Good Morning and I know that many of you will think that this topic is a “no-brainer” but I also hope that I am not on that Island by myself today! I admit, I have a problem, actually a HUGE problem in pitching “Cutting Pads” away and replacing them.
I can remember the first time I tried to use the Big Shot by myself and I scratched the mats….I was like a turtle and my head went in (I put the Big Shot away as I thought I ruined it)…It actually took me until the next Stamp Club to ask my friends…..”OK – I have that thing (Big Shot) but I ruined the mats…and YEP, I needed someone to walk me through it 😳
I am telling you thins because I want you to know, we all start somewhere. I am the very first to admit that I get sooooooo excited and I just want to do it…create…smile! 🙂
The cutting pads are a KEY and necessary part to the Big Shot. The other thing is that you need to know that it is important to have proper pads to use for our many ways we use the Big Shot. WHAT?????
It is a great idea to have several sets.
I like to keep a set that I use just for using Embossing Folders.
I have a set that I use for framelits.
I have a set that I use with the precision plate.
I know that this sounds a bit “over kill” but they do serve a purpose for completely different needs. I just have this issue of NOT pitching ones that are way tooooooooo used! (You will see the picture below)
I know that some people swear that they rotate (flip them) after each use…I simply forget but it is normal that they will warp. I will be totally honest that the precision plate really – REALLY warps them and I usually rotate the ones that are all scratched up to the precision plate stack!
The reason that I am posting about this is….I highly suggest that you have a spare….“just in case” – over the weekend I noticed that my “stack” of ones that I use for cutting framelits were way too scratched and when I was cutting something, the scratched were impressed onto the paper. (I know….I am being type A but I am being honest)
What usually happens when times like this happen, I take my squeaky clean ones for embossing folders and then they get scratched and filtered into that viscous circle I have going on in my craft room so the moral of the story is….KEEP A SPARE!
This machine “Mr. Big Shot” is truly amazing what it does for us but we need to remember to keep it up to date ( kind of like getting our oil changed in our car) – I am curious as to hear your thoughts about this.
Do you keep an extra set, just in case?
Do you use one set for all use of the Big Shot?
Do you rotate your plates after each use?
Let’s get some chatting going, this is how we learn from one another! Have a FABULOUS day!
I just pitched my first warped pad. Should have taken a picture because it was practically bowed enough to hold a cup of liquid. I had just finished a swap of 50 cards each with 3 separate elements using the presicion plate. And one basic thinlit cut. And a couple framelits. (Botanical Graden and Swirly Bird plus the nesting hearts lest you think I’m crazier than I am) Was very happy with the finished card, but I had NO IDEA how badly the precision pad would warp my cutting plate. Thank heavens I have an old Cuttlebug someone gave me years ago so I could keep working on other projects until I got replacement plates for my Big Shot.
Thanks for educating me that no matter HOW I rotated the plate, the repeated precision pad use would take its toll. I don’t feel guilty now! And yes, I’m going to institute your rotational system going forward. I just got my 2 sets of pads so I can go back to keeping a set for just embossing as well as a spare in case I do something as foolish as 8 zillion passes through the Big Shot for one project!! Live and learn and laugh at your own foolishness. #ineedastampforthat
Hi Linda – LOVED your comment that it could have held liquid!!! BEEN THERE…DONE THAT! The Precision Plate does that but we all need to make sure that we use the precision plate only for the intrigue dies as specified….I am totally “WITH YOU” lesson well learned!
I bet your cards turned out BEAUTIFUL!!!!!
Thanks for popping in!
I have put my warped plates in an oven at 250 for 10-20 minutes then flattened them when I took them out. Thank you Pinterest. I feel better about using plates that are not sooo warped.
I have heard of this before but have not tried it. (MY LUCK – I would forget that I put them in the oven) – I have heard that some are concerned about the “fumes/plastic” issues of an oven…any suggestions?
I set a timer when I put my plates in the oven so I will not get busy and forget. I check them about every 10 minutes and that seems to work for me. Good luck.
I appreciate your tip on the Precision Plate and warping . I had gotten a new set of mint colored plates just to see if I liked using colored plates .( You know there are several colors to choose from out there) It was the first time I had used my Precision Plate also . I was cutting a jillion thinlits and framelits to help my daughter prepare projects for a craft show . After several runs through the BS I noticed major warping and decided that colored plates were not to my liking because not only can you not see through them as well ,but they WARP like crazy (giggle )
Thanks Peggy for your oven tip . I have seen it before ,but never tried it .So it actually works !
I like to not use plates too scratched when cutting dark cardstock …..ask me how I know this after using a bunch of black for Halloween card projects !!
Thank you Linda for adding to Susan`s tip on using sets just for embossing !!
