I am still on the fence...

[queen bee]

My original cuttle bug is kinda wearing out. I was going to replace it with another bug but....the newer bug did not get great reviews. I tried to find a used original bug but....its used and you never know how much life is left in it. How does the big shot compare? I am not seeing a HUGE difference in $$, I do a lot of embossing and die cutting (mostly spellbinders nesties) Are the stacks the same? Does it fold up? I love bug and what it does !! Any thoughts?

[SkyNacho]

The big shot doesn't fold up and so has a much bigger footprint, but it's very nice. One nice thing to use with the BS that you can't use with the CB is the magnetic plate (as long as you don't have a pacemaker) for holding dies in place. My SU rep had hers at a make and take, and I liked it a lot. If/When my original CB dies, I will likely get a big shot to replace it.

[Denverkat276]

People will probably get sick of me posting nearly the same response, but I was wondering if you have looked on Craigslist. You may find a manual die cutter that you will spend 20 on. I have gotten my nearly all my die cutting machines from a seller on craigslist. You may get lucky. You can even post a request to purchase one and someone may even have the original hardly used. I don't know if you know how to tell if it's an older model or the newer ones though.

Here is a site that I have bought from and they have a better deal then most on the CB. They also offer the Blue casing. I think the Blue one is the older model and the green one is Version 2. Not sure though. Cricut Machines - CricutMachine

[AbbysGrammy]

My bug died and I replaced it with the new model and I love it. I also have a BS and never take it out of the bag. It takes up more room than I have. My CB does everything I need it to do new model and all!!!
Marcia

[beaddict]

I used to have a cuttlebug and it got quite a bit of use before I gave it away and got a Big Shot.

The BigShot does have a larger footprint but I really like it. The magnetic plate is WONDERFUL for using the framelits style of dies.


Sizzix has a 3 year warranty on the Big Shot and great customer service if you should happen to have any issues, especially during the warranty period.


If you have the space, I don't think you would regret purchasing a BS

[Denverkat276]

I have to tell you that I love the price of the blue CB that I posted. If I needed one (I have 3 so no I don't need one), I'd buy that pretty blue one. It's sweet for $49 bucks. But, I also love the BS.

I'm content with the Epic for my big sizzix dies (got it for $20 on CL) and I have the Grand Calibur, which I ABSOLUTELY love for my thin dies and omg the embossing on the GC is amazing. It is ashamed that they don't have the setting to take the big chunky dies. That's ok, I use the epic for the Letterpress too (which is my new years resolution to use this year ALOT).

Good luck with your choice. I think you'll figure it out and will be happy.

BTW, I have a friend who has a big shot and she hangs it on the wall with some strappy thing and that's what takes it out of the way. I always thought that was pretty cool.

[klh54]

Well, my Cuttlebug didn't die...it really has been a true workhorse, but a few months back I bought some edge dies that were just this much too long to go through the Cuttlebug width wise. I looked at many,, many machines and settled on the Grand Calibur for a few reasons..one being that the area where I do my die cutting is not large so I needed a machine that wouldn't take up much more space than the Cuttlebug and it has a wider opening to handle wider dies. It has worked out even better than I'd hoped, so smooth to operate and it sticks by suction like the Cuttlebug, would you believe it sticks better?!!
I bought on Amazon as one of their warehouse deals. It was used but advertised in "like new" condition and had the same guarantee as a new one...it was only 65$!!
I can't say enough good about it, it's just a great machine!
Just something for you to consider

[Denverkat276]

I know right?? That GC cuts beautifully, but I have to tell you I fell in love with it when I did embossing. It's just perfect for that too!!

[stiz2003]

My gosh, the Big Shot takes serious abuse! I ran real wood veneer through it. The machine took it but the etching in the die didn't. I run copper through it regularly with no issues. Yes the tension does loosen up but easily fixed with a shim. I have seriously abused this machine in every way possible and truthfully, I can't break it, a skill I am very good at.

[camcas2]

I have an evolution advanced
Love it
Sturdier than the CB, much like a cross between a CB and a BS
Folds up and you can store things in the platform
Also has a magnetic plate

[ctab]

Love my big shot! After 7 years it is still going strong. You might want to check out the new nine inch one they are coming out wit.

[fionna51]

I would definitely go with the Big Shot. It is a sturdier machine and can handle the larger dies that the cuttlebug can't.

You can get a better price on a Big Shot if you watch on the internet. For example, right now Overstock has them for $65 and Amazon for $70. I bought mine (Hello Kitty bright pink!) for $24 in the clearance bin and with a coupon code at Sizzix. Haven't seen many deals like that though.

[shazsilverwolf]

Although the Big Shot has a bigger footprint, the one real beauty about that is the stability!The machine stays in place when rolling larger dies through- that isn't always the case with a 'bug, even though generally it grips the surface ok. So that can be a plus point- not wishing you had an extra set of hands!

[2CuteCats]

I have both and like both. I bought the Big Shot so I could use the metallic plate.

