3x4 Card Punch We R Memory Keepers

[Drummergirlred]

I have the 3x4 Card Punch rounded corner card punch but I have a heck of a time getting it to punch- it's just VERY card to press down and get a clean cut. I've had it for several months and it seemed to work fine when I first purchased it but now I rarely use it because I can't punch the full card. If I need a punch I make my husband do it and he even thinks it's a bit too stiff.

Anyone have this issue? Any suggestions to make it work easier?

Thanks!

[TheOtherMeg]

The usual trick with difficult punches is to cut foil/soda cans to sharpen them, and wax paper to lubricate them. A tiny bit of sewing machine oil helps, too. (Make sure to punch scrap paper afterward to get rid of any excess.)

You can also put a punch in the freezer. A very cold punch will often punch easier.

[lutheran]

Sorry no help here. I have heard nothing but negative comments about these punches. Now I see them on the clearance tables at craft stores. I use a thinlit die to cut that shape and it works great on photos and cardstock.
Mary Beth

[TheOtherMeg]

Taylored Expressions has a line of 3x4 dies. They're very cute, however, they all have rounded corners. I wish she'd add some squared corners to the line.

Taylored Expressions Pockets & Pages dies

[Drummergirlred]

Well I have gone ahead and sent the customer service an e-mail asking for suggestions on how to make the punch easier to use. I wish it would just work....

[muscrat]

Are those punches made to punch photos? Maybe your card stock is too heavy? Just a thought.

[Drummergirlred]

Here is the response from We R. I'm going to try them all this weekend.

"Thank you so much for contacting us! I'm going to send a list of possible remedies for your punch:

1. Not able to make a complete punch all the way down.
We recommend “butterflying” your hands over the top of the punch and applying even pressure when pushing down on a flat, stable surface. If the punch still sticks, try wax paper to help loosen any tightness in the mechanism.
2. Making an unclean cut or not cutting all the way through the paper or photo.
To sharpen the blades we recommend punching aluminum foil a few times. If the punch still is not cutting properly, the punch is most likely defective.
3. There are “notches” on the sides of the paper/ cardstock after completing the punch.
This is a known issue and we have been working with our manufacturer to get this resolved. Typically, you can flip your paper or photo over and punch the other side to have it be less noticeable.
4. The edges of the 3x4 punches are tearing the photos.
The problem may be the placement of the actual photos which is causing the ripping at the edges. We recommend ensuring the photo is aligned with the punch guides (the pegs that stick up when you push the punch down). If you cannot line the photo or paper up with the guides then we recommend not placing the photo right at the inner corners of the punch as the punch cannot grip the photo well enough to make a complete punch. We tried several variations of punching and came to the conclusion the closer the edges of the photo are to the inner corners of the punch, the less precise and clean cut the punch can administer.


If you try these, and it's still not working, please let me know.
"

[klpt58]

I have this punch and hate it and it was not inexpensive so I hate it more. Lol. I never use it because it's heavy and cumbersome to use. I usually love wrmk products but this is not one I would recommend

[Ching]

try wax paper to "oil" it up so that the blades are lubricated.

It could also be that the blades are dull, so try punching through with aluminum paper a dozen times to sharpen.

When you have difficulty like this with any kind of punching mechanism, those two tricks usually will work.