Nestabilities embosssing while cutting - what's wrong?

[Rachelrose]

I posted this on the tool and product forum and no one replied so I thought I'd try it here:

I just got my first set of Nestabilities (large squares) and am using the sandwich recommended for the Big Shot - full platform (all tabs down), clear plate, die and cardstock, clear plate. Every time I run it through, one side of the cardstock gets slightly embossed (the side facing down on the die). What am I doing wrong?

Things seemed to be working better yesterday. I cut some squares and didn't get the embossing.

Postscript - seems to be worse on the bigger dies. I just did some pretty small ones (like I was doing yesterday) and no emboss issue. Also the bigger dies seem tighter in the machine. How could that be? All the dies are the same thickness!
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[kinglake]

Hello i think you are meant to cut first then run it back through the bigshot using the embossing mat . Hope this helps xx jo xx

[Rachelrose]

Yes, that much I know. My problem is that when I am trying to cut only, I get a slight emboss on the underside of the cardstock (where it is next to the Nestability die). I am not using any mats, just the cutting sandwich with cutting plates and platform as per the Big Shot instructions.

Sorry to not have made myself clear about that!

[cbet]

You're not really doing anything wrong - mine does exactly the same thing. I like the look of it though, so i don't worry about it. Some of the machines are just calibrated a little tighter than others. Try cutting without the first tab on your platform and see what happens. You might lose the embossing effect, but it might be so much that the die won't cut, either. Then you'll need to play with shims a little bit.

It's frustrating, I know. With mine, some embossing folders work best with all tabs down and won't give a clean impression if I open the top one. Other folders only work with the top tab open and if I try using them with all tabs down, they actually tear thru my cardstock. Some days I feel like I'm the one keeping sticky notes in business.

[fishymom]

Mine do the same thing! If I do not want the embossed edge, I open the first tab and shim until it cuts all the way through.

[Rachelrose]

I had thought that maybe that was it. It's odd that it only happens with the bigger squares (I am getting the smaller squares and all the circles, so I will be curious to see what happens with them). It sounds and feels like the larger few squares are tighter in the machine, but how could they be thicker so go figure.

At least I know I'm not doing anything wrong. (Unless someone else weighs in and sets us all straight!)

[Cook22]

I notice that for me they do almost all emboss slightly in the Big Shot whereas they don't at all in the Wizard. So if there's something I definitely don't want any embossing on, I cut in the Wizard. Since I'm only using the cutting plates and platform with no shims in the Big Shot, it would take more time and effort than it's worth trying to work out a way for it not to emboss them.

[jemur]

It could be that your plates are more worn in the middle, so when you use smaller dies, they are placed where the plates may be thinner.
Just a guess.

[Rachelrose]

I don't think it is possible. I have only had my Big Shot for three or four months and it has not seen all that much use yet! My plates are still in pretty good shape.

But an interesting idea to keep in mind for the future, when the plates do get worn!