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Im thinking of taking the plunge into purchasing a die cutting/embossing machine. I think ive narrowed it down to either the cuttlebug or the Big Shot, im leaning toward the Big Shot because of its ability to use the larger size templates, such as those sold by Stampin UP! but i really am in love with the cuttlebug embossing folders and such too!
My question to users is; Does the Big Shot do it all?
Meaning, does it have the capability to emboss and die cut virtually any brand/size templates?
Can it be used with the Cuttlebug folders/plates?
Does it work with nesties?
In the end, if I purchase the Big Shot, do I have more options than if I just purchase the cuttlebug?
Please give me some much needed advice so I know which way to go! I appreciate any help
I have a bigshot and I use cuttlebug dies and embossing folder all of the time without any problems. I also just got my first set of nestibilities and those work very well too. I did a lot of investigating before I decided on this machine and I have been VERY pleased! Hope that helps!
opps, forgot, as with the cuttlebug needing the additional rubber mat to use with some of the dies, are there additional plates/mats that need to be purchased for the Big Shot when using different brands of dies?
The Big Shot (or Big Kick) DOES do it all - Cuttlebug dies/Embossing folder, Big Shot/Kick dies, Nestabilities, everything.
Personally, I think the two most versatile machines out there right now are either the Big Kick/Shot or the Wizard. The Cuttlebug cannot handle the bigger dies.
__________________ ~*~ Clara ~*~ If you can think it, you can ink it!
I just got the Big Shot and love it!!!!!!! My grandson really loves my new toy but now he's sorta taking over and he asked me to call him when I need something made for a swap :-)
opps, forgot, as with the cuttlebug needing the additional rubber mat to use with some of the dies, are there additional plates/mats that need to be purchased for the Big Shot when using different brands of dies?
The multipurpose platform that comes with the BigShot/BigKick takes the place of most of the additional plates that the cuttlebug uses. However, if you want to do embossing with nestabilities or Fiskars or Sizzix texture plates, you'll need the Sizzix Texturz Starter kit (here's a LINK to it on the Sizzix site; I found mine at JoAnn's) OR some people have had luck with the tan Spellbinders mat or a sheet of rubber gasket.
You do not need the extra pad if you're using the Cuttlebug folders!
Also, some of the Sizzix dies work best with the Sizzix crease pad. These would be dies that cut and score at the same time; you can find the crease pad at Michaels and Sizzix.com.
If really want to take your machine to the limit, check out Indigo Inklings. Jay has tons of tutorials with experiments she's done with both the Big Shot and the Cuttlebug - embossing only a part of the folder, ways to eliminate the folder line that sometimes shows up when you emboss with the 2" folders or border strips - if I think of something I might want to try with my machine, I always check there first, because odds are, she's tried it, worked out the bugs, and photographed it already!
YES!!!! I absolutely love mine! I already had a cuttlebug and after ordering it was plagued with 'buyers remorese' but I can tell you I ABSOLUTELY LOVE MY BIG SHOT!
I've used my nestabilities, cuttlebug folders, and all the sizzix products in it with ease AND I love all the variety of things I can cut with it! Balsa, soda cans, cork and more!
I own a Cuttlebug and but when SU came out with it I bought the Big Shot. I can use most anything in the Big Shot and vary the materials I cut as well. It's size and sturdiness are big factors. No regrets, I love it!
I just ordered a Big Shot and I am excited to get it! I looked and compared for a long while, and the Big Kick is identical mechanically but I felt I needed the taller top handle to grip when carrying or just for leverage as the crank is being turned. The Big Kick would have been cheaper with a coupon locally, but I got so many goodies by adding it to my SU order that I really broke even, considering I wanted the features of the Big SHot anyway! Oh, and hi there Miss cindybstampin!
I have a red sizzix machine but I really want a big shot to replace it. Go for the Big Shot, you won't be disappointed! I've heard nothing but great things about it.
I have a red sizzix machine but I really want a big shot to replace it. Go for the Big Shot, you won't be disappointed! I've heard nothing but great things about it.
Okay, I'm out of the loop. What does the Big Shot do that the original Sizzix doesn't? (I have both, btw.)
rgro- Im amazed that it has the versatility to cut those types of things! I think I can add that to my pros side of the list!
Aimee
Aimee - something to keep in mind: what you're able to cut is somewhat dependent on the die you're using. Some of the thinner dies (like sizzlets) are not able to cut some of the thicker materials, no matter which machine you go with.
On the subject of Cuttlebugs I found a cuttlebug kids for $9 at Walmart the other day. My question is can it be used for anything other than the kids dies. Oh, by the way I love my Big Shot
On the subject of Cuttlebugs I found a cuttlebug kids for $9 at Walmart the other day. My question is can it be used for anything other than the kids dies. Oh, by the way I love my Big Shot
The Cuttlebug kids machine only works with the Cuttlebug dies.
which dies are the best for cutting the more difficult materials
The Sizzix (originals and bigz, but not sizzlets) work on pretty much everything (I've even seen them used to cut the aluminum from soda cans)
The cuttlebug dies I've not tried on anything thicker than chipboard; I have one QuickCutz die and that didn't work well on anything much thicker than cardstock.
Cheryl- Thanks much for that breakdown of products, I dont know how often I might cut some aluminum and such- I was mainly thinking chipboard/grungeboard sheets.
I have a question ladies. When using the nestibilities can I assume that you cut your paper before you stamp on it. I can't imagine trying to line up your image on top of a die. I only ask because I see so often when people are explaining how they make their cards they mention they stamp an image, use copics (or whatever medium) and then cut out using the nesties. Is this true? I can't see going through all that work and then die cutting it crooked.
I always cut first then stamp as I can never align it perfectly and I use my stamp-a-ma-jig to align it on the cut piece. If I want to cut out pieces of printed paper image I use the negative from a previous cut to align the nestie or die cut.
While I love my CB, I kinda wish I had bought a Big Shot simply because they seem to be a little stronger. I am afraid of using my large Sizzix dies in my CB even though in theory they should work.
__________________ Julia Gluten free on 9/15/2008. I am a Celiac. 1 in 133 Americans is a Celiac and 97% of those who have Celiac Disease are still undiagnosed. Are you one?
I have the big shot and I absolutely love it. You can cut absolutely almost anything you can imagine in it. While I have a quickutz revolution to use with my nesties, I use the big shot a lot more.
Does the Big Shot really do it all?
