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Okay, I may take the photos again, but for now I'm going to post one.
It's with A Muse cardstock in Shell.
As I was going through the photos I took earlier, I realized that the lighting and angle made a big difference as I tried to get the best angle. Later, I'll have them all "pose" for a group shot ;) .
Maybe the Bond isn't so hardy!! I almost broke my Bond - it got stuck!!! Wouldn't go in either direction - tried it a couple of times and it groaned a bit but the entire sandwich was halfway in/out. I tried easing the sandwich out but it wouldn't budge!
I panicked and headed straight for my manual (maybe there was some troubleshoot page), tried it again and no sound, and heading straight for the computer to see if I could google some answers, even came here and no answers ... that took awhile (20 mins) and I tried my Bond again and it finally creaked the sandwich out!!
I discovered my silicone pad was ripped (wasn't ripped when it went in).
Works fine now -
So now, I'm wondering if I'm using the thing correctly and wondering why would my silicone pad rip? (I was trying to emboss with my nesties)
- (from bottom up)
1) solo with shim
2) sizzix impression pad
3) nesties (+ paper) with the ridged side up??
4) sizzix silicone pad
6) clear plate
would someone who has more experienced with their Bond advice?
thanks
Maybe the Bond isn't so hardy!! I almost broke my Bond - it got stuck!!! Wouldn't go in either direction - tried it a couple of times and it groaned a bit but the entire sandwich was halfway in/out. I tried easing the sandwich out but it wouldn't budge!
I panicked and headed straight for my manual (maybe there was some troubleshoot page), tried it again and no sound, and heading straight for the computer to see if I could google some answers, even came here and no answers ... that took awhile (20 mins) and I tried my Bond again and it finally creaked the sandwich out!!
I discovered my silicone pad was ripped (wasn't ripped when it went in).
Works fine now -
So now, I'm wondering if I'm using the thing correctly and wondering why would my silicone pad rip? (I was trying to emboss with my nesties)
- (from bottom up)
1) solo with shim
2) sizzix impression pad
3) nesties (+ paper) with the ridged side up??
4) sizzix silicone pad
6) clear plate
would someone who has more experienced with their Bond advice?
thanks
Whoa - scary!! That is the same sandwich I use. Yesterday, I made the mistake of leaving the adapter plate on and when it wouldn't go through, I figured it out. That time and once before when I had something too thick going in, the shim popped out of the clips. Everything was okay -- I think the excessive downward pressure pops them off.
Was it regular paper or cardstock that you were running through (nothing thicker)?
If it was cardstock, I'd dare to try it again with a piece of paper just to see how that goes. The cardstock I used was PTI which is a heavier weight than, for example, SU. I wonder what the thickness limit is.
You could email Tim Holtz -- many people here on SCS have passed along information they got straight from him in a reply email!
PS I wonder, since the pad ripped ~ are you sure it was going in straight? That may be an odd question because it's a nice snug fit for the solo plate, but could the pieces you lay on top have been askew and caught on the edge? Just a thought.
cardstock - papertrey ink stampers select ... maybe that might be pushing the thickness abit - altho' I've use that same sandwich and same cardstock previously several times before and it was fine..
so I'm not really why it seem like the silicone pad got stuck on something (that's why it ripped)...
you also emboss with the ridged side up right?? (followed by the silicone pad)
cardstock - papertrey ink stampers select ... maybe that might be pushing the thickness abit - altho' I've use that same sandwich and same cardstock previously several times before and it was fine..
so I'm not really why it seem like the silicone pad got stuck on something (that's why it ripped)...
you also emboss with the ridged side up right?? (followed by the silicone pad)
Yep, I used PTI too. Hmm.. Yes, emboss with the ridge up.
How did it rip? On the edge or from stretching? Wish I had a solution or explanation for you.
Not yet - I need to regroup my nerves to try again - I actually whipped out my old quickutz handtool today to diecut 10 tabs coz Bond is scaring me a little.. :(
Oh no! I feel like we need a "Bond Signal" like the "Bat Signal" for you!!
See if you can get that pad replaced ~ you used the Tim-recommended recipe so it shouldn't have ripped. Maybe it was just defective - a fraction of a mm too thick or something.