[queen bee]

cuttlebug vs the big shot... are the stacks the same?
I have extra CB plates that can not be returned, can they be used in the bs?
Keep the input coming!!

[uncbballfan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by queen bee

cuttlebug vs the big shot... are the stacks the same?
I have extra CB plates that can not be returned, can they be used in the bs?
Keep the input coming!!

YES, the CB plates can be used in the BS (mine are in it now.) I have both, the very first version of the CB, (it's neither of those shown in that link) and I was tired of fighting the CB to stay in one place while I tried to run something through it.


I had been wanting a Big Shot, but had already found a great deal on the CB extended plates, so... I waited. When I heard I could use the CB plates in the Big Shot, I ordered the BS so fast it made my head spin. Oh, my, I'm so glad I did. I could crank something through and use fingertip pressure on the top of the machine. No longer did I feel like a contortionist!

[GirlFriday]

I got a Big Shot for Christmas and I'm loving it! Highly recommend.

[lylacfey]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fionna51

I bought mine (Hello Kitty bright pink!) for $24 in the clearance bin and with a coupon code at Sizzix. Haven't seen many deals like that though.

You can't even imagine how envious I am right now. That is the one crafting item I really kick myself for not buying when it came out was the Hello Kitty Big Shot. I am a massive Kitty fan.

To the question of Big Shot/Cuttlebug. I have both. I prefer my Cuttlebug for paper crafting. I really like the small size, I have my sandwich recipes memorized & my machine embosses so deeply. Each machine is calibrated differently. I got lucky to find one that really makes a nice emboss. I love using Nestabilities in my Cuttlebug. I always feel like my Cuttlebug was made for Nesties & embossing.

I have the Pink & Black Big Shot. That one I use for heavier materials. I work in jewelry, fabric metals & wood quite often. I prefer my Big Shot for that kind of work. I cut shapes out of plastic plates the other night using my Big Shot. The Big Shot cut them like butter first run through. My Cuttlebug I know would not have done that. I would have had to roll the plates through 3-4 times on my Cuttlebug to get them to cut. Big Shot once.

For Nesties & embossing I really don't like my Big Shot for those things. I really think it's much to huge for me to use as a paper crafting die cutter. I don't feel like my embossing is as deep with the Big Shot. That could be because my machine is not calibrated for that kind of work. I could get another Big Shot and it might emboss like a dream. I want to be fair about that.

Big Shot favorite machine to do heavy duty work. Cuttlebug for paper creations. I forgot to add I have the original Cuttlebug not Version 2.

[zipper28]

Ok, here goes a dumb question. I have a Cuttlebug. How does it wear out? I have had mine for a good many years and it still works but sometimes I feel I am putting too thick of sandwich in. Maybe I don't use it as much but I really like it.

[queen bee]

I think the rollers become compressed perhaps, but not sure

[sr2107]

If you don't mind the size, I would recommend the big shot as well! I love mine!
Plus as others have mentioned the metal plate is great for keeping dies in place when needed.

[queen bee]

The main complaint I have heard about the new v2 bug is the platform is too small to accommodate the stacks. Those of you who have the newer v2, is that the case? For my personal needs, the bug works perfect. However, I don't want to fight the stacks on the platform/ :(

[craftyviolet]

My Cuttlebug split even though only cardstock goes through it so I replaced it with the Big Shot and that thing is sturdy. I did call Provocraft to complain about it splitting and they just blew me off so that kind of ticked me off too. I'm very happy with the Big Shot and the two extra cutting plates left over from the Cuttlebug do fine on the Big Shot as embossing plates. Keeping them separate from the cutting dies gives a clean embossed image.

[Jannarama]

Quote:

Originally Posted by camcas2

I have an evolution advanced
Love it
Sturdier than the CB, much like a cross between a CB and a BS
Folds up and you can store things in the platform
Also has a magnetic plate

Do you have the motor that goes with the Evolution Advanced machine? I'm contemplating getting this machine as my next manual die cutting machine. What comes with the machine? Plates? Thanks.

[Janet1000]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jannarama

Do you have the motor that goes with the Evolution Advanced machine? I'm contemplating getting this machine as my next manual die cutting machine. What comes with the machine? Plates? Thanks.

Isn't the Evolution the die/cutting machine that is used for the We R Memories Letterpress System?

[TheOtherMeg]

When you're looking around, be sure to check out the Sizzix Big Kick. Mechanically, it's the same machine as the Big Shot. The difference is merely cosmetic. It does everything a BS does, and can often be found at a lower cost.

[buggainok]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheOtherMeg

When you're looking around, be sure to check out the Sizzix Big Kick. Mechanically, it's the same machine as the Big Shot. The difference is merely cosmetic. It does everything a BS does, and can often be found at a lower cost.

Yes, you can find the Big Kick pretty cheap sometimes. I got one at Tuesday Morning for only $29.00!

[sbd]

I have the motor for the Evolution Advanced and have been very pleased

[mboaitneit]

I also have a BS and never take it out of the bag.