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Hi everyone! I just have a bit of concern here re: my MS Doily Lace punch. I don't use it that much and it's been with me for less than 6 mos but lately when I tried using it again, it doesn't cut evenly already. I thought my paper was just a bit thick but it's just a cardstock and I/we normally use cardstock with that punch. And so I tried a thinner paper (a dp) but then the same problem occurred. :(
Anyone experiencing this, too? Can I still have a way to condition it or to fix it? I bought that punch from the US and I hate the thought of chucking it out because I can't use it anymore. Any help?:confused:
I have a suggestion for you, which has worked for me in the past.
First, try putting your punch in the freezer for a couple of hours (I put mine in overnight last time because I forgot it was there) and then take it out and punch through aluminum foil a few times. The foil will help sharpen the punch.
I'm not sure why the freezer works, but I do know it has something to do with the metal expanding and shrinking and getting out of wack.
Some people recommend punching through wax paper after taking the punch out of the freezer, but I've never tried that.
I have used this on a couple of my MS punches that were acting up and they work just like new.
There's a punch conditioning kit that you can buy at Michael's. It's made by EK Success (the manufacturer of MS punches) and it contains a metal-like paper and some kind of conditioning oil that's supposed to sharpen the punches. I bought one, but I haven't used it yet. I've also heard that you can sharpen your punches by punching aluminum foil through them. Hope this helps!
Oops - I just saw that you're in Australia! I'd try the aluminum foil first.
Thanks ladies! I'll surely try that one out. But how do you remove those excess paper that stays in between the holes or the design of the punches? It also happens with my Doily Lace Punch that's why after I punch something, I can't pull out the paper easily. What happens is the paper gets ruined as I force it to get out of the punch :(
Someone told me they use a can of dry silicone spray that can be purchased at home improvement stores. Doesn't leave any residue behind, is what I'm told. Haven't actually tried it yet.
Definatly try the freezer, then punch through alumininum foil, this helps to resharpen the blades. You can use wax paper (even the back of an empty foam pad sheet) when it's sticking this apparently helps it to smooth the cutting action. I've got MS punches and haven't had a problem apart from trying to get the paper out of the punch once it's punched, it gets caught up, not in the holes but at the back of the punch so i turn it upside down and very gently pull the stray paper/card out with tweezers. If there's paper getting caught in the tiny holes at the front of the doily punch try wax paper it might do the trick, let us know how you get on hun.
Hugs
Tizzy xxxx
YAY! The freezer thing worked for my MS punch! (and I put in my EK corner punch as well, LOL!) I accidentally forgot that my punches were on the freezer so they were left there over night. LOL! I was soo excited and followed your suggestions and it worked! I thought I'll be into throwing my MS punch already....your suggestions saved it. Now I know what to do next time it happens again.
Thanks so much once again. Your opinions are highly appreciated.
tommygirloz......there's another way and I SWEAR it works great......saw this on Youtube......take an aluminum soda can (empty, of course), wash it out. Using kitchen shears or a sharp knife (be careful), cut a line down the can from top to bottom. Then cut off the top and bottom (best to use gloves). Now you're left with a rectangular piece of aluminum. Flatten it out......doesn't have to be perfect, but it must be dry. Punch your stamp thru the aluminum....just once or twice and it really does sharpen them! I promise! And the freezer also works but doesn't really sharpen the punches. Just another thought.......if the electric goes out.........
Thanks for the tips! Will try the freezer technique...turkeyday53, tried the soda can thing and the MS doily punch wouldn't go through :( It just got stuck.
Crikey the aluminum can trick would frighten me, most punches won't go through thicker cardstock i'd be more worried about breaking my punch, fold aluminum foil over a few times and punch through it maybe that would work better?,
Hugs
Tizzy xxx
Lilian - I think the Doily Punch is too intricate for the "soda can" method.......too many tiny little curls, "nooks and crannies" if you will! But it really does work..........
Tizzy - my Irish sister....(got lotsa fam "over there")....the foil does work but is a little too, oh, I dunno, too soft for me? I swear the aluminum cans work.........
Lilian - check your PM.
Tizzy........you said "crikey"! .............. sounds a bit Australian......or am I just a dork who fails to recognize certain slang? (Yeah, that's it; I'm a dork............)
martha stewart border punch
IT WORKED!! THANKS!
