Bought a Big Shot - Have Questions!
 

Hello! I recently purchased the manual Big Shot machine, which came with the standard platform, two cutting pads, and the adapter for cutting wafer thin dies. Overall, I really like it and it is opening up a whole new avenue of card making :-)


I was wondering what other accessories would be beneficial to have. I have already been thinking about the embossing mat (not sure if it is the right term??) to be able to emboss with the dies. I have heard of the metal shim, but not sure how it is used.


I was also wondering how to accommodate thicker card stock, such as watercolor paper, for both cutting and embossing. Sometimes it is very difficult to turn the handle with thicker stock, and worry it might damage the machine. Should I be using some other thinner cutting pads in place of the regular ones?

Thanks for your help!!

The rubber mat that Spellbinders sells will work in the Big Shot for embossing with dies.

You might like the Precision Base Plate for really intricate dies.

I have no problem cutting thicker cardstock or watercolor paper in my Big Shot. I may run it through a few times, but will get a clean cut. If I remember the Precision Base Plate, it helps with the thicker items as well.

I would suggest watching a few videos where they are using the Big Shot. I love Stephanie Bernard videos, the older ones where she is demonstrating many of her items. Since she is being sued by Sizzix, her new ones are not focusing on the Big Shot as much.

Another vote for a precision base plate! The newer one that Sizzix offers is called Chrome and looks great but it's always sold out where I look. I've had the same Big Shot since 2009 and it has been a great workhorse.
Mary Beth

The standard platform has a couple of hinged tabs. If you are cutting thicker card stock and find the handle hard to turn, try flipping those tabs open (just the first one should be enough if you are only cutting things like heavy watercolour paper) before you run the sandwich through the machine.

One item that I found surprisingly useful is the rolling brush - Spellbinders calls theirs the Tool-n-One; Sizzix has one as well. It works for not only getting the little extra bits out of the die, but for getting the whole diecut piece to release.

Also, a sticky lint roller for helping to clean up all the little bits & pieces that fall out.

Thanks for the suggestions! Going to check them all out.

I use Magnetic cutting platform the most with my dies. Using the standard cutting platform for only embossing folders. Since the standard platform "tabs" have to be open to use the Embossing folders. Taking up quite a bit of room when open, I actually unscrewed the tabs (keeping the screws of course) from the platform, labeled them and put them in a tiny see-thru box in my desk. The "tabs" are now kept safe in a bottom drawer, with a sticky note on them indicating where the screws are.

That's what I do as well and was just about to suggest it to Kathy. I often flip one of the tabs for watercolor paper or really thick card stock and it works perfectly.
Karen

Magnetic platform
 

I highly recommend getting the magnetic platform.