Splitcoaststampers.com - the world's #1 papercrafting community
You're currently viewing Splitcoaststampers as a GUEST. We pride ourselves on being great hosts, but guests have limited access to some of our incredible artwork, our lively forums and other super cool features of the site! You can join our incredible papercrafting community at NO COST. So what are you waiting for?
I've been using my friend's while waiting for the 2.0 version to be available. It's a wonderful little machine, and I can hardly wait for one to live at my house full time.
would you buy it again, has it been worth the cost. I am thinking about getting one, what are the pros and cons? TIA Jude
Yes and yes. Of all the gadgets, gizmos, and general stuff I have bought, even my DH says the BIA was one of the best purchases I have made. I use it often, it is easy, I have made no less than 12 book in the 9 months I have owned it. In addition, I made 50 mini baby photo books for the baby shower of a co-workers wife.
I use my Big Shot all the time, always have. BIA is the 2nd most used item in my collection.
I had the bind it all and sold it on ebay with all the tons of expensive coils...
I bought the rubi coil instead..it is a bit more expensive in the beginning, but the plastic coils ( I get clear) are anywhere from $6-$25 per 100 coils..12" long..I have bound my cattys, made school projects, books, address books, etc...and I LOVE it....soooo much easier than the bia but it does have limitations...it does not punch through thick chip board..I either use cereal boxes covered, or use my crop o dile to make the holes...but as a tool...I like the rubi better..the best price is at laminator warehouse and they have free shipping on it.It is heavy
I bought the rubi coil instead...it does not punch through thick chip board..I either use cereal boxes covered, or use my crop o dile to make the holes...but as a tool...I like the rubi better.
I have the Rubi as well, but find the BIA nice for small books, and soooo much easier when using chipboard because it gets tedious to punch the holes with the Crop-a-Dile when you have to clean out the punch in-between holes. I'm going to enjoy having both at my fingertips.
I love my BIA--worth every penny. I've had it for a year and a half now, and I still use it all the time!
I buy my wires in bulk from http://www.bonniesbest.com
They work great, and the cost is much better. :-)
Here is a link to one of my most recent projects with the BIA: Froot Loops Notebook
I've mentioned this before on BIA threads, but when I was a little girl, my Dad worked in the printing industry. I loved to spend time with him smelling the ink and watching all the fabulously interesting machines work. <grin> So when the Bind It All came out, I could practically *hear* his voice saying "Get it! Get it! Get it!" So I did. LOL Still makes me smile every time I use it. Feels like he's looking over my shoulder, enjoying it with me.
I love my BIA--worth every penny. I've had it for a year and a half now, and I still use it all the time!
I buy my wires in bulk from http://www.bonniesbest.com
They work great, and the cost is much better. :-)
Here is a link to one of my most recent projects with the BIA: Froot Loops Notebook
I've mentioned this before on BIA threads, but when I was a little girl, my Dad worked in the printing industry. I loved to spend time with him smelling the ink and watching all the fabulously interesting machines work. <grin> So when the Bind It All came out, I could practically *hear* his voice saying "Get it! Get it! Get it!" So I did. LOL Still makes me smile every time I use it. Feels like he's looking over my shoulder, enjoying it with me.
I love your story. Brings back great memories of my dad.
I'm another that loves the BIA and would buy it again in a heartbeat. I've made too many notebooks to count, a fair few mini-albums and this year for Christmas will be making lots of calendars for presents. I have also used it on my sons schoolwork too. It certianly hasn't been a waste of money for me.
Cons .. ummm .. can't really think of any, perhaps that it doesn't do too many holes at once and you have to move it along but that is very easy to do.
I'm another that loves the BIA and would buy it again in a heartbeat. I've made too many notebooks to count, a fair few mini-albums and this year for Christmas will be making lots of calendars for presents. I have also used it on my sons schoolwork too. It certianly hasn't been a waste of money for me.
Cons .. ummm .. can't really think of any, perhaps that it doesn't do too many holes at once and you have to move it along but that is very easy to do.
So where is the best deal on the BIA? Can you get it at Michael's, Hobby Lobby, or JoAnn's with a coupon?
DH has promised me one for Christmas. But I may not wait that long since he wants me to make calendars for his employees for Christmas. Last year I used binder rings but BIA would look much better.
I have been researching this machine over this past weekend. If you can, please help me answer this question....
I want to make journals using old hardcover books. For example, I would get an old book with an interesting cover. Rip out the pages and cut it so that I would have the front cover in one hand and the back cover in another. Then I want to cut cardstock, etc. to make up the pages of the journal.
So, will the Zutter bind-it-all go through the cover of the book????
I am dying to know if it would......I have been wanting to make this project for a couple of years and can't find anything that would bind it.
ALSO, when does the 2.0 version come out?????
Oh, if I could have the answer to these 2 questions it would make my day!!!
