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Question about SU 3D embossing folders and Big Shot machine
I have TWO big shots and I refuse to buy the new SU machine. I am angry about the trimmer issue and the big shot issue.
I have ruined two 3D embossing folders. I called today and was told that the new 3D folders will not work in the Big Shot. This has NEVER been in the Tuesday updates to SU demonstrators. The agent says I have no choice but to buy the larger of the two new embossing machines ($120 before discount, taxes, and shipping)
Surely there must be a way to use the Big Shot with these new thicker embossing folders! I already bought the Specialty Plate and that doesn't work either.
Any help is greatly appreciated!
I’m in the same shoes. NO ONE told me when I bought a 3-D folder I was going to need some super special machine (WHICH I REFUSE TO BUY) before purchasing. I told my demo the company needs to alert buyers in extra large print (online and in their catalogs) what machine is needed for 3-D folders.
I feel duped and I’m still smoldering. My 3-D purchases were about 8 months ago. I’ve stamped for about 20 years so I was pretty confident I could figure out how to use them in 2 machines I have. I broke my Cuttlebug trying (and, warped the 3-D Folder). They also don’t work in my Freestyle. I’m usually not a person that carry’s anger, but I’m still smoldering over this one. I’ve loved Stampin Up products and have significantly bought and utilized their products. I might not purchase again.
And I told the agent so.
After the trimmer fiasco and then dumping the big shot and then THIS. I feel like they are dishonest. I will never buy another tool from them.
I already had the solution when my 1st 3D folder arrived, I got a stack of the Olfa RM-6x8 GREEN rotary (quilting) mats long ago to use with thin dies. As a result I have been using the same clear plates in my very old BigShot for at least 4 years. Clear plates have no warping or cuts but they are scratched a bit from constant usage.
Sandwich with 3D folders: I use no tabs on (original SU) platform, 1 clear plate, EF/card, green mat. The embossing seems even deeper if I mist the card first, but it is not necessary. Nowadays I am seeing a high $ black mat that seems to be the same thing. HTH.
__________________ Do or do not - there is no try! (Yoda) / SCS Featured Stamper FS730 / Dirty Dozen Alumni
I only have one of the post-Sizzix SU 3D folders, and I certainly use it in my Big Shot. I have the original multi platform - I use Tab 1 and the blue plate that SU used to sell. The black embossing plate from Sizzix also works, though I would use a shim with it to get the best impression.
Does this help? 4th option on this page: https://stampingmadly.com/2020/11/23...in-2-machines/
I use the 3D folders in my Big Shot with the standard platform, 3D folder with cardstock and the blue plate (which SU stopped selling when they dropped the Big Shot in favour of their new machine). The page I've linked to says the specialty plate is equivalent to the blue plate. I don't have the specialty plate so can't comment on that.
The blue plate is slightly thicker than a standard cutting plate, so a standard cutting plate plus multiple cardstock shims should also work. The exact number will depend on the cardstock used and your particular machine. Yes it's a pain to have to figure out how many shims, but less of a pain than being told to buy a whole new machine. Which is not true IMO.
I recently bought an Altenew 3D folder, for which I found the sandwich is different again - multi-tab platform with tab 2 plus folder and cardstock plus a standard cutting plate. In other words, different manufactures' "3D" folders are not guaranteed to be the same thickness.
I have found that 3D folders vary in thickness. Seriously. Like from under 1/8 inch thick to a full 1/4 inch thick. That difference is the thickness of a full plate!
In your machine, you need to determine what sandwich works with each brand of folder. It will be different for them all. Just don't force the folder through the machine. And I will say that I get the best results with a thinner sandwich.
I have found that 3D folders vary in thickness. Seriously. Like from under 1/8 inch thick to a full 1/4 inch thick. That difference is the thickness of a full plate!
In your machine, you need to determine what sandwich works with each brand of folder. It will be different for them all. Just don't force the folder through the machine. And I will say that I get the best results with a thinner sandwich.
I agree with all of this, and I store a note in each embossing folder saying what combination of plates and shims I use with it.
