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I’m sure these have been answered before but I have spent 20 minutes trying various searches in the forums and not having any luck. So I am starting this thread and apologize if it’s the same old same old.
I’ve had my Big Shot since 2017 and lately it’s become very bad with uneven cutting and embossing—light or uncut areas especially noticeable with larger dies or full size embossing folders. My questions:
1) is there a way to fix this or is my machine just wearing out?
2) I’ve never had much luck with shims but should I try this again, would it help?
3) I replaced the cutting pads pretty recently and they are only a little bent at this point. Maybe get new ones again?
4) does cutting platform wear out? I was starting to notice this before but it got worse after my mom was trying to use my machine and inserted the platform wrong and kind of bent the top tab upward. I flatten it out before use but it still curls up and was wondering if I should get a new platform. But since those are nearly $30 and I may need a whole new machine, I have hesitated.
5) also if I do replace the platform should I get the magnetic one instead?
Thanks for any advice, it’s been getting frustrating. I have like one ruined piece for every one that works successfully. Anyone who has had the same problems and resolved, would love to hear from you!
You might just need to “reseat” the gears. It’s slightly fiddly but you only need a couple of basic tools. Try this YouTube tutorial for a good guide on how to do it (I’m sure there are others out there but this looked quite clear)
My 10 year old Big Shot was getting very stiff and difficult to turn the handle. I followed the same video and used engineering grease on the gears (husband's an engineer). Like a new machine. This was about 5 years ago and it's still going strong. There was quite a bit of paper/card scraps in the mechanism.
Great thread! My Big Shot is from 2009 or '10 and is still going strong. It's good to know that there are things I can do to keep it working forever.
Mary Beth
very interesting - can any one give advice on the Gemini Jr? I bought it at the HSN launch, used it constantly and it started making a huge noise when the plates go thru, and now it stops. Sometimes just won't light up to turn on. I love it.. any fixes on what to do? Thank you..
** also, my Cricut Expression (the 'regular' original Expression) is also on the fritz. The cut button doesn't work.. it's in the area where there are arrow buttons. The up, CUT and down do nothing.. but all the other arrow buttons work. I tried to take the cover off, but don't see how to do that. Any suggestions there? thank you !
I will keep this thread. Sharing information is never a lost art. I had the Slice years ago. I loved the fact that I could use different sizes and multiple characters. I loved it. Sadly, it had issues of not cooperating. I wish die companies could do this. It gets so expensive.
Ooo...thanks for that vid! I book marked it. I am wondering if I don't want to wash all the plastic parts if I can just stop as soon as the gears are exposed to check them.
I might use a little bowl to keep the screws in so they don't roll away.
To the OP...any machine can come with what I call a "blind spot" where the pressure is not even from mfg in which case I would want it exchanged. Just saying for newbie readers.
Sounds like your plates are ok. Were you having the problem when they were brand new?
However, I personally think it can develop blind spots over time if you always put your dies in the exact same place on the platform. The only way I can describe that is the roller gets worn down a bit.
a) In which case I would shim it
b) try the die in a different position on the platform if you have room.
c) roll it back and forth-sometimes the reverse direction works better
d) flip it. So the cutting surface is facing UP instead of down.
As for your platform curl...could you take a pic of that for us? I am guessing that the top thin layer is the one you are saying is curling? Have you tried putting a heavy weight on it for a few days to see it if will smooth out? (With it alone-not on top of the whole platform)
If all else fails...and you are ready to replace it anyway... I would try using your heat gun or a hair dryer **AT A DISTANCE** to just warm it a LITTLE and then put a weight on it. This could warp it worse which is why I am saying only if you are ready to dump it anyway and have nothing to lose. And don't do it as a whole-open that one layer away from the rest of the base.
Another choice---again only if you are going to dump it anyway--you could try taking it off and using a different plate to replace it.
Should you get a magnetic platform-how often are you die cutting? I personally do not believe it totally keeps a die stuck 100% in place and I would still tape it if that mattered. But that is just me. Other people may have a different experience.
HTH!
__________________ Margot
I am a proud fan club member
I will keep this thread. Sharing information is never a lost art. I had the Slice years ago. I loved the fact that I could use different sizes and multiple characters. I loved it. Sadly, it had issues of not cooperating. I wish die companies could do this. It gets so expensive.
Oh wow, I too have the Slice. Sometimes I forget all about it. Bought tons of designer cards for it, bought the big glass mat with magnetic attachment..... every so often I still try to use it but it cuts wonky all the time. Tried to recaliber it, still same issues. It was a great little machine and easy to work with. Thank you for reminding me of it... I'll play around with it this week.
Big Shot Uneven Cutting/embossing Troubleshooting
