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Post by midorica on Sept 28, 2018 0:59:21 GMT
Hi everyone! I have the opportunity to sell my Cuttlebug and replace it with a used Big Shot Plus machine. I'm having a hard time figuring out if I should go ahead with this plan or whether I would be making a mistake, so I'd love to hear your opinions.
I don't do a lot of scrapbooking and mostly make cards instead. I also don't have a lot of crafting space, and my supplies are mostly stored in an IKEA raskog cart (but I do have some options to store the Big Shot Plus and will double-check the dimensions before I buy).
I don't have any major issues with the Cuttlebug I suppose... I just don't love it. It gets the job done, but I hate how I always need to use a metal shim with it and I like the idea of being able to cut out multiple things on the Big Shot Plus.
If I could, the best case scenario for me would be to replace my Cuttlebug with the Gemini Junior. I like that it's electric and that it apparently produces amazing cuts no matter what sort of dies you use, but the cost and availability factors are issues for me (I'm in Canada).
So. What should I do? Replace my Cuttlebug with the Big Shot Plus, wait to replace the Cuttlebug with the Gemini Junior (no idea when that will actually happen and I already have a buyer for the Cuttlebug) or not replace the Cuttlebug at all for at least another year?
Thanks for your input!
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scrappington
Pearl Clutcher
in Canada
Posts: 3,139 
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Post by scrappington on Sept 28, 2018 1:26:05 GMT
I am in Canada. I own the big shot plus. Love the thing. But you will need a magnetic plate for it. You can get it on amazon.ca
Compared to the cuttlebug it will be huge.
But it opens the door to big embossing folders bigger dies and the ability to cut a lot at once or not have to cut down an 8.5*11 piece of paper
I would hands down get it. With that machine though you cut up not down with it. Also if you need to replace the cutting pads amazon sells the too
Honestly since I started using the plus I never reAch for my reg big shot.
Also if you turn the top basket of your raskog upside down it makes the perfect platform for the die machine
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Post by midorica on Sept 28, 2018 16:51:38 GMT
I am in Canada. I own the big shot plus. Love the thing. But you will need a magnetic plate for it. You can get it on amazon.ca Compared to the cuttlebug it will be huge. But it opens the door to big embossing folders bigger dies and the ability to cut a lot at once or not have to cut down an 8.5*11 piece of paper I would hands down get it. With that machine though you cut up not down with it. Also if you need to replace the cutting pads amazon sells the too Honestly since I started using the plus I never reAch for my reg big shot. Also if you turn the top basket of your raskog upside down it makes the perfect platform for the die machine Oh, thank you for the heads up on the magnetic platform! It's $80+ on Amazon.ca, so that definitely impacts my budget.
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scrappington
Pearl Clutcher
in Canada
Posts: 3,139
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Post by scrappington on Sept 28, 2018 16:57:00 GMT
Yeah it's not cheap. But on either of my machines I never not use the magnetic plate. So I am Very accustomed to using it. I know before it existed we of course didn't use them and I'm sure it cut fine.
I would still get the machine ( if price is right). It's new on amazon $230 right now. It went as low as $200 last Christmas .
And when budget allows get the magnetic plate. Your cuttle bug doesn't have one (or do they) so your not use to it an that's what Washi tape is for.
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Post by KelleeM on Sept 28, 2018 17:02:24 GMT
I would get the Big Shot Plus and use it without the magnetic plate until you can afford one. I have an electric Big Shot and used it without a magnetic plate until I got one for a good price.
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Post by anniefb on Sept 28, 2018 18:08:53 GMT
If your space is limited I would get a Big Shot rather than the Big Shot Plus. The Plus is pretty big, especially if you're focussing on card making. I went from the Cuttlebug to the Big Shot and did notice a difference in terms of the cutting and sturdiness.
Another option would be to wait and save up for the Gemini Jr if that's what you really want. I think that's what I'd go for instead of the Big Shot Plus so you get the advantage of an electric machine.
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msliz
Drama Llama
The Procrastinator
Posts: 6,419
Jun 26, 2014 21:32:34 GMT
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Post by msliz on Sept 28, 2018 19:50:28 GMT
I use a Big Shot without the magnetic plate, and I'm not suffering for it. If I need to secure anything in place, I use washi tape (just like scrappington mentioned).
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scrappington
Pearl Clutcher
in Canada
Posts: 3,139
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Post by scrappington on Sept 28, 2018 21:26:27 GMT
Since the machine is used. Test it out my plus cuts amazing. It's tight. Etc. So make sure the machine working good before you buy it.
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Post by artisticscrapper on Sept 29, 2018 1:52:15 GMT
I have a magnetic plate and I rarelyl use it. Some dies work well with it but others slide around. Maybe they don’t have enough actual metal. I usually just hold the dies in place with drafting tape or washi. BTW I replaced my Cuttlebug with a Big Shot years ago. The Big Shot seems more solid and I don’t have to hold it down on the table when I’m cutting like I did with the Cuttlebug.
