Returning after a very long break - which die cut machine?

I've been away from here for a good number of years but following the loss of both my parents in 2014, I finally want to get around to making up layouts with their photos as a way of adding to my family tree paperwork.

I have a red Sizzix original machine and red Sidekick, with a few dies but have been gathering a few of the freebies off magazines and bought a couple of the Xcut ones which have been on offer in Hobbycraft. My questions are what do I need to be able to use these dies with my existing machines and if I were to buy another non-electric machine, what do you recommend?

Thanks in advance:)

I have a Cuttlebug which I love but if I went for another machine it would be the Big Shot.

Id go for a big shot plus then you can cut/emboss up to A4 size. some lovely A4 embossing folders.

They should work in both the original sizzix and the sidekick. You may have to add a card shim to the big sizzix but they should still cut alright.

Wasn't the original Sizzix more of a push type machine rather than a roller type? I'm not sure it would work with thin dies. I'd be interested in finding out though.

I would always recommend the Big Shot, it's just a great workhorse.

Another vote for the Big Shot. Any old Sizzix dies you have from earlier scrapping days will also work in it too.

It was a lever die machine ( you pull down the lever then move it along a bit, to cut the dies) rather than a roller. But I still think the thinner dies would work but you would, in all probability, need a card shim as the thinnest they were made for were the sizzlet dies. Once you have the correct sandwich they should work but it would be trial and error. I'd give it a go if I had an old machine but I wore mine out! At least it meant I could upgrade lol

Keep your Sidekick though ...it's great for doing small jobs.

Thanks everyone, I'm away to dig my original out of the craft box in my shed and will let you know how I get on:thanks: