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Please welcome our new addition from Great Britain, the definitely fabulous Fabrizio!
Reported by Fabrizio Martellucci
Well that was 35 years ago (yikes!), and now we are spoilt by choice with dry adhesives: sticky matrix dots rolls, double sided tapes and tape runners. There's a new glue in town though: Stix2 Glue Glider Pro.
Feels great to hold and it's well balanced, a joy to use really!
I believe Stix2 saw a gap in the market where the tape runners can be too small, tricky to use (they are known to snap), or the tape would come out of the hinges. Also, I don't know about you, but I tend to buy the disposable ones (I know, not very earth friendly) as the refillable ones are fiddly to put back together. Stix2 people must have thought we need something easy to refill and big enough so that crafters don't spend an afternoon putting the runner back together.
I'm pleased to say they've succeeded- the Glue Glider Pro refill cartridges are a cinch to insert in the unit. To take the old cartridge out just press on top, pull and you're done ! To put the new cartridge in just push in and you'll hear it snap into place, again, it's done; you gotta love the simplicity of it.
I got mine at a craft fair and was intrigued by it, so I put it away in my goodie bag. Once home I kinda dismissed it, as the Glue Rider Pro looks a little bit big. Yet it's not heavy to hold in although the handle is quite robust and chunky, it feels very comfortable thanks to soft rubberised oval shaped panels on the grip. It's also surprisingly maneuverable, and you probably are right ahead of me... yes, it can go round corners. Although I have a mild rheumatism in my hands, I was able to get a good grip, so I would recommend the Glue Glider Pro for people who have dexterity problems. Also the well-balanced weight of the gun makes it easy to apply the glue at the right angle.
It dispenses tiny strips of pressure-sensitive, lignin- and acid-free adhesive- a little goes a long way, as you get 40 feet (12 metres) of tape per cartridge. Now it doesn't seem a lot but consider that you don't need to use it edge-to-edge. You kinda just dot around the strips say 1/2 an inch (4 cm) at time and that's enough. It's a permanent adhesive, so make sure you're 100% sure about your positioning as once it stuck that's it, no scooching the paper after that, I'm afraid. Once you've stopped running the glue and you lift it, you don't get untidy glue runs as you can see from my card, I was able to have a clean finish so I could apply the glitter (picture below).
There isn't an edge guide like you find in smaller glue runners, the dispensing mechanism is actually nearly half an inch wide, allowing room for the tape to move. I found at times difficult to judge where the glue would start being applied, so if you like to have your glue right at the edge of the paper you'll be struggling. Yet the glue is so strong that even if you leave a quarter of inch gap from the edge you will still get good adhesion.
As any other adhesive you need to burnish (apply pressure unto two surfaces being glued to force the binding) but I found that just a simple pressure with my fingers smoothing the paper or mat unto my base card was sufficient enough. I do like using a square plastic widget that does the burnishing for me, but I didn't reach for it.
Pros:
Cons:
Where to buy:
www.paperwishes.com
www.scrapbook.com
www.qvcuk.com (UK)
The Stix2 Glue Glider Pro retails at $14.99 with a cartridge to get you started. Refills are available for $8.99 each.
So to recap, although slightly pricier than other smaller offerings, the Stix 2 Glue Glider Pro is a good buy in my book. The ease of use and strength of the glue, as well as the fool proof cartridge replacement system makes it a winner! Highly recommended for people who have dexterity issues with their hands.
If you have one of these pink and useful gun runners, please leave a comment... we'd love to hear how you got on with yours!
I'm pleased to say they've succeeded- the Glue Glider Pro refill cartridges are a cinch to insert in the unit. To take the old cartridge out just press on top, pull and you're done ! To put the new cartridge in just push in and you'll hear it snap into place, again, it's done; you gotta love the simplicity of it.
Press on the tab and pull the cartridge out, it's that simple
Cartridge out of the gun, to replace just push back into the gun casing until you hear it snap into place.
I got mine at a craft fair and was intrigued by it, so I put it away in my goodie bag. Once home I kinda dismissed it, as the Glue Rider Pro looks a little bit big. Yet it's not heavy to hold in although the handle is quite robust and chunky, it feels very comfortable thanks to soft rubberised oval shaped panels on the grip. It's also surprisingly maneuverable, and you probably are right ahead of me... yes, it can go round corners. Although I have a mild rheumatism in my hands, I was able to get a good grip, so I would recommend the Glue Glider Pro for people who have dexterity problems. Also the well-balanced weight of the gun makes it easy to apply the glue at the right angle.
