scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,449 
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Post by scrapnnana on Feb 2, 2024 0:34:38 GMT
This was my third Big Kick. My sandwich was a bit thicker, and I heard a “POP” sound, and it stopped cutting other than on one edge. I had another, older die cutter, which I have been using since. I had a Big Shot, too, but the handle had issues. It wouldn’t stay on.
I decided to see if there were any videos on how to fix the machines, and I was really excited when I found one. I followed all the steps this morning, but the “fix” was obviously not working. I was trying to figure out what I was doing wrong, and that’s when I finally saw the real problem. The metal support broke on the handle side. It split through. There is obviously no salvaging this machine. My husband said it’s a strain hardening issue.
So I’m back to using the older die cutter. It’s a bit shabby, but at least it works. I keep wondering if I can salvage/cannibalize the handle parts from the broken one, to get a working machine out of the two damaged ones. Besides, the one that broke was such a beautiful blue…..
Am I being ridiculous? Should I just buy a new machine?
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scrappinwithoutpeas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,012
Location: Northern Virginia
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Post by scrappinwithoutpeas on Feb 2, 2024 0:53:06 GMT
Aww, that stinks! I have no advice but I'm sorry about your beautiful blue machine. If it helps any, a quick search turned up this one on eBay! |
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Post by grammadee on Feb 2, 2024 1:00:02 GMT
How old is that beautiful blue Big Kick? Sizzix replaced my Vagabond TWICE! The second time was way past the time a warrantee would have applied.
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pantsonfire
Drama Llama
Take a step back, evaluate what is important, and enjoy your life with those who you love.
Posts: 6,276
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Post by pantsonfire on Feb 2, 2024 1:17:18 GMT
Sizzix customer service sucks. And since the buy out they don't offer any money off.
They could care less that my Big Shot rubber was bubbling, popping, and peeling.
Have you thought about electric? Or other brands?
I will not buy another Sizzix machine again.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,449
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Post by scrapnnana on Feb 2, 2024 1:39:44 GMT
pantsonfire, I do have a Gemini Jr. I try to “save” it for my detailed dies, but you make some good points. Maybe I should consider a different brand of machine than Sizzix, if I do replace it. grammadee, my beautiful, but broken machine is at least four or five years old. And it was my fault that it broke, putting too thick of a sandwich through. I saw the Vagabond in action at the LSS where I worked. Theirs broke down, too. After they replaced it, they only let staff use it, but eventually the second one broke down, too. Yes, scrappinwithoutpeas, the one you linked looks like the same beautiful blue machine as my broken one. I appreciate your going to the trouble of finding it for me, but I don’t think that I want to buy a used machine. I’m concerned that it won’t last very long. The machine with the messed up handle (it falls off, and it’s a peeling mess) looks like the handle from my broken blue Sizzix might work with it. I think I will at least try swapping the handle. If I do get a new portable die cutter, what are some of the other brands out there? Do any of you have a portable die cut machine that you love?
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caangel
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,734
Location: So Cal
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Post by caangel on Feb 2, 2024 2:25:34 GMT
Several years ago I was able to get replacement parts from the Sizzix HQ. I can't remember if I paid for them or not. I did pick up from their headquarters because it is in my general area and I avoided shipping costs.
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Post by joblackford on Feb 2, 2024 2:34:34 GMT
Ugh. Worth a try to see if you can Frankenstein a machine together from 2 broken ones…
If I was replacing my Big Shot I would probably buy a Platinum. I’m not sure if it’s any better or worse though. It just seems like a good non-Sizzix option that a lot of people are using now. I wanted one when they first came out but no one had reviews so I played it safe with the BS.
If I was considering a used machine I’d get something locally, knowing how heavy they are. That way even if it didn’t last more than a few years I wouldn’t have wasted $20+ on postage. I would think there are a fair number of people who buy one and then rarely use it.
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Post by riversong1963 on Feb 2, 2024 2:44:19 GMT
Sizzix customer service sucks. And since the buy out they don't offer any money off. They could care less that my Big Shot rubber was bubbling, popping, and peeling. Have you thought about electric? Or other brands? I will not buy another Sizzix machine again. This. The rubber on my blue Big Shot's carrying handle is peeling too. When I emailed them, with pictures, they said that it was due to wear and tear. "Too bad, so sad. Buy a new one at full price." No, thanks. |
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Post by karinec on Feb 2, 2024 2:52:12 GMT
I really like my Platinum 6. It’s been reliable with cutting, embossing, foiling and Betterpress. I’ve had it a few years. And I do push it a bit by trying to shove through thick sandwiches from time to time.
