This item arrived scratched and missing a washer, and was frustrating to use at first. However, after some experimentation, it is working very well for me. Here are some things I've learned to make the process work:1. Yes, the circle cutter is flimsy and frustrating. However, cutting CLOCKWISE helps a lot. I was ready to just throw it away when cutting counterclockwise. After realizing this, I'm keeping it, but not treasuring it.2. From the top die assembly, there is a protruding metal bar, parallel with the table. To get the dies to register completely and well, this bar needs to swivel all the way to the left when using the left die, and all the way to the right when using the right die. (This was not mentioned in the instructions, and appears to be critical to getting the device to work.)3. Thicker papers (as compared with copy paper) seem to yield better results. I have been using quilting cotton as well.4. At first, I was pressing the die lever as hard as I could, with my full weight. Once I learned about swiveling the horizontal metal protruding piece (as mentioned above, item2), this was completely unnecessary. When all is working well, a gentle push on the lever is sufficient.5. (Not a tip, just a comment:) The plastic button backs have large holes that allow the pin part to move around. It can be difficult to get the pin to open and close without bending the metal a little bit.