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I have the Big Shot. I've had mine for years, use it on every card and I have had no problems with it. The Big Shot is designed to work with all die types from various manufacturers. The Cuttlebug is not as sturdy as a machine in my opinion, and you can't use the Sizzix Big XL dies in it. Although, some Cuttlebug users say you can but it requires quite alot of finicking around.
The Big Shot will last you years and no die will be off limits. Go for it! You won't be sorry.
I also vote for the big shot!! I love mine. It is super sturdy and easy to use. I have to admit, that I only used a cuttlebug once. It is much more compact because it folds up, but then you lose stability imho. And like the previous writer shared, you can use the xl dies.
BIG SHOT!!!
I love mine - it sits out on my desk, and I use it all the time!!! And it's larger than the CB, so you can fit larger things in it, I believe.
__________________ Check out my blog for ramblings and samples: here
I've never actually used a Big Shot, but read lots of good things about it. That said, I love my Cuttlebug and have never wanted a Big Shot. It's easy to use, dependable, and small enough to tuck away when I'm not using it.
I got my Bug several years ago with a 50% coupon at Michaels and have used it in some way on nearly every card I've made since. I am happy with the large variety of Cuttlebug folders I have for embossing. I have lots of Nestabilities and Papertrey dies that work great in it.
I so far haven't wanted to use any of the larger dies and folders, so haven't really had the need for a bigger die cutting machine.
__________________ Bugga in OK
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Dalai Lama
I love my Big Kick (which is like a Big Shot, cosmetic differences). It's been a workhorse for 5 years. I am replacing it though with a Big Shot Pro Westminster edition, sometime this summer. I'll still keep my Big Kick but I am excited to have the bigger machine!
I chose the BK over the CB because of stability. I had room to store it so storage wasn't an issue for me at all. It was easier to handle for me, and it did more than the CB seemed to do. I haven't regretted the purchase for a single second!
Another vote for a Big Shot (or Big Kick which is what I have). I had a Cuttlebug and it's wonderful - worked great, portable etc. But it didn't accommodate bigger (wider) dies.
I sold it to a friend after my hubby got me the Big Kick for Valentine's day (it happens to be red and white, too.)
I have a Cuttlebug and it works great, but the only type of dies and embossing folders I can use are Cuttlebug brand. I would really like to use the SU! Bigz dies though.
__________________ Lauren Live to stamp, stamp to live!
So can I ask about the Big Shot?? I have a Cuttlebug - love it, use it every day! But, I recently bought a very pretty, very detailed doily die from Cherry Lynn and it took me about 7 passes through the machine on 80 pound paper to get it to cut all the holes.
Would I have better luck with a Big Shot with detailed dies?? Go ahead, give me an excuse to spend more money - lol!
I've got a Cuttlebug and love it - and have used the Sizzix BigZ dies in it, as long as they aren't more than 6" wide they will fit through. Used to use them with 2 B plates taped together for the long dies but now they sell extended cutting plates for the Bug. Space is a major issue for me so my little folding Cuttlebug is fantastic!
I've been able to use every die in my cuttlebug for the biggiger die s I use the b plate and not the A plate love it had it since it came out and use it everyday , I am looking at the BIg shot pro as I need the 12x12 now and just as I was going to buy it on sale NO one has it I"ve looked at joanss, Acmorre, even sizzix , Joanns always has it on sale for 40 % off and free shiping then one day it was gone from everyone any help in finding one I need it for some wedding invites I'm doing
I've been able to use every die in my cuttlebug for the biggiger die s I use the b plate and not the A plate love it had it since it came out and use it everyday , I am looking at the BIg shot pro as I need the 12x12 now and just as I was going to buy it on sale NO one has it I"ve looked at joanss, Acmorre, even sizzix , Joanns always has it on sale for 40 % off and free shiping then one day it was gone from everyone any help in finding one I need it for some wedding invites I'm doing
I found the Big Shot Pro on sale at Joann.com for $239. You can get free shipping on orders over $50 if you use coupon code AP136
Here is the link! It comes with the standard size accessories. That should get you started, or, I sent you a private message about the Big Shot Pro Westminster Edition and the price it costs Good luck!
So can I ask about the Big Shot?? I have a Cuttlebug - love it, use it every day! But, I recently bought a very pretty, very detailed doily die from Cherry Lynn and it took me about 7 passes through the machine on 80 pound paper to get it to cut all the holes.
