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I'm new to die cutting and just bought a sizzix big shot plus.
I used it the first time with the detailed floral thinlit (stampin up), I used the base platform with the green adapter and I noticed after 3 runs that the see through plates are already warping. Is this normal also the cardstock I used (300gsm) seems warped too? Should I return the big shot plus or is this normal.
If you are getting a lot of warping, use one less layer in your stack. I bought multiple plates and prefer using my magnetic plate. It seems like a pain, but go on amazon or eBay and buy some different base plates if you can bc different papers, embossing folders & dies are all different thicknesses and it helps to be able to mix things up, so to speak. Also, do not fear the cheap metal die cutting plates from China sold on eBay. They work great!! For the intricate dies ppl recommend using wax paper between the die and the cardstock for easy release, and I am all about my Spellbinders Tool in One to poke at the release holes, but found a very blunt crewel needle or small nail dotting tool work great for getting the pieces out as well. Most of all Have Fun!!
Thank you for all the advise much appreciated. Megnetic plate I need to get one of those so I don't need to tape stuff together. Hopfully I can get one for the plus machine.
I have the regular Big Shot, but I noticed how expensive the plates were for the Plus! Ouch!! I also make jewelry, and recently discovered that the Movers and Shakers as well as some of the thinlits cut felt, fabric and leather!! The metal dies from China only cut cardstock from what I can tell, but I have had zero issues using them for that. Can you tell I’m excited about that?! Spending $1-$5 for die cutters instead of $20 has opened up a whole new level of craftiness but yeah....the magnetic plate is awesome (!!) to use
I use my Plus machine daily. The plates warp fast. I watch Stephanie Bernard a lot to learn new tricks for the machine. She uses all sizes of plates for cutting and the finger test to see when it is time to turn the base plate.
Do you think the Plus plates are more prone to warping because of their overall size? I love my Big Shot. I considered the Plus, but was shocked at the cost of extras for it!
You can safely use smaller cutting pads on the Plus machine. I use the regular sized cutting pads, in color so they are easy to see, the small one for the Sidekick machine. I think it helps to learn to use the smaller pads then your large plus size ones seem to last longer. I am on my third or fourth set of plus pads and I have had my machine 2 years. I didn't know I could use smaller pads when I got my machine, so I warped those pads right away.
You can safely use smaller cutting pads on the Plus machine. I use the regular sized cutting pads, in color so they are easy to see, the small one for the Sidekick machine. I think it helps to learn to use the smaller pads then your large plus size ones seem to last longer. I am on my third or fourth set of plus pads and I have had my machine 2 years. I didn't know I could use smaller pads when I got my machine, so I warped those pads right away.
Yes, I use the smaller plates all the time except when I actually need the larger surface area. So I'm still on my original Plus plates from two years ago, but have probably gone through two of the smaller ones for my top plate. Trying very hard to keep to Lydia's recommendation of always having the cutting side UP, and my current bottom plate has lasted a long time.
Yes, I use the smaller plates all the time except when I actually need the larger surface area. So I'm still on my original Plus plates from two years ago, but have probably gone through two of the smaller ones for my top plate. Trying very hard to keep to Lydia's recommendation of always having the cutting side UP, and my current bottom plate has lasted a long time.
I did not know this recommendation of keeping the cutting side UP. Does that keep the bottom plate from warping? I have been flipping my plate with the finger test that Stephanie Bernard shows. Basically if you can press your plate with your finger and it moves a bit, it is time to flip the plate.
If you check Lydia's blog (Understand Blue) you'll find it, but she's also posted it here a couple of times. You need to start with a pristine fresh plate for the bottom and never cut into it, and it won't warp. The top one will. She says to use the top one with the "mountain" up...but my last one ended up partly concave and partly convex. I don't know if that's due to my laziness in not always matching the plates up evenly. I'm focussing on that at the moment to see if it makes a difference.
Yes, I use the smaller plates all the time except when I actually need the larger surface area. So I'm still on my original Plus plates from two years ago, but have probably gone through two of the smaller ones for my top plate. Trying very hard to keep to Lydia's recommendation of always having the cutting side UP, and my current bottom plate has lasted a long time.
Sizzix Big Shot Plus problem
