get in between dies that are nested close together, so I need another solution. I'm hoping the metal files will do the trick with the sharp edges.
I'm guessing it's just cheaper to have all the dies connected, my first experience with these has been some by Simon Says Stamp. But because I love their products, I'll find a way. I think PTI's dies are sometimes like this too, I have a few of their Make It Market kits which are FABULOUS, just saying!!! Goodness me, I love so many brands of dies and stamps, it's a bit scary when I think of it. I could use a whole other condo for my stamping supplies, well not quite, but a double-sized room wouldn't go amiss!!!
Enjoy your weekend, ladies, and thanks for this info, Lola, and the other comments were so helpful too. Aren't SCS members just THE GREATEST!!!
My jewelry wire cutters were not strong enough, or maybe it was just too small to get a good grip. So I ordered Stanley FatMax Aviation snips from Amazon. I needed metal snips for other things, and they are pointed enough to get in small spaces. Recommended.
I did that too, but on one die a couple of bits made marks on the die cut. Then I ordered a set of nesting dies - banners - and figured they'd bend before the wires broke.
Elle, my pink snips in a pink pouch arrived. I have a feeling the grips on yours might not be attached the way they should be. I tried to move mine (dumb) and they won't budge.
There's a little peach colored smooth edge that is higher up on the handle than the pink part that goes around the curve and up some - almost like turning a corner. I don't think these are super high quality - you'd have to pay a lot more - but they should be fine and are comfortable to use in my slightly injured hand due to the spring-back function.
I used to bend mine back and forth but when MFT switched their dies to the outline type they were fastened together more than previously and some were hard to get apart. They're also a little flimsier and I was afraid I'd bend or break them. I finally bought the wire snips from MFT which definitely help get rid of the pokey parts BUT the little pokey parts go flying across the room when I snip them. I hear them hitting closet door, the shelf, etc. I'm seriously considering wearing safety glasses just in case.
...the little pokey parts go flying across the room when I snip them. I hear them hitting closet door, the shelf, etc. I'm seriously considering wearing safety glasses just in case.
well... I ordered a few pairs from links people gave me when I asked that question... but, 9 times out of 10 I use some "button shank removers" that they sell at Joanns fabrics in the notions isle.
eta: and I have started cutting mine apart with a flat magnet sheet on the table and I try to angle it so the snipped off pieces hit the magnet so I can brush them into the trash easier... ( my dog has free run up here)
well... I ordered a few pairs from links people gave me when I asked that question... but, 9 times out of 10 I use some "button shank removers" that they sell at Joanns fabrics in the notions isle.
eta: and I have started cutting mine apart with a flat magnet sheet on the table and I try to angle it so the snipped off pieces hit the magnet so I can brush them into the trash easier... ( my dog has free run up here)
The button shank remover sounds like a great idea! I haven't needed to cut dies apart in years ... but I will definitely remember your tool if I have now jinxed self & find I'm facing this issue again. ;)
I learned in jewelry making, when cutting wire (dies) cover the area with your other hand. That will mean no flying bits.
Agreed. Or inside a spray/picture box if you have one set up might be good. And turn your head/close eyes if you are worried about eyes. I am a little hickey about eyes myself.
I LOVE using the Dremel tool to file down the nibs. I've gotten bloody over those protruding nibs even after using a snipper. Many times, I just can't get the clippers to cut close and get pricked by the nibs. I tried files, but it was tiring and took too long.
What snippers do you use to cut your dies?