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Post by 950nancy on Feb 2, 2024 2:56:49 GMT
Check out FB Marketplace first. We also have a second hand craft store that has them for about $15-20.
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scrappinwithoutpeas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,012
Location: Northern Virginia
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Post by scrappinwithoutpeas on Feb 2, 2024 3:06:52 GMT
After years of loving my Cameo and swearing I'd never buy a manual die cutting machine, I bought the Spellbinders Platinum 6 late last summer. I mostly bought it to use for embossing when I'm making cards, since embossing is one thing the Cameo can't really do. I really love it! I love its small footprint, and its versatility. It's very sturdy and easy to use.
I do own a (very) few manual dies that were part of sets bundled with stamps I bought (thanks, Tuesday Morning, RIP). So I do sometimes use it for quick die cuts too - both for cardmaking and scrapbook LOs. It will never replace my Cameo, but I'm really happy I bought it.
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Post by artisticscrapper on Feb 2, 2024 3:17:42 GMT
Sizzix used to be a great company making great products. I had the pink and black Big shot and it lasted about 15 years. I bought the Sizzix fold away. So far so good but it those folding platforms don’t look all that sturdy. I actually wanted the Spellbinders Platinum but I couldn’t find one. I think it wa around the time they were getting ready to introduce a new and improved one.
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Post by marg on Feb 5, 2024 14:13:04 GMT
My Big Shot died about a year ago, after using it for 15 years - although for the last 5 years I used a Gemini Jr mainly, I just used the Big Shot when I wanted to scrap in my kitchen. It was a great machine but it broke in a similar way to yours, OP.
For a manual machine, I really like the Spellbinders Platinum. For electric, I think both the Gemini Jr and the Empress are good, although I prefer the Empress since it's quieter and the magnetic mat works better. I see you have the Gemini Jr so I'd just use that as my main machine, personally.
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Post by hoopsfn on Feb 5, 2024 15:02:22 GMT
So sorry about your BigKick scrapnnana. My BigKick is the only die-cutter that I have and it's still working fine (fingers crossed) although it has lost its shine and one of its stickers.  Looks like maybe the Spellbinders Platinum would be a good replacement. But definitely a lot more $$ than the BigKick was. |
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Post by papersilly on Feb 6, 2024 19:18:49 GMT
i bet you can easily find a replacement on FB marketplace.
i have the Sizzix Big Shot Foldaway but also have the old school Cuttlebug as a backup.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,449
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Post by scrapnnana on Feb 8, 2024 5:19:16 GMT
Thank you for all your thoughts and comments.
I decided to be cheap and at least see if I could get a good, working machine by combining parts from both.
The handle on my Big Shot kept falling off, it had this disgusting yellow powdery stuff under the handle knob part (the part that was coming off) that resulted in a yellow powder mess on my hand and my working surface. The rubber of the handle was peeling, too, so I had stopped using it, due to the messy yellow powder/handle falling off, but I couldn’t bring myself to trash it. I looked at my broken Big Kick’s still good handle, and decided that the black and silver wouldn’t clash with my Big Shot. I suspected the parts from the two machines might be interchangeable, so it was worth a try, and at least the handles are interchangeable. Not sure about the rest. I might eventually see if the blue plastic parts can be swapped, too, but I wasn’t quite brave enough to try. One is a Big Kick, the other is a Big Shot. Having a working machine was more important than the color.
I swapped the broken Big Kick’s handle for the icky Big Shot handle, and now I at least have a working die cut machine. However, if my Big Shot breaks at some point, I’ll seriously start considering buying a Spellbinder machine.
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kitbop
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,624
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Post by kitbop on Feb 9, 2024 1:01:29 GMT
I'm glad you've got something workable out of the pieces scrapnnana! I've broken my big kick, AND my big shot (same machine, different colours IMO) over my 23 years of crafting. The first stopped putting pressure on the dies - still rolled but no compression. The second seized with plates and dies halfway through. Terrible breaking gears noises. So my next one will definitely be a Platinum 6. However, I much prefer my gemini jr anyways and the only reason I'm looking at a manual machine is to be able to use the glimmer hot foil system. Since I'm actively trying to AVOID getting into hot foil, I'm also avoiding buying a platinum 6  |
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,449
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Post by scrapnnana on Feb 10, 2024 16:27:28 GMT
I'm glad you've got something workable out of the pieces @scrapnana! I've broken my big kick, AND my big shot (same machine, different colours IMO) over my 23 years of crafting. The first stopped putting pressure on the dies - still rolled but no compression. My Big Kick had the same issue. It rolled, but no compression because the support post next to the handle had cracked through. |
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