Big Kick/Shot and Cricut

[pamlegg]

I have a Circuit but have craving a Big Shot/Kick. Aside from embossing, what can I do with Big Kick that I can't do with Cricut??

[GypsyRoseStamper]

The fine cut lines and details that a die can produce are the top feature for me. If I try something similar with the Cricut, I will probably end up with multiple attempts and a lot of wasted cardstock. Even if the blade cuts without shredding the paper, releasing the design from the mat is apt to produce a tear.

[Scrapjanny]

The BK/BS also cuts heavier materials like heavy chipboard, thin metal, medium-weight acetate, corrugated cardboard, foam sheets, fabric, and other materials that the electronic machines can't handle very well. I have both types of machines and wouldn't give up either one.

[Angelnorth]

You can use the wafer thin dies (Nestability style) to emboss into cardstock rather than cutting through for a nice finishing "frame" on a design. Sample attached and here's a link for a "how to" in the tutorials section (Lori is using a Wizard in the tutorial but the same principle applies for other machines).

As Scrapjanny says, steel rule dies and a manual cutter are great for thick materials - I'm still working my way through the bag of mountboard (mat board on your side of the Pond, I think) I got for free by asking a framing shop if they had any spare offcuts.

[lylacfey]

I think having both an electronic machine and manual is like Yin & Yang.

I use my Big Shot/Cuttlebug for everything the girls already listed. I am throwing in another one. You can make your own embossing folders on the Cricut and use them in your manual die cutter. Tons of great videos and tutorials on the net how to do this.

I use my manual machines to make jewelry, felt creations, Thickers (Alphabet stickers) & embossing. I love my machine for polymer clay.

[gram2boyz]

I had a Cricut and hated the thing. I got rid of it. It just would not cut through a lot of my papers, and I got tired of wasting time and product trying to make the thing cut. I have a Big Shot and it is made very well. The machine is much sturdier than the Cuttlebug.

[darco]

You can also cut multiples at the same time using the Big Shot, depending on the material you are using. Most cardstock, you can cut 3-4 layers with one pass.