tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-709379730385988881.post8764904316796102645..comments2024-03-27T10:28:15.745-07:00Comments on djkardkreations: Cuttlebug vs. Big ShotDarnellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10723876053535575880noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-709379730385988881.post-65667554004603263142012-12-09T18:37:26.251-08:002012-12-09T18:37:26.251-08:00Thanks for writing this up...I had wondered about ...Thanks for writing this up...I had wondered about the CuttleBug but now I know I've got the best machine for me, the Big Shot. I do hope to upgrade, one day, to the Big Shot Pro so I can get the grand dies from Spellbinders or I may just get the Grand Calibur since it's much more affordable than the Big Shot Pro...oh, some day! :)Queen Lightwellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12323813779305135126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-709379730385988881.post-13331524558443803882012-12-08T23:07:18.956-08:002012-12-08T23:07:18.956-08:00Too funny! I do not own a CB and have only used on...Too funny! I do not own a CB and have only used one once before so I really don't have much of an opinion other than I think it is just so cute looking! I had one of the original Sizzix die cutters, it weighed a ton, it was great it you were trying to build up your muscles. I tried to resist the Big Shot but after seeing one used could not pass it up. Love that roller thing too. I use mine almost every time I sit down to craft. Kim Hegginshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08559720624750898434noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-709379730385988881.post-66513446044560410872012-12-08T04:35:03.965-08:002012-12-08T04:35:03.965-08:00Great post and review, Darnell. I have a Cuttlebu...Great post and review, Darnell. I have a Cuttlebug, which has never leapt about, but I have only ever used it for embossing (I have a Circut for cutting). However, I've discovered MB dies since arriving in Blogworld and they're gradually being added to my wish list, so it's really useful to know that p'raps I need to think about adding a different machine to the list too! Thanks for the entertainment, as ever! Anita :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-709379730385988881.post-32388089798586804832012-12-07T23:55:49.976-08:002012-12-07T23:55:49.976-08:00This was a really interesting post, Darnell. I ha...This was a really interesting post, Darnell. I have a Cuttlebug and have always been happy with it. However, I really don't have any very intricate dies. If I get some in the future I'll have to remember these tips that have been shared! Annkingstonmamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07331810012127974613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-709379730385988881.post-2299057001647198382012-12-07T19:16:19.803-08:002012-12-07T19:16:19.803-08:00Hi Darnell, trying to geta round to visit folks. S...Hi Darnell, trying to geta round to visit folks. Slow progress. This was an interesting post. I have recented returned the Electric Big Shot (loved it, used it for over 2 yrs...problems began). The C/B works great for some things, I broke my lovely oldie one using the S/B Mbossibilities first time using one. (My fault, not the Bug's). I do NOT like the newer style bug, handle drives me nuts. On my BSE (Big Shot Express...electric), what was happening was that apparently the motor began to overheat. I could let it sit and eventually it would work again. However, one late night, it stopped with plates, nice dies, etc all under the middle of the roller. Nothing I did could persuade it to go again. I'm thinking "Uh oh, lost some supplies here". So I emailed Sizzix, told them my problem. Currently it has been returned at their request...this is a KNOWN problem, and they no longer make the electric model. I understand they are to replace it with a TH Vagabond. Now I have one of those, but don't use it much, (it's not in a convenient place). Have lots of friends who have the vagabond & love it. I think each machine works great for some things, not so much for others. The painters tape shim on the intricate MB dies, works a treat. Especially on the LaReux heart (some others too, but I forget at the moment!). Thanks for this post...I think it will be so helpful to a lot of people. Your trials were so amusingly described. Now I had not tried putting bazzooms on my bug, but I did find that a certain couple of words (muttered when no one else was around), could sometimes be effective. Then again, sometime not!!! Thanks for ending my day with a good laugh.MaryHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00348601616104255526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-709379730385988881.post-48353129516559711512012-12-07T15:51:24.299-08:002012-12-07T15:51:24.299-08:00I started with the old Spellbinders Wizard, which ...I started with the old Spellbinders Wizard, which is great for their dies. Not too great with everyone else's dies, contrary to what they told me about it.