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I have a martha stewart border punch...really pretty doily-like scalloped edged. I love it, but I can't get it to punch through my card stock. seems to work pretty good on thin paper, but I want to use it on my card stock. Am I missing a trick on getting it to work better?:(
No, it's probably not you, or the punch. The MS punches as a rule are pretty good quality. But I've seen complaints about using some of the more intricate punches with heavier cardstock, like SU or Gina K or PTI. So if you are using heavy cardstock that may be the problem.
When I'm punching borders and embellishments with punches, I try to find a "cheaper" cardstock in a color that coordinates. Mikes and Hobby Lobby carry multi-colors in packs that work well with punches.
__________________ Bugga in OK
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Dalai Lama
Yes, like Bugga said, there can be an increased chance on not being able to punch thicker cardstock with more intricate designs. Also, I have had to throw away some MS punches that simply were not made correctly and would not punch any kind of paper. It is possible to get a bad punch.
I have the same punch and while it did work for a while on cardstock, it stopped working well. It won't punch through anything now, even though I've used both aluminum and waxed paper to try to sharpen and lube the metal.
My sister and I both had the same problem - with that particular punch - and we read somewhere to put it in the freezer for a couple hours. We did that and they've both worked like a charm ever since (it's been about 4 months now and we only had to put them in the freezer that one time) Let it warm up a bit before punching with it though.
I have one called "Botanical Scallop" if that is the one you have. It has an eyelet design in scallops. The sides don't fold up. Mine punches through SU card stock. I just tried it again and had no problem. Maybe you have a bad punch. Have you treid contacting Martha Stewart ?
I have a martha stewart border punch...really pretty doily-like scalloped edged. I love it, but I can't get it to punch through my card stock. seems to work pretty good on thin paper, but I want to use it on my card stock. Am I missing a trick on getting it to work better?:(
I have this same punch and it does not work for me on my SU card stock. I've tried the foil, wax paper, and freezer trick and it still doesn't work.
I have this punch, and the exact same thing happened to me, too!!! But since I got mine at Michaels, I was able to return it without a problem and now the new one that I got hasn't given me a problem. Sorry to hear that so many people are having trouble - this is one of my favorite punches!!!
__________________
~Rebekah~ My mind works like lightning - one brilliant 'FLASH' and it's gone!
I had a problem using MS punches with SU! cardstock when I bought the branch punch a couple of years back. Bazzill or LSS paper works fine. I don't know why the MS punches are made to work only with thinner cardstock. I try not to buy MS punches unless I'm really crazy for the punch.
This might sound strange, but I have 2 MS punches that didn't punch through cardstock when I first bought them. Now that I've used them awhile, they punch very well.
This might sound strange, but I have 2 MS punches that didn't punch through cardstock when I first bought them. Now that I've used them awhile, they punch very well.
Hmm..that's interesting. Maybe I should play around with my punch again.
This is the very reason I will never waste anymore money on MS punches. I have had 5 of them stop working. (they were on sale when I bought several of them)
I find that the intricate design punches are a bit stiff when trying to punch through thicker card stock like Bazzill & SU. I usually don't try to force it through in one punch, but will push the lever down a few times working my way through the paper a little at a time. You might want to try sharpening the punch as well. Sometimes, from the manufacturing process, there are little burrs left on the metal that can be removed by punching through fine grit sand paper a few time to sharpen the punch. And sometimes the punch just needs to be broken in... That's my experience any way. Good luck!
I too have the same punch and it would not punch and was hanging up, not releasing off of the paper. I bought mine at Wal-Mart and they replaced it for me. I love the look of that punch. It's one of my go to's all the time.
I have heard complains that MS punches doesn't last. Someone was saying it can only be used for a certain number of times and will breakdown after that.
I had one that wouln't punch through, but then I discovered I wasn't pushing the lever down all the way. Now it works all the time! You really have to reef on that bugger!
I think I have the identical punch you are speaking of and I have never been able to get it to punch through cardstock. I also had my small MS evergreen punch stop working on cardstock which was very frustrating to me as I love to the sprigs for holiday cards. Last night I tried the recommendation to punch several times with aluminum foil to sharpen the blades and then to punch several times through wax paper to lubricate the blades. To my delight it worked wonders and the punch now works beautifully again. I am going to try to sharpen and wax my scalloped border punch to see if it will help it. I haave always assumed the lever just wasn't strong enough but it could the blades are just not sharp enough.
I don't have the punch that you wrote about, but I did have a snowflake border punch that broke. I tried to use it for 25 Shoe Box swap cards on SU cardstock and got through about half before it gave out. Nothing I tried could make it work again. I finally threw it out. I try to stay away from her punches now. I've had great luck with the EK Success punches.
I don't have the punch that you wrote about, but I did have a snowflake border punch that broke. I tried to use it for 25 Shoe Box swap cards on SU cardstock and got through about half before it gave out. Nothing I tried could make it work again. I finally threw it out. I try to stay away from her punches now. I've had great luck with the EK Success punches.
Deb
EK Success makes the MS punches, but there is definitely a difference in quality. The MS punches just feel flimsy to me, but they are so pretty that I buy them anyway. So far I've been able to work them in after awhile, although you really shouldn't have to do that with a quality product.
I have heard complains that MS punches doesn't last. Someone was saying it can only be used for a certain number of times and will breakdown after that.
My doily punch worked at first. I didn't use it for a while and when I went back to it, it didn't work at all. We tried wax paper and foil and thin paper but to no avail. I had to throw it away. I won't waste money on MS punches again!!!
EK Success makes the MS punches, but there is definitely a difference in quality. The MS punches just feel flimsy to me, but they are so pretty that I buy them anyway. So far I've been able to work them in after awhile, although you really shouldn't have to do that with a quality product.
What I meant to say, but got in a big hurry as usual, was that I have no problem with other EK Success punches. I called them once concerning a MS branch stamp that refused to work from the start and they told me they would exchange this punch for me "one time only". Thank goodness the replacement did work!
I've also heard about the "hit and misses" with MS punches, and I've purchased a couple that weren't up to par. Now what I sometimes do before I purchase one is ask the cashier to let me "test" it before they ring it up, or I'll if I purchase it I'll test it before leaving the premises so I could return it right away if it's defective. But I haven't gotten a defective one in quite awhile, and I've purchased quite a few!
I have a ton of MS punches and love them. I have been lucky and had no problems. I do know from being a tool demonstrator for Fiskars that punches are built only to be used with a certain weight of paper. Fiskars punches are only made to punch up to 65 pound paper and not any heavier. It may be that the paper you are trying to use is to heavy for the punch. Some SU paper is 80 pound.
I have the doily one and another that do not punch well - I emailed the company and they replaced them with brand new ones and guess what - they don't work that well either! LOL Now I have 2 of each that don't work too well - I have several other of the MS punches - not borders that work really well though............I just don't buy them anymore even if I love the pattern!
Problem with MS punch
