BROKE MY BS HANDLE!
 

Help!!! I was cutting some CS today and it was a bit thick, the handle seemed to be turning and cutting with some resistance but was going throught the machine and all of a sudden, shap! The handle broke off. Looks like the inner square gear inside the handle just snapped in half. Has anyone had this problem (machine is a bout 6 months old, no receipt).
Does anyone know if Sizzix has replacement parts?
I'm so disappointed!

TIA for your ideas!
Denise

BTW, it's a pink & black Big Shot that I have.

Denise

Sizzix usually has good customer service. They won't repair it for free because it was caused by a too-thick sandwich but I would bet they will sell you the replacement parts. Just make sure it doesn't cost more than $50 because you can get a brand new Big Kick quite often for $50 or $60 at Michaels with a 40%/50% off coupon. Call them on Monday morning and ask about replacement parts. Sizzix customer service number is 877-355-4766, they are open 6:30am to 4pm Pacific time.

Does your machine have a serial number on the bottom? Perhaps sizzix would have a record of when your store bought the machine and would be able to check if it was still on warranty.

Don't think Sizzix will think this is covered by warranty if you explain that there was resistance while you were turning the handle.

Just a hint: Whenever you are using any kind of tool, if you feel resistance, it is probably 'telling' you to stop! If you continue, you are taking your chances. I would have backed out and tried a different sandwich.

Thanks for the information and tips. I guess I knew that I messed up trying to push through it with any resistance. Lesson learned! Just ordered a new one since it's on sale at JoAnn's and had a free shipping coupon code.

Denise

MODS, please D/C this thread.
Thanks, Denise

Mine broke I got the new handle gear for $5.00. if it is more than 3 years old it is no longer under warranty. Just look on the sticker on the bottom of machine.. They were very easy to work with.

Cindy, Thank you so much for taking the time to respond to my dilemma. SCS members are the bomb!!
I greatly appreciatle you taking the time to PM me with the contact info!

Best Regards, Denise

Subscribing...

I just wanted to tell you I am sorry that happened to you. I know I would be devastated. The Pink & Black Big Shot is the most beautiful out of all the die cutters. I have one too and I treat her like gold. I know it's a tool not a jewel. :) I have a Cuttebug for trashing. I always keep two manual die cutters on hand because they do like to break. Sometimes it is because we shove the sandwiches in there. Other times it's because they get old or it was just a bad part. Don't get rid of the other one. If you have the room save it for parts.

Mine broke - it was a dodgy component rather than trying to force anything through in my case though. I got it replaced under the three year guarantee, no problem. Sizzix also sent me a replacement crank shaft because when my dad stripped the machine down and found the broken bearing that was the actual cause of the problem, he thought he might be able to replace that so a new crank shaft would mean my mum could take over the machine rather than having to toss it into landfill. Great customer service all round from Sizzix/Ellison.

The same thing happened to me the night before I had a workshop at 7:30 p.m. I rushed into town (30 miles) and went to Hobby Lobby. My only option was a cuttlebug or a Grand Caliber. I went with the GC. I hate it! I am getting another Big Shot. There is no comparison.

I did the same thing tonight. UGH!!! Do you call sizzix for the replacement gear???

I bought my BS on ebay and it arrived with the handle snapped off. I called Sizzix Customer Service to see if I could buy replacement parts and they sent them to me free of charge - with step by step picture instructions! I had them in the mail in about 3 days - great service!

https://www.sizzix.com/contact

so how do you know your sandwich is too thick? I am ctting the SU Doily on Big Kick tab 1 sandwich top and bottom with acrylic plates. Its going through and cutting very nicely (I'm running it thru 3 or 4 times) but it is hard for me to turn the handle - not forcing it tho. and my top cutting plate is bowed and really cut up.

If you were only cutting cardstock that you've cut in the past with no issues, the resistance might have been because the gears and ball bearings were already starting to fail inside and making it seize up. If you heard any type of squeaking or grinding or jumping of the gears even just occasionally before this happened, you should be covered under warranty.

Hope this helps.

Half - price replacement from SU!
 

My 5-yr-old Big shot suddenly started sounding awful and you could tell a gear was catching or slipping or crashing or something. It feels like it is at death's door.
I just called SU! and explained what was happening. They couldn't replace it since it was beyond the warranty period, but they offered to sell me one at half-price. I thought that was a good deal, so I did it.
I will still follow up with Sizzix and see if I can get replacement parts for a back up.

Broken Crank Handle Shaft for Big Shot
 

Sadly, the handle on my Big Shot just came off in my hand. The metal shaft that turns the gears snapped right at the handle. I called Ellison (manufacturer of the Big Shot) and was told that they have stopped carrying replacement parts after a decision by the CEO (unless the machine is under warranty):(. I'd be happy to pay for the part, but they don't even stock them! Does anyone know of an after market parts supplier?

I don't know of an after-markets supplier, sorry. That decision not to stock replacement parts sounds a bit like greed to me. The company is willing to supply parts to one under warranty, but the customer is expected to buy a brand-new Big Shot if out of warranty, even though it is clear parts are available for a customer to buy. Using the company's logic, every customer with an issue whose BS is still under warranty should get a brand-new machine from the company.

The same just happen to my friend's machine and I cannot find the shaft itself to buy to replace it. The machine is far from done, and the fact that parts cannot be purchased says a lot about the company. Did anyone find a vendor that carry parts for the machine?

I did a quick google search and found shaft replacements on ebay. The link is way too long to make any sense. Here is the supplier that I found: https://www.ebay.com/usr/lakeport-pa...75.m3561.l2559

I know nothing about this, but this popped up on Google.

There are a number of YouTube videos about DIY repairs and replacements.

Thank you for the link. They have the bearings, and tho se are relatively easy to find. the shaft itself is the hard one to locate. I am not sure I can find one. This is so disappointing.

I would add a photo but I have a hard time doing so.

My Big Shot gear broke a couple of years ago and my machine wasn't under warranty because it was about 12 years old. I called Sizzix and they told me they could not send parts if it's out of warranty. It's not a good feeling when they have the parts, but won't help you. My husband looked for a replacement gear, but couldn't find the right size anywhere. I think Ebay might of had one from some other countrty, but was very pricey and wasn't worth messing with.

Is this what you are looking for, not the actual handle? I had a gear break earlier this this year. I'm planning to keep the bearings as they seem to have been the main issue historically, but as the price of a new gear plus shipping and taxes was only marginally less than a new Big Shot on sale, I got a new one. If I can get that out I'd happily send it to you.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.spl...f7eeaddf4.jpeg

I also have the handle if that's what you need rather than the shaft. A bit worn looking but functional. It would cost me about $12 to mail either of them.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.spl...cfd3d890f.jpeg

That is precisely what I need. It is not hard to get out and I can walk you through it if you would like. How much are you asking for it? Where is shipping from? Thank you much.

I'm not looking for anything except a refund of shipping, which from here (Ireland) would be about 12$. I have got it out. Do you need the two little spring clips too or just the shaft itself.

That is very kind of you. You can send the clips as well, please. I am not sure if you all have PayPal in Ireland or Venmo, but those would get the money to you quickly. Let me know
Thank you much

PayPal - I'll take it to the Post Office in the next day or two and then pm you with the amount and my email address.
Can you pm me with your name and address.

Perfect. I just PM my address to you. Thank you so much.

Denise, what does D/C this thread mean?

My guess she meant discontinue? This note is from 2011, so that person may not be around much. I generally find good information in old threads.