<br />I also have a Cuttlebug, Big Shot and Side Kick (mini Sizzix die cutter). If I am having trouble with one die and machine combination I just try another machine. Works great. BTW, got all machines on sale really cheap of I would never dream of having all of them. I layer tape on the backs of dies, shim and change the angle of dies in the machine.Shelly N.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08789698622159173692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-709379730385988881.post-48999069280058027442012-12-06T22:25:25.339-08:002012-12-06T22:25:25.339-08:00Ah,i have never used the Cuttlebug-I used to have ...Ah,i have never used the Cuttlebug-I used to have the old fashioned Red Sizzix,phew gave me tennis elbow after a good old die cutting session !(we crafters do have to take good care of our joints during ous daily die cut work out!!)But i luff my Big Shot<br />Have a good day Darnell :) xxThe-crafty-cornerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02882975274867372724noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-709379730385988881.post-9221140872970629292012-12-06T08:43:54.040-08:002012-12-06T08:43:54.040-08:00Hi Dippy - gosh what a road you've traveled. ...Hi Dippy - gosh what a road you've traveled. I also am a HUMONGOUS fan of MB dies but I'm keeping to myself just how many I have got (might take a photo sometime just for your eyes!!!). I could say I didn't have trouble with using my BS with them but by the time I'd collected a few I had a Joy A4 die cutting machine - definitely didn't have problems with that. But now...........tadadeedahhhhhh! Drum roll please folks.......I've got an eBosser made by Craftwell. Not only is it A4 but it's also automatic, doesn't move an inch on your desk and also doesn't fall out the other side, so you can go and create some more whilst it's doing your work for you - BLISS! When you use the really intricate dies I would suggest using a piece of freezer paper on top of the die before you add your card to be cut - that way most of the little itty bits just fall out.<br /><br />Hugs.<br /><br />Karendipity xxxAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17506999582667901021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-709379730385988881.post-84782947281461275802012-12-06T01:28:46.584-08:002012-12-06T01:28:46.584-08:00I had a cuttlebug from the first manufacturing...I...I had a cuttlebug from the first manufacturing...I was a demonstrator for the UK wholesaler. It was marvellous and I couldn't fault it. But inevitably, after hundreds of hours use, it wore out after about five years. When I looked around it occurred onto me tht the manufacture was looking a bit puny and erm, cheap. So I bought a BS. ( I know what you Ameeeracans use BS for..but really, it's easier..!). I hate the hinged book of shims. So I unhinged it. After that, day by day, I've come to really like it. Although I must say, I still hold onto it with my left hand while cranking it with the right...it's still a bit of a jumper.....I don't have a solo thin die adapter and it cuts my MB dies just fine. However, I don't have shed loads of the intricate ones. Like that beeyoootiful snowflake.<br />Great review. Julia Dunnithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02164574850662878118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-709379730385988881.post-46718069650107208162012-12-05T18:04:56.519-08:002012-12-05T18:04:56.519-08:00You are the pun princess of all time!! You have a ...You are the pun princess of all time!! You have a potato cuff in your shoulder?!?! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Girl, you crack me up :)<br />I just caved and bought the BS last week too, but only because I completely wore out my Big Kick through years of hard loving :) Better luck with your new machine! You'll love it I'm sure :)Carol Lhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04695974378294164512noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-709379730385988881.post-22748893227659309502012-12-05T15:17:54.282-08:002012-12-05T15:17:54.282-08:00You are soooo funny Darnell, I love reading your b...You are soooo funny Darnell, I love reading your blog. I can just picture you and the CB - gave me quite a giggle!<br />I must say I have both machines, and I love em! My CB is the old model and, touch wood, I haven't had any trouble with it. I use it mainly for my Spellbinders dies. Anything a bit more meaty (ie Sizzix Bigz) goes through the BS.<br />Great review of both machines by the way, and I love your snowflake die.<br />Enjoy the rest of your week. xxLindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03203658482411087645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-709379730385988881.post-15497595020930774222012-12-05T14:53:11.826-08:002012-12-05T14:53:11.826-08:00Stunning snowflake die... love the MBs too, and so...Stunning snowflake die... love the MBs too, and so relieved that I have the BS (I rather like that). At the point when I bought it, I didn't even realise there were so many alternatives!! I do have to add extra card shims, so will investigate the Adapter - thanks for the tip...