Would I have better luck with a Big Shot with detailed dies?? Go ahead, give me an excuse to spend more money - lol!
I have a BigShot, and use some dies with little pieces and haven't had any problems no matter what I cut - felt, cardstock, chipboard, etc. If your cutting plate is getting worn, that could be the issue, too.
__________________ Diana
*******
Save your drama for your llama.
So can I ask about the Big Shot?? I have a Cuttlebug - love it, use it every day! But, I recently bought a very pretty, very detailed doily die from Cherry Lynn and it took me about 7 passes through the machine on 80 pound paper to get it to cut all the holes.
Would I have better luck with a Big Shot with detailed dies?? Go ahead, give me an excuse to spend more money - lol!
What sandwich are you using? I normally die cut in the following order from the bottom:
A, B, cardstock, die face down, C
I have found for the doilies that the following sandwich makes all the difference in the world:
A, C, die face up, cardstock, B
I love, love, love, my Big Shot. I suggest watching some YouTube videos on both units before you decide. Most of the ones I watched using the Cuttlebug, it seemed tippy and people had to hold on to it quite tightly while cranking the handle. The Big Shot is more stable because it has a bigger base but it takes up a lot more real estate on the table. I can use it with one hand and don't have to hold it in place with the other.
Also, and I don't know if this is a factor for you, but there's a movement afoot by many people to boycott Provo Craft products, of which the Cuttlebug is one. This is all in regards to the lawsuits launched against MTC, SCAL and most recently The Bug Magazine. There's also allegations that Provo Craft stole the cake idea from someone else without giving proper credit and the same with aspects of The Bug Magazine. There are two sides to every lawsuit but the more I read about Provo Craft, they appear to be more and more of a corporate bully and not a very ethical company. Who knew the papercrafting world could be so vicious LOL! In any event, read up on the lawsuits and their actions and then decide if this is a company you'd like to support or not.
But back to the Big Shot, I loved it before the Provo Craft issues came to light.
Happy Cutting and Embossing!
__________________ Leslie Harnish
Sambro, Nova Scotia
Canada
I like my Cuttlebug because I do not have a dedicated craft space, so I can fold it up and hide it when not in use and it has a small footprint when I do have it out. If it ever wears out, I'd replace it with a Tim Holtz Vagabond.
That being said, I just took the plunge into the world of digital die cutters and put in a preorder for a Gazelle when Bosskut offered a bundle sale early in April.
I have a Cuttlebug too. The main issue I have is the "depth" of it, in comparison to The Big Shot. The cuttlebug doesn't accept some of the DIES that some of the others do.
Hi Jennifer,
There are quite a few other embossing machines out there. The Cuttlebug was one of the first. It's pretty basic, and does a great job. Newer machines have larger areas that can emboss larger paper, and other flat materials. Some are electric. Some do a lot other things than emboss.....Quite a variety out there!!!
I have a big shot and love it. Heavier-duty than the CB.
I also have the old original sizzix...heavier duty than even the big shot! But it doesn't do the wider dies or texture plates. I'm keeping it because of the ease of using it. No sandwiches!
I'm not buying anything from PC any more. I'll go to other brands of embossing folders. (that's all I bought from them, ever)
Spellbinders makes one, called The Grand Calibur, that takes paper up to 8+ inches wide. You can use the new Spellbinder-Nesties that are much larger than the original Spellbinder-brand dies.
I own the Cuttlebug and bought it due to the reasonable price. I have used all different kinds of embossing folders and dies from various companies. You just have to know how to make your "sandwhich". I found a chart in a magazine that tells you how to do it.
I have a BigShot, and use some dies with little pieces and haven't had any problems no matter what I cut - felt, cardstock, chipboard, etc. If your cutting plate is getting worn, that could be the issue, too.
Thanks! I was thinking that I heard the Big Shot was better at cutting more detailed images. I have switched my cutting plate to a new one and I have used shims and different orders so I think I may just have to investigate getting a Big Shot!
I have been a Cuttlebug user for yeras and really like it. Since I want to be able to use bigger pieces of cs and dies/embossing from other makers and larger ones I have asked for a Big Shot for Mother's Day. Joann's has all their cutting machine on sale. The Big Shot is $69.99 and they are offering free shipping with code: WKM120 - in case anyone is interested. I have no connection with Joann's that was just a good deal, I thought.
Big Shot vs. Cuttlebug
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