I love papercrafting, mixed media, and jewelry crafting, so I was especially excited to see the Artisan X-Plorer debuted at CHA winter earlier this year. It’s a heavier-duty “press” type of manual die-cutting machine.
According to the website,
Introducing the new Spellbinders® Artisan X-plorer™ Machine, a multi-purpose, high pressure machine! This elegantly designed, compact roller press is perfect for cutting, embossing and pressing with a multitude of materials, including paper, metals, fabrics, plastics and more!
The Artisan X-plorer Machine accommodates Spellbinders Media Mixáge™ products as well as Spellbinders die templates and embossing folders up to 4¼” wide. It features the same idea of our color coded plates to either cut or emboss in a single pass. This will no doubt become your go-to crafting solution for all kinds of projects, from jewelry to home décor, adornments to art journals, cards, layouts, fabric arts and mixed media!
With an integrated handle design, and weighing only five pounds, the Spellbinders Artisan X-plorer Machine is portable and convenient to use anywhere! The machine has a stability base to keep it in place during use.
Approximate Dimensions:
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W x H x Depth: 10¾ x 7¾ x 4½”
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Handle is 4½” (top to bottom) and 2” in width
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Shipping Weight with Mats: 7.0 lbs.
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Tan Embossing Pads contains Natural Rubber Latex (NRL)
So let’s take a closer look!
It comes with the Embossing Plate, Embossing Mat, Base Plate and Cutting Mat. While it says that there is an “integrated handle,” that is not exactly true. There is a nice grippy surface on top so that you can hold on to the machine, but there is no carrying handle.
It has a smaller opening than most die-cutting machines- it will only accommodate dies and folders up to 4 1/4 inches. The opening is about 1 inch high, so that means it won’t accept any steel-rule dies.
The Cutting Mats are about 8 inches long.
It uses a suction lever to adhere the machine to the work surface. I found that I had to re-attach it to my table after every pass.
The book is text-only and has only instructions for using it with other Spellbinders products. If you want to use other manufacturer’s dies and folders, you have to look for the instructions here.
First, I’ll show you a few videos I made. The first is an overview of the machine. The second gives you a better feel for what it will and won’t cut.
Part Two:
Now for the stills of my swatches!
Not so impressive. (har, har!)
So here’s the nitty-gritty! This is a very adequate machine for jewelry makers and mixed-media and/or card artists that are just getting into the die-cutting arena. It’s small, sturdy, and great for smaller-scale projects using Spellbinders products. If you already have another die-cutting machine with a collection of other dies, it would not make sense for you to switch over considering that it will only cut small and thin-rule dies. It would be a great gift, too, considering the low price point.
You also might be interested in my other reviews of Spellbinders products:
- Majestic Elements & Imperial Gold Dies
- Spellbinders Grand Calibur
- Nestabilities and Grand Nestabilities Dies
- M-Bossabilities Folders
- Cut Fold and Tuck Dies
- Cutting Fabric with Spellbinders
What do you think? Would this machine suit your needs or not? I’d love to hear from you!
Disclosure: I received the Artisan X-Plorer and cutting mats for review purposes. Opinions are honest and my own. Affilate links below support free content on CTD.
- Spooky Spider Halloween Bookmark Craft - October 24, 2018
- Review and Demo of LDRS Hybrid Ink Pads - October 15, 2018
- Review and Demo of Nuvo Hybrid Inks - October 1, 2018
- Craft Studio Tour and Organization Ideas - September 20, 2018
- Wax Paper Resist Background Technique - March 20, 2018
- Comparison of Liquid Watercolor Markers/Pens - March 16, 2018
- SAI Japanese Traditional Watercolor Brush Markers- Review & Demo - February 23, 2018
- Rinea Metallic Foil Paper & Ghost Ink Review - February 21, 2018
- Jane Davenport debuts at Creativation 2018 & Watercolor Card - February 13, 2018
- Creativation 2018: New Product Showcase - January 20, 2018
Karen R. from Upstate SC says
Thanks for the review on the Artisan X-Plorer, Jenny! I had thought about purchasing one when I saw it being used in a Spellbinders video but having seen you actually use it, I’ve decided to just stick with my trusty Cuttlebug! I didn’t realize (and did not like) the fact that it only cut 4 1/4 inches wide! Seems a bit silly as the majority of Nestabilities seem to run a bit larger in size. My Cuttlebug works just fine but I do wish it would cut the Grand Nestabilities! 🙂
Megan Bahl says
Thanks for the review! It is disappointing that it doesn’t seem very versatile! Thanks for the info!
