CM Punch question

[piratesmate]

Last month I was at a CM crop-party. I've been told before that the best way to punch pix or to create a "frame" is to turn it over so you can see what you're doing & punch that way. When I turned over the CMC's punch to make a square frame she told me that you're not supposed to do that with their punches.

She said that there's something in the way they're made that will ruin them if used upside down, but it's okay to do so with other brands. I felt terrible since I'd already done it a njmber of times before she saw me.

I don't want to bash her - I'm sure she was only telling me what she believed to be true. I'm just curious if others have been told the same thing?

 

[ek_disney]

I used to be a CMC and turning it upside down to do the frames is the way it was demonstrated in many CM handouts. I have been making them with all of my punches since they came out and have not had any problems with them.

Now I have heard that they changed their manufacture for the punches to offer them at $16 instead of $20. Maybe the newer ones can't handle it.

I just know this is how I do mine....how this helps.

 

[Spinning]

HMMMM. I have been turning it over ever since I had my CM punches. How else are you to be sure where to slide the picture in!?!??
I think she is a little nervous or something. I usually just push it with my hands and not put it on the table.
But have also done that too....

 

[piratesmate]

I just found it hard to understand since the CM products are all about quality. I just can't imagine how the mechanism could be made that using it upside down would/could cause a problem.

She is very new, but I'm certain she was just repeating what someone had told her. She's actually a friend of DDIL, who looked very surprised when she heard that part. The first CMC DDIL used never mentioned it.

ek Disney - She said that you should hold the button down to keep the picture in place & then turn it rightside up to punch....easier said than done - at least for me.

Thanks for answering, ladies!

 

[Franne]

Nope, I am a CMC and nothing will happen to the punches. I make the frames all the time and demonstrate them in my classes. Maybe she misunderstood something she heard. And remember, if anything happens to your punches they are guarenteed for a year so you can get a new one!

 

[Twigs]

Glad to see your reply Franne. It is the same action taking place no matter which side is up. And Deb, that would drive me batty trying to turn the punch around after lining it up!

 

[piratesmate]

Thanks Franne! I appreciate the CMC response here. I couldn't imagine it mattered. TBH - It would have prevented me from ever buying one!

Twigs - Too true! I gave up after she told me not to do it upside down. I spent ~5 min trying to turn it over & only to have it slip. I never did get one done that way.

 

[Franne]

Now I have heard that they changed their manufacture for the punches to offer them at $16 instead of $20. Maybe the newer ones can't handle it.

I just know this is how I do mine....how this helps.

I haven't heard that, the mini ones sell at $16 now. When I first started I think they were $20 too. I hope they go down to $16 for all, that would make it easier for people to get multiple shapes.
I love the new ones that came out (heart and star), they are lighter and easier to handle since they aren't as big and heavy. I always do it in my hand as opposed to the table, I guess I just find it easier that way. (Also the big ones are a little hard to punch since I have carpeltunnel)
I do love my punches!
Franne

 

[cobbler]

I am a CMC too and I haven't heard of this and I always turn mine upside down so I can see what I am doing and don't have any problems.

 

[PoohBearLovinMama]

Another CMC here who always turns them upside down. Even if I'm not punching out something specific, just the shape, I turn it upside down b/c for some reason it seems easier that way to me.

 

[scrapperjill]

Yet another CMC....and the reason they have the notches made on the square punches...is specificaly for making frames....Now unless you were very flexable...I don't see how you'd be able to make frames with out turning the punch over...So NO there is no rule or clause with CM punches to not allow you to turn them over and punch away.

 

[wtpclc]

Maybe you should refer your CMC to this thread. She seems to be moissing something. All of the page patterns and fast formulas use frames. The nothches are so you can make frames. You need to do it upside down. My mechanical engineer dh will confimr that this will not change any stress on the punch. JMO as another CMC.

 

[zagafi]

Yet another CMC chiming in to say flip that baby over and punch to your heart's content!

 

[jennz]

Hi all - I have a question about the frame...do you mean where the larger shape frames the cutout of the smaller one or a frame for an entire picture? Just curious if I'm missing something else I can do with these punches!

 

[wtpclc]

jennz - No picture frames, just the outlines done by making the cutout with the small and large punches.

 

[jennz]

Thanks Carrie!