It dispenses tiny strips of pressure-sensitive, lignin- and acid-free adhesive- a little goes a long way, as you get 40 feet (12 metres) of tape per cartridge. Now it doesn't seem a lot but consider that you don't need to use it edge-to-edge. You kinda just dot around the strips say 1/2 an inch (4 cm) at time and that's enough. It's a permanent adhesive, so make sure you're 100% sure about your positioning as once it stuck that's it, no scooching the paper after that, I'm afraid. Once you've stopped running the glue and you lift it, you don't get untidy glue runs as you can see from my card, I was able to have a clean finish so I could apply the glitter (picture below).
You can see that the glue strip I've applied looks really tidy to add glitter!
There isn't an edge guide like you find in smaller glue runners, the dispensing mechanism is actually nearly half an inch wide, allowing room for the tape to move. I found at times difficult to judge where the glue would start being applied, so if you like to have your glue right at the edge of the paper you'll be struggling. Yet the glue is so strong that even if you leave a quarter of inch gap from the edge you will still get good adhesion.
As any other adhesive you need to burnish (apply pressure unto two surfaces being glued to force the binding) but I found that just a simple pressure with my fingers smoothing the paper or mat unto my base card was sufficient enough. I do like using a square plastic widget that does the burnishing for me, but I didn't reach for it.
Pros:
- Well-balanced and easy-to-hold
- Piece of cake to use and refill the cartridge
- Can be used for scrapbooking and card making
- No need to open the gun to load the cartridge, just snap it in.
- Very good adhesion
Cons:
- If not used sparingly (edge-to-edge) can be expensive (each cartridge retails at around $8.99)
- Only comes in pink and lime green (so if it's not your colour, you're stuck)
- Hard to guess where the glue will start when applying on edge of paper or card so always leave a quarter of an inch room.
Where to buy:
www.paperwishes.com
www.scrapbook.com
www.qvcuk.com (UK)
The Stix2 Glue Glider Pro retails at $14.99 with a cartridge to get you started. Refills are available for $8.99 each.
So to recap, although slightly pricier than other smaller offerings, the Stix 2 Glue Glider Pro is a good buy in my book. The ease of use and strength of the glue, as well as the fool proof cartridge replacement system makes it a winner! Highly recommended for people who have dexterity issues with their hands.
If you have one of these pink and useful gun runners, please leave a comment... we'd love to hear how you got on with yours!
20 Comments:
I love mine! The glue is extra sticky making it fabulous for adhering heavier things. I bought mine from www.ellenhutson.com
Fabrizio: Thanks for the information. I had never even heard of these before. I guess I'm going to have to go check it out! You did a great job with your report. Thanks again.
Rachel B
I love the Pro Glider Pro when I'm using their permanent tape, but I experienced difficulty when I used their repostional tape cartridge.
The repositional tape started out great but then the paper strip the tape rolls off of started backing out of the cartridge. So everytime I used it I spent a great deal of time trying to roll the used strip back in the cartridge.
I like the balance and size and love the amount of tape you get on the cartridge. I only buy it when I can use a coupon to make it more cost effective.
Nice Critique Fab, keep up the good work.
Sherri, just out of curiosity did you use the wheel at the back to push the back in so that it's taut enough to be used again ? Unfortunately I didn't have a repositionable tape cartridge to test. I tend to use a Zigway glue pen and let the adhesive dry to get the low tack effect for stencils or when I need a makeshift sticky note.
I've been wondering about the Glue Glider Pro. I'm in the market for a glue gun and have had no luck from my lss. I specifically hate the little snails I use for the glue bloobies you get and the prices are ridiculous.
Thanks again for a fab critique.
Make sure you check Fab blog, he makes fabulous cards.
Unless I missed it, you didn't mention that you have 3 options for permanent refills with this product:
PermaTac refill cartridge comes with 1/4inch by 40feet of PermaTac Adhesive.
Perma Squares refill Cartridge features 725 1/4in double-sided squares approximately 1/2in apart on tape.
High Tac 601 comes with 1/4" by 60 ft of High Tac adhesive dots. They all retail for about the same price but there are lots of deals on the web to get them for around $6-$7. Hobby Lobby also has them & I purchase mine with a coupon so they are a lot less that way.