Now, I have to go and order some new plates and set my oven to cook my super warped ones !!
Thanks for Tips Tuesday Susan ! Love it !!
Oh Sonny….you are such a trend setter! I can just see you with your beautiful MINT PLATES….I want a set of pink ones!
I hear you about scratched plates on certain cardstock….perhaps we are just too type A or are we….just Die-hards that love our Big Shot!
Hugs to you!
I totally get all this….been there, done that; live and learn and all that! I even quit using the precision plate for most dies because of the extreme warping and I didn’t feel like I was getting any better cuts. I’ll just add that the really scratched plates give an interesting texture to die cut leaves!
YES…GREAT POINT as the scratched ones are PERFECT for the beautiful details on leaves! Perfect timing for this comment – FALL is HERE (fingers crossed)
I have a spare set and a separate labeled set for embossing, too. I usually throw the plates out when they start to warp (OCD kicks in) but will try the oven tip from Peggy (thanks so much). I try to rotate after each use and place the die in different spots on the plate which does help. Thanks for the tips!
I knew that I loved you!!!! Our SHEEP HERDER is a women after my own heart – she labeled them…..YEAH!!!!
I have a set just for embossing folders, but I don’t have a spare. I really need a new set, but I’m like most people and try to get every little square inch used before tossing. I do turn them over and rotate them though.
Isn’t it sooooooo funny how we are about things like this! I laughed when you said that you try to use every square inch – HOW TRUE!
Why is it that we don’t like spending the money and /or just do not think about ordering an extra set but if we see a stamp set that we just have to have……we do it!!!!!
I need to be better about turning them over…..
When my Big Shot broke I did some extensive reading on line for ways to fix it!!! This is what I learned they can be fixed but it is very tedious. The gears inside break and all because of using severely worn or cracked plates. Lesson learned, I always have back up plates and also do as you do Susan one for die cut, embossing folders, precision plate it is much cheaper to by the plates than it is a new Big Shot! I like you love to bring out those brand new shiny plates.
Oh no….that must have been a super sad day to loose your Big Shot. Did you have a service for him? I will say, I had a Big Shot that “got sick” and I called SU and they replaced it. I actually felt terrible as I had it for almost 2 years and it had HARD – HARD use…..but they were great!
There is nothing like a new set of cutting pads!!!! Funny the simple things that make us happy!
Thanks to everyone for all the good comments on this. I never realized it was the precision plate that was the culprit! I noticed that recently my plates were warping more easily. And I too picked up a set of the colored plates and thought like Sonny that they were not so good! I was fearful that my Big Shot was going bad and warping my plates more.
It is good to know that warped plates can wear and tear on the Big Shot. Makes me feel less guilty for buying new sets. I have a pile of old ones like yours, Susan, but maybe not quite as high. I am going to try the oven treatment. TFS!
I personally do love the precision plate for many intrigue dies we have but the warping does rock the inner type A in me. It is not you…..I would make sure that you use just one for the precision plate…..
Also, I know that Sharon still swears but rubbing a Bounce Sheet over the framelit before running it through the Big Shot.
Ok gang, I have a question that I am sure when answered I will say “duh!!!” Why use the nice new plates with embossing folders? The paper is inside the folder and thus does to get the nasty image from the old plates. I have a set that I got so long ago it does not have the beveled edge, very old! A friend looked at them recently and exclaimed “you need a new set!” Now the new set looks like the old set! I do flip when I remember and I noticed that one is warped in two directions sort of like a loose S after using the precision plate. But they still work beautifully. The only problem is that the warp makes it hard to use magnetic plate. I am also afraid that they will break so I am off to order another set!
Hummmmmm…..good point but I just like the fresh spany new ones just for the folders so you can see the image and line them up easily.
I actually have (3) sets of the old ones…..not the beveled edges and they work GREAT – Every time I am in an area of the country that I think might not sell a bunch of these – I always go in and see if they have old ones!!!!! SILLY SUSAN!
This is all great information. I will have to try that oven trick. I also rotate plates like you do – brand new ones for embossing, then to framelits and thinlits. I no longer use or sell the Precision Base Plate. A demo friend and i did a lot of comparison, and concluded that overall it makes little difference but does mess up your cutting plates. We also think that as that black layer wears off, it will dull the dies since you are then cutting metal on metal. I notice it isn’t long until I get raggedly edges on dies that are well used..
hmmmmmmm….interesting – I do like the plate but I really, REALLY do not like what it does to the plates. I think that they need to think about the and address is. If your black if wearing off – CALL SU – they will gladly send you a new one or credit you….they are the best about that!
