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Okay ladies! I am looking for an alternative to the Genesis Paper Trimmer. For those who don't know, this is supposed to be the best trimmer ever. And since ordering it more than two years ago and being put on a waiting list, the price has increased tremendously (from around $240 to around $390). The original company was purchased and the whole transition has been so grossly mismanaged which has been terribly upsetting. I still have plenty of time to change my mind as my name won't come up in the queue for quite some time. Of course, everyone has a differing opinion, but I would like to know yours.
I have heard that the Rotatrim is an excellent alternative, with the same level of quality. Instead of being hand assembled, it is mass produed. But it is a professional grade trimmer. I have also heard someone on the board mention one that is produced by Xacto that has a laser so you can see where you are cutting. I find this VERY interesting as the main reason I wanted the Genesis was because of the edgelight. This could eliminate the need for that. So if any of you ladies have one of these or another alternatve, I would LOVE to hear how precisely it cuts and if you have had any problems. I just want to make sure I consider everthing before deciding against the Genesis. I have probably already invested $200 in trimmers that don't work well, so I want to make one last purchase and then be done.
So if you have a trimmer you love, tell us all about it. I don't necessarily mind spending the money on the Genesis, although it is VERY upsetting that the price has increased so dramatically. But I didn't notice a warranty mentioned when I ordered it, whereas some of the more common trimmers have some sort of warranty.
http://www.officemax.com/omax/catalo...uestid=2313861
Here is the link for the xacto laser trimmer. I LOVE mine! I've had it about two years now, and of all of the many trimmers I have owned, this is my favorite! The lines on it are so helpful in getting an accurate measurement, and for the very first time I can consistently cut things the same size. I NEVER could do that before. I hardly ever pay any attention to the laser, but it comes in handy now and then.
I do have a CM personal trimmer that I carry in my bag and use for smaller cuts. Usually matting something. But I have to admit, when I need to measure something, small or not, I use the xacto.
I take it to my monthly crops, and let others come over and use it. They love it, too.
We had an office max nearby when I bought mine, so I printed off the price from the website, just in case. Turned out it saved me money, so I recommend that.
Please let me know if you have anymore questions. I am SO glad my search for the perfect trimmer is over...I love talking about this trimmer!
I just picked up the Making Memories 12 x12 with magnetic ruler at M's 50% off couponand it's still in the box, but I was told by many other stampers that this is a fantastic one for under $50.00
I can't see spending more than that anyways, but I'm sure it's better than the ones I was using.
Can't say if it's perfect or not, but I'm off to go play with it and see what I think!
I just picked up the Making Memories 12 x12 with magnetic ruler at M's 50% off couponand it's still in the box, but I was told by many other stampers that this is a fantastic one for under $50.00
I can't see spending more than that anyways, but I'm sure it's better than the ones I was using.
Can't say if it's perfect or not, but I'm off to go play with it and see what I think!
I hate my MM paper trimmer. Mine gives fuzzy cuts and has since Day One. I still use my boring and basic Fiskars, but I'd LOVE to have a nice one that was going to work out. I never use the dumb thing... money down the toilet. My friend out of state had the same problem, so I hope yours is better!
http://www.officemax.com/omax/catalo...uestid=2313861
Here is the link for the xacto laser trimmer. I LOVE mine! I've had it about two years now, and of all of the many trimmers I have owned, this is my favorite! The lines on it are so helpful in getting an accurate measurement, and for the very first time I can consistently cut things the same size. I NEVER could do that before. I hardly ever pay any attention to the laser, but it comes in handy now and then.
I do have a CM personal trimmer that I carry in my bag and use for smaller cuts. Usually matting something. But I have to admit, when I need to measure something, small or not, I use the xacto.
I take it to my monthly crops, and let others come over and use it. They love it, too.
We had an office max nearby when I bought mine, so I printed off the price from the website, just in case. Turned out it saved me money, so I recommend that.
Please let me know if you have anymore questions. I am SO glad my search for the perfect trimmer is over...I love talking about this trimmer!
I'm intrigued by this trimmer - this is the first time I've ever heard of it. You said you don't use the laser "thing" often, could you explain where the laser light appears when it IS used? I'm a little perplexed as to how that works. Also, I notice there is a black slider "thingee" that can be pushed against the paper - do you use it or do you use the lines as guides for cutting?
I'll probably have more questions as I think about it! ;)
I'm intrigued by this trimmer - this is the first time I've ever heard of it. You said you don't use the laser "thing" often, could you explain where the laser light appears when it IS used? I'm a little perplexed as to how that works. Also, I notice there is a black slider "thingee" that can be pushed against the paper - do you use it or do you use the lines as guides for cutting?
I'll probably have more questions as I think about it! ;)
The laser shows you where the blade is going to cut. Honestly though, I just look to the line just left of my paper and make sure my paper is even with that line, and my measurement is accurate.
As far as the black slider thingy...mine broke off a long time ago! I never used it, but it was supposed to be a 'reminder' for repeat cuts. It broke off because when I carry it to crops, I stack things on top of it in the passenger seat of my car. And the plastic slider thingy just couldn't take all of that weight.
