New tip for getting detailed dies to cut

[susanbri]

I thought I'd share a great tip I learned at a recent card-making class. For those detailed dies that are so hard to cut and to get out of the die, the instructor recommended using a newer type of kitchen aluminum foil - it is slightly waxed on one side.

The brand I found up here in Canada is Alcan Slide Non-Stick Aluminum Foil. Place it between the die and your cardstock with the non-stick dull side of the foil against the cutting side of the die.

I was amazed at how much better it worked than regular waxed paper or freezer paper. I still use the thin metal shim.

Has anyone else tried it?

[cat_woman]

I love that non-stick tin foil (its actually teflon coated), but I only use it for cooking and NOTHING sticks to it. I don't have any intricate dies, but that's a really good idea to use that with the dies.

[wanda50]

Thanks so much for sharing. I have some of the Detailed dies...I will try that out this weekend.

[Lynn in St. Louis]

Wax paper also works wonderfully - used the same way as the original poster mentioned, and I would imagine, is less expensive than your lined foil. Just sayin'....LOL

[sheabella]

Thanks for the FYI. I didn't know about that tin foil. Shows you how much I cook! :shock:

[jodylb]

I've used the wax paper for a long time; haven't tried the non-stick foil. But if you use lots of intricate dies, the thin metal shim is one of the best investments ever!! I was amazed at what a huge difference it made. I can't believe I waited as long as I did to get one!

[Jeannie Huff]

I haven't heard of the thin metal shim. What do I use?

[CSC]

Can someone give us more info on the "thin metal shim" please. Who makes it and where to find one. Thank!

[HevnLee2]

I use a method mentioned by Tim Holtz, where you place packing tape over the cutting side of the die & run it through the die cutter prior to cutting paper. It has worked very well for me, especially when I was making faux Dresden.

LoveLee Notes: Queen of Hearts Tag

Has anyone else tried this method?

[susanbri]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeannie Huff

I haven't heard of the thin metal shim. What do I use?

Cuttlebug makes the thin metal shim. Lots of stores and on-line retailers sell it. Just type "cuttlebug metal shim" into your search box for on-line retailers.

Here's a video showing how to use it:

Cuttlebug?/Big Shot? Metal Adaptor Plate - S114 - Cheery Lynn Designs

[jeanne3579]

Watched the video and was excited until I saw that the die had to be run through the Cuttlebug a second time with 2 card stock shims to get the complete cut. Why not just do that first and save the cost of the shim?

[susanbri]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeanne3579

Watched the video and was excited until I saw that the die had to be run through the Cuttlebug a second time with 2 card stock shims to get the complete cut. Why not just do that first and save the cost of the shim?

I don't use the cardstock shims. I use the non-stick aluminum foil and the metal shim, and run it back and forth a couple of times, and that seems to work for me. Occasionally I also rotate the die and run through again.

[Rose Reynolds]

My husband made me a metal shim from some sheet metal he had gotten at the hardware store. He covered the edges in tape so it wouldn't cut me and it works great!

[jeanne3579]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rose Reynolds

My husband made me a metal shim from some sheet metal he had gotten at the hardware store. He covered the edges in tape so it wouldn't cut me and it works great!

This is what I wanted to hear! Can you get specifics from your DH as to the thickness/weight of the sheet metal?

[Rose Reynolds]

jeanne3579, it was sheet metal that I used to make plant stakes using the big shot. I got it at Home Depot and it is the aluminum not the steel and it comes in a roll. I'm sorry I no longer have the label. Here is a picture although not mine, but one I used as an example.

[rswanger]

I found something else that works as good as or better then waxed paper with detailed dies. Out of necessity when I didn't have any waxed paper handy I used the cellophane that dies, embellishments, etc come packed inside. This works really great. Gets rid of the packing and is free!

[GlendaC]

I rub my dies over with an unused dryer sheet. You don't need to do it every time and I find it works really well. I found wax paper fiddly and another thing to pull out of all the bits.

[bonniski]

The other day I was using Backyard Basics flower die. Part never cut quite all the way thru. I tried putting a piece of copy paper under and it worked like a dream.

[jodylb]

Here is a link to a video showing the way to use the metal shim:

Memory Box Dies, Metal Adaptor Plate

Oops, sorry! Missed the earlier post with a video link!

[stamps4funGin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by susanbri

Cuttlebug makes the thin metal shim. Lots of stores and on-line retailers sell it. Just type "cuttlebug metal shim" into your search box for on-line retailers.

Here's a video showing how to use it:

Cuttlebug?/Big Shot? Metal Adaptor Plate - S114 - Cheery Lynn Designs

Don't waste your money with buy on any web site. I paid less than $3 at home depot- used for flashing on roof edges.:p

[jeanne3579]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stamps4funGin

Don't waste your money with buy on any web site. I paid less than $3 at home depot- used for flashing on roof edges.:p

This is what I wanted to hear! TFS

[alicaz]

LOL! I think I'm probably living under a rock - I didn't even know about non stick aluminium foil I will look for it next time I'll crawl out from under my rock !!! Thanks for the tip!