Sad night of die cutting.....

[Turkey1969]

After probably 15+ years, I lost one of the plates that came with my Cuttlebug. I was working on my Christmas card ideas tonight and the plate let out a loud crack. Not the normal groaning cracking sounds, but a very loud snap. Rest In Peace beloved plate. You’ve served me well through the years. On the edges of the plate I can still see marks from the postage stamp edged die that came with it. Maybe I need to pull out that die and make a card in remembrance.

[kazeka]

Oh my, I always hate it when I have to toss something away, even when I've gotten more life out of than I could have expected. A friend of mine had a sizzix plate crack like this, but she just kept using the two pieces that were left, haha! Just had to use it with smaller dies. I can't bear the thought of being without my Sizzix Big Shot plates, so I always buy extras to keep on hand.
Rest in peace Cuttlebug plate...you had a good run.

Karen

[fionna51]

You might want to search out and purchase additional plates (assuming that you can find any) since it was announced in April 2019 that the Cuttlebug was being discontinued.

[shazsilverwolf]

Don't know about E-Bay USA, but on E-Bay UK, there are many people selling generic replacement plates for various machines. You could also try local hardware store- keep your broken plate as an example- who would stock and cut perspex sheets to size for you. I say to take your broken plate as example, as the perspex itself comes in a variety of thicknesses, so they'll need to measure your broken one - or even your remaining one if you've already tossed it. However, our E-Bay the sellers do say which machines they cut for, so then it's not a problem.

[lesliespringer]

There was a thread some where on here about making your own plates. Maybe in the original thread about the cuttlebug being discontinued.

[lesliespringer]

Try

Cuttle Bug "B" Plates - Splitcoaststampers

[lesliespringer]

OR

Cricut discontinuing Cuttlebug - Splitcoaststampers

[Gdoreen]

Hi, I no longer own a Cuttlebug, but I do have a Big Shot foldaway (love it) and I have been using a cutting mat in mine as a top plate without any problems. This idea is not originally mine, but in truth, the WRMK Evolution Advanced used cutting mats (and I had one of those). At any rate, I think cutting mats work better with intricate dies (I use the mat with the die facing up into it) than the acrylic plates and lasts way longer. I'm still on the first cutting mat and its been almost a year of cutting intricate dies with plenty of life to go.

I would measure the thickness of the cutting plate in millimeters (since this is how I've seen cutting mats sold). I believe the Cuttlebug plates are the same thickness as the Big Shot: 3mm. Then just find a cutting mat that thick and either find a size that's a little shy of 6" x 8" or cut one down (I've used heavy duty craft shears, but the TH snips should work). I found a 12 x 9 mat that I cut into two pads. I still use the acrylic plate as my do-not cut plate, on the bottom or top depending on the sandwich for added stability. The bonus: cutting mats are easily accessible and will last far longer. In fact, when my beloved cutting mat started to curl in a particularly tight sandwich, I placed a paper towel on top, and used my iron on medium setting to relax it-- it's now flat like the day I purchased it and I don't have to worry about it cracking because it is made of flexible material.


I hope this helps you get years more out of your Cuttlebug without having to spend a lot on replacement plates.


Best,
Doreen

P.S RIP Cuttlebug plate, trustworthy crafting pal, you are gone, but not forgotten

[cnsteele]

Oh, no! How sad! My plate cracked after 12 years but I kept it to use with smaller dies. My CB is going on 16 years and has never had a problem. I love that little green machine! I also love it because the day I got it, I raced home from the craft store with my then 4 year old, 2 year old, and newborn to put the younger two down for their naps. Then, my 4 year old and I spent their nap time playing with it, cranking out all kinds of fun die-cut and embossed pieces. I gave them all to her to craft with. It was such a pleasant, sweet afternoon with the two of us!

[Turkey1969]

Thanks for all the information but my plate supply is fine. My ex-husband works at a plastic business and has been supplying me with acrylic blocks for stamping and with polycarbonate plates for die cutting. I’ve just been hoarding the new ones until absolutely necessary. I texted him this same picture last night and he immediately offered to get me more. Just sad to see it finally crack after so long.

[Goodly Creations]

A friend of mine had a sizzix plate crack like this, but she just kept using the two pieces that were left, haha! Just had to use it with smaller dies. I can't bear the thought of being without my Sizzix Big Shot plates, so I always buy extras to keep on hand.
Rest in peace Cuttlebug plate...you had a good run.

Karen[/QUOTE]
I did the same thing, used the half plates and got a lot of use out of them. 😁

[wavejumper]

I am impressed you got 16 years out of it! Mine never last that long. (big shot)

Dont feel bad. It is a testament to a LOT of fun!

