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Post by lilacgal on May 30, 2017 0:45:57 GMT
Long title...I know. Lol I won a Spellbinders Prizm on NSD. I've had a Silhouette for many years and always said I never needed a manual die cutter. I...am...hooked! I just love that little machine and now want something a bit larger. I was in Tuesday Morning today and saw the Sizzix Fabi. I know it branded towards quilters, but is it the same thing as a Big Shot? Is it a good machine? Is it worth $50? I'm not sure with it's footprint. It seems like it will take up a lot of space. I was hoping for one that would fold up but for the price, I'm wavering. Any thoughts? What else would I need to get to use it for paper? Any good sites for someone just starting out with manual cutters?  |
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Post by anniefb on May 30, 2017 1:08:53 GMT
lilacgal I believe the Fabi is the same machine as the Big Shot, except that it's marketed towards quilters/those who want to cut fabric. Some reviews on Amazon say the machine does not come with a platform, only cutting pads, which means you'd need to buy the platform separately. I think the regular platform retails for around $20, more for the extended length one. (Yep I see on the box it says just cutting pads) Here's the link to the Fabi on Amazon so you can read the reviews. Also Big Kick and Big Shot (which include a platform) Check out Ms, Joanns etc because you may be able to get a Big Shot/Big Kick which includes the platform using a coupon. I have the Big Shot and use it a lot, even with my Cameo. Sometimes it's easier just to grab a die and run it through. If you want something smaller that folds up, you could look at a Cuttlebug but IMO the Big Shot/Big Kick cuts better and is more sturdy.
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Post by teacherlisa on May 30, 2017 1:31:53 GMT
love my Big Shot!
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Post by Basket1lady on May 30, 2017 7:33:53 GMT
You really want to go with the Sizzix Big Shot vs the Fabi. Same machine for about the same price (You can normally find the BS on sale at any of the major craft stores). But the BS will come with a multi purpose platform that will allow you to run pretty much any steel rule die/wafer thin die/impression plate/embossing folder through it. And you won't find a MPP in the craft stores-you will probably need to order it online.
There are smaller platform die cutters, but they aren't as powerful. The BS has all metal gears and is a work horse. You will never need another machine.
My BS is 12" X 15", to include the handle. Otherwise it's 8" (vs. 12") wide. Yes, it is big. But it's worth the space.
(And I have a Cameo and a antique Revolution.) I use both my BS and my Cameo almost daily.
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Post by lilacgal on May 30, 2017 11:30:26 GMT
Thanks for your help. I'll keep my eyes open for a Big Shot. I looked at Michaels yesterday and didn't see any manual machines. They've redone their die cutting/punch aisle. There's a big selection of adhesive vinyl now. I didn't see any dies packaged alone - just some with stamps in the stamp aisle. I'm going back today to look for the Happy Planner teacher planner so I'll be checking again.
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Post by crazy4scraps on May 30, 2017 14:50:48 GMT
I would ask what type of dies you anticipate using with it. If you're only going to use the thin metal ones like Spellbinders you could get a magnetic platform with a coupon at Hobby Lobby and possibly be money ahead. I have the Big Kick (same as the Big Shot but different color) and I almost never use the MPP that came with it. The hinged thing is a pain to deal with. I either use the thick Sizzix dies I originally had with just the plastic cutting plates or the thin metal dies with the plastic cutting plates and the magnetic platform.
For the record, I bought my Big Kick with a rare 50% off Sizzix coupon at Michael's years ago and even then it was more than fifty bucks, so for $50 the Fabi is a pretty good deal. You'd be pretty lucky to find a Big Shot or Big Kick new in the box for that price since most of the stores won't let you use a coupon on it.
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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 May 30, 2017 16:30:25 GMT
Earlier this month, JoAnn's had their Big Kicks on clearance (no returns), and I picked mine up for $40. I love it!
Michael's still had theirs at $120 before coupon. If you're going to have to pay an extra $20 over your $50 in order to get the platform, you might just want to wait for a 50% coupon and get them together.
ETA, just saw that your M's is out. If you want it, I think you should get the one you saw for the $50.
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Post by lilacgal on May 30, 2017 17:06:28 GMT
Well, Michaels got a big chunk of my money this morning. That's the "bad" news. The good news is that I'm set on my teacher planner for next year including adorable covers to change out, accessories, and a ton of stickers to make planning a bit more bearable. The even better news? I bought a larger die cutting machine. They had the Big Shot and the Spellbinders Platinum 6. I ended up going with the Spellbinders Platinum 6 because it folded up to make a smaller footprint. Space is at a premium right now so that was important. The in store price was $129.99 with 25% off. I had a coupon for another 25% off my entire purchase including sale items. Well, I'd already been on their website where the same machine is $119.99 plus 25% off making it $89.99. I talked to an amazing sales person who said he'd match the online price. He even figured out that the extra coupon would bring it down to about $67.50. He let the cashier know and even came up to make sure she put in the right price of $67.50. The computer ended up taking another 25% off at the end with my other purchases! The machine ended up costing me $50.62!! I'm one excited girl right now. I've set up the machine and it cuts beautifully! I can't wait to try out some more dies that I have in the mail. I think I'll be getting some stitched rectangles now that I have my big machine! *squeal*  |
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Post by freeatlast on May 30, 2017 17:12:32 GMT
Have fun with your new purchase, lilacgal! |
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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 May 30, 2017 17:30:08 GMT
I'm so excited for you! Now you get to go nuts shopping for dies!
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Post by garagesaler on May 30, 2017 18:24:10 GMT
Enjoy your new machine!
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Post by LisaDV on May 30, 2017 18:32:41 GMT
Have fun with your new purchase
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Post by anniefb on May 30, 2017 18:33:51 GMT
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scrappington
Pearl Clutcher
in Canada
Posts: 3,139 
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Post by scrappington on May 30, 2017 23:09:03 GMT
Wow great deal. I'm sure you will have a lot of fun
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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 May 31, 2017 0:25:50 GMT
Yay! You got a great deal.
My assistant at work wants to start card making and and wants a die cut machine. I sent her off to Mike's armed with a 60% off coupon to get the Big Shot, but they were out of stock. The sales people talked her into the same one you got. She brought it in to work to make sure it was ok (since she was supposed to get the Big Shot) and we set it up and it's a really nice machine. If only my Cuttlebug would die!
I really like the SB 6 because it folds up like my Cuttlebug. I have a limited space for storage.
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on May 31, 2017 10:26:33 GMT
The machine ended up costing me $50.62!!  |
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Post by crazy4scraps on May 31, 2017 13:44:43 GMT
That's awesome! Enjoy your new toy!  |
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Post by woodysbetty on May 31, 2017 13:51:14 GMT
Awesome!!! Have fun!
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Post by grammadee on May 31, 2017 14:33:34 GMT
Great price! Have fun!
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Post by caspad on May 31, 2017 17:51:39 GMT
If only my Cuttlebug would die! I really like the SB 6 because it folds up like my Cuttlebug. I have a limited space for storage. Good to know there is an option that folds up like the Cuttlebug. Mine is still going strong too but you never know! |
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