jtates
New Member
Posts: 2 
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Post by jtates on Jan 31, 2016 2:00:51 GMT
Hey everybody. I find myself in need of a new die cutting machine. Any advice? I had a cuttlebug for years. It was given to me by my sister and I only use it sporadically. Most months I don't touch it and then I'll cut a whole bunch all at once.... well this time I did her in! I just recently bought new "b" & "c" cutting plates ... so I would like to be able to use those, but not sure if I should be looking for something else instead of a cuttlebug.
I have a Silhouette (that gets used maybe even a little less). I know that I want to replace my manual die cutting machine, just not sure what to replace it with... Thoughts?
Thanks!!!
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oaksong
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Location: LA Suburbia
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Jun 27, 2014 6:24:29 GMT
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Post by oaksong on Jan 31, 2016 3:00:00 GMT
I've been looking around too. The new Tim Holtz Vagabond looks nice. He demo'd it at CHA 2016, if you want to look at the YouTube video with his comments. The other consideration would be the Big Shot Plus, because it's so big.
I have the original Silhouette, which still gets a lot of use and is going strong. I recently purchased a Spellbinders Artisan at Tuesday Morning. After I had used it a while with some cutting dies, I realized that it didn't come with the plate to use embossing folders, and they are no longer available anywhere. Grrrr! I was thinking about getting the larger size plate and cutting it down, but then I saw a Sizzix Texture Maker at Michael's yesterday, and got it with my 40% coupon. That probably ended up being cheaper than ordering the Spellbinders embossing plate. So yay, I finally embossed some things today! But boo, I ended up with 2 machines.
I'm undecided on whether or not to take the plunge on a full-fledged die cutter with everything I have now, but maybe someday. It would be nice to be able to cut thicker material and make larger items. Let us know what you decide!
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breetheflea
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Posts: 5,917
Location: PNW
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Post by breetheflea on Jan 31, 2016 3:23:11 GMT
I swear I saw a manual die cutter for sale at Tuesday Morning this week. Not a Big Shot, the other brand. Or maybe it was something else. I didn't look too close because I didn't need one.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Jan 31, 2016 3:31:07 GMT
I would say Big Shot / Big Kick or the Big Shot Plus. You can do most anyone's dies with it, embossing folders, etc. Which one you get depends on what you want to cut with it. If you mostly do smaller things, you don't need to spend the extra money buying the Plus. I have a bunch of different diecutters (electronic and manual) and of my manual ones the Big Kick gets used the most.
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Post by alissa103 on Jan 31, 2016 4:09:35 GMT
I say go for a Big Shot (or it's various cousins) as well. It cuts all the brands' dies and does a great job.
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Post by anniefb on Jan 31, 2016 4:57:56 GMT
I have a big shot as well (upgraded from cuttlebug a few years back) and would also recommend it. Cuts all dies, nice stable platform. The only time I'd stick with the cuttlebug would be if you're short of space because the BS takes up more room.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 17, 2024 6:21:11 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2016 13:02:27 GMT
I got the Big Kick (same as Big Shot) for Christmas. I'm very very late to the die cutting world. It's perfect for what I need to do. It's the right size for me, and I found a magnetic plate or base or whatever you call them on sale at Michael's.
Mine was from Overstock.com -- around $80 with the starter kit. I've seen it on Amazon for roughly the same price. The starter kit wasn't that big a deal -- a couple basic dies and an embossing folder.
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Post by streetscrapper on Jan 31, 2016 14:00:47 GMT
I've got an older Big Shot and a Vagabond. The only reason I have the Vagabond is because it was on clearance for a crazy low price at Ms, otherwise I would be completely content with my Big Shot. I put the Big Shot away and have been using the Vagabond since I bought it. Initially I was going to sell the Big Shot, but from what I have read, one day I'm pretty sure it will just stop working - probably because I've tried to jam something through it - and since I use my manual die cutter as much as I use my Cameo, I thought it was best to keep it. As much as I think I'd like to be able to cut larger dies, I don't have the room on my desk for a bigger machine so if and when the day comes when I have to find something new, I'd definitely choose another regular old Big Shot! That thing is a work horse!
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cristinac
Junior Member
Posts: 68
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Post by cristinac on Jan 31, 2016 14:12:25 GMT
I'm very happy with my Big Shot. i considered the Cuttlebug too since it's smaller and folds up, but I ended up going with the sturdier Big Shot.
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kitbop
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,394
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Post by kitbop on Jan 31, 2016 14:29:44 GMT
Another vote for the regular old Big Shot/Big Kick. Can't ever imagine it breaking, it's so solid. I personally woundnt' want anything electric (like the vagabond) because the trouble of plugging something in, combined with the potential for things breaking, turns me off!
