Spellbinders Platinum Die Cutting and Embossing Machine (8.5 Inch Platform + Universal Plate System)

This is my second one. The first one, which was a slightly older model, lasted 6 years until it seized up. This one is much smoother and works like a charm. I have embossed and die cut with it and it is so much easier on the arm than the older one. Shipping was prompt and the item was well packed.

This is a review of the “AMAZON RESALE” item I received, NOT OF A NEW Spellbinder product. (yea, I know, “you get what you pay for”.. but I’m cheap and Amazon makes big promises for their Resale items, so sue me for being an optimist, lol) I’m doing penance by leaving this long review about how lame Amazon’s vaunted inspections are on their Resale items. So …. I’ve been coveting the large size Spellbinder Platinum ( Crafty Girl’s Dream Toy) for ages… but they are pretty pricey. My ancient much-loved-but-discontinued Cuttlebug has been on its last legs for a while now. Then Amazon sent me one of those alerts for a Used Spellbinder Platinum at almost half the regular price. Yippee!, I thought… I could Relove a used machine, why not… I will give this a shot. Machine arrived obviously used, which I expected. BUT… also missing parts, components, essential tools, and items that were promised to be in the box… which I did Not expect. Condition was listed as “acceptable”, which to me and most reasonable people means hmmm…maybe scratched or a little dinged up, but still fully functional with all advertised and necessary components present. When I opened up the box, it became apparent immediately that parts were missing. The embossing folder shown on the box was AWOL. .(eh, not that big a deal. I have other embossing folders) The machine’s handle crank comes packed separately in the box,, and requires a special Allen wrench tool to attach it to the machine. There is supposed to be a plastic cover for that piece of the handle after it gets attached. BOTH the Allen wrench and the plastic cover were Missing. But worst of all… the Manual that is supposed to be included was missing! This is A Very Big Deal, as these are essential component parts for the machine to be able to function. The Platinum machine comes with a lovely convenient pop-up handle for carrying. ( This is one solidly built cutting machine and it is heavy!) On this partular USED model …the handle intermittently sticks and won’t pop up…for no reason that I can understand. Oh gosh, if only I had the MANUAL… maybe I could figure it out….hmm. Grrr. Luckily for me my hubby has a garage full of tools, so I was able to attach the handle and get the machine functioning to test it. ( but who knows if I did it correctly because … again …the manual is missing) It was obvious that somebody who was not familiar with cutting machines had tried this machine and used it incorrectly because there were just a very few, very deep scores in both cutting plates of a Snowman. And both plates were quite warped. (Maybe they only used it for embossing?) It is normal for the cutting plates to get pretty scored up, but not quite as deeply as this one … so it looks like they used the wrong “sandwich”. If they had used it a much for die cutting, both the cutting plates would’ve been much more heavily marked. I’ve tested the cutting capability and it cuts great. really great. However, I’ve now tried using the embossing sandwich with a few different embossing folders, and it did not emboss very well. I had to make a custom shim (not the one that comes in the provided “sandwich”) to make it work. This worries me that the machine might either have invisible damage or need some sort of adjustment that I don’t know how to do…because …guess what …the Manual is missing! I contacted Amazon about the missing parts and components and manual, but they say they are unable to provide those despite their printed promises of standing behind their inspections of their used items. Don’t get me started about the Zon’s annoying AI Chatbot customer service/returns thingamajig that makes you jump through 1 millionHoops but doesn’t solve your problem and then won’t tell you how to get to a real human being that can actually address your issue! Aaaargh. That said, once I did reach an actual Human he was very helpful, but of course could only offer me options within Amazon’s policy, none of which were what I wanted. They were willing to give me about $20 back as compensation. Hmph…won’t cover missing parts. Or refund my money for a full return ( fair enough) I’m still deciding what I’m going to do. I have another week before my return window closes. Next step is to contact Spellbinders to see if I could purchase missing parts & manual direct from them. I very much doubt the $20 Amazon offered as compensation for their loss will cover what it will cost me to buy them direct. I’ll likely be better off to return the machine and buy a new one at full price from Spellbinders, which is probably what I should’ve done in the first place. Sigh I hate to have to return the machine because it weighs a ton and I’ll have to schlep it quite a ways to the nearest return point. And I really want to keep it dammit …if only I had the manual &the missing parts and could be sure it wasn’t damaged beyond repair. So there you go. My Amazon Resale experience. Caveat Emptor. Despite the savings, I don’t think It I will do it again. It has cost me too much in time and energy and annoyance. I now understand that despite their advertising, Amazon does Not check these Resale items properly to make sure they function and have all their parts. Nor will they make good on any missing parts. Your Only option will be to return the entire item for a refund.

I didn’t know when I got it , that I wouldn’t be able to turn the Handel . I don’t have the strength , my husband has to do it for me . Do you have a electric type ? I would love to know . Thank you !

Did get a dud but spellbinders took care of the issue so happy with the seller

I like that you can use 8" dies which is super for scrapbook jobs.

I am so frustrated right now I could scream. This is the second die cut machine that I have ordered. The first one came broken, no instructions no packaging. This one the box was clearly ripped open. There was no handle. There was no packaging. There were no plates. I paid $275 for this piece of crap absolutely furious.

I haven’t used it yet but the weight is totally wrong.

I already own bigshot, bigshot plus, Gemini midi and ebosser, but I wanted a foldaway machine and I was intrigued by the universal plate system. This machine cuts at first attempt and embosses all folders including 3d with no issues. I also bought the smaller universal plate system so I didn't have to use the large plates for smaller dies. The only issue I have is that the carry handle will not always pull up which makes lifting the machine awkward due to the size and weight, it also sounds like there is something rattling about so maybe something has come loose. The bigshots are still good machines but this spellbinder gives perfect cuts each time and no warped plates yet.

Either the plates warped after 3 uses, or this isn't compatible with most of my thin steel dies. Either way, that's £250 completely wasted.

Very disappointed with this machine. Handle very hard to turn. It die cut ok, However embossing was a complete nightmare. It would work perfectly then when trying again would not emboss at all. Returned for refund.