I too have a series of plates with varying degrees of “love.” I try to repeat the process of flip and use, but often get caught up in the moment and wonder “did I flip this or not?” I use the super scratched plate as a texture for the leaves but not so much for flowers etc. A trick I read on someone’s site was to slip a piece of copy paper between the thinlet and top plate as a buffer to prevent the texture effect. I found that the oven trick works to flatten the plates somewhat but doesn’t remove the scratches. I also found that the oven trick seemed to reduce the integrity of the plates, meaning they cracked easily. Now, having said that, I may have used the oven flattened plates with the precision plate, which is hard on the plates. They might be fine for embossing.
Oh yes, I have a stack of plates similar to Susan’s!
Super points! Next Tuesday I have a great tip for you and I know that you are going to love! Wouldn’t it be super fun to see the HUGE stack of plated that we all have!
All great information! Just this weekend I was helping my daughter prep for her Christmas cards – using my Precision plate. My cutting pad was so warped that it would cause the dies to shift – making for bad cuts. I got so frustrated I threw it away and pulled out another less warped plate. I told her that I hated throwing away a plate and she reminded me that I didn’t hesitate to throw away a dull trimmer blade, so I shouldn’t feel bad throwing away a well worn plate. I guess we have to view the plates as consumables and always have a spare set on hand – just like Susan says!! Thanks for sharing everyone:-)
I like the way your daughter thinks and I need to have her thoughts in my brain – it is SOOOOOOO hard to throw them away but I will say that I am proud of myself – I pitched 8 today – that was a HUGE DEAL for me – I had to take them out to the garage as I was afraid that if I kept them in my trash can in my work area, I would pull them out – it is sooooooo funny that we hate to part with them!
WOW . . . I just read all the comments. Twelve already!
I too have put a piece of copy paper between the CS and plate not to transfer the texture onto the CS. I do not have a Big Shot, I use a Cuttlebug. Who knew I was going to keep at this? (Oh, today is my 3 year Anniversary.) I had to purchase a C-plate to cut thinlits and framelits and this came in a set with two extra B’s. These are the two sets I use. No spares.
🙂
I am loving all of these comments and HAPPY 3rd – really??? Time flies and I am sooooo darn tootin blessed. I have a story about Hannah’s Apartment that will make you MELT!!!!! I will email you! The paper is a GREAT tip!
🙂
Susan, this is a great You Tube video from the Big shot company with suggestion on how to minimize the bowing problem. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uiq8Dy2f_is
YEAH…..a video – I have not watched this but I am going to do so before “counting sheep” – I am LOVING all of the comments and help we are all giving each other! Thanks for the link! Hugs!
I guess creative Chris is not too creative as I still am using my original plates though I do have a set of the extended ones that I have been known to use when I couldn’t find the regular ones. It took me forever to even get the Big Shot out of the box and use it (I was so scared I would break it I guess). I guess not having many of the new toys for embossing and cut outs I don’t use it as much or I just don’t make as many projects as everyone else. But, the set I do have is warped and scratched. I try using various areas of the plate which seems to help. I don’t have the precision plate but I do have the magnetic plate which I love! I guess I need to widen my horizons and use the Big Shot more (again) and put a new set of plates on my wish list.
Good afternoon Susan,,,,, I ALWAYS have extra cutting plates. I keep 1 set for embossing folders and 1 set for cutting dies. I ALWAYS use my magnetic pad for cutting dies….. I find it hard also for throwing my plates away. They warp very easily and I have tried turning them over but it doesn’t seem to help much. I have the precision plate but I kinda don’t use it much. I just put some cardstock under my plates for cutting and it really works well…. I really guess I should throw some of them out butttt,,,,lol,,,,, Have a wonderful day out there in the sunshine.
I bought a Cuttlebug first because it was cheaper. So I use that for embossing. I temporarily lost a big shot cutting pad (was in the multipurpose platform) and thought I fould just use my Cuttlebug. Nope! I thought if I don’t find that plate I will get new cutting pads. My Cuttlebug is used for embossing only so those pads are nice. Big Shot pads are usable still. I have a friend who has a set of colored pads that are reserved for embossing only, as she only has a big shot. I think that is a good idea. Love Tuesday Tips!
I hit the comment button and the door bell rang. It was the UPS man with my envelope punch board! Guess who will be making some crackers today! I guess that has my creative juices going….Susan, by any chance can everyone tell me what their favorite use for the punch board is (besides envelopes, duh!) and point me to instructions to make such item? Also, we need to come up with some creative uses for these old cutting pads!
Well ladies here is a tip you haven’t mentioned yet! For those of you that have a handy husband (mine is s gem) you can buy large sheets of Lexan and run it through a table saw to cut your own cutting pads for at least half the price of new ones. After all the years of so carefully trying all the above hints with varying results my husband said to my surprise he could make them for me. A trip to town to buy the Lexan and
I have a stack of plates ready to use or give to my crafty friends. How cool is that?