<br />Alison xWords and Pictureshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05672524847577136244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-709379730385988881.post-78477236799372698912012-12-05T14:09:45.969-08:002012-12-05T14:09:45.969-08:00I've gone through all of the same struggles. ...I've gone through all of the same struggles. I still have a Cuttlebug on my desk - it works for 95% of what I do and I have such limited desk space, I simply can't fit the Big Shot. But...if I happen to be cutting out of a one-of-a-kind piece of paper - OR if I have already tried two or three times with the CB - I wander down to my closet of "holiday" supplies in the basement that also happens to hold my Big Shot!!Kim Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12524519727516942686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-709379730385988881.post-39286898131199923982012-12-05T14:05:56.844-08:002012-12-05T14:05:56.844-08:00Hmmmmmmmmm, I have had both the BS and the CB. I ...Hmmmmmmmmm, I have had both the BS and the CB. I ended up selling the BS due to the CB taking up less real estate on my work station. I do more embossing than die cutting. I almost think it is the MB dies that are the issue, not the CB. I love the MB dies as well. Why is it some cut like butter and others....well I go through all the same trouble you do! I have found the thin metal adapter plate fixes most problems, but not all! If you ever get tired of cranking the handle, BS makes an electric version too...just the push of a button!Allisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07905429406418290829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-709379730385988881.post-76851922660610183902012-12-05T13:51:09.951-08:002012-12-05T13:51:09.951-08:00I always enjoy your posts Darnell, just what I nee...I always enjoy your posts Darnell, just what I need after a long day at the office.<br />My chosen machine is a CB - bought many years ago now and still working well. I chose this over a BS because it is the smaller more compact machine for storage (essential when you don't have a designated craft room) I have used friends BS on occasions and think it can be very much the individual machines and how much pressure there is in the rollers that make the difference - only last week I was at a demo with a friend when she was questioning why a particular MB die wouldn't cut on her BS and even the very experienced demonstrator had trouble and he was also using a BS.TAMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02859620053852811983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-709379730385988881.post-700782551645980572012-12-05T13:05:17.111-08:002012-12-05T13:05:17.111-08:00Great review!!
Have you heard the tip of using a s...Great review!!<br />Have you heard the tip of using a sheet of grease proof or wax paper next to the cutting surface of the intricate dies before putting your cardstock on - I've typed that three different ways and it still sounds wrong(!) you end up with a second die cut but it makes it soooo much easier to get the die cut out of the die if it's really intricate.<br />I got my BS last Xmas and hubby's bought me a Grand Calibur for this Xmas. Love the BS for my Tim Holtz dies but wanted the GC for the larger cutting surface (making large shaped cards etc!)<br />Love your posts - you always make me laugh - especially the description of what body parts you used to hold the CB down!!!<br />Caz<br />xxCazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01560754942038731509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-709379730385988881.post-80342639755088404782012-12-05T12:59:44.661-08:002012-12-05T12:59:44.661-08:00I was fortunate enough to be at a retreat where we...I was fortunate enough to be at a retreat where we used a Cuttlebug before I bought a die cutter. I did not particularly like the CB and the person whose CB it was said to go for the new (haa haa) Big Shot. I am so glad she did as I use it almost on a daily basis. <br />Glad you like it to. I call mine Bessie! Love her. I would not even swap for a Vagabond after all the horror stories I have heard, plus also whenever I go to a workshop I would be sitting on my own near a wall so I could get to a plug. Bessie does not need electricity!<br />I have even helped Santa this year by getting one for my friend from her Hubby for Christmas. Love playing Elf!!<br />xxHettiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16986816219598719681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-709379730385988881.post-7761851547842357862012-12-05T12:34:17.954-08:002012-12-05T12:34:17.954-08:00I've just gone from using a well used CB to th...I've just gone from using a well used CB to the Big Shot which I'm having a few teething problems with. I don't have the multi purpose platform with mine so it's just finding the right combination for the job I think. Trial and error I guess.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04485634270172442705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-709379730385988881.post-41956682296777324612012-12-05T12:18:52.439-08:002012-12-05T12:18:52.439-08:00Hi, Darnell,