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Post by midorica on Sept 29, 2018 15:00:21 GMT
Thank you all for the advice. It turns out that I didn't have enough space for the Big Shot Plus, no matter how hard I tried to make it work, lol. So I decided to hold off on getting it and continue to save my pennies for either the Gemini Jr or the regular Big Shot (since it seems to get such rave reviews). For now, I will focus on being glad to have at least one die cutting machine  |
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GiantsFan
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,294
Site Supporter
Jun 27, 2014 14:44:56 GMT
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Post by GiantsFan on Sept 29, 2018 15:06:52 GMT
I have the Spellbinders Platinum 6. This machine cuts so much better than my old CB. Intricate dies are no problem. And the platform sides fold up just like the CB, so the footprint is smaller than the Big Shot. I do not use any sort of adapter or magnetic shim.
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Post by riley on Sept 29, 2018 15:44:14 GMT
Maybe OK the Big Shot thing didn’t work out. Hard to tell sometimes how used a machine is and they do loosen up over time. I also had my first one break after about three years. I didn’t abuse it. A metal ring inside the handle failed. I hear good things about the Gemini but don’t have one.
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Post by teacherlisa on Sept 29, 2018 18:11:18 GMT
Thank you all for the advice. It turns out that I didn't have enough space for the Big Shot Plus, no matter how hard I tried to make it work, lol. So I decided to hold off on getting it and continue to save my pennies for either the Gemini Jr or the regular Big Shot (since it seems to get such rave reviews). For now, I will focus on being glad to have at least one die cutting machine i do love my regular big shot |
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Post by midorica on Jan 12, 2019 19:35:48 GMT
I am in Canada. I own the big shot plus. Love the thing. But you will need a magnetic plate for it. You can get it on amazon.ca Compared to the cuttlebug it will be huge. But it opens the door to big embossing folders bigger dies and the ability to cut a lot at once or not have to cut down an 8.5*11 piece of paper I would hands down get it. With that machine though you cut up not down with it. Also if you need to replace the cutting pads amazon sells the too Honestly since I started using the plus I never reAch for my reg big shot. Also if you turn the top basket of your raskog upside down it makes the perfect platform for the die machine So though I passed on the original machine, I was on the lookout for a Big Shot machine and thought I found one on FB marketplace... except when I went to pick it up, it turned out to be the Big Shot Plus again! Since it was supposed to be a brand new machine for just $70, I decided to go ahead and buy it, but when I checked the box, it turned out that the plates, platform and adapters were all missing. Long story short, I bought just the Big Shot Plus for $30. Now I'm looking for the accessories and was hoping you could give me some advice on what I absolutely must buy to be able to use it and what I can wait to buy... Also, any advice on where to buy the accessories? And can I use smaller plates/platform (like for the regular Big Shot) in the Plus machine? Thank you for your help! |
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Post by artisticscrapper on Jan 12, 2019 21:01:46 GMT
That really sucks. So going forward you’ll need the platform and a couple of plates to get started. The other things you’ll need depends on what you want to do. I have the regular Big Shot and I have several rubber mats for my Spellbinders embossible dies and extra long plates for some long Sixxix die. I also have drafting tape for when I want to hold a die in a particular spot.
Once you get started you’ll love your new machine.
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scrappington
Pearl Clutcher
in Canada
Posts: 3,139
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Post by scrappington on Jan 12, 2019 22:36:53 GMT
I am in Canada. I own the big shot plus. Love the thing. But you will need a magnetic plate for it. You can get it on amazon.ca Compared to the cuttlebug it will be huge. But it opens the door to big embossing folders bigger dies and the ability to cut a lot at once or not have to cut down an 8.5*11 piece of paper I would hands down get it. With that machine though you cut up not down with it. Also if you need to replace the cutting pads amazon sells the too Honestly since I started using the plus I never reAch for my reg big shot. Also if you turn the top basket of your raskog upside down it makes the perfect platform for the die machine So though I passed on the original machine, I was on the lookout for a Big Shot machine and thought I found one on FB marketplace... except when I went to pick it up, it turned out to be the Big Shot Plus again! Since it was supposed to be a brand new machine for just $70, I decided to go ahead and buy it, but when I checked the box, it turned out that the plates, platform and adapters were all missing. Long story short, I bought just the Big Shot Plus for $30. Now I'm looking for the accessories and was hoping you could give me some advice on what I absolutely must buy to be able to use it and what I can wait to buy... Also, any advice on where to buy the accessories? And can I use smaller plates/platform (like for the regular Big Shot) in the Plus machine? Thank you for your help! You can get cutting plates on amazon and the magnetic platform. You can use your regular platform thru it yet. |
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Post by 950nancy on Jan 13, 2019 5:48:47 GMT
Thank you all for the advice. It turns out that I didn't have enough space for the Big Shot Plus, no matter how hard I tried to make it work, lol. So I decided to hold off on getting it and continue to save my pennies for either the Gemini Jr or the regular Big Shot (since it seems to get such rave reviews). For now, I will focus on being glad to have at least one die cutting machine  Gemini Jr was at JoAnn's for $97.99 maybe a week or so ago. Cheapest price I could find since Michaels and HL wouldn't allow coupons. |
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Post by Leone on Jan 14, 2019 13:18:41 GMT
Love the Gemini...as the dies get more and more intricate, it works far better.
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Post by sjwoody1167 on Jan 17, 2019 23:01:35 GMT
Gemini Jr was at JoAnn's for $97.99 maybe a week or so ago. Cheapest price I could find since Michaels and HL wouldn't allow coupons. It's back to $179. |
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Post by tripletmom on Jan 18, 2019 1:40:47 GMT
It was $129 at my Hobby Lobby yesterday.
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