In the meantime, you don't have trouble with using it for regular cutting, right?
LOL - althou I wish there was like a spa for Bond where I can take him in to get him re-greased, taken apart to pick out whatever scraps of silicone pad possibly still in there etc...he is only 2 months old.
yeah!! my Bond still works - ran the machine a few times without anything going thru it to make sure any rubber bits are not stuck in there and then I successfully die cut a couple of labels!!!
now I need a new silicone pad! anyone knows if other embossing pads (like the spellbinders tan mat or the embossing pad by Quikutz, both I have) work in the Bond?? don't want to knock my Bond out again.
I'm looking into a motorized die cutter. I like the looks of the Vagabond but it looks like it would be difficult to clear if something became jammed.
Would you buy one again if something happened to yours or would you buy one of the other brands (if any, I haven't checked that out yet)?
Thanks for any info. you can share.
Yes I would!! it's working as new again - I did run the machine a few times without any sandwiches to see if any loose rubber bits would fall out or if I could see anything sticking out that I could just fish out from the opening and fortunately, there was none.
I called Sizzix too and they said I could send it in for a replacement if it didn't work (there is a 1 yr warranty).. but my baby is still purring like nothing happened..and i think it's because of the hardy big engine it has (any lesser engine would prob be killed by me already...)
I only own the vagabond and a Silhouette. so I can't speak to any other machine. I wouldn't trade in either - they are both great and they serve their own purposes. When I did my research before I got my vagabond, I didn't find any others as versatile in what it could cut in the market right now; but that is not to say nothing better than the vagabond would come up in the future...
I'm new to stamping and this is a very silly question and am a bit embarrassed to ask, but here goes...I have a Big Shot and when I used it, it seemed to cut the rubber pad when I used sizzix cutting dies. It didn't cut the rubber completely, but it did cut an impression in the pad. Is this what should happen or am I doing something wrong? Thanks! JD
The basic sandwich for the Big Shot is (acrylic) cutting pad, die, cardstock, cutting pad. When you roll that through the machine the die cuts through the cardstock and leaves an impression on the cutting pad which was the other side of the cardstock. That is perfectly normal. It doesn't take long until the cutting pad looks very cut up, but they will keep on working fine for ages.
You said the die cut into your rubber pad - what were you trying to do, and what sandwich were you using?
I have some general questions for you Vagabond experts out there. I have a Big Shot and am very happy with it. I don't have any hand issues which make it difficult to crank the machine, and storage space isn't an issue.
Why would I want a Vagabond?
How does its cutting area compare with that of the Big Shot?
Can I use the mats etc which I already have for the Big Shot or do I have to start collecting another set of accessories?
They are about to launch the Vagabond here in New Zealand and I'd like to be well informed before I look at it.
I just found this interesting thread and have been wondering about getting a Vagabond machine. Have any of you cut felt with yours?
Yes I have cut felt, regular cotton fabric, burlap, of course cardstock, chipboard, grungeboard, vellum, grunge paper, blister pack (those plastic packaging your spellbinders come in) and they all cut like butter... still love my vagabond...
Ha!! Artycarty you crack me up -- I didn't see that last line coming even as my eyebrows rose when I was reading your list. I was beginning to wonder if you were working for Mr. Holtz!!
I hadn't cut felt yet but have some - I should give it a try. I was thinking of it last night when I saw some felt in a certain company's holiday supplement catalog. Not surprised the Vagabond handles it all well, but always good to hear first-hand!
Ha!! Artycarty you crack me up -- I didn't see that last line coming even as my eyebrows rose when I was reading your list. I was beginning to wonder if you were working for Mr. Holtz!!
I hadn't cut felt yet but have some - I should give it a try. I was thinking of it last night when I saw some felt in a certain company's holiday supplement catalog. Not surprised the Vagabond handles it all well, but always good to hear first-hand!
ha .. I wish I worked for Mr Holtz ... but I make about 15-20 cards a day for my own handmade card business ... hence the vol of cutting I do. Any lesser machine would have been decimated by me...
I just bought my Vagabond! I bought it from Oh My Crafts, so i hope there are no issues getting it shipped to me, but I got it for a great price of $159.99! They're marked $199.99 but have a 20% off code (SUMMER20) that's good until July 31st, and no tax or shipping. I can hardly wait to get it in my hot little hands. You guys are definitely enablers!
