I am beginning to wonder if that is the case with my new Go.
I decided for Christmas to treat myself to a Go cutter by buying the machine and using my reward cards for the dies.
I received the cutter on one day and the dies the next, so was happy that they came so close together. I ordered the hexagons and strip cutter for borders. The first thing I realized is, you need different sized mats for different dies, so remember that when you order dies. Since I only had the square pad, I figured it was good enough to use on the hexagons, since it is a small mat.
I used the mat and it worked fine, but started falling apart. I am not sure if it is from the fact that it is larger than the hexagon die or I got a bad mat? But, the wear alone makes me wonder how long a mat will last. This is the mat, it is coming apart at the ends, don't think that should happen?
I was able to get to the store and get the right sized mat. I used it to cut a few hexagons, to make a small mat. This is what I cut.
This is how the mat looked, after cutting those hexagons. One problem I see is that the die has three sized hexagons on it and I am only using one. Wouldn't it be better if they put more hexagons of the same size on one die? It would be much more efficient, in my opinion.
Then, halfway through I notice my hexagons are crooked?
Now, I did nothing different, was cutting with the good mat and it just went from cutting fine to cutting with one bad side. So I looked at the die and this is what I saw. This happened while I was cutting, so I assume I got a bad die and it went while I was using it.
So, I mentioned it to Accuquilt and they said to call them. That would be fine if I didn't have coughing attacks and hate to talk on the phone. For some reason they do not want to respond to email? So, I emailed the company I ordered it from and in two days I got a new one. Now that was nice of them, since it is the company that usually replaces the item. I was very happy since I could cut again and work on finishing my piece.
So, my opinion about the Go cutter is still up in the air. I do love using it, it is fast and easy, I did not have to read directions or do anything special to use it. I had heard that it is hard to turn the handle and I do have arthritis, but found it turned easily, with all six pieces of fabric, so that is a plus in my book.
My doubts are with how long the mats will last. They are not cheap, so I expected them to last at least a year, we shall see. They do work with all the cuts in them, but I wonder if they will still cut nicely after a lot of use, we shall see on that, as well. I never received a reply from their web support, but they do answer on facebook. I guess I have to call if I want answers and a replacement mat for the first one.
My recommendation if you plan on buying a go is to buy from a local dealer if you can. Then if you have problems, you have someone you can go to. Online, I have a Notion is one place, I would trust for product satisfaction. Kelly also tests all of her products and is happy to help you with your selections. I also have to say, SewVacDirect is where I got my dies from and they replaced my die, no questions asked.
I am working on finishing my hexagon piece, so hopefully I will have it done in a few days. I have enjoyed being able to use the cutter to make a piece and save myself the trouble of hand cutting them.
14 comments:
That stinks! It's so hard buying something anymore. I wind up researching it up the wazoo, but you still can't be 100% sure it's going to be good. I asked for the Sizzix Big Shot for Christmas. So far I think it's the coolest thing EVER! LOL BUT just like your mat, mine has acryllic cutting mats and the 1st time I used a die I had a panic attack thinking I did something wrong because there cut into the plastic was my die shape! After reading online, I found out that yes, there will be a point that I will need to replace the mats but they seem to go a long way from what people say.
I also hear what you're saying about the different sizes, it would make more sense to have a whole bunch of one size on a die but then I thought....wowzers, that would be expensive then to buy all the different size dies. I guess no easy answer there.
I'm tempted to try out the Accuquilt dies as I read that some of the smaller ones will fit in my sizzix. I'm not much of a quilter but I do like to make rag quilts and thought the square die might be useful.
I hope you're able to get through to the company and get a replacement on that mat, in the meantime happy playing and can't wait to see the hexagon quilt!!!
Oh Debbie... So sorry that you are having such a time with this machine after wanting one for so long! Good thing you have the people you purchased the machine from to help some. Hopefully the makers of Go will take some of your suggestions into consideration with future models... the multiples of same size shapes makes a whole lot more sense than having 3 different sizes...
A friend has the Go and I saw exactly the same issues. I guess I really do not want to be limited and for personal use, I love my rotary cutter.
They might be good in the commercial application but I figure they are in the same group as many specialty kitchen products or specialty rulers. Useful in limited circumstances.
I'm cutting 2-1/2 inch squares with my started die, and there's only one on it. I'd much prefer they have a whole die of just 2-1/2 inch squares. S0metimes my rotary cutter is still the best way to go.
Thanks for that review, Debbie! It's nice to hear all the good and bad. I'm glad that they sent you a new one right away. That's amazing customer service. I'll be interested to see how things go! Your luck sounds a bit like mine!! :-)
I, too, got myself a GO for Christmas. I got the Rob Peter to Pay Paul dies & had a really difficult time getting the foam out of the center of the larger die. It was so stuck on the wood that I had to rip part of it to get it out. I've also wondered how long those mats last. After the first use it looked like it was going to be cut all the way thru. Overall, though, I love it!
It looks complicated to me, but you know I'm not a quilter. Sorry it has been so frustrating, but I'm sure you will figure things out.
It's so sad that we can't expect things to work right anymore. They probably make the mat flimsy intentionally so you have to keep buying them . . . maybe you could use a professional grade mat.
Oh no that is too bad, Debbie!!Yes, the mats do show wear...but so far I haven't had to replace mine yet...and I have done tons of cutting. I also only cut 4 layers at a time and I rotate my mat with each cut making sure that I either flip it and rotate it. I think this helps a lot.
Fingers crossed that all goes well!!
Paulette
It was nice to read your review. I've been wondering about this, but had only read positives.
I am on the fence with the new mats, which is what you are using. I liked the original opaque white mats, but many like these new mats. Either way, I've come to learn that they really do last long enough to justify their cost. It is just an odd feeling to see them get sliced up when using.
Just remember to rotate your mats, like you might rotate a mattress and they'll last a long time.
Certain dies have more value for different people and you'll find which ones give you that wow factor. I do have the hexy die, but haven't yet cut with it so can't say anything about it. But AccuQuilt does stand behind their products.
there are some cuts I'd still rather do by hand, but there are many times where the GO! has helped make my projects get completed faster as well as saved me money by using scraps that I would have previously tossed.
sorry your first experience hasn't been a positive one.
SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com
I don't have a Go machine, but I have seen them at the quilt shop. I do have a Cricut Expression and from the way it looks, they kind of work somewhat the same way. I know that on the Cricut, if the pressure is set too high, it can cut into the mat. Is there anyway that you can adjust the pressure on the Go cutter? It could also be a technical thing that it just has to be reset. I know that I was having that problem with the Cricut and I did a search on the internet and found instructions on how to "reset" the controls and it fixed the problem for me. Like I said though, I don't know anything about the Go Cutter. Hope the new mat doesn't get wrecked!
I got the new GO cutter for Christmas too. I can't draw a straight line with a ruler, much less cut one :) so it's been a godsend for me. I wonder about the mat too, but I just keep rotating it. I had wanted the Cricut when it first came out for cutting fabric, but glad I'm waited for this...so far I love it!
That is very interesting about your GO. That is good that they sent you a new die. I agree about a die having the same size pattern on the whole thing. It is fine to sell one with three different sizes but if a person is wanting cut a bunch the same size your idea would be better.
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