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I received a Cuttlebug for a gift in October and while i was thrilled to get this tool, i have yet to get it to work for me at all. The suction doesn't work on any of the surfaces i have tried it on and that makes it hard to steady while attempting to crank the machine. I will say attempt because i have yet to be able to get the tool to emboss or cut anything. I have read the fantastic sandwich document and have it hung in my craft corner, but i am either not getting it or doing something wrong because i can get nothing to crank through this machine. I have watched tons of videos and copied them and nothing. The plates either don't move at all or they aren't thick enough to get an image on. I am trying several different brands of embossing and die cuts, from the ones that came with the machine to Sizzlex and Wizard. Is there anyone out there that might be able to help me before i just get rid of the thing?
The only thing I can say is that, I have heard people say each machine is a bit different. You might need to add more light pieces of cardboard. I use cereal box cardboard. Do the rods seem to be spinning and catching the plates??? Is it rolling through the machine???
The rods do seem to be spinning, but they are not catching the plates. If i make the sandwich a bit thinner it will catch it and roll it through, but there isn't enough pressure on the plates to emboss or cut anything. I can't feel it even trying to catch the plates when i have the sandwich set up the way that the instructions advises.
The rods do seem to be spinning, but they are not catching the plates. If i make the sandwich a bit thinner it will catch it and roll it through, but there isn't enough pressure on the plates to emboss or cut anything. I can't feel it even trying to catch the plates when i have the sandwich set up the way that the instructions advises.
The rods do seem to be spinning, but they are not catching the plates. If i make the sandwich a bit thinner it will catch it and roll it through, but there isn't enough pressure on the plates to emboss or cut anything. I can't feel it even trying to catch the plates when i have the sandwich set up the way that the instructions advises.
Debbi.....First of all, don't worry about whether the machine suctions to the table surface or not, that's no big deal. Just put your left hand (if you are right handed) on the top of the machine where the carry handle is to steady the machine on the table. In other words, turn the handle with your dominant hand and put the other hand on the top of the machine where the carry handle is to hold it down and steady machine.
Sounds like you are not pushing the cutting pads close enough to the rollers to begin with so that it will start to roll through the machine. If you are using the Cuttlebug dies or the Cuttlebug embossing folders, you should not need any additional shims of paper other than the one you are cutting or embossing on.
The instruction booklet is all you need to understand how to use the machine. It's that simple. Assemble your sandwich according to the pictures in the booklet for the type of die or embossing folder you are using. Push the sandwich up to the rollers to get it started then place you dominate hand on the handle to crank it through while your other hand is bracing the machine on the top of the carry handle. Be sure you are turning the handle and not also trying to lift the machine up at the same time.
There should be no problem rolling things through. Again, it's that simple.
Hi Debbi...I totally understand your frustration. I just received my new Cuttlebug a few weeks ago and had the same problem with one of my larger embossing folders and it almost drove me insane. The problem with mine was the tension was still too tight to allow the sandwich to go through the machine, and I was told by a few of the wonderful ladies on the Cuttlebug thread to try using a combo of different thickness of chipboard, (I had to use two,) instead of the second B plate, and it worked like a charm. Maybe that would be an option for you as well. I just happened to have some thin chipboard I had saved, and I also used a thicker piece that I had saved after taking apart a three ring binder that my daughter used in school last year.
Since I'm still really new to the Bug, I wish I could be of more help. I'm waiting for my first set of Nestibilities to arrive in the mail. Please, don't give up on your Bug!
__________________ My hubby let's me have all the stamping supplies I can hide.
As far as the suction is concerned, I bought a large (12x12), smooth tile from Home Depot for less than $1.00 then put non skid 'feet' on each corner. I put this on the corner of the my workspace and my CB stays 'put' on this surface. If you are doing a lot of work with the CB at one time, you might have to close up the machine and open to reattach to the tile.
When you are trying to send the sandwich between the rollers, try to staggering the stack so that the whole thickness isn't being put through at one time.
Good luck - I have had my CB for about 1 1/2 yrs and just love it! For it's size and price, it is a real workhorse. (I also was given a BS as a gift but somehow have to remind myself to use it.) I don't mind using different sandwiches because you get a 'feel' for your CB and what to use to get the best results. I also like the smaller footprint it takes up because sometimes I have some much stuff on my worktop so the BS plates don't have the clearance.
Thank you everyone for your suggestions. I will give it another try with some of the chipboard that i have in my stash. Sorry for all the repeat posts up there, i have no idea how to delete them off there, my computer refreshed when i hit quick reply and i wound up with multiple posts.
Cuttlebug Help
