Joined dies - do you separate?

[valmin]

Hi, I have dies ie a group of leaves that are joined by a thin piece of metal. Does anyone separate them so you don't need to print out non-needed items?

[Jeanne S]

I separate.

[togrady]

Absolutely. I only wish some of the steel rule dies could be separated!

[Stamper for fun]

I only separate if I want to use the negative cut. I usually try to keep the small dies unseparated so I won't lose any of them.

[Crafter 4 Life]

I have several sets that I have separated. It is easier than wasting paper cutting images you don't want. Besides, I bought them so they are mine to do and use for my purpose. i.e. just because the set comes with a bird, a bird's nest and cage, it doesn't mean I want them all cut from the same card stock. I use small pieces of washi or painter's tape to hold the die in place. I store the small dies on a magnetic sheet or small business card size magnet in an envelope or baggie with the bigger dies.

Could someone tell me the easiest way to 'file' down the little nubs? I have an alphabet set where the individual letters are tiny and hard to hold. I don't want to bend any of them either.

TIA

[uncbballfan]

I definitely separate mine, using Wiss shears specially made for cutting metal. Usually I can get rid of the little nubs with these shears; if not, I use a metal file to get rid of them and smooth the edges. If you or your husband has a Dremel, this would work well also. The shears I use are here: Amazon.com: Wiss M3R MetalMaster 1-3/8-Inch Cut Capacity 9 3/4-Inch Straight, Left, and Right Cut Compound Action Snip: Home Improvement

They work like a dream; I found mine at Lowes Hardware. Make sure you get the ones with the M3R designation.

[brunosmom]

I separate too. I also use a sharpie to write on the back of the dies: manufacturer, name of set and if it is something like a multi piece flower set, I'll put 1 of 6; 2 of 6; etc...

[Hallupino]

I am far too likely to lose the pieces if I separate them, so I try to keep most of mine together. To save paper, though, I often trim a small scrap of paper, just enough to fit over the parts of the die that I need.

[Crafter 4 Life]

I also label my dies like Amy does. This to to help me keep all the dies of a set together. The tiny pieces I keep together in an envelope or small jewelry baggie with the bigger dies in the set.

My crafting friends tease me because I label everything-punches, embossing folders, dies, etc. I know that several times here I have read where others would like to know the 'recipe' for a card they like but the maker doesn't list all the 'ingredients'. Unless you label many of the items, you will not know the name. The packaging lists the name but the item itself does not have the name labelled anywhere. Cricut Cuttlebug embossing folders are now being labelled but the folders have been out 4 or so years and the older ones are nameless.

Sorry to stray off the subject of this thread.

[winnieu]

I keep them intact. I know I am sure to lose one or two (misplace really) and it would annoy me to have to search. Often I am making a few cards at a time and can use the other cut outs for a "variation" on the original card too. The dies I have that are joined are clouds and pumpins and alphas, so they can be used in mulitples too.

[valmin]

thanks so much to you all for your thoughts. some very good ideas here.

[debzi333]

subbing. I've never known quite what to do about joined dies. I think my husband has a dremel motor tool, so I'll check with him. Either that or he has just been dreaming about owning one!