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I’ve been thinking about getting a mini die cutting machine and would love some recommendations. The Side Kick has a lot of great reviews, but I wish it were a 3-inch opening instead of 2.5. I’ve also looked at Altenew’s Blossom machine, but it’s a bit pricier. Would love to hear your thoughts and experience.
__________________ Leah
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I have the Stampin' Up mini cutter and use it quite a bit. the platform is wider (3 1/2") than the one on the sidekick and fits a lot of small dies that the sidekick doesn't.
__________________ Shellie G
Aspire to be a better person than you were yesterday
I recently bought a side kick and love it. Wish I would of bought it a long time ago. It's surprises me how often I use it. I do have a big shot for bigger dies and wouldn't live without it either, but the little sidekick is so quick to run a small die through and it's barely takes up any room on my desk.
Love it!!! Good luck with your search.
I am on my second Sidekick since it was first released because just over a month ago, one of my cats decided to knock the first off the high shelf since it was apparently in her walking path.. I use it a lot -- for example, in the last two days, I have run dies through it over 300 times. Yeah, it's a lot. My reasons for liking it are: 1) it takes up very little real estate, 2) my work surface is glass and the suction of this little unit is phenomenal, 3) the standard cutting pads are 6" in length which is plenty long to handle the average small die, they're thick, never warp, and last a very long time, 4) there is now a longer 7" cutting pad which I didn't know I needed, but I do as it is the one I've been using these past couple of days, 5) it has only one job to do and does it very well, and 6) it has weight so it doesn't feel like flimsy cheap plastic, even though it is plastic. If they came out with one that was a bit wider, I would snap it up in a NY second, but until then I'm pretty happy with my Sidekick.
__________________ AScrapofKindness
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It dawned on me when I was doing some design work for this years Xmas cards that I was using a lot of small dies and since I have a now discontinued Cuttlebug iy would be a good time to look into a mini machine. Up pops this thread and I have been following it and looking at the recommendations. Yesterday the Sidekick starter kit was on sale at Amazon and it will be here today. I think it's going to be a wonderful addition to my tools and look forward to using it.
Thanks for all the advice, everyone! I ultimately went with the Honey Bee Bitty Buzz Cutter. It was about $10 less than Altenew’s, has a 3-inch opening, shipped for free, and the reviews looked great. Now I just need to put it to work!
__________________ Leah
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Thanks for all the advice, everyone! I ultimately went with the Honey Bee Bitty Buzz Cutter. It was about $10 less than Altenew’s, has a 3-inch opening, shipped for free, and the reviews looked great. Now I just need to put it to work!
so.. what are your feelings on this die cutter? I want to get a mini....thanks!
There's also the new Platinum Scout from Spellbinders. It has a 3.5 inch platform. Right now it is on pre-order, with delivery in late June. Since I have the Platinum 6, I would probably go with the Scout because of keeping my brain straight on sandwiches! The smaller machine and the speedier time for cutting are very tempting, since I have just invested in a bunch of cut floral dies.
Now I must wonder if Scrapbook.com will make the Magic Mat in narrower sizes for the smaller machines? Hmm...
I'd like to see some comments about the mini maker: Click on "Machines and Supplies" at this link: https://themakersmovement.com
Cheery Lynn/Makers Movement is clearing out their inventory and still has over 600 of these. At $9.95 for the machine, I'm willing to pay the shipping, but who has one and how is it working for you?
I'd like to see some comments about the mini maker: Click on "Machines and Supplies" at this link: https://themakersmovement.com
Cheery Lynn/Makers Movement is clearing out their inventory and still has over 600 of these. At $9.95 for the machine, I'm willing to pay the shipping, but who has one and how is it working for you?
I have a similiar mini die cut machine from Ali Express called CRAFT BUDDY, costs around $45. and it cuts great. I jumped on line at Makers Movement to order 2 for an upcoming class I will be holding, but when I started to enter the info they request a business name (I just entered my late husbands former business) but when you finish you must check the "I've read the terms" but when I went to read them to see if there was an issue, it brings up a page said "origin is unreadable" gives error code 534 and says the HOST is in error. I closed back out.
BUT, I love my little mini die cut machine, it cuts great and I've never had a problem with plates warping.
I jumped on line at Makers Movement to order 2 for an upcoming class I will be holding, but when I started to enter the info they request a business name (I just entered my late husbands former business) but when you finish you must check the "I've read the terms" but when I went to read them to see if there was an issue, it brings up a page said "origin is unreadable" gives error code 534 and says the HOST is in error.
.
It is possible to order without entering a business name. Just type N/A in that field box. The “terms” have likely been removed because the company is going out of business, and when merchandise is gone, it’s gone, so replacements and customer care will no longer be available. I have placed orders this month and have been pleased with the products, the service, and the quick turnaround in mailing/shipping. They have shipped within a couple days of placing order. Faster service than many companies I have ordered from.
Just today, I caved and ordered this mini die cutter. It’s hard to resist a deal like this! And I used reward points from a previous order, which covered the shipping.
I have the Stampin Up mini and use it more than anything else, I also have the mini Gemini, the old Big Shot, the electric Gemini Junior, and the non-electric Spellbinders for large dies (only used that one about twice in several years)!
There's also the new Platinum Scout from Spellbinders. It has a 3.5 inch platform. Right now it is on pre-order, with delivery in late June. Since I have the Platinum 6, I would probably go with the Scout because of keeping my brain straight on sandwiches! The smaller machine and the speedier time for cutting are very tempting, since I have just invested in a bunch of cut floral dies.
Now I must wonder if Scrapbook.com will make the Magic Mat in narrower sizes for the smaller machines? Hmm...
Yes, Diane, the new Scout from Spellbinders is calling to me as well. I did note that Scrapbook.com does have plans for a mat for the smaller machine -- https://www.scrapbook.com/store/sbc-mmat-8.html
Mini die cutter rec?
