Splitcoaststampers - What die cutter

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What die cutter does everyone have, whether it be sizzix, quickkutz or the new big one by ellison. Maybe even the smaller ones work well with card making. What does everyone think? I would like to purchase one but I am just not sure.

I don't have one...But would like one.......so any suggestions would be helpful to me also..:D

I have had it explained to me that the Zippee Mate by accucut is more flexible..you can cut accu cut, quick cuts sixics all on it with different adapter blocks... now is $ 89.00 a little more but in the end if you know others with different dies it may be better... that is my goal...

I have the QuickKutz, Sizzix, and Zip e' mate (ZEM). I thought the Zip e' mate would be awesome, but I hate that you have to turn the crank about 10 times to get anything thru. The Quick Kutz is great for small dies, but doesn't cut all the way thru my accu-cut dies. It doesn't cut thru thick cardstock very well either. I love my Sizzix for my sizzix dies, but don't like their "wafer" type alphabets that you need the converter for. I've heard the sidekick is great for the thin sizzix dies. I'm thinking of selling my ZEM, Quick kutz, and Sizzix machine and buying spellbinders "Wizzard" - it supposedly cuts EVERYTHING!!!!

I own a Wizard and absolutely love it!!!

There is a new one coming out called the Cricut. It is expensive but it looks sooooooo cool!

Wizard vs zipemate

I'm thinking about getting wither the wizard or the zipemate. Does anyone have both or used both machines? Which do you think is better?

I've never heard of the Wizard, I do have the Zip-E-Mate and really like it because you can use any die in it. It is a little bit of a hassle that some die cuts you have to crank thru more than once, but I love it!

Well what are you looking for in a die cutter? I seem to have a fixation with tools and it doesn't matter if they are scrapbooking, stamping, or just regular old tools that you would use around the house or for woodworking.

Anyway my collection of ‘tools’ include the Quickutz (QK), Big Shot, Wizard, Sizzix, and Sizzix sidekick. All of them have their pros and cons.

If you are only going to use the smaller dies (QK and Sizzlits) then I might suggest getting the Sidekick. With the adapters you can cut both types. The QK handle is nice but hurts my hand if I use it too much.

If you are going to be using the larger dies also, then the Big Shot or Wizard might be the best choice. The Wizard is very versatile, fairly light, but does have a learning curve to it. I haven’t had the Big Shot that long and am still experimenting with it so don’t have a lot to say about it yet. So far it seems much easier than my Wizard but only time will tell if it lives up to the multiple uses the Wizard has.

One item to note: the big sizzix dies with the fold lines in them only work well in the original Sizzix machine. I’ve been told that the fold lines actually cut when you use this die in the Wizard.

I can’t speak on the Zip e Mate or ZAZ since I haven’t personally tried them. I’ve heard the Zip e Mate is a good machine just has a smaller cutting surface than the Wizard and if heavier. I’ve decided the ZAZ isn’t going to be added to my collection since I’ve read more negative opinions and experiences than good.

Hope this helps. I think this is the longest post I've ever made.
Sharon

Hi!
I only have a Sizzix machine. I also have the adapter to use the Sizzlets with the Sizzix. I really like the size and different style of dies available for the Sizzix. I haven't seen the other tools in action.
I mostly have dies that "do something" like baskets, envelopes and such. I do have some of the paper dolls for DD. The most recent purchase was for the Shadow Box Alphabet since I "decided" that I had to have at least one alphabet, LOL!!!
Good Luck with your decision.

Thanks for all your information on the differnet types of die cut machines. Who makes the big shot and can you also use different dies? Oh and does it also emboss?

Ellison makes the Big Shot and you can get a look at the machine at http://www.ellisondesign.com/ . Like I said I haven't played with it much. So don't know if it is as versatile as the Wizard.

With the Wizard I can use my Fiskar plates to emboss a farily large sheet and regular brass stencils. So far with the Big Shot I've only used their Thick Cuts and Thin Cuts dies. I haven't even run one of my Sizzix die through it to see how it cuts. Maybe later I could give you more ideas.

I think I would be able to emboss with the Big Shot using almost the same embossing sandwitch that I use with my Wizard but just haven't gotten around to trying it yet.

About the ZAZ... I worked at a scrapbooking store, and when we used the same die over and over, the ZAZ would eventually bend the metal die so it was bowed. I would NEVER recommend a ZAZ for frequent use!!!!

The new Xyron Personal Cutter is really neat! It is a stand-alone unit, meaning it is not hooked up to your computer. It retails for only $199 and comes with a basic font, with upper, lower, numbers, punctuation, and shadow in 3 sizes and another book with several basic shapes. The font and shape books are only $40 and every shape can be cut in small, med. and large sizes. If you don't have an investment in any other die cuts, this is the way to go. Even replacing the blades and mats will be cheaper than the cost of one Sizzix or QK font - and they only come in one size.

I have the sizzix sidekick and the wizard and I love them both. the wizard will take ALL die cuts out there plus even set eyelets and smash bottle caps. it will even emboss also. the wizard I think is alot easier. I have had alot of fun playing with mine as I just got it thru marcos as they are having a sale if you buy the wizard you get a free alphabet set. I thought it wasn't bad so i bought it plus extra dies also. :D I have bought thru marcos before so i trust ordering from them.

If anyone wants to check out what the Wizard looks like, the dies available and even a video of it in action--go to www.spellbinders.us. There is a list there, also, of all of the things you can do--including cutting, embossing, smashing bottle caps (unbelievable and easy), photo transfer and flower image transfer. I have a sizzix and a sidekick; I wanted to be able to run a full card front through, so I was deciding between the Big Shot and the Wizard Decided on a Wizard and it's very fun!!