I got an email on the new pink one. It says expected delivery date late September. I believe the new one cuts heavier materials. There is a bunch of information here: http://www.zutterzisters.com/
I just got mine last week but haven't had a chance to use it yet. It is killing me.
Found it at Hobby Lobby and they let me use my 40% off coupon! Woo hoo!
Dear daughters also bought the tool kit and the carrying case (because it was so darn cute) with their coupons. Now we can make books together all day long! We really got a good price on all of it with that discount.
I can see I am definitely in the minority here. I just cannot punch anything bigger than the width of the machine. I have odd measurements left on each end with ....say an 11" edge. Also, even though I think I am following the directions to the letter, when it reaches the point where you will be punching through an already punched hole.....mine apparently isn't lining up correctly cause it makes the existing hole bigger. I have read nothing but good things about this little machine. Hopefully, eventually, something will click and I will be able to do it right.
Can anyone tell me how to figure what size coil to use for any given project? Thanks.
Bought mine at half off through TAC and I've never even had it out of the box. But...I've been fixing up a house so I haven't had lots of free time either. Winters start in Aug in MN and last until about June...so I should have time to try it out eventually.
__________________ Have an awesome day!
Loretta Rathert~
I can see I am definitely in the minority here. I just cannot punch anything bigger than the width of the machine. I have odd measurements left on each end with ....say an 11" edge. Also, even though I think I am following the directions to the letter, when it reaches the point where you will be punching through an already punched hole.....mine apparently isn't lining up correctly cause it makes the existing hole bigger. I have read nothing but good things about this little machine. Hopefully, eventually, something will click and I will be able to do it right.
Can anyone tell me how to figure what size coil to use for any given project? Thanks.
I have never used the zutter products to make books out of and probably all my things are odd sizes. To help with that I don't punch the whole side of the book - a smaller mini-album I will just do the one punch (six holes) in the middle and for larger books I will do a punch top and bottom. Sooo much easier than trying to get an even break top and bottom and it saves on the o-wires too.
On the zutter site it says to use a wire 1/8 to 1/4 wider than the width of your project when it's fully embellished.
Thanks for all the help!!! I loved hearing that the BIA went through a children's board book!!! I think I have my answer that it will go through an old book cover! Now I think I just have to wait for the 2.0 version. I guess it is a bit more expensive.
However, if anyone who is not using their BIA would want to sell it for a reasonable price; please feel free to contact me. My husband has me on a tight budget....Boooooo!!!!
I am so excited about this and can't wait to start making my journals. I envision the old book covers and then inside I can fill it with blank pages, and pages of DP, and then stamp a little something on some of the pages and add ribbons, and Wahhoooo....i can't wait!!!!
To figure out your wire measurement: measure the stack you want to bind. Add about 1/8" and you have your minimum wire measurement. For example, if your stack is 1/2", you need at least a 5/8" wire. You can always go *bigger*, just not smaller. :-) So if your stack is 3/4", you can use 7/8 or 1 inch or whatever bigger that you have.
I've never even had it out of the box. But... I should have time to try it out eventually.
Me, too... DH is heading to a sandy spot soon, so I should have more time to get to know my BIA... Despite the fact that it's never seen a coil (yet) I do think it's worth the investment... Happy shopping!
I also have a memory that was prompted by buying the BIA. When I was about 16 or 17 (so a looooong time ago!) I temped for a research council during the Christmas holidays when I was at college. I worked in the post room and my job was to bind a whole load of what was probably training manuals or some such. I used a manual machine which was a lot like a larger sized BIA! I had a lot of fun as the staff were nice but the job was soooo boring. I am glad I am only using the BIA for fun things now! I am going to make calendars for Christmas, but also a set of birthday calendars as they are always so useful.
Anyone tried the Carla Craft Binding System yet? I would like to purchase a binding system, and this one is reasonably priced, so I was wondering how well liked it is.
I bought a BIA last week and then took advantage of the 30% sale at Hobby Lobby so I could get the accessories. I have a question for you guys: Where do you get the chipboard pieces for the covers of the books? I am trying to find it cheap.
Can't help you with the actual zutter brand stuff but for my notebooks I always pop into a framing place and ask for any off cuts they have of the mount board they use for framing - they always seem quite happy to give it away although some have asked for a minimal amount. It's perfect for book covers and if you have a sizzix (or similar) it's perfect for die cutting too.
does anyone know of a site where you can get projects to make with your BIA?! I'd like to make a card holder to go with a perpetual calendar for my Dad this Christmas! I saw one using 12x12 paper but....well, I need details! LOL! TIA!
I've had it for a year but never use it. It's not like I don't like it, but it was a gift and it's just not the type of tool I would normally use. One of these days when I organize my craft area, I will give it a go and will probably love it!
for bind it all owners
