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I just tried to use my Big Shot which I have had several years and it went about 1/4 of the way through the slot and jammed! I mean JAAAAAMMED! Fortunately, the die was close enough to the back end that I could get it out, but the crank won't turn either way. Am I looking at having to purchase another one or is there a way to get inside to try to un-jam it? Has anyone tried this? Am I looking at spending another $100 that I really don't want to spend right now? Any suggestions?
__________________ Sylvia D.
Melodious Mingler Grandma My Gallery
I'm a do it yourself type of girl! Its past warranty so I'd take it apart. I'm so glad you posted this! I just went out to look at mine to maybe give you some advice and when I turned it over the four bottom screws were almost out! I was wondering why my bookcase top had all these scratch marks on it! It was those screws scratching into it whenever I used it!
Is it jammed because your sandwich is too thick? Is it more than half way through? I've had some close calls because I overdid the sandwich but I've always been able to push down on the sandwich and pull it out. I'm with Lydia about contacting sizzix, but I'm still a tear it apart and fix it girl! It may be a little easier for me to say this when I have a back up!
My sandwich was magnetic platform, cutting plate, SU cardstock (1 layer), banners thinlit, cutting plate. The Big Shot always creaks and cracks when I crank things through, but it is totally locked up now. The creaking and cracking when I used the thinlits always bothered me, but everyone said this is normal.
__________________ Sylvia D.
Melodious Mingler Grandma My Gallery
My sandwich was magnetic platform, cutting plate, SU cardstock (1 layer), banners thinlit, cutting plate. The Big Shot always creaks and cracks when I crank things through, but it is totally locked up now. The creaking and cracking when I used the thinlits always bothered me, but everyone said this is normal.
Your sandwich sounds totally right. Creaking, cracking and snapping noises are normal, but I remember the first time I heard it too! I thought I did something wrong. Your magnetic plate is a good reason to talk to sizzix! Its a costly item too and I'd want to protect it. I just can't imagine why it would jam with that sandwich.
A few months ago my Big Shot handle refused to move. My husband and I worked on it and together we took it completely apart. When we couldn't figure out what was causing the problem, we called Sizzix. The person we talked with knew just what the problem was and told us what we needed to order. We paid about $10 for the parts which were received in less than a week. My husband went to work replacing the messed up parts and my Big Shot is good as new! I was thrilled!!! Good luck to you!
I had my BS lock up on me also. Knew I couldn't paper craft without it so ordered a new one right away. While waiting for the new one, I took my BS to my LSS (owner is a neighbor so also a friend). There are a group of us that meet at the shop on Wednesday so I have dropped $$$ at her store.
The owner popped off the plastic plug on the handle portion that Is attached to the body. She unscrewed the handle and added some light oil then screwed the handle back on, replaced the plug and now I have a back up. I figured the gears weren't stripped since nothing rattled when I shook the machine.
Good luck with Sizzix but I am sure CS will assist you. Have heard that their CS is first rate.
I'm replying via my phone so my apologies if this has been answered as I can't really get to all of the other responses.
I would suggest looking on Youtube. I found a couple of how to take apart videos for similar contraptions. Give it a shot. If it's old and there is no warranty, then go for it and try to fix it.
Hope you can fix it. Nothing worse than having to buy new equipment.
I had my BS lock up on me also. Knew I couldn't paper craft without it so ordered a new one right away. While waiting for the new one, I took my BS to my LSS (owner is a neighbor so also a friend). There are a group of us that meet at the shop on Wednesday so I have dropped $$$ at her store.
The owner popped off the plastic plug on the handle portion that Is attached to the body. She unscrewed the handle and added some light oil then screwed the handle back on, replaced the plug and now I have a back up. I figured the gears weren't stripped since nothing rattled when I shook the machine.
Good luck with Sizzix but I am sure CS will assist you. Have heard that their CS is first rate.
QUOTE]
I was too busy at work today to call Sizzix, but this evening I tried your suggestion to put some lubricant in the hole where the handle comes off. IT WORKED! Thank you thank you thank you! I am still going to call because it is making a clicking noise with every turn of the handle, so something is still wrong but it works for now. :-D
__________________ Sylvia D.
Melodious Mingler Grandma My Gallery
I've owned my BS for over three years now. The screw that holds the handle kept loosening. I called Sizzix and they sent me a kit which had a new Allen wrench, a screw, and a washer in a bag. I replaced the washer and screw using the new wrench. I tightened it as well as I could. It worked well for about three weeks. Now the new screw has come out again.
Is there anything else I can do to save my machine from the dumpster? I'm not afraid of fixing things but I'm just wondering where to start to fix the recurring problem of the screw coming out of the handle. Thanks.
You are one brave person! I followed your tutorial and all the bearings are working and intact. I did notice the little clear flexible tube that holds the small gear for the handle part was not right against the gear. It was almost as if it had worked itself loose. It's all put back together and I hope it still works. I needed a chocolate break so that's where I am!
YEY! My Big Shot is put back all together--no parts are remaining so THAT is a good thing, right?! ;-) Anyway, it's working well, and I hope the handle screw getting loose problem will stay away. I ended up taping the allen wrench to the bottom of the machine for a Just in case scenerio!
HELP!! Dead Big Shot?
