xyron machines in general

Hi,

I have the 850 and 500 and 510 Xyron. The 500 will apply adhesive while the others will do adhesive, laminate and magnetic backing. I use mine to apply adhesive for layering and other jobs. The laminate I use for convention trades and have also used at times for cards when the parts didn't want to stick right for some reason or the other. The adhesive was great when I did a scrapbook for MIL 80th birthday. It was easy to run the photos through and stick them down. There are also tricks you can do with lace and glitter. I go through spells with mine. I am fortunate to live near a QVC outlet, so I was able to pick them up at great prices!

MA Mary Ann snipped-for-privacy@aol.com

I am also curious. Since I have lost the use of my dominant hand, I am always looking for ways to simplify basic tasks. Applying adhesive is central to my card-making! I have been reading directions on web pages that include the Xyron, but am still not clear about one thing -- do you have to trim the item after putting it through the Xyron? Just what comes out of the machine, and what do you have to do to it before you can stick it where you want it?

Thanks! Gina

I have a Xyron 510 and it is the most useful craft tool I have used.

It applies an even layer of adhesive edge to edge on intricate shapes. There is no trimming required. The shape is fed into the Xyron and the handle turned until it comes out the other side between a paper and plastic sheet. You run your nail or a stylus around the shape to remove the last of the adhesive then remove the top plastic layer. All the surplus glue around the shape is removed with the plastic sheet. You peel the shape off the bottom paper layer and the back of the shape has glue all over it.

You can do the same with spray adhesive or other types of glue but not as well or with as little mess. Because the adhesive is applied evenly there is no crinkling or bending of card or paper as the glue is absorbed and dries. It is invaluable to the greeting card maker. Layering and matting are quick and easy, even delicate papers such as mulberry can be applied with the Xyron - tricky but possible.

The only draw back is the cost. Both the machine and the replacement cartridges are expensive. Even if you sell your cards at a good profit it would be a long time before you recover the expenditure. Regardless, I would not want to be without it.

tony

Is one better than the other? Does the 510 model accomplish what the other two models do?

Also... it "used to be" that Sam's Club had the 3M version, for 39.00. It's the same machine. (3M makes Xyron, I understand.) All the cartridges fit. I bought mine at Sam's, and buy the cartridges at Michaels with the 50% off coupons. HTH... Louise

I wanted the 510 cause of the size of things it will take.....anything up to 5 inches... this is usually sufficient for my needs....if I need to laminate something bigger I cover by hand if laminating or use some kind of adhesive. I also have the x box(the 150) which I love! It only takes things up to I think 1 1/2 and only puts adhesive (permanent or repositionable) on it. I find it great for very small items that are normally hard to glue down. The 510 does what the other models (except the 500 which only applies adhesive) do except for size. The others take bigger items but also are alot more expensive. And for what I use mine for I think I would have alot of waste. You can take a look and compare at xyron's web site...

Thank you all for your great replies! I think my next purchase will be an Xyron! Take care!