Chaney Ranch

After going through and organizing my stash and scraps, I found tons of fabric for scrap quilts.
After reading all the positive comments of using die cut machines to cut 2.5" squares, I am seriously considering purchasing one, maybe as my "Valentines' gift" from my DH.
Do y'all have pros/cons on the Accuquilt, Accuquilt Go, and/or the Sizzix?
Thanks in advance for your replies. I appreciate and respect your honesty, opinions, and wisdom.

gale

The Sizzix Big Shot Pro can be used with almost every die on the market. The only ones that don't fit are the biggest Studio dies. The Studio can be used with every die. The Go can only be used with Go dies. The advantage of the Go is the low price and the small size and portability. To me it was harder to crank. The Big Shot Pro is huge and heavy and needs a dedicated space, but it's easier to crank. I don't know anything about the Studio.

Prism99

One thing to consider is how many squares there are per die. One of the advantages of a Studio over the Go! is that you can purchase larger dies that cut more at a time, plus you can cut more layers at a time with the Studio. I have a Go!, which is fine. One of the things I like about it is that it is easy to fold up and put away, taking up very little space when I don't need it. If I ever have both (1) enough money and (2) enough dedicated space available, I will seriously consider getting a Studio. I will look at the Sizzix also, but I'm not sure I want to be dealing with shims (necessary if you want to use Go! dies in the Sizzix). From what I have read, both the Studio and Sizzix are easy to crank. My Go! was stiff at first, but has gotten easier to crank with use.

Personally, I would not buy a die cutter just for cutting 2.5" squares since I enjoy using the June Tailor Shape Cut mat for cutting strips, and strips can be subcut with the mat into squares. There are some Youtube videos that demonstrate how to do this.

Unlike many, I do not enjoy using my Go! for cutting strips, squares, or rectangles. What I find it most useful for is odd shapes -- tumblers, squares (nips off all the dog ears which makes lining up with squares and other triangles very easy), circles, etc.

Ginaky

Actually, if you get the adapter from Accuquilt that allows you to use the GO dies in the Studio, it works with the Sizzix Big Shot Pro and you don't have to mess with shims or anything like that. I use the adapter with my GO dies and they cut just fine. I have the GO and never use it now--I use the BSP for everything.

gale

How much is the adapter? I've had good luck using shims but if the adapter isn't too expensive I'd get that.

Ginaky

The 24 inch one is $32.99 and the 12 inch one is $19.99. As many of my dies are longer than 12 inches, I got the long one. You do have to have the extended tray for the BSP to use the 24 inch one. Mine came with the extended tray.

Forgot to say, you can order them from the Accuquilt website.

gale

Whoa. I'll keep using shims. I can buy a few yards of fabric for that much.

LLWinston44

What about the regular Big Shot vs Go Baby? Imwould love a bigger one but just don't have the funds....

Tashana

I have just gotten my Go and I really like it. Studio would be great but the price tag is huge. Before you consider any cutter be aware that there is quite a bit of waste. It does not bother me but I know that it bothers many. By the way, the new Go is a breeze to crank. They improved the mechanism. The new one has Ricky Tims on the box. Good luck.

gale

I'm pretty sure they're about the same size, but the regular big shot would take more dies (sizzix dies plus go baby dies). I have a regular big shot and a big shot pro.