Yep. The border punch needs sharpening and probably lubing. Look how raggedy that scallop edge is in contrast to the smooth scallop circle! I'm going to try to sharpen it by repeatedly punching pieces of folded aluminum foil and lube it by punching layers of wax paper, but I wonder if anyone has had luck with that. Have you ever tried it? Did it work?
And please don't tell me to punch a cut-open aluminum can. I cut myself enough with paper! Last week, I cut myself opening a cardboard box...with the cardboard, not the scissors. Bled like a you-know-what. I'm perfectly safe with scissors and knives...it's what I'm cutting that poses a threat to my safety. I'd need stitches if I tried cutting an aluminum can. So I'll pitch the punch before doing that.
Thanks in advance for any non-Al-can experience you can share in this matter, and have a lovely weekend!
Supplies
stamps: Papertrey Winterberry
ink: Memento
paper: PTI white
accessories: circle punch, scallop circle punch, Martha Stewart border punch, dimensionals, rhinestones, Memento marker
I have a 1/2" corner rounder that I've tried aluminum foil as well as waxed paper-didnt fix the problem. Wrote to Fiskar's who suggested the same things. Tried the can-no cuts but did'nt work either. I'm at a loss. Buy a new one? I think not!
ReplyDeleteI tried the aluminum foil on a three hole punch at work - it seemed to work better after that. None of my punches seem to need it yet... I am now bringing the tin foil to my craft room. I didn't try the wax paper - I didn't know about that. I figured that tin foil doesn't cost that much and I haven't really lost that much by trying it.
ReplyDeletei have used the tin foil and waxed paper trick. multiple layers of aluminum foil or a couple of layers of the heavy stuff.... punch maybe 10 times - then multiple layers of waxed paper. it does help. hope this helps!
ReplyDeleteI've used the Cutter Glide tool cleaner and treatment with success on my wonky punches. I think I actually got it at Marco's a few years back when I was up that way.
ReplyDeleteI tried the tin foil on a punch that was leaving ragged edges; didn't see the kind of improvement I wanted so I switched to a fine grade sand paper. That did the trick.
ReplyDeleteAs for lubrication, I've never heard of the wax paper trick for that. I had a friend break an SU punch apart, luckily it could be reassembled; but when my DH put it together he greased it with some WD-40.
This did leave a residue on my paper. I punched through two or three sheets of junky card stock and it was still leaving marks. He took it apart again, "de-greased" it somehow; and now it works smoothly and doesn't leave a mark.
I wouldn't recommend WD-40 for all your punches, because it can get messy. Or just use a Q-tip and be sure to apply it only on the "moving parts" and not onto any of the cutting edges.
The foil trick does help. I haven't tried waxed paper.
ReplyDeleteI've tried the wax paper and aluminum foil with good results. I've had punches that would get stuck and would release and I didn't like WD40 because of the greasiness. My LSS introduced me to Punch Doctor which is a silicone based spray. Works like WD40 but doesn't have greasy, smelly residue. Now my punches work like a hot knife through soft butter.
ReplyDeleteI've used the foil and waxed paper tricks and had some success. For punches that stick, put them in the freezer for an hour or so. Yes, the freezer. I've also been tempted to throw a "bad" punch through the window.
ReplyDeleteI haven't needed to sharpen any of my punches yet, but the packages they came in all recommended tin foil and wax paper.
ReplyDeleteI have only had problems with some Fiskars border punches sticking shut. I couldn't get the punch to come apart and release the paper. I never thought of contacting Fiskars directly though.
EK Success has a 'punch revitalizer' kit which includes squares of tin foil & wax paper and a bottle of silicone lubricant. Maybe the lubricant is the secret ingredient. ;-)
I was going to comment on how poor the border punch cutting looked! HA Like I would have known. Like you love everything about this card. It never ceases to amaze me what an impact white on white has.
ReplyDeleteone of my EK success border punches developed a cutting issue as well. I wrote them to ask about resharpening and they actually sent me a replacement instead. Never hurts to contact a manufacturer and politely explain a problem you are having with a product of theirs. They were VERY prompt and I didn't have to send back the malfunctioning punch.
ReplyDeleteI have used both foil and wax paper on a Marths Stewart punch. It took a while, but it worked.
ReplyDeleteLike most of the replies, I have tried wax paper and tin foil. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I have used Cutter Glide and that does seem to help the sticking of punches. I do hate to say this :<) but I did notice the roughness of the border. Sometimes what works is to gently sand the edge of the border that you just cut with a sanding block. My cutter is getting old so I often have to do this to keep the edge of my card smooth looking
ReplyDeleteI can vouch for the foil sharpening - I recently bought "punch restore kit"...haven't used it yet, but it has foil, wax paper and lubricant
ReplyDeletehttp://www.simonsaysstamp.com/servlet/the-20714/EK-Success-PUNCH-REVITALIZER/Detail
Pretty card, Susan :)
I've not had to try the foil for sharpening any of my punches so far, but have read about it as well as the wax paper for lubricating. I did just come across one of my punches that I need to try the wax paper on since it sticks terribly and is brand new as far as usage goes. :( But, I can't speak for either process at this point. I've heard of a product called Cutter Glide that is for all cutting tools from scissors to punches, etc. but I don't know if it has anything for sharpening them. Too bad I'm not there to help with the aluminum can cutting. I cut them up all the time and then use the sheet of aluminum to make die cuts. And no, the edges of the die cuts do not slice fingers.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea what it is about your card that you don't like other than the fuzzy edge your punch left. It's so CAS there's not much there not to like! LOL! But, concerning the fuzzy edge, you could have filed off the fuzz before gluing it down. I have a little set of craft files for such work, but an emery board would also take off the fuzz. Hopefully in your next post you'll tell us what it is that you don't like and we'll learn another tip about card design.
I haven't tried the foil or wax paper. I have punch punches in the freezer. I did get success temporarily. I like the idea of writing the manufacturer best! With your skills (and following), I would bet that you would have success.
ReplyDeletetotally cute card!
ReplyDeleteenjoy *~*