Big Shot/Big Kick vs. the old red Sizzix

[melissa59]

I had the old Sizzix machine and I rarely used it. After having it sit in a drawer for two years, I sold it on eBay, along with a couple of dies that I never used.

Now, that I've got back into card making, I'm drooling over the Big Shot, mostly for its embossing abilities. But I can't help but wonder if I'd use it, since I didn't use my Sizzix very often. Perhaps someone can jump in with their thoughts.

Things I liked about my original (red) Sizzix machine:

• I could cut chipboard letters and shapes. (BTW ... I kept my alphabet & number dies)

The reasons I got rid of it:

• I was only into scrapbooking, not card making.
• It was so darn heavy that I hated pulling it out of a drawer and setting it up to cut a single title or shape.
• Every time I saw a cute die, it was a new (bigger) style that wouldn't fit.
• I eventually bought a Silhouette digital cutter.

Question:
What's the largest size cardstock that can be embossed in a Big Shot/Big Kick? Will it go as big as 5"x7"?

[sharilea]

Most of the embossing folders are sized for A2 cards. That's 4.25" x 5.5". You could put 5" x 7" paper through the Big Shot, but it would have to go lengthwise.

I'm a card maker, not much of a scrapbooker. I use my Big Shot on every single card! Couldn't live without mine. It's not as heavy as the original Sizzix, I had one of those too.

[Beaglelover]

I have been able to cut 3-4 pieces of cardstock at one time. This is great when I am making multiple cards.

It also has never failed me in cutting out the sizzix dies. Crisp cuts every time.
I also never had to put a shim in with the larger dies to get my BS to cut.


I also have a CB and the Cricut Create. Love all of them.

HTH,

Beaglelover

[Stolynn]

I didn't use my red sizzix too much, but I use my big kick ALL of the time!!! Embossing, nestabilities, BIGZ, sizzlets. It's a MUST have! (with a 50% off coupon!!!)

[Julie in Indy]

Like the original poster, I have the original Red Sizzix machine (notice that is current tense - I haven't yet parted with it!). I got into the automated cutter with a Wishblade in 2006 and recently upgraded to the Gazelle.

I had a Cuttlebug but started seeing "big" dies so I got the Big Kick and use it exclusively for non-automated cutting. It does a great job embossing, too.

Sold the CB. Haven't yet parted with the red Sizzix machine though.

[Raccoon1]

I've never used anything but a Bigkick, it does all die except those for the big shot pro, it cuts all the others great, it is also very lightweight so you won't have that problem.
If I were you, I'd look at some of the pro die to be sure you don't want to use those, then this Big shot or BIg kick would be good