Do you buy items branded with a machine you don't own?

You didn’t say what you’re referring to, but if you mean dies, I’ve got an ebosser which is a large platform electronic die cutting machine, and I have many dies from different companies and they all work just fine. It not only takes thin metal dies like the other machines do, but it’s got a taller opening so it takes thicker dies like sizzix bigz dies. It also takes every embossing folder of every thickness I’ve tried. It only required working out the correct sandwich, and in one case the addition of an optional plate. You should be okay with any thin metal die as long as the width of the machine platform is wide enough to accommodate it and it fits lengthwise on the platform as well, which most do on most machines.

Thank you, Craftmaniac1. That’s sensible and helpful. I’ll continue to grind away, repeating the process per die as necessary. Since no one machine serves every purpose equally, as you say, I’m fine with my choice.

This is a very interesting question. I interpret it as “are their dies that are likely to deform in machines that use greater pressures and conversely are there dies that need greater pressure to cut cleanly?” Does the cutting cut clean but negatively affect the material in other ways like warping the paper. Embossing seems to be a different problem; greater pressure brings out a better emboss, period. There is the problem. An open frame die, that is a die that is only a perimeter usually used to cut a shadow layer or a stamped image, will deform easily and may not even cut if it is a poor quality die or in an uneven press. Matching the die to the right press is NOT a matter of brand per se but rather a matter of using a press with the right capability and the right plates, shims, folders and fit for the die. I believe dies have their limits on pressures as well as machines having their limits on what is run through them. My best motto is less is more. This means you may need several different presses to run the gamut from cutting multi layers of fabric to cutting thin papers like tissue. Personal preference is important. But no one press can be right for all materials or dies or folders. Dies quickly disappear from the market as new designs emerge and that older die can be irreplaceable. Presses are an investment as are dies. Protect your investment by using less is more for pressure on dies and machines with the goal of a clean cut or deep emboss. I don’t let brand affect my match of die and machine, but do look for a match to my goal in using a die.

Mainly dies. I’ve heard both Anna Griffin and Sara Davies say you need electric die cutting machines to handle the details in the dies branded for their machines. Also I’m not buying Diamond Press products because they don’t seem right for my Big Shots (2) and Cuttlebug. I don’t want anything disappearing from view into something electric. I know that sounds dumb, but I don’t like the sounds they make either. Sometimes it sounds like a human groaning in there; it’s just creepy to me.

Do you mean things like dies? Generally dies will work in any machine assuming your machine is large enough to accept the dies. Some manual die cutting machines may accept dies up to 6″ wide and others have larger openings.