Mini die cutter rec?

[hultenlk]

I’ve been thinking about getting a mini die cutting machine and would love some recommendations. The Side Kick has a lot of great reviews, but I wish it were a 3-inch opening instead of 2.5. I’ve also looked at Altenew’s Blossom machine, but it’s a bit pricier. Would love to hear your thoughts and experience.

[beaddict]

I have the Stampin' Up mini cutter and use it quite a bit. the platform is wider (3 1/2") than the one on the sidekick and fits a lot of small dies that the sidekick doesn't.

[gregzgurl]

I've had the Baby Blue by Tattered Lace for quite a while and have really loved it. The opening is 3" wide.

[Stampitis]

I recently bought a side kick and love it. Wish I would of bought it a long time ago. It's surprises me how often I use it. I do have a big shot for bigger dies and wouldn't live without it either, but the little sidekick is so quick to run a small die through and it's barely takes up any room on my desk.
Love it!!! Good luck with your search.

[wavejumper]

Good question. I also would be interested.

[AScrapofKindness]

I am on my second Sidekick since it was first released because just over a month ago, one of my cats decided to knock the first off the high shelf since it was apparently in her walking path.. I use it a lot -- for example, in the last two days, I have run dies through it over 300 times. Yeah, it's a lot. My reasons for liking it are: 1) it takes up very little real estate, 2) my work surface is glass and the suction of this little unit is phenomenal, 3) the standard cutting pads are 6" in length which is plenty long to handle the average small die, they're thick, never warp, and last a very long time, 4) there is now a longer 7" cutting pad which I didn't know I needed, but I do as it is the one I've been using these past couple of days, 5) it has only one job to do and does it very well, and 6) it has weight so it doesn't feel like flimsy cheap plastic, even though it is plastic. If they came out with one that was a bit wider, I would snap it up in a NY second, but until then I'm pretty happy with my Sidekick.

[rockybeta]

It dawned on me when I was doing some design work for this years Xmas cards that I was using a lot of small dies and since I have a now discontinued Cuttlebug iy would be a good time to look into a mini machine. Up pops this thread and I have been following it and looking at the recommendations. Yesterday the Sidekick starter kit was on sale at Amazon and it will be here today. I think it's going to be a wonderful addition to my tools and look forward to using it.

[rockybeta]

Had no idea it was as small as it is and wow..........it cuts like a dream. Many thanks to all who responded to this thread.

[Stampitis]

Loved your comment about the Sidekick cutting like a dream. That's exactly what I thought. Even cuts better than my Big Shot!

[hultenlk]

Thanks for all the advice, everyone! I ultimately went with the Honey Bee Bitty Buzz Cutter. It was about $10 less than Altenew’s, has a 3-inch opening, shipped for free, and the reviews looked great. Now I just need to put it to work!