Big Shot Switch vs Gemini II

Comparing the Sizzix Big Shot Switch to the Gemini II

[@debschoen5581]

Thank you for making this video. Very informative!!!

[@QueenPam]

Thank you for watching and commenting. I am glad to be able to share. If you have any other questions please let me know.

[@hilaryliffen8425]

An extremely interesting comparison, thank you. Which one do you actually prefer? I own the Switch and love it. I do have a Gemini, which I only used twice! I would be interested to know if the plates are better than the Original and the pressure is less.

[@QueenPam]

Thanks for watching. Sarah said that the pressure was the same. And for me its not about preference one over the other. It just depends on what I'm doing. I like the Switch for embossing (I use the universal system by Spellbinders) and of course for steel rule dies since the Gemini can't take that size die. But the Gemini's pressure has never met a thin die it didn't cut. Now bare in mind that I don't use the Gemini's plate stack (way too many in my opinion) I'll probably never know how long they last. If there could be only one I'd take the Switch since it can do all the things. If you can find a old Spellbinders Grand Calibur I'd tell you get it for the plates and use the white cutting plate and the clear gemini plate for thin dies to use in the Gemini. I use my Gemini's the most because I'm usually cutting wafer thin dies.

[@hilaryliffen8425]

@@QueenPam I didn’t know that the Switch took the Spellbinders plates - thank you for the heads up.

[@QueenPam]

@@hilaryliffen8425 Yes and I'm so glad it does.

[@QueenPam]

@@hilaryliffen8425 You are welcome!

[@Jam020866]

Great video! Thank you!

[@QueenPam]

Glad you like it and thanks for watching.

[@lorrainedurgee1761]

I don’t understand the spellbinders plates that u we’re talking about - dies the switch machine take spellbinder plates - is that what u mean ?

[@QueenPam]

Thanks for watching. Since this was 8 months ago, I'm not sure so I'll give you my best guess. In the Gemini I use plates from the no longer sold Spellbinders Grand Calibur. There was a white cutting plate for that machine that is more durable. The Switch will take the currently sold "Spellbinders universal plate system", it makes using the various companies' 3D embossing folders easier.

[@juliebergacker5680]

Thank you 👏👏👍💕

[@QueenPam]

Thanks for watching and you are welcome.

[@hmmmIMHO]

One reason I stopped using the original Gemini was because it’s plates warped and wore out so fast. I switched to an old UK brand - Craftwell’s “Cut N Boss”. The new Switch is somewhat a copy of it (but I don’t have a back door falling open and it automatically stops running). The big thick plate seems to protect the thinner plates from warping as much. I always use the same cutting plate on the bottom and just flip the top one. That also prevents cutting marks from the top one getting on the paper. I use my old, original plates for embossing folders as that does bend the top one - especially on thick 3D folders. How durable are the new plates on both machine’s? I heard the plates on the Gemini II still warp. I should also add I always cut DOWN with my cutting plate closer to the thick plate. I let that sandwich section take the beating. But from other reviews I have seen on the SWITCH, it still had some catching up to do on my old Cut-N-Boss,

[@QueenPam]

Thanks for your detailed comment. How long the new Gemini plates will last; only time will tell. I don't use their plates because I don't want to stack that many pieces. I use my Spellbinder white plate from their Grand Calibur machine and 1 gemini plate and I'm on my original white and my second gemini clear plate in probably 4 years (that's a guess). I use the Switch for embossing mostly so my plates are not warping...but that would be the universal plates system from Spellbinders. If only Spellbinders would have made an electric machine...I do not want to hand crank any more. Thanks for watching!

[@mpbailey18]

Was waiting to see the quality of the cuts...nada. What are the negatives of each machine?

[@QueenPam]

Thanks for watching. The cuts are so similar. If there is a negative...the Gemini only takes thin diess so you would need another machine to cut steel rule. The Switch will cut them all. The reason I don't use the Gemini plates are that they warp and I don't want to have to use more than 2 plates for most cuts so I use the spellbinder white plate and a clear gemini plate.

[@betsyclayton4297]

How do Tim Holtz 3D embossing folders work in the gemini II?

[@QueenPam]

Thanks for asking and for watching. I will get back to you once I try it. I usually use my bigshot or vagabond for embossing folders, only because I can follow the directions on the platform.

[@QueenPam]

Not with the plates that come with the machine.