Sizzix BigShot... Worth it???

Hello All...

I made a booboo and now need some help. I bought a Sizzix BigShot alphabet on Saturday by accident. I have the original Sizzix and a few alphabets for it so I was really excited to use my 40% off coupon at Ben Franklin for a new alphabet. But... I was in a hurry and bought a BigShot "go slim" alphabet rather than the traditional Sizzix alphabet.

So long story short... I can't take it back due to the fact I opened the alphabet (that's when I realized... duh! this won't work!)... I need to know if I should just break down and...

Buy the Big Shot Machine?
Does it work with the Sizzix Sizzilit die sets?
Is it better than the traditional Sizzix machine?
Is it more portable?

Help! I need all your opinions to fix my bonehead mistake!

You could always sell it to someone to get your money back!

Honestly... if the Big Shot is better then the one I have right now, I will "up grade" and sell the first one. Just need to know what everyone thinks of the Big Shot.

Get the Cuttlebug instead. I have the old Sizzix Machine, too but really, really want some of the Bigz dies. So I'll upgrade to a Cuttlebug. It's easier to transport if you go to away crops, takes up less room when not in use and is cheaper that the Big Kick/Shot. Plus if you use a coupon or wait for a sale, it's even cheaper still.

When I get a Cuttlebug, hopefully later this year, I plan on still using my old Sizzix machine but only with my green or yellow dies. Everything else will be through the Sidekick or Cuttlebug.

I think the new Big Shot is so pretty...black and pink! They are having a sale on the sizzix website last time I looked. And I think they have them on sale here as well. That said...I haven't broken down to purchase one yet. LOL

I don't think the Cutterbug will work... The alphebet are the thick die cuts not the wafer size set.

Can you use the biggies in the Cutterbug too?

I think you can use all die cuts in the cuttlebug...I love my bug!!!

Yes, you can use the any Sizzix die in the Cuttlebug.

Here's a PDF of what it can use and how to set up the cutting boards for each brand of dies:

http://www.provocraft.com/products/downloads/pdf/cuttlebug/Stack_matrix.pdf

The new Sizzix Bigz dies are listed as Ellison Bigz in this document.

I'm still waiting for my cuttlebug to come I bought it on ebay and then also bought over $200 worth of dies and folders for just under $100,

Well the cuttlebug is nice I have it and love it. However the bigshot die cuts don't fit in the cuttlebug and boy does the bigshot have some awesone new die cuts.

• live4scrappin Said:

Check out that PDF I posted previously. I don't have a Cuttlebug but know of others using Bigz dies in them and I've seen it demonstrated at local store here. So you can.

I really want some of those flourish dies.

• live4scrappin Said:

The set up is:

Pad B
Media (paper)
Die (blade up)
Pad B

Which is the same as for all the other thick Sizzix dies. Their thickness is all the same but the Bigz is too wide for the old machines.

Then there's the really big Ellison's machine which schools and such places have. Way out of my price range.

I agree with Vivian get the cuttlebug. it works with so many more dies. I have used the sizzix dies both big and the thin ones as well as quickuts bosskuts. I would never give up my bug for anything just love it

So u are saying to use that setup with my Cuttlebug?

The Spellbinder Machine seems to take the dye cuts from other machines.

• live4scrappin Said:

That's what the sheet said. That's what I plan to do when I get my own little bug.

I have the big shot and I love it. It will cut all the different dies on the market. It also cuts all types of materials including chipboard,felt, fabric, metal,and balsa wood. I still have my orginal sizzix but I prefer the bigshot.
Also there are some new larger dies coming out for card making. I can't wait till mine arrive.

Actually I have the new big shot and I love it!!!!! The roller system on it is much more effective in cutting all the dies and it cuts every other companies dies that are out now. I use quikcuts in it and the way it's set up you can use anything that is out right now. I love it so much that I can't believe I ever had the old one! I think it's a must have.

my big shot! it'll cut using ANY die out there on the market! i use it to cut foam, cork, thin wood, metal. Don't know if the bug will do those.

I also have the sidekick and the original machine too! I say get it! If you have a coupon for J's they've got 50% off on one item in store, M's has an emailed coupon too for 50% off one item in store. I gave my Coupons away to the lady in line behind me because EVERYTHING I needed was ON SALE! Grr... hate that! But I couldn't let a coupon go to waste!

I prefer the Big Shot because it has a longer platform and will work better if you decide to get the extra large card making dies from Sizzix that were released this month. I just saw the 12 inch scalloped card die at the Expo in Arlington this past weekend. If you love to make cards, then this is the die for you.

Felicia

I have the Big Kick (which, I understand, is the same as the Big Shot, but not as pretty!) and am very happy with it. I've tried several types of dies so far with great success -- even the CuttleKids ones that are much less expensive than others (I got the "Tadpole" alphabet with a coupon for about $7!). I really like that I don't need to consult a chart for the stacking recipe. All of that information is on the multipurpose platform that comes with it. The only disadvantage to it, as far as I can see, is that it is heavier/larger than a Cuttlebug. That doesn't keep me from taking it to my crops, though!

Now that I've said all of that... I'm far, far from an expert on this subject, but isn't there a Sizzix converter you can buy to make the thinner dies work with your original? Just a thought, in case you don't want to buy a new toy! (Hee! Hee!)

Yes, there's a converter for the old Sizzix machine and it works well. I still prefer using the Sidekick /Tagalong with the thin dies (Sizzlits), especially for the border dies.

The problem is that the old Sizzix machine doesn't take the new Bigz dies.

I LOVE my Big Shot! Definitely worth the money! I use it to make my own felt flowers and shapes, and have cut fabric & chipboard as well. I've used QK and Cuttlebug dies in the Big Shot, and used it to flatten mm tags instead of getting the actual tag maker tool. I'd say, get the Big Shot!!