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Post by 1whoscraps on Jul 20, 2011 14:12:13 GMT -5
So who has one of these? I really want something a little larger than my cuttlebug which I love love love..I was thinking perhaps the Big Shot as well....just not sure if there is a difference between these machines..would my life be easier if I got the Grand Calibur since I own a ton of the Nestabilities? Let me know what you think
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Post by Susan on Jul 20, 2011 14:18:23 GMT -5
The Big Shot has a 6" {tray is 6" x 12"}opening and has a much larger "footprint". The Grand Calibur has an 8.5" opening {tray is 8.5" x 11.25"} so if you're looking for versatility the GC is the way to go. ESPECIALLY if the thought of the new Grand Nesting shapes make you happy! These nesting dies go up to 8" in sizes x 10" in sizes - you can make albums and framed pieces for entire pages! Plus - the footprint is smaller than the BS. It's got a nice suction cup base and cranks with great ease! Gail has one and she loves it - she'll chime in later today when she gets home.  |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 20, 2011 15:41:10 GMT -5
I have the GC and I  it! As Susan said, the footprint isn't huge, it doesn't weigh a ton (although it is quite sturdy), and it's nice to be able to anchor it to a surface (unlike the Epic, which has a smaller plate, and also slips and slides unless you can get a non-slip material under it). The GC cuts like butter, and does great embossing, whether you're using the smaller Nestabilities or the Grands. I have a Big Shot, but it's "on loan" to a friend right now, because I haven't used it since I started playing with the GC. Is that a high enough recommendation?  |
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Post by AnnaMatrix on Jul 20, 2011 16:43:11 GMT -5
Susan has me pegged!  Like Diane said, the Grand Calibur is awesome - a lot of cutting power without a lot of weight, money or hassles! Cutting and embossing is just beautiful with this machine! And being able to use the Grand dies is great. (And of course you can cut a bajillion of smaller dies in just one pass with this baby!) BUT, you need to be aware that this machine won't cut steel rule dies (like Sizzix). Sooo, you'd need to keep your Cuttlebug around for that! Seems to me the CG is your better choice. You won't be able to do anything with the Big Shot that you can't already do with the Cuttlebug, so what's the point of getting it? With the Calibur you'll have the ability to cut larger dies, which to me is a huge plus! If you still can't decide, go to the Spellbinders website and look at the projects made with the Grand dies : purses, books, shaped cards and I think you'll be sold! Good luck with your decision, but I don't think you'll ever regret owning the Grand Calibur! (And no, I don't get a commission from Spellbinders!) Gail |
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Post by 1whoscraps on Jul 20, 2011 17:01:04 GMT -5
Thanks ladies you were a wealth of information. I definitely like how the cuttlebug suctions to the table and umm yeah I want to be able to use those grand dies I think you have this girl sold. Oh most important question does SL sell this? when I click on the folder for it..the page is just blank  Maybe it's my pc? |
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Post by Susan on Jul 20, 2011 17:11:55 GMT -5
it looks like the GC is out of stock right now - but I will send Dani an email {he's on an airplane right now!} and see if he can get the image back up there so you can click on the EMAIL ME WHEN BACK INSTOCK button.
I love that button...I discovered I needed some Copic refills last night but the colors are currently out of stock. I jsut click that button and fill in my email address and then I can forget about it. I just get a happy little email from Dani's computer system with a link and everything when it's available!
I LOVE IT!
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Post by 1whoscraps on Jul 20, 2011 17:17:48 GMT -5
Awesome..I love that button too!..best invention since sliced bread!!!
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Post by Cat on Jul 20, 2011 18:45:02 GMT -5
I love my GC and the grand dies. Between the GC and the QK Rev.......I can manage to cut tons of paper without so much as a blister. DH & DS is amazed at the amount of paper I can run through these machines. It takes a lot to impress them  Cat
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Post by vicki7 on Jul 20, 2011 20:54:35 GMT -5
I have the Grand Calibur and love, love, love it. It cuts everything perfectly!
Vicki
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Post by crazy4pink on Jul 21, 2011 0:45:01 GMT -5
I have one too and I love it!!! I cuts great. I like it better than my Epic because of the cutting mat (my flex mat is so warped that I cannot use it anymore) and the 8" Spellbinder dies  Oh and the best feature of all................ IT'S PINK!!!!!!!!! Cindy |
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Post by Susan on Jul 21, 2011 0:51:32 GMT -5
Flex mat woes - remember my oven tip! 250° preheated oven...cookie sheet and a piece of aluminum foil - place your Flex mat on it - and watch the mat. About 5 minutes does the trick. Flat as a pancake when you take it out - use hot pads cuz it'll be hot! I usually take my off the foil and flip it onto my counter top. My countertops are Corian so it won't burn, but if countertops are formica I might use a cutting board - or just let it set on the foil. Works like a charm!!! FLAT Flex mats - I did it all the time! ALL the time!! |
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Post by Basketlady on Jul 21, 2011 7:49:24 GMT -5
I just used Susan's flex mat trick last week. It really does work and the mats are like new!