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Post by riversong1963 on Jan 31, 2016 17:29:21 GMT
And yet another vote for the Big Shot/Big Kick. My original red and white Big Kick is still going strong, and it's about 10 years old. I upgraded to the turquoise and teal Big Shot last year, and it's wonderful too. My mother is now using my Big Kick, having had a Cuttlebug for years, and she loves the BK. It cuts all of the dies on the market, except the ones designed for the really large machines.
The only dies I absolutely couldn't get to work in the BK were the Anna Griffin dies that I bought from HSN a few years ago. They just didn't cut at all - not in my BK, and not in the Cuttlebug. I ended up returning them.
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Post by freeatlast on Jan 31, 2016 18:08:54 GMT
Another vote for the Big Shot!
When I'm mass producing cards, I lust for the Vagabond. My wrist hurts from all the cranking. One day there will be a good sale and I'll break down and buy one.
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Post by AngieandSnoopy on Jan 31, 2016 22:17:56 GMT
Big Shot is sturdier. Mine is teal with a pink logo, it is so old that it is the Ellison Design Big Shot, not the Sizzix Big Shot. Very same thing, Ellison is the owner of Sizzix and Ellison Design.
If you suspect at all that you want to use bigger dies, then get one of the bigger Big Shots. I also have a AccuCut Baby GrandeMark that I've had for 12-1/2 years. I can cut the Spellbinders Grand dies in it as well as cut the Spellbinders Expandable dies 6 passes to cut a 12x12 sheet of cardstock. Not to mention all the Big Shot Pro dies and commercial AccuCut and Ellison dies.
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Post by 950nancy on Feb 1, 2016 1:52:35 GMT
I had the original electronic Big Shot. Don't remember the name. Replaced it with a Vagabond when I overloaded it. NIce machine. If you don't need electronic, the Big Shot (or Kick) is a great machine that is really sturdy. I like that it takes most dies (not the really big thin ones though). I have thought about upgrading to the Big Shot Pro, but honestly, how many machines does one need? I have most of them.
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jtates
New Member
Posts: 2
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Post by jtates on Feb 1, 2016 2:18:58 GMT
Thanks for all the great advice everyone! Now I get to go shopping! Aw, shucks!  |
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Post by htstepper on Feb 1, 2016 5:43:16 GMT
I vote for the Big Shot! It is so versatile.
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Post by ferblover on Feb 1, 2016 14:36:49 GMT
Big Shot is sturdier. Mine is teal with a pink logo, it is so old that it is the Ellison Design Big Shot, not the Sizzix Big Shot. Very same thing, Ellison is the owner of Sizzix and Ellison Design. If you suspect at all that you want to use bigger dies, then get one of the bigger Big Shots. I also have a AccuCut Baby GrandeMark that I've had for 12-1/2 years. I can cut the Spellbinders Grand dies in it as well as cut the Spellbinders Expandable dies 6 passes to cut a 12x12 sheet of cardstock. Not to mention all the Big Shot Pro dies and commercial AccuCut and Ellison dies. I have that one too. I would buy it again in a heart beat. |
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Post by DinCA on Feb 1, 2016 15:19:35 GMT
I bought the Big Shot Plus a year ago and I love it!
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Post by MargieH on Feb 1, 2016 17:21:40 GMT
Adding my two cents' worth: I have a Spellbinders Platinum machine. It has a wide mouth and cuts BOTH STEEL RULE DIES & ETCHED DIES <3 You can fold it up and store it.
Good Luck in finding a good fit for you!
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camcas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,973
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Post by camcas on Feb 2, 2016 9:39:19 GMT
I have a WRMK evolution
Folds like a cuttlebug but sturdier
Only 2 pads and simply adjust pressure with a dial
Love mine
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,144
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Post by scrapnnana on Feb 2, 2016 18:01:52 GMT
I love my Big Kick, and I use my Cuttlebug plates in it because I like them better than the platform that came with the Big Kick.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Feb 3, 2016 1:13:31 GMT
I love my Big Kick, and I use my Cuttlebug plates in it because I like them better than the platform that came with the Big Kick. Good to know! I have both of these too and never would have thought the plates would be interchangeable. |
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Post by AngieandSnoopy on Feb 3, 2016 19:46:20 GMT
I love my Big Kick, and I use my Cuttlebug plates in it because I like them better than the platform that came with the Big Kick. Good to know! I have both of these too and never would have thought the plates would be interchangeable. The clear cutting mats/plates from AccuCut work also. In fact, they are less likely to crack than the Sizzix ones. At least, at the time I bought them which was years ago. I cut one of my OLD larger AccuCut ones in half to make a extra long set that works with my XL Bigz dies. |
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