[Mrs Noofy]

So sorry for your loss.... mine cracked a couple of years ago so I just took the broken piece to the local hardware store. They measured the thickness and cut me a new piece from their plexiglass stock. Works just fine and it was only a couple of bucks as opposed to the other alternative $$$$$$. Hope this helps.

[lylacfey]

RIP plate. You had a long and beautiful life.


The Cuttlebug was the best die cutting machine ever on the market. I miss mine.

[smadson]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fionna51

You might want to search out and purchase additional plates (assuming that you can find any) since it was announced in April 2019 that the Cuttlebug was being discontinued.

I didn’t know this! I still use mine, but also use a big shot. My big shot is in worse shape than my old green Cuttlebug, which I think I have had Almost 20 years! But I did get new plates somewhere along the line. I like the embossing on it rather than the Big Shot.

Sad they are dis-continuing it. But I will use mine till it dies! LOL

[barbt1956]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gdoreen

Hi, I no longer own a Cuttlebug, but I do have a Big Shot foldaway (love it) and I have been using a cutting mat in mine as a top plate without any problems. This idea is not originally mine, but in truth, the WRMK Evolution Advanced used cutting mats (and I had one of those). At any rate, I think cutting mats work better with intricate dies (I use the mat with the die facing up into it) than the acrylic plates and lasts way longer. I'm still on the first cutting mat and its been almost a year of cutting intricate dies with plenty of life to go.

I would measure the thickness of the cutting plate in millimeters (since this is how I've seen cutting mats sold). I believe the Cuttlebug plates are the same thickness as the Big Shot: 3mm. Then just find a cutting mat that thick and either find a size that's a little shy of 6" x 8" or cut one down (I've used heavy duty craft shears, but the TH snips should work). I found a 12 x 9 mat that I cut into two pads. I still use the acrylic plate as my do-not cut plate, on the bottom or top depending on the sandwich for added stability. The bonus: cutting mats are easily accessible and will last far longer. In fact, when my beloved cutting mat started to curl in a particularly tight sandwich, I placed a paper towel on top, and used my iron on medium setting to relax it-- it's now flat like the day I purchased it and I don't have to worry about it cracking because it is made of flexible material.


I hope this helps you get years more out of your Cuttlebug without having to spend a lot on replacement plates.


Best,
Doreen

P.S RIP Cuttlebug plate, trustworthy crafting pal, you are gone, but not forgotten

Doreen, I read about this a while back and bought some self-healing cutting mats. My husband cut them to size for me last week and I am thrilled with the results. Intricate dies cut perfectly, there is less or almost no snapping and popping, and the plates are staying straight. Cutting into the cutting mat means you don’t cut into the cutting plates, so I expect them to last forever. I think the cost savings will be pretty good on not replacing the cutting plates. So far I am really happy with the difference. I am using these in my Empress Mini and my full size Gemini.

[tawna21]

Where can I find self healing mats that are thick enough to be used as a cutting plate. The Fiskars mat that is on my craft desk is a lot thinner than my Big Shot plates. This sounds like a really good idea.

[Cinful]

I use AccuQuilt GO! Cutting Mat; 6-inch-by-12-inch


as my cutting plate in my Big Shot. I turn it over each time. I've been using it for many years. Just clean it every once in a while. I received this information from a thread here.

[tawna21]

Thank you Cinful. I'll have to look around for that mat.

[Paper Junky]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goodly Creations

A friend of mine had a sizzix plate crack like this, but she just kept using the two pieces that were left, haha! Just had to use it with smaller dies. I can't bear the thought of being without my Sizzix Big Shot plates, so I always buy extras to keep on hand.
Rest in peace Cuttlebug plate...you had a good run.

Karen

I recently had a plate crack in half as well and plan on using the two smaller pieces for smaller items.

That being said, I do have a set of back-up plates as well "just in case." I also bought an "almost new" Cuttlebug at a yardsale a year or so ago. Again--just in case!

I do have a Big Shot also, but for some reason I just always reach for my Cuttlebug. Love that little guy!

__________________
Brenda
<-My sibling kitties, Milo and Rousseau

[barbt1956]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tawna21

Where can I find self healing mats that are thick enough to be used as a cutting plate. The Fiskars mat that is on my craft desk is a lot thinner than my Big Shot plates. This sounds like a really good idea.

The brand I bought is Bremen. I bought a clear one that I don’t see available anymore, but they also carry the green. I don’t use it instead of the cutting plates, I use it with the cutting plates instead of any of the shims or magnetic plates.

[mac4551]

My C plate broke in half after only a few uses. I had the original Cuttlebug but had so many problems with the plates. I donated it to an assisted living home and bought the Gemini Jr. True, when the electric goes out I can't die cut... but I also have the original Diamond Press and the Craft Buddy. Both are small, but so are most of my dies.