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Post by scrappinor on Jul 21, 2011 10:00:17 GMT -5
It would be the perfect machine if it had a 12" mat....but I do use almost exclusively now...
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Post by 1whoscraps on Jul 21, 2011 10:09:11 GMT -5
Ok, ladies what is this tip on the flex mat..not sure I understand why you bake it in the oven..is that with the regular cutting mat or ? and what is the purpose of baking in the oven?
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Post by Susan on Jul 21, 2011 10:31:47 GMT -5
do you have an Epic Six??? The latest cutting mats we have for the Epic Six {the "fix" that QK/LC used when the machines were having problems last year} is a Flex Mat. It's thin and grey and similar in texture to a self-healing cutting mat. Like a Fiskers mat you'd use in sewing... Anyway - after you use it a lot - it starts to warp. And it tends to get really warpy, bad enough that it makes it tricky to use. I discovered last year when I was filming a video for the blog {and left my Flex Mat outside on the glass top table when the phone rang} - that the sun warms it up and flattens it out! So I was telling everyone to toss their mat outside on the patio and let the sun fix it. Well - lots of people don't have heat like we do in AZ - so it was a hit-and-miss trick. BUT - then I took it one step further, and when I got a new Flex Mat I took the old one and tried it in the oven just to see what would happen. IT worked like a charm. It just takes a couple of minutes...and low heat - like I said 225 250 at the most. But this is for working with the FLEX MAT - the thin grey bendable, flexible Epic Six cutting mat! |
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Post by Dani on Jul 21, 2011 10:43:31 GMT -5
I have only 4 Caliburs arriving next week. Just made them available online.
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Post by Susan on Jul 21, 2011 11:23:44 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2011 11:24:15 GMT -5
I have only 4 Caliburs arriving next week. Just made them available online. Quick!!!!!!! If you don't have a GC, run to the SL website right now, and order it! You won't be sorry!  |
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Post by Basketlady on Jul 21, 2011 11:47:43 GMT -5
Per Susan's instructions a while back, I use a 250 oven for 3 minutes and make sure it cools flat. It comes out perfect every time!
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Post by Susan on Jul 21, 2011 12:10:16 GMT -5
Per Susan's instructions a while back, I use a 250 oven for 3 minutes and make sure it cools flat. It comes out perfect every time! yes, definitely make sure it cools flat. I laid it one time on a trivet - and it came out with the impression of a wrought iron road runner in it! LOL counter, solid surfaced cutting board, flat cooktop, or just leave it on the cookie sheet. you'll be shocked at how wiggly it is when you pick it up off the cookie sheet - it feels like a lasagna noodle...LOL... |
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Post by 1whoscraps on Jul 21, 2011 12:35:00 GMT -5
Ah now I understand, thanks for the long explanation. I did find out with the revolution that I could cut cuttlebug dies out with it using my self-healing mat which I guess is = to a flex mat..worked perfectly. Off to order one..hopefully there is at least one for me. ETA- Woohoo, order completed..est ship date 7/27 can hardly wait.  BTW - Will this work with those edgabilities or do I need something else like an extension plate? |
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Post by crazy4pink on Jul 21, 2011 13:00:58 GMT -5
I think the edges from Spellbinders are designed to work in the GC. Susan-- do you use both sides of you Flex mat to cut? The mat suggests use only one side.  So far I have only cut on one side. Thanks for the info- I am going to cook my mat today!! Cindy |
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Post by AnnaMatrix on Jul 21, 2011 13:51:44 GMT -5
The edgies are 8" long, so you can use them either longwise or CROSSWISE in the GC - cool, huh?!  gAIL |
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Post by Susan on Jul 21, 2011 14:47:47 GMT -5
the great thing with Spellbinders is the Grand Calibur and the included 3 plates/mats that come with it are ALL YOU WILL EVER NEED to cut any die in their line! LOVE IT! it even comes with an 8.5" x 11" tan embossing rubber mat...WOOT WOOT! the Edgeabilities are exactly like the girls said - 8" long so you can line up a bunch of them to cut strips width-wise on your plate or swap them around and run them lengthwise! it's a wonderful machine - and wait until you start trying out the GRAND NESTIES - you'll be in heaven!! |
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Post by vicki7 on Jul 21, 2011 15:02:22 GMT -5
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Post by 1whoscraps on Jul 21, 2011 15:29:16 GMT -5
I am so excited, I can hardly wait for it to show up
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Post by Basketlady on Jul 21, 2011 18:23:23 GMT -5
Cindy, I use both sides of my Flex Mat. It works just fine--I haven't noticed any problems and I've been doing it for about a year.
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Maybe it's my pc?