The following 2 users liked this post by Alice in Md:
Huh. I too have used SU 3Ds in my old big shot. But as was said, 3Ds vary in size and I will do a label for it to tell me what sandwich to use once I figure it out. The ones that really challenge me are some of the 3D Spellbinders because they have an actual hinge that does not love getting rolled.
Oddly though it isn't as if ALL of a brand's 3Ds take the same sandwich. That is annoying.
Are these new SU 3Ds? The ones I have tend to be wide but still fit. How wide are they?
__________________ Margot
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I already had the solution when my 1st 3D folder arrived, I got a stack of the Olfa RM-6x8 GREEN rotary (quilting) mats long ago to use with thin dies. As a result I have been using the same clear plates in my very old BigShot for at least 4 years. Clear plates have no warping or cuts but they are scratched a bit from constant usage.
Sandwich with 3D folders: I use no tabs on (original SU) platform, 1 clear plate, EF/card, green mat. The embossing seems even deeper if I mist the card first, but it is not necessary. Nowadays I am seeing a high $ black mat that seems to be the same thing. HTH.
you can use SU new 3D folders that are thinner than the Sizzix 3D folders in the bigshot, but you need a different plate, they did sell one for a time that was for the bigshot while SU carried it.
now the plate is called the SPECIALTY PLATE #154711 $10.00 ( it's the gray one)
ETA:
platform ( I don't have tabs, so no tabs)/ 3D ef / Specialty plate is the sandwich
I have tried multitudes of different plates and sandwiches with all of my different 3d folders and like I said above, it is different for every type of 3d folder. For my thickest SU (Sizzix) folders I use the platform, the tan embossing mat from Spellbinders, and the embossing folder. That's it. I use the Platinum 6, but when I used my Big Shot, it was the magnetic platform, the tan embossing mat, and the embossing folder. Those sandwiches are equivalent.
Does anyone remember the long retired SU Texture (Texturz?) plates? They came with a flexible mat and a solid plate, both thinner than a cutting plate. I have been hesitant to buy any of the 3D embossing folders because I have a 12+ year old Big Shot and don’t want another machine. I’m wondering if the old Texturz plates are similar to the new plates. I believe those products were made by Sizzix for SU.
Does anyone remember the long retired SU Texture (Texturz?) plates? They came with a flexible mat and a solid plate, both thinner than a cutting plate. I have been hesitant to buy any of the 3D embossing folders because I have a 12+ year old Big Shot and don’t want another machine. I’m wondering if the old Texturz plates are similar to the new plates. I believe those products were made by Sizzix for SU.
I do not have a new cutting plate, I worked out how to use 3D with existing. See Post #4 in this thread.
My BigShot is the first that SU released.
I kept (and occasionally use) my Texturz Plates, but have no calipers to measure the thickness. They seem more similar in thickness to a regular EF than to a 3D folder.
But what a great thought, to try the mat!
__________________ Do or do not - there is no try! (Yoda) / SCS Featured Stamper FS730 / Dirty Dozen Alumni
Last edited by gaylestamps; 03-18-2022 at 05:45 AM..
Thank you for pointing me to your earlier post! My Big Shot is also the first that SU released. I will post my results with the Texturz plates if I decide to try a 3D folder. My wishlist has been on hold for several months now with the big spike in gas prices and everything else. Luckily my favorite EF is the Merry Melody one, so hopefully things will turn around before next Christmas!
Quote:
Originally Posted by gaylestamps
I do not have a new cutting plate, I worked out how to use 3D with existing. See Post #4 in this thread.
My BigShot is the first that SU released.
I kept (and occasionally use) my Texturz Plates, but have no calipers to measure the thickness. They seem more similar in thickness to a regular EF than to a 3D folder.
I suggest looking on youtube and typing in the die you have (sizzix embossing, spellbinders, sizzix die cut) and looking at what to use. There are several different ways to use the plates. It might be difficult, but you'll love it in the end. Also, read reviews before buying any machines, as I bought a 3D printer last month and there were different reviews which helped me a lot.
All of SU's cancelling of different tools is one of the reasons why I don't buy from them anymore. There are enough companies out there that I do just fine without SU.
__________________ Keep what is worth keeping
and with the breath of kindness
blow the rest away.
Question about SU 3D embossing folders and Big Shot machine