I'm glad I have a Big Shot, not ...Hi, Darnell, <br />I'm glad I have a Big Shot, not a CB! I love my Big Shot - and I was incredibly luck to be given it as a Christmas present 2 years ago. I find that there are some intricate dies that I have a problem with - so I use a tip from Jennifer McGuire - stick some masking tape (or washi tape or eclipse tape or some such) onto the smooth surface of the die, but only covering the bits that don't die cut well (usually the middle) - and leave them there as a permanent shim! You may need multiple layers of masking tape, and you may still need a metal shim, but it works really well! Michelle Luptonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11754863096907117586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-709379730385988881.post-65179941502017661042012-12-05T12:14:53.131-08:002012-12-05T12:14:53.131-08:00Darnell, this is such a funny funny post and great...Darnell, this is such a funny funny post and great review! I have the CB which occasionally gives me grief because of the muscle power required, especially with the metal shim and the slip slidin away. Yours is one of many great BS reviews! Sorry that sounds bad--hee hee.Tracey McNeelyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05197819708436812914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-709379730385988881.post-15750333513603201752012-12-05T10:26:36.032-08:002012-12-05T10:26:36.032-08:00Hi Darnell, I had a cup of tea in my hand, so thou...Hi Darnell, I had a cup of tea in my hand, so thought that it was a good time to check out your blog :) Still think you need to write a book. I laughed a lot through this post and can relate a little. But I have not put out any discs using the CB.<br /><br />However I have been frustrated using dies from Cheery Lyn. They say they work but a fancy dancy beautiful butterfly requires, lots of extra paper. I bought the shim but learned later that it doesn't work with this particular die. So how many times have i used this beautiful die ? Never since the trial run. <br /><br />I also tried hard NOT to get into the dies & embossing folders as I already have a large collection of metal stencils that you 'hand emboss with a lightbox'. They are beautiful but they are stashed away waiting for me to take them out for air again some day. I too have a growing collection of embossing folders & cutting dies and most of the time I don't use any of them on my card designs. I must fix that ! In fact I just bought dies yesterday for beautiful rolled roses because I admire them on blogger's cards. <br /><br />Anyway, if I need a new machine (but I have been happy 95% of the time with the CB) then I'll look into a BS !<br /><br />Thanks for the chuckle & advice. Have a great day, Shirleyx Paper Creations by Shirleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04587466253656100353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-709379730385988881.post-10932159621706364232012-12-05T09:51:47.016-08:002012-12-05T09:51:47.016-08:00Like Kelly said YAY!!!!! I agree I recently got a...Like Kelly said YAY!!!!! I agree I recently got a big shot as well and love the stability of it! I bought one of my granddaughters the CB she was only five, poor thing she was born missing some fingers and It is way too hard for her to roll…. but, she does it!<br /> I think when she gets more into it i will get her a BS too. She mostly makes cards when I am with her. Like you and the twins<br /> I did the same got it at 50% off. <br />Again, fun post and you are the giver of smiles.Marybethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18029117464863811312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-709379730385988881.post-24311988642276446322012-12-05T08:09:16.366-08:002012-12-05T08:09:16.366-08:00YAY!!!! So fun to read your review, and so excited...YAY!!!! So fun to read your review, and so excited you like using the BS. I feel bad that it didn't cut the intricate die the first time. I haven't had a problem with that, but my plate is warped (maybe from so much use?!?) and I'm guessing that serves to apply more pressure to the die. I do need to poke pieces out of the die occasionally.<br /><br />This is definitely the most hilarious review I've read on the CB vs BS! : ) Can't wait to see what else comes out of that magical machine!Kelly Griglionehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12590873874671617346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-709379730385988881.post-9964042807760637542012-12-05T06:47:57.312-08:002012-12-05T06:47:57.312-08:00I totally agree ~ love my Big Shot ~ and the memor...I totally agree ~ love my Big Shot ~ and the memory box dies ~ Congrats on the 50% off! FANTASTIC snowflake ~ can't wait to see it on a card!Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06085053309108096580noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-709379730385988881.post-30662976548249984342012-12-05T04:34:36.519-08:002012-12-05T04:34:36.519-08:00Your post cracked me up Darnell But I have to stic...Your post cracked me up Darnell But I have to stick up for my CB here...I've had it about 6 years and I'm still using the original plates for it (although one got it's first crack last week!) Looking at your pic, I think I have an older model but I've truly never had any problems. Enjoy your BS! (That sounds as though I'm being really rude to you..but you know what I mean!)Clairehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17238691216095520867noreply@blogger.com