I originally found out about this trimmer...I think it was on this message board, but it might have been another. Anyway, I posted that I would like to find a 12" trimmer like the CM personall trimmer. Somebody had found this one, and she loved hers, and she shared the link with me.
I rate this trimmer as one of my all time best purchases, and was worth every penny. Please feel free to ask more questions if you think of anymore.
For the laser, does it use a battery? It doesn't appear to have a plug. Is it very sturdy? I am thinking that this might be a good alternative especially since it costs about 1/8 the price of the Genesis. I mean, who hasn't heard of X-acto? And if I find that I don't like it, I am not out THAT much money. My next trimmer to be considered was the Rotatrim, but nobody has mentioned that one. Either it isn't that great or people haven't really bought them to have an opinion. It is a bit pricey at $270, but still almost half the price of the Genesis. TIA!
I have an Xacto trimmer that I purchased at Staples - no laser, just a plain old guillatine type trimmer. I love it -- I've been using it for at least five years and it still cuts beautifully. it gets a ton of use! I think it was about $40.00 -- can't beat it with a stick!
My friend swears by her Tonic trimmer (she isn't the first person I've come across who does!)
I on the other hand have stuck to my simple Fiskars trimmer. I have the rotary trimmer in my studio and I love it. Too bad I can't take it with me to crops. I think they've made a portable one though.
After having several trimmers(2 Fiskars, Tonic, Carl and wooden Guillotine) that I had problems with and not being able to get the Genesis I purchased this Dahle 440 about a year ago. I do like it a lot.
I have a Dahle guillotine-style paper cutter, too, and just love it. No light to show where I'm cutting, but I haven't found that to be a problem. My favorite part of it is a rubber "arm" that comes down to hold the paper FIRMLY in place as the blade cuts. I bought mine on Ebay. My only complaint is that the 12" actually only cuts something 11-3/4" long - that last little bit gets torn. They do have a 15" model.
MM stands behind their products. If you are having problems with the trimmer, email them and they will send you a replacement, free. They have replaced mine twice, so far.
First time, it wasn't cutting right, after 2 yrs. of use...second time the grid lines wore off and they sent me another one...
I have a friend who LOVES her making memories trimmer, and I had to try it out. It's nice, but I still prefer my xacto trimmer. It's just way easier for me to measure with. I WANTED to love her trimmer, because it would have been easier to take to crops. But I didn't like it as much as my own. Mine is definitely worth the extra effort...and the small bit of extra money. I can't believe the price of those Genesis trimmers! UNREAL!!
I have the MM one and love it! I also love their customer service, they are awesome, mine broke after a long time using it and they sent me a replacement!
another MM trimmer lover here. I have a hard time with guillotine style trimmers, so I like that it is rotary and self sharpening. I just wish it cut more than one sheet at time! for that I still use my Carl Cutter.
I was so sick of my Fiskars trimmer giving me crooked lines -- the track for the blade had just loosened over time I think. And changing blades all the time. SO much wasted cardstock.
Then I saw a very well-known SCSer (and i can't remember her name LOL!!) who had a comment in her blog about the Tonic trimmer which apparently is the same as the guillotine cutter that SU sells. There were lots of comments on that article all praising this paper cutter.
I ordered it and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it. It has a blade guard which also holds the paper/cs in place. It will cut a perfectly straight line at a width of 1/16th of an inch easily... maybe even less! And a couple of sheets of cardstock - easy.
It's a little awkard for me because the way my work area is set up it only fits to the right side of my table, and my Ott lite is on the left. So it's hard to see my cut mark unless I move it to under the light. Took me about a day to get used to that! Well worth it.
http://www.officemax.com/omax/catalo...uestid=2313861
Here is the link for the xacto laser trimmer. I LOVE mine! I've had it about two years now, and of all of the many trimmers I have owned, this is my favorite! The lines on it are so helpful in getting an accurate measurement, and for the very first time I can consistently cut things the same size. I NEVER could do that before. I hardly ever pay any attention to the laser, but it comes in handy now and then.
I do have a CM personal trimmer that I carry in my bag and use for smaller cuts. Usually matting something. But I have to admit, when I need to measure something, small or not, I use the xacto.
I take it to my monthly crops, and let others come over and use it. They love it, too.
We had an office max nearby when I bought mine, so I printed off the price from the website, just in case. Turned out it saved me money, so I recommend that.
Please let me know if you have anymore questions. I am SO glad my search for the perfect trimmer is over...I love talking about this trimmer!
Erin, I have another question about this xacto laser trimmer (you said I could ask more questions ;) )..... what are the measurements of this machine - by that I mean, how big is it in inches? I'm trying to decide if this would fit on a workspace and dimensions would help. :cool:
Erin, I have another question about this xacto laser trimmer (you said I could ask more questions ;) )..... what are the measurements of this machine - by that I mean, how big is it in inches? I'm trying to decide if this would fit on a workspace and dimensions would help. :cool:
It actually doesn't fit on my workspace very well. It takes up too much space. I keep it on top of my storage cabinet. When I'm using it I set it on top of a thing about the size of a file cabinet.