Megan Bahl says
Karen, get a Big Shot! I have not been disappointed with it yet! I just wish it wasn’t so heavy. I am in the market for a smaller more portable machine I can take to crops and such.
E Coral Smith says
Hi,
It’s really interesting to actually see what this will – and won’t – cut. As someone who makes jewellery to sell, and uses a BigShot for embossing the likes of Vintaj blanks and copper blanks, I was hopeful that this machine would actually cut metal blanks which I could use in the same way, rather than just paper or card to fit into the Media Mixage shapes.
From the picture you’ve shown above of it not cutting the heavy metal properly, I can see that it’s back to the drawing board as far as that idea goes! Can you tell me what the gauge of the metal shown in the picture was please? I’m in the UK, but should be able to translate to the sizes we use.
Thank you,
Coral.
Jenny says
Coral- they do not list the gauge of the craft metal on the packaging. I’d suggest contacting the company for more information on that. Good luck!
E Coral Smith says
Hi Jenny,
Thanks for that. How annoying!!! I did check their site, but it seemed a bit vague as to what it would cut through. I guess my trusty BigShot will just have to keep on going, it seems to deal with just about anything, and this one obviously won’t do as much as it’s got such a small aperture.
Coral
Nancy says
I like the small size of it. I thought that “integrated handle” referred to the crank being part of the machine and not attached separately as with some other machines.
I don’t have a lot of space and use mostly Nestabilities and the smallish embossing folders, so I think this would work well for me still as a backup to my Vagabond in case I ever have a problem with it.
Thanks for the info!
Robyn Swaim says
I’m getting one of these for my birthday. I wanted it to make charms for purses I make. I also have a Sizzix for things like paper cutting/embossing (it’s not a huge one but big enough), however, for what I’m wanting to make I think the X-plorer will work just fine. Watching the video is helpful for learning how to use it and what I can and cannot do with it. Thanks!
Suzie says
I’ve just won one from a local craft shop, I’m quite excited to see what it will and won’t cut… you say it will cut the Cuttlebug dies (thank god for that ‘cos I have loads as I have a Cuttlebug already!) but not the Sizzix steel rule ones – however the Sizzlets embossing folders will go thru?… have you tried the standard Sizzix thin dies especially the Tim Holtz alterations long dies eg the rosette and alphabet dies?
Jenny says
I do have a photo there that shows the Cuttlebug dies which are very similar to the Tim Holtz thin ones. And I do believe there is a Sizzlet embossing die too. : )
Tracy Hayward says
I am looking for a machine that will cut metal and spellbinders said the Artisan should do it but were very vauge about gauges of metal. I was interested to see that E Coral Smith uses a Bigshot for embossing, does she also use it to cut metal?
Jenny says
Tracy- you’ll have to ask her. I’n not familiar with Coral or the metal she uses.
Willy says
I am looking for a heavy metal stansen (die cutting) machine. I have lot of steel garbage up in my attic which I would like to cut for a purposeful design.
Jenny says
This would not be the machine for you. It’s got a small work area and it’s only meant for thin gauge aluminum & copper. I suspect you’ll need an industrial-grade machine.
Carolyn says
I just saw these at my Tuesday Morning in Sogar Land, TX. They are priced at $29.99.
Cat says
Carolyn,
They also have it at Tuesday Morning in Columbus, Oh for the same price. That is why I finally got one for myself. Though I wouldn’t mind one that can do larger dies etc. I’m fairly happy with it and the dies I also found at Tuesday Morning. So far I tried thin sheet metal, wall paper, various thickness papers, silk and fabric remnants. The silk only cut for the section of the sample that had paper stuck to it, the other fabric didn’t cut at all 🙁 The wall paper and metal came out wonderfully as did the paper. Now I just need to find dies that are animals (dogs and cats) that are small enough for my jewelry and mixed media designs
Helen williamson says
Please I need your help my base plate has snapped through the middle please say you can replace it thank you Helen
Jenny says
Yes, there are replacement plates available. I suggest using Google to find options suitable for your area/shipping options.