Question:
I know I need to order the Wafer Thin Die Adapter, but should I also order the Texturz Silicone Rubber Pad and the Texturz Impressions Pad? What about a Premium Crease Pad?
One more quetion...will I need extended pads or does it come with those?
no it doesn't come with extended pads but I do use it (the extended pads) when i die cut borders longer than the usual pad it comes with ...
congrats on your machine - we're happy to oblige being enablers... like phantom, i also use the silicon pad and textured plate to emboss with spellbinders dies ... i haven't had the need to use the other one.
BTW, has anyone tried the "no more shim" mat from magnolia-licious on the vagabond?? i wonder if that means we don't need all the different mats for sandwiches??
Congratulations on your new machine, Wilma!! And, what a great deal..... You will love it.
I haven't tried the new shim from Magnolia-licious yet. I wasn't sure it would work in our machine, and didn't want to ruin anything yet. I did think about emailing them about if they've testing it in the "Bond" and see what they say.....
I know nothing of the new shim so can't contribute to that discussion!!
I wanted to share with you all how I almost wrecked Mr. Bond today!!
I was cutting with Nestabilities and then using embossing folders on those pieces. The first time, I looked at the diagrams and made sure I had the correct sandwich. The second time, I started my sandwich through the machine and it slowed down and seemed to be working too hard.
I went over the sandwich I had in my head, was sure it must be correct, and then kept on going . . . oops.
It was totally jammed between the rollers!!! I reversed it, and each time I pressed the button, it moved a. . . little . . . bit . . . at . . . a . . time. Then it stopped.
So -- I got some needle-nose pliers and got a firm grip on the embossing folder, pushed the button and pulled hard. It came out a little bit more.
It seemed like if I let the motor rest for a bit and then pulled the folder & pushed the button, it would move a bit more. But I'm not that patient.
So I pushed down hard on the sandwich on the other side of the rollers - as close to the housing as I could, and pressed the button. As soon as it started to move, I then pulled again on the embossing folder to help it along.
Finally!! It came out!! One of the clear plates was really bowed -- but not broken!!!
Disaster averted and I'm really pleased that I could do something this wrong and the machine still survived me :^) .
The tan mat may be used with the clear plates and shims (I use a piece of rubber gasket I got from Home Depot with the tan mat) to emboss the Nesties. I find I get a deeper embossing rather than with the Sizzix Impression Pad and Silicone Pad.
For embossing from bottom up it's:
Solo w/Shim
Clear Plate
Nestability w/cardstock
Tan mat
Gasket
Clear Plate
Hope this helps those who wondered about the tan mat....I prefer it.
I have a Cuttlebug and my Vagabond should arrive tomorrow from Oh, My Crafts. I used their 20% off over $100 coupon and their regular price is $199.99, so I got it for $159 with free shipping!
lovetostamp3 - I purchased a rubber gasket (Plumber's Pack) at Lowes, the thicker one gives the most fantastic embossing in my Cuttlebug. I use it instead of the tan mat. The problem is that it comes in five inch squares, and dies are getting bigger!
What kind of rubber gasket did you buy, and what section of the store do you find it in? I would love to get more of this material in a larger size.
I can see why you would need more thickness than just the tan mat as the Sizzix silicone black mat is much thicker.
I have a Cuttlebug and my Vagabond should arrive tomorrow from Oh, My Crafts. I used their 20% off over $100 coupon and their regular price is $199.99, so I got it for $159 with free shipping!
lovetostamp3 - I purchased a rubber gasket (Plumber's Pack) at Lowes, the thicker one gives the most fantastic embossing in my Cuttlebug. I use it instead of the tan mat. The problem is that it comes in five inch squares, and dies are getting bigger!
What kind of rubber gasket did you buy, and what section of the store do you find it in? I would love to get more of this material in a larger size.
I can see why you would need more thickness than just the tan mat as the Sizzix silicone black mat is much thicker.
Waiting on UPS. . .!!!
I got it in the plumbing section. It's grey in color, and I got a foot of it (which I think was the smallest amount you could buy); and it's about 36" long. So, you can share it with friends!!! It wasn't expensive.....
