Sunday, September 7, 2008

Using XL Dies in the Cuttlebug

Hi all! I've received many inquiries on how I use the XL Sizzix plates in the cuttlebug. I am a SU demo, but didn't want to purchase the Big Shot that SU is now carrying. I already owned a cuttlebug and couldn't justify the purchase of another machine. So I purchased the Basket and Blooms XL die from SU and figured out a way to make it work in my cuttlebug.

First, the XL dies DO FIT through the cuttlebug. Many people on SCS have posted that they do not fit, but indeed they do! The sandwich that cuttlebug recommends for using thicker dies (like the Big Shot dies) is B plate, die, B plate. This sandwich works perfectly with the Big Shot Bigz dies, but the Bigz XL dies are longer than a single B plate. What I do is this...


As you can see, the Bigz XL die is laying to the right of the cuttlebug. The die is HUGE!!! Believe me... it DOES fit through the cuttlebug.











I place 2 B plates end to end. When they are end to end, they are actually slightly longer than the XL die.



I place 2 B plates underneath the Bigz XL die and 2 B plates on top of the die. I'm embarrassed to show you my one B plate.... lookie how marked up it is! That's the plate I always use when cutting with my Nestabilities! I think it may be time for a new set B plates to replace that awful looking one!







Finally, I run the whole, giant sandwich through my cuttlebug. It fits just fine and does the job! No Big Shot required to use the Bigz XL dies!

The only thing I've noticed with running the XL dies through my bug and using 4 B plates is that where the 2 B plates meet, you will get a slight indentation.. similar to a weak score line on your cardstock. But honestly, I don't think it's noticable at all! Once you get your creation decorated, you don't notice a thing!

I hope this helped answer your questions on how I use the Bigz and Bigz XL dies in my cuttlebug! Have a great day!!! :)

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much! I like the new dies but didn't want to replace my trusty Cuttlebug. Love you site! Nice work. Dee

Svana Valería said...

thanks !!! i just bought two more b plates to try this out ,cant wait to get my die and plates :)

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing this, I can't really justify a new machine. I think a sizzix, cuttlebug and cricut are enough, but do love the new dies.
Kathy T in SW IN

Kylah Marro said...

Thanks so much!!!! I am happy with my decision to keep my cuttlebug and not purchase the Big Shot. So far I have been very happy with the way the dies go through it!

LeAnne said...

Thanks Amy! I am glad that I am not the only other SU demo that has a CB and can't justify the cost of the Big Shot! I just ordered a smaller die to try in my CB but I did hear you could use the bigger dies, just as you said, with four plates. Thanks for the photos, they make it clear to understand!
LeAnne

Emily Tuttle Steggell said...

OMGoodness! You just made my day! Thank you so much for posting this! I've been depressed for weeks trying to justify purchasing the big shot when I already had several cutting machines! I am so much more optimistic now -thanks again!

Anonymous said...

Hi Amy! Thanks so much for your tutorial about using the Big Shot dies in a Cuttlebug. I too own a CB (and love it) and didn't want to buy a Big Shot. When I saw in the Winter mini caty that the Bigz dies were 6" wide, I didn't think they would work in my CB, since I had measured the opening and it came in just shy of 6". Is it a super tight squeeze to get the dies through? Do you think it will ultimately damage my CB?
Thanks for your help!
June

Anonymous said...

Now I find your blog! I just received my new Big Shot yesterday. Oh well, what's another "tiny" thing to add to my collection? Thanks so much for this information.

Anonymous said...

Amy,
I just found your site, thank you soooo..... much for the the great tutorial showing how to use the XL Big Shot dies in the Cuttlebug.
I'm also a S/U demonstrator, and have a Cuttlebug and was hoping the new dies would work in it. You made my day, YEAH!!!
Jan / Calif.

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much! I love the Top note die, but wasn't sure it would work in the Cuttlebug and I don't want to buy another machine. I really like your site.

Monika/Buzsy said...

Thanks for the great tip! I am now confident enough to buy some of the dies and use them with my CB.

MEL said...

Wow! Thanks you so much for posting this tutorial. Now, I don't have to go out and buy or replace my Cuttlebug. You just saved me a hundred dollars. BTW, love the blog!!!!

Laura lok said...

sweet!!! thanks for the info

Leslie said...

yeah!!! I have a bug and I am glad they will work.

JenMarie said...

Great info!
My cat's name is also Mia!

anni said...

OMG!! Thank you for posting this on your blog. I've been surfing for over an hour looking for an answer! Must call my SU rep and tell her it will work and place an order! Thank you again so much!!

Anonymous said...

My SU demo e-mailed her customers about your blog. Now that's a good demo! Thanks for your instructions on this, they're really easy to understand. I wasn't going to buy the machine, as I already spent a mint on the Silhouette, and never use it. I do own a CB, so it's great news for me. Thanks a bunch!

Dottie

Anonymous said...

Thanks for taking the time to explain things. I am so excited as well that I do not have to buy another machine!! Yippee for new dies!!! Cindy V. in St. Louis, MO

StampMom said...

Thanks for posting this info!!

Rachel said...

Thanks so much, I was told i could use my cuttlebug but then i didn't know if i needed something else for it or what to do. Thanks for the pictures that helped alot!!! Love your blog especially all the C.C.Designs pieces! :0)
smiles,
Rachel

Teresa said...

Thanks for the info- I have not bought any of the XL dies because I "only" have a CB. Now I can start looking at them!

Total Delights said...

Thanks for the great info one bit of info to pass on if your cuttlebug plates get warped just place on the back of a cookie sheet "make sure it is flat" and place in a oven at about 300 watch the plate will flaten out take out and let cool. this will help make your plates last longer

porphuropolis said...

Thank You! This is great news!
But I do want to reprimand you for saying that you need to buy a new B plate because of the way the old one "looks." As long as they keep working I keep using them. I still have a B plate that broke in half. The two pieces are the perfect size for cutting little stuff with the 2" dies.

Anonymous said...

I also have a (CB) and love it! However instead of using two B plates have you tried the plate that you can purchase from SU for the XL dies?

utahrose said...

Actually the plates that SU sells to go with the larger dies are just a hair too big for the CB. My demo had her husband trim them down with his saw and they work great! Not everyone has someone with a saw, so I really appreciate this idea. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

So are these the dies that are about 1/2 thick? I didn't think they would fit through the cuddlebug because of the thickness. Is the baskets & blooms one of the thick ones? I'm confused.

Anonymous said...

After having the misfortune of 2 of my Cuttlebugs break while trying to use them with bigger things or heavier tasks I am so happy with my new Big Shot so if you are worried I highly encourage anyone to try the Big Shot, it's fantastic.
Beattie

Anonymous said...

I was wondering about this for a while, thanks so much for showing us it's possible!!
smiles,Deena

Shandell said...

Thanks for sharing the tutorial! I wanted the new dies, but wasn't prepared to replace my Cuttlebug with a similar machine.