Review on We Memory Keepers WR661176 Machine by Angela Rodriguez

That's maybe more than you ever wanted to know about die cutting machines. I have been an enthusiastic papermaker for 25 years. For reference I have the following machines: We R Memory Keepers Revolution, Sizzix Big Shot, Gemini Jr., Spellbinders Platinum 6, Tim Holtz Vagabond 2, Altenew Mini Blossom, Sizzix Sidekick, CTMH Machine, Brother Scan n' Cut, Cricut Explore Air 2. , Cricut Joy and a mini evolution by We R Memory Keepers. I used to have a Big Shot Plus, but I gave it to my daughter for cutting fabric squares and other projects (it was too big for my workshop). I have used all of these machines at different times. My current favorite machine is the We R Memory Keepers Revolution Machine. Love the size, big handle on top, perfect color (I'm happy when I see a nice color), great magnetic platform (best I've used, very strong magnet) and smooth launch. I've experienced much less plate warping than other machines. I mainly make postcards and this is the perfect size for me. I added a photo but it was taken at night so it's a bit dark. It's fun to switch between different machines depending on what I'm doing. If you are interested in my experiences with these machines, please read the following notes. Important: I actually ended up with Sizzix after they started filing lawsuits against other crafting companies (will get rid of this one). Also, my pen got bent and everything looks weird now, so I'll probably donate. Gemini Jr.: It's good when you have a lot of editing to do because it all happens automatically. It's really picky, but I don't like the bright purple color of the lettering on the car and it's noisy (I tinker to relax and the noise this car makes isn't relaxing). I also don't like playing around with so many plates. Jennifer McGuire has a great video on how to make a scotch sandwich so you don't have to fiddle with all the plates. I understand that all platen options make the machine more versatile, but that annoys me a little. This is a great car if you have wrist or hand problems. Spellbinders Platinum 6: This is a great machine and I love how it performs. Again, this is picky, but I'm not a fan of color, and the recessed handle is driving me nuts, I can't get my fingers in it that easily. I love how compact the machine is and it really is a workhorse. I find my records warp a lot, but like most machines you have to rotate them. Tim Holtz Vagabond 2: It's good if you have old dies and you're going to cut a lot, it's electric. The car is from Sizzix so I'll probably get rid of this one. I hope Tim Holtz gets along with another producer because he's awesome! Again, this is picky, but the color and style aren't my favorites. It suits Tim's style but not mine. Altenew Mini Blossom: This is a cute little machine to keep on your desk, but it doesn't vacuum very well and I can't find replacement plates (they always sell out). I love the size of the blades on this one (slightly larger than the Sizzix Sidekick). Sizzix Sidekick: Once again likely sale and farewell to Sizzix. The suction cup is good, but the cutting area is too small (the Altenew Mini Blossom and the We R Memory Keepers Mini Evolution have a larger cutting area). CTMH machine: I really like this machine. It features an adjustable die-cutting and embossing wheel that allows you to easily customize what you do. It has a convenient suction cup that attaches to the workstation, the sides fold down, it has two storage compartments, a great top handle and the size is great for scrapbooking. The color is beautiful and I enjoy using it. We R Memory Keepers Mini Evolution: I really like this machine and it always stays on my desktop. It can handle about 75% of the die cutting work I do. It's small and easy to take. I compared the quality of the haircut between this one and the Sizzix Sidekick and Altenew Blossom. The Mini Evolution had a much cleaner cut than the other two machines (I used a stamp with an embroidered heart for comparison). Brother Scan n' Cut: This is good if you cut a lot of material (e.g. Christmas cards). It doesn't produce as nice an edge as using the stamps that come with die sets, but they're nice to have if you're going to be making a lot. Because it's a large electric machine, it takes up a lot of space and you have to fiddle with it more than you would with a manual machine. It's also quite expensive. Cricut Explore Air 2: This is a fun car, but expensive. You can do a lot of things with it but like the Brother Scan n' Cut it's a big machine so it takes up a lot of space in the workshop and I find it takes longer to use. I've found I don't use this or Scan n' Cut very often. Cricut Joy: This is a car I recently bought that is still fun to make. The only thing that bothers me is that the card mat seems to have lost its grip after just a few cards. It's quite expensive (the price should be around $85, not $170). It's really cute and small and I love the color. This is convenient for card manufacturers. I was able to create some really cute cards with just a few clicks in the app. All in all, I'm using We R Memory Keepers Revolution and Mini Evolution as my two main die-cutting machines at the moment. The only ones I want to get rid of at the moment are Sizzix.