Thanks but that's not the issue LOL I have the extra small foam pieces but those are for use when cutting using just the movers and shapers base without using a magnetic die in the center.
My issue is when cutting thick material and I use the ATC movers and shapers base with a movers and shapers magnetic die at the same time (i.e. mini butterfly). There is not room for the small foam pieces to fit in there along with the magnetic die.
Tim Holtz is very good about answering emails. Maybe I'll see if I can find out from him and will post any response I get here.
I called Sizzix and they suggested buying a kitchen sponge and cutting it up. They said the dry (never used!) sponge is about the right thickness and you can cut it to the shape you need. It will also give as needed when it passes under the rollers.
Also, this works for the other problem - when you want to cut just the magnetic movers & shapers without a shape die. I bought the base tray so I can cut just the magnetic dies without the surrounding Bigz die. The tray is great for that. I wanted to be able to cut windows in things like card fronts. The base tray is just an empty tray, so there is no surrounding black foam to keep your paper balanced over the small magnetic die.
Again, Sizzix recommended the clean new kitchen sponge to make some really large shims to hold my paper balanced over the die. Without it the paper leans one way or the other and then the window is not cut where I want it.
I got it in the plumbing section. It's grey in color, and I got a foot of it (which I think was the smallest amount you could buy); and it's about 36" long. So, you can share it with friends!!! It wasn't expensive.....
Good luck!!!
So is it something on a roll and they cut a length off for you? I'm gonna be looking for this!
The larger tan mat is too expensive and with all these Motif and Accent sets the dies are longer than my regular tan mat, not to mention the Grand Nesties!
;)
NEWS ALERT: Found out from Diana that the new "no more shims" mat is not designed for the electric machines like the Vagabond. It's too thick and can ruin the machine, so no go for The Bond!!
yeah!! my Bond still works - ran the machine a few times without anything going thru it to make sure any rubber bits are not stuck in there and then I successfully die cut a couple of labels!!!
now I need a new silicone pad! anyone knows if other embossing pads (like the spellbinders tan mat or the embossing pad by Quikutz, both I have) work in the Bond?? don't want to knock my Bond out again.
On Scrapyland, she did a video of the Vagabond when it first came out. She used TWO tan mats stacked, as at that point Sizzix/Tim had not really come out with the recommendations for other brands. It worked great!
Also, if you were using the recommended sandwich, I would totally call Sizzix. They have customer service reps who are very helpful, and they may replace the torn mat.
I don't really like that silicone mat. It is like a knit material with neoprene, it reminds me of wetsuit material with thicker rubber. It is too squishy, it stretches and creeps as it goes through the machine (which may be part of the tearing problem). I am going to try the two tan mats stacked when I get a chance to play!
I bought some metal impression plates from Cheery Lynn Designs. I think the company 'Dies Direct' makes the plates for Cheery Lynn and for PaperTrey Ink (and a number of other stamping companies). You might want to check out Cheery Lynn's website - they have sandwich information including videos re: how to use the metal embossing plates with the Big Shot.
HTH....
FYI, Cheery Lynn is actually the retail arm of Dies Direct. It allows them to keep Dies Direct more focused on wholesale and custom die work for companies like PTI, etc. I just thought it was interesting!
They have wonderful customer service, and you can get their dies slightly discounted from Scrapyland.
NEWS ALERT: Found out from Diana that the new "no more shims" mat is not designed for the electric machines like the Vagabond. It's too thick and can ruin the machine, so no go for The Bond!!
I am about to join the ranks of Vagabond owners....I bought a prize draw ticket recently and was over the moon a couple of days ago after getting an email saying I'd won the Vagabond!!! Planning to collect the new toy tomorrow, so thought I'd better subscribe to this thread. It's already made for useful reading, thanks to all who've been sharing their experiences.
I am about to join the ranks of Vagabond owners....I bought a prize draw ticket recently and was over the moon a couple of days ago after getting an email saying I'd won the Vagabond!!! Planning to collect the new toy tomorrow, so thought I'd better subscribe to this thread. It's already made for useful reading, thanks to all who've been sharing their experiences.
Congratulations!! I can't imagine winning such a great prize!!