You may want to ad this info to your critique.
I forgot to mention that I personally prefer the High Tac 601 refill. You get 20 more feet for the same price, it glides on a lot easier yert holds just as strong (super strong adhesive!), and you have a lot more control with starting at the edge of your paper & ending where you want.
Hope this helps someone!
I got this a couple months ago and I like it a lot. My favorite refills are the Perma Tac. I have the High Tac cartridge in right now and I find the dots don't apply as evenly as the strips. My complaints? There are no instructions on the packaging on how to change the cartridge and there is nothing to flip over the adhesive part so I can throw it in my tote without having it stick to everything. My LSS also brought in the Glue Glider Max, but it looks much to big.
Absolutely LOVE mine!!! I've recommended it to all of my friends and most of them have bought one. My dh actually bought me 3 more to use for classes in case someone forgot their adhesive.
Thanks Laura for pointing out the other two cartridges. In my defence, those aren't available in the UK yet so I can only go with what's available to me locally. Would you mind adding a link to where you can source those two other options so that Craftcritique readers can benefit, please ? I also believe those two cartridges are a recent addition as they don't show up on the Stix2 website. Thanks again for your input. X Fab
I think I was one of the first to buy this back in October of 2008 and WAS in love for about 15 seconds...That was when it started shooting the strip of paper out the back and then it started curling in on itself. I was embarrassed since I had shown it to everyone around me at a Scrapbook Extravaganza event and I had not taken a backup adhesive. I had taken a second cartridge but it did the same thing. I sent an email to the company and they sent me 2 replacements which did the same thing. The type I was using was the repositionable. The company also sent me a permanent type and it worked great so I think it was just the repositionable that was bad. I will not retry the repositionable. I was glad for the prompt response from the company and they did try to make good on the product. It is definitely too expensive to throw in the garbage over and over. I will continue to use the permanent refill. Thanks, ms.cheryl
I have it, I love it, I'll never switch, I won't be without it!!
Great review, thanks Fabrizo.
holy cows, I thought this would have been critiqued a long time ago. I have been using mine for months and wouldn't trade it in for anything. The smaller tapes do not stay stuck long in the Florida humidity but the glue glider sure does. I am so happy with mine.
I purchased mine from my local scrap store.
Thank you for the wonderful review.
I just got mine in a LSS in Barrie Ontario while visiting the province. I had never seen it before. So far I like it but I agree with you about the inability to know where it will begin...and end in my case. I asked at the store about repositionable tape and I was told that there were so many complaints about it that they discontinued buying it...so it must be an overall problem with the product. Thanks for site for refills...I wasn't so sure how new this was since I had never seen it before (and I visit quite a few online stores.) At least now I know where to begin looking...wonder if there are any online stores in Canada that sell them??? Thanks for the review!!!
I bought mine from the company itself, online. They were super prompt. My package was here within 2 days, I was stunned. ms.cheryl
Just a quick comment to thank you all for your lovely commentary on my review. I just love it when people come forward with their experience and share it with others. Hopefully the other refill options will become widely available. I for one would like to try the higher yield cartridge asap. Thanks again for being so welcoming and charming. X Fab
Great review. I purchased this item a few months ago and I agree with you that if you are looking for staight edge application this is not for you. I do like the stick and stay aspect of this item and also the ability to apply small pieces of tape to an area. This is not my first item to grab but I do use it from time to time for extra holding power. I am ver attached to my little red Duck brand adhesive runners and usually purchase them in a four pack through JoAnn's with a coupon.
Thanks for all your info and to Christine N. I saw on someone's blog that you can take the cartridge out, turn it around and put it in the case so the adhesive is inside the gun. This allows you to travel with this item without in sticking to other items in your travel bag.
I've had problems with the glue failing on Memory Box cards. I contacted Ellen Hutson and Cathy, her customer service lady, contacted Glue Arts. GA replaced 2 of the cartridges and they adhere a little bit better, but still not as well as I'd like, and certainly not as well as the $8.50 price tag would suggest. It sticks just fine on my SU cardstock, but MB makes up the bulk of the base cardstock that I use, so I think I'll be going back to my old Kokuyo tape. Works just fine.
The repositionable is okay, but I too have troubles with "strings" and too much of the glue winding up unused on the takeup roller.
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