Do I have spares–heck yeah! Do I use all one set over and over and over and over and over ad nauseum–heck yeah! Do I rotate/flip them over them–very rarely.
Now for details–I started with a Cuttlebug which came with all the plates (I heard it doesn’t now) and I bought spares. Then I got a Big Shot which came with plates but I continued to use the Cuttlebug plates in the Big Shot. My BS plates are the kind that are all screwed together on one end so you flip them up the correct thickness. I hate that. I don’t have room to have that booklet of plates opened all the way like that. I’m still using the original Cuttlebug plates and I still have my Cuttlebug spares and I have the original BS plates screwed together and I bought a free set of BS plates to use with the magnetic base. So I have plenty of spares if I need them.
My go-to sandwich is CB white plate, two CB clear plates with a metal shim for precision cutting. I do break out the BS plates from time to time, usually for a big die like the coffin shaped treat box I have. I used the wee embossing purse machine for embossing mostly (bigger folders won’t fit in it).
What I’m finding is my plates make my cardstock filthy dirty now. Say you wanted to die cut 10 small circles you couldn’t just use a large piece of cardstock and run it through 10 times because after once or twice the rest of your cardstock would be smudged and dirty looking. I scrubbed the plates one day and filth came off them but they dirtied right up again. So now I cut down cardstock to be the size of the die or I put piece of cheap note paper over my cardstock before running it though. I suspect that metal shim is what dirties them, maybe I should scrub that! Given all the spares I have I guess I should just pitch my plates and start fresh.
My original idea for holding onto the well loved very used plates was to use them in classes and workshops. I notice that people aren’t as loving to machines and tools that aren’t theirs. I hardly do either now so really, Judy, pitch your icky plates already.
PS… I baked my CB plates flat again once too. It really works and does not smell up the house (my concern). I put heavy bakeware on top of them to flatten them while baking. One plate at a time.
I always have a extra set on hand. It’s always when I am making something that a plate needs to be replaced and I would not like it if I had to wait for another set.
I also swap my plates around. When they bow, I flip it over the next time I use it. with the really bad scratched ones I use card stock or scrap paper on the plate to absorb the marks.
I am going to watch the video, thank you for posting it. Also, I am heading to the oven with my super warped plates.
I have enjoyed this topic and all of the tips in the comments. I own a Cuttlebug and a Vagabond. Glad I’m not the only one with warped/scratched plates. It’s hard to find this much info anywhere else about die cutting machines that has been shared on this post. Thanks so much!
What are your thoughts about using wax paper to help release the paper from intricate dies? I read somewhere that wax paper could ruin the die. I haven’t noticed any untoward effects of using it. Any thoughts?
Well, this has been an interesting read ?. I have two big shots, and I think 4 sets of spare plates, but I have yet to throw any away, although I probably should. I try to use one set just for embossing folders, and I do flip them on a pretty regular bases, but that is about it. But Susan is so right, always have a spare set of plates.
If you have the OLD cutting plates hang on to them, the new ones are no where near as good, they warp and crack. My friends with new plates are all very unhappy.
I still have my old one, one for cutting and one for embossing and a spare sets as well . All old and much better quality.
I turn them as regularly as I remember and from time to time I soak them in very hot water and scrub with an old toothbrush. I also bend them on the edge of the bench whilst they are warm to straitened them. Long may they last. At least until SU improves the new ones
Old plates don’t have the beveled edges. And yes Susan my plates are labeled too.
http://www.handstampedstyle.com/how-to-keep-your-precision-plate-like-new/ I just listened to this video and cleaned my precision plate, Wow! it is almost new
I got on here a little late but was happy to read through all the comments-great info here! I have the small embossing only big shot & use that except for the bigger embossing folders. I also rarely use the original platform but mostly the magnetic one. I don’t have the intricate dies so I don’t have all the extras that you need for that-I hesitate to go that route-hoping they’ll come up with something simpler especially after reading all this info! I’m going to try the copy paper layer to keep the lines from messing up the cardstock! I try to flip mine & I tend to cut on one of the plates til it’s used up before cutting the other one (if that makes sense!) then I use the newer one on special things that I don’t want to chance messing up
Love your blog & my cardstock swatches from you! 🙂
Hi, I’ve been following your blog for a little while and I can TOTALLY relate to the “type A” thing. I use a sanding block on every piece of cardstock that I cut. But here’s my question because I know you can relate. What do you do about all those little “hairs” after you die cut? I’ve got a few things that I do, but THEY DRIVE ME CRAZY! (If you’ve already addressed this problem, can you direct me to your thoughts?)