The
Wizard
vs. Zip'E Mate
(Comments on Sizzix and QuicKutz)
I
sell both the Wizard and the Zip'E Mate machines and have used both for over six
months. (I've actually had the Zip'E Mate since the beginning of 2004.) In
addition to the Wizard and the Zip'E Mate, I own the AccuCut Grande Mark,
AccuCut Mark IV, Dayco eCutter II and the Dayco Mini eCutter II. I also have a
Sizzix machine and the QuicKutz system.
I have all of the Gemini dies and a lot of QuicKutz, Sizzix, SlimLine, Zip'E
Cuts and other personal dies. My commercial die collection is huge. I've
concentrated on getting dies for cards, envelopes, tags, gift boxes, alphabets
and much, much more. I have some custom-designed dies for a gift box, star
books, flip frames, and more. Given this background, I feel that I can
give you a qualified answer about the machines.
There are pro's and con's to both the Wizard and the Zip'E Mate machines:
- The Wizard weighs less than the Zip'E Mate machine. The current model of the Zip'E Mate weighs less than the original model I have.
- The Wizard requires a "pumping" action (up and down) to move the "sandwiches" through the machine. The Zip'E Mate has a handle that you turn, similar to what is on the commercial machines.
- Both will emboss and take the personal dies, such as Sizzix, Sizzlets, Zip'E Cuts, SlimLine (from AccuCut), and QuicKutz.
- The Wizard was designed for Gemini dies which have a cutting and an embossing side. These unique dies only work in the Wizard (at this time!).
- The Wizard accomodates stencils up to 6" (including the Fiskars texturizing plates) and will take a half sheet of paper. The Zip'E Mate isn't that wide.
- The Zip'E Mate is the only personal die cutting system on the market at this time that takes commercial dies.
- I have both machines for my shop. I use the Zip'E Mate when I do classes with the kids because I'm using Sizzix and commercial dies. I have let kids use both machines (with supervision). I've had my 3 year old great, great niece and my 5 year old grandson work both machines with ease. I do think the Zip'E Mate is a bit easier to use for the kids since they're rolling the dies/stencils through the machine.
- I love both machines but they serve different purposes for me. The Zip'E Mate is often used by my customers to cut small envelopes, tags, shapes, alphabets, etc. with my commercial dies (and some Sizzix, SlimLine, and other personal dies) rather than using one of my three large diecutting machines (my larger machines also cut the personal dies). The Wizard is used for lots of embossing, texturizing and die cutting with the personal dies.
- I have the Sizzix machine because it was the first one available. It works fine with their alphabets but I don't seem to get clean cuts with their larger dies. This is not a problem with the Wizard and the Zip'E Mate machines.
- The Sizzix is significantly heavier and rarely sees the light of day at my shop.
- The QuicKutz hand system is hard for me to use. I have some arthritis in my hands and find it takes a lot of effort for me to use. I keep it so that I can cut my leaves out of my "dead" silk plants. It seems to work better for doing that than the other systems.
- You can only cut one QK die at a time where the Wizard and Zip'E Mate let you cut up to 8 or more QK dies at a time.
- For the record, I sell more Wizards than I do Zip'E Mates. I have several customers who own them both.
- I
understand from AccuCut that there have/had been some issues with the Zip'E
Mate machine. They've asked me if I've had any, and, to be perfectly honest,
I had to say no. The machine has been redesigned somewhat since I got my
original machine from Dayco. After the AccuCut-Dayco merger, a decision was
made to just carry the Zip'E Mate machine not AccuCut's personal machine
(that never reached the commercial market).
I hope this gives you and others some insight on the various personal diecutting machines available. Feel free to email me or call me at the shop (704-895-BLUE [2583]) if you have any questions or concerns.
Regards,
Beverly Terry