So, I am still debating on the spellbinders grand calibur. What dies will work with it? Are you limited to certain ones? Or can it take most companies' dies? Thanks.

I don't know, but I have trouble getting the dies to work in my cuttle bug from tim holtz, but the spellbinders work good.... I say go for it! Some people use cardboard instead of the plastic mats when they use other brands for cutting and embossing. GL!

You can't use the thicker dies in the Grand Calibur. This is the very reason I returned mine. I wanted to be able to use the thicker dies like Tim Holtz and such. If you go to the Spellbinders website there is a section on what dies work with the Grand.

ohh i was thinking about buying this too for christmas.. i better check that site too.. thanks for sharing debbie

Check out the big shot pro...it does all dies...ANY dies. I have seen good prices on them lately! I think joanns has them online and ON SALE this week!

• 3MiniSchnauzers Said:

aw dang, I didn't know that Well, if I ever win the lottery, I'll have my BS for the big dies and a Grand Caliber for the grand nesties

Like others have said it doesn't do thicker dies. But if you want the grand nesties the only other thing that is big enough is the 12 x 12 sizzix (big shot pro?) which I think is over 300 dollars. Still cheaper to get a grand calibur and regular sizzix/or cuttlebug, especially if you can use coupons.

I went on a die search....really what I am interested in are the nesties and grand nesties. Not much into the cutesy shapes. I have a cricut for those cutsey things. I just really like the nesting flowers and embossed shapes like the rectangles and circles and such. I know the big shot pro is probably a way better machine, but for the money, I'm thinking the calibur might be the way to go for me right now.
Keep sending me your opinions...I haven't bought anything yet.

I have a big shot and the grand calibur and I love both for different reasons. I love the grand nesties they are super! And it's nice being able to cut them but I don't think I'll ever give up my big shot. It cuts so many different things.

soooooooooooo I just need BOTH, right???????

cuz if that's what I need,,,,,,,,,,



well then DH is just going to have to understand

Holly you got it I have the expressions, big shot, and grand calibur and use them all. I never thought I would buy the expression but finally broke down and did but I love my manual machines still. and the largest Grand calibur nestie is HUGE!

I have the Expression and the Big Shot,,,,


now I need the grand caliber and grand nesties!!!!!

yep,,,,I said NEED.

LOL! You got it right! I love all three of them. and use all three of them all the time. My latest card has the smallest of the grands in the oval and scalloped on it.

I have no desire for the thick dies so the Grand was my choice based on width and function. I want to use the Nesties and Grand Nesties, as well as embossing folders. Any cute shapes I can cut with my Cricut E.

That's at least what my thought process was.

P.S. I found best price for the Grand Calibur was the HSN website.

When I first started scrapbooking, I bought the Cuttlebug and it was adequate for my needs for a long time. Used it for Die cutting and embossing folders and Nestabilities.
Just recently bought the Grand Calibur specifically for the Grand Nestabilities.

The downside of the Grand Calibur is that only Nestabilities or thin dies may be used and the fact that for the Grand Nestabilities, it takes 31 REVOLUTIONS of the handle to wind the A4 size cutting pads through.FACT!!

The manufacturers could have done better on that point by including some GEARS so that there would be less winding of the handle.
All this is not good for my RSI.

I am also buying a BIG SHOT so that I can use the bigger TIm Holtz Dies and cut thicker materials.