At the base, it measures 18" X 15". I was shocked at how big it was when I first saw it. I had the guy at Office Max take it out for me. I took it home, thinking all the while, "It's too big. It's going back." But after I got it home and started playing with it, I had to keep it. I'm so glad I did. At one point I got tired of taking it to crops, and I bought the newer Fiskars, with the orange circles on it. My friends wondered where my xacto had gone, and missed it. I used the Fiskar's at crops for a bit, then I started missing my xacto. Now, I've decided it's worth every 'hassle' caused by it's size.
It actually doesn't fit on my workspace very well. It takes up too much space. I keep it on top of my storage cabinet. When I'm using it I set it on top of a thing about the size of a file cabinet.
At the base, it measures 18" X 15". I was shocked at how big it was when I first saw it. I had the guy at Office Max take it out for me. I took it home, thinking all the while, "It's too big. It's going back." But after I got it home and started playing with it, I had to keep it. I'm so glad I did. At one point I got tired of taking it to crops, and I bought the newer Fiskars, with the orange circles on it. My friends wondered where my xacto had gone, and missed it. I used the Fiskar's at crops for a bit, then I started missing my xacto. Now, I've decided it's worth every 'hassle' caused by it's size.
I have a Tonic trimmer and LOVE it! I've had it for a few years and use it for card making and scrapbooking. Clean, crisp, straight edges each and every time. I couldn't live without it.
http://www.officemax.com/omax/catalo...uestid=2313861
Here is the link for the xacto laser trimmer. I LOVE mine! I've had it about two years now, and of all of the many trimmers I have owned, this is my favorite! The lines on it are so helpful in getting an accurate measurement, and for the very first time I can consistently cut things the same size. I NEVER could do that before. I hardly ever pay any attention to the laser, but it comes in handy now and then.
I do have a CM personal trimmer that I carry in my bag and use for smaller cuts. Usually matting something. But I have to admit, when I need to measure something, small or not, I use the xacto.
I take it to my monthly crops, and let others come over and use it. They love it, too.
We had an office max nearby when I bought mine, so I printed off the price from the website, just in case. Turned out it saved me money, so I recommend that.
Please let me know if you have anymore questions. I am SO glad my search for the perfect trimmer is over...I love talking about this trimmer!
Does it cut a sliver off if you need it? Often I miscalculate my measurements! LOL
The 15" is side to side. The 18" is front to back.
And yes, it will cut a sliver very well if you're off a bit. But I have to say, I'm not often off with this trimmer. It really is THAT easy to get an accurate measurement! (I had TERRIBLE luck with measuring before!)
The 15" is side to side. The 18" is front to back.
And yes, it will cut a sliver very well if you're off a bit. But I have to say, I'm not often off with this trimmer. It really is THAT easy to get an accurate measurement! (I had TERRIBLE luck with measuring before!)
Also, I just found a link for it at Dick Blick: http://www.dickblick.com/zz571/42/
It would probably still be cheaper to buy it directly from an Office Max if you have one near you, but I thought I'd post it in case you don't.
I just had to throw in my two-cents...I started with a Fiskars and the cuts were never accurate and the bladed dulled very quickly, especially on SU cardstock. So this summer I bought a Cutterpede by Cutterbee trimmer. It is rotary and has changeable blades that cut, score, perforate, wavy, deckle, and I think one or two others. I LOVE, LOVE it! It was less than $20, the cuts are exact, you have to press down in order to cut, so no CS ruined with an accidental cut. It takes off a sliver and the ruler is easy to read. I love it and highly recommend it.
__________________ Barb IIII*IIII*IIII*IIII*IIII*IIII* "No one's really gonna be free until nerd persecution ends."
So... does anyone have the Genesis? I have been on the list for nearly 2 years so should be coming up soon, BUT because of the increase in price and the economy I don't think I want it anymore. I want some advice from someone who has one already! Was it worth the wait and money?"
Does the MM trimmer have the replacement cutting mat strip like the old Fiskars does? I have the old Fiskars and have liked it o.k., but now that they have changed it, it is hard to find the replacement strips.:mad: Also, how does the self sharpening blade work on the MM? Does it stay really sharp?
I am also thinking about getting the new Fiskars, since I already have the different blades. Does anyone know if the new Fiskars actually has the measurement to 12 inches from side to side. My old Fiskars only measures to about 11 3/4".
Any help on these questions would be appreciated.
Carol
Quote:
Originally Posted by graciez
MM stands behind their products. If you are having problems with the trimmer, email them and they will send you a replacement, free. They have replaced mine twice, so far.
First time, it wasn't cutting right, after 2 yrs. of use...second time the grid lines wore off and they sent me another one...
Fantastic Paper Trimmer?
One more question comes to mind - which way is the 18"? Is that the side to side measurement or the top to bottom measurement? I'll await your reply. 
