Sizzlets help please

Basically I can't cut anything thicker than paper with them. I have the converter plate and have used a couple of shims but no matter what I do they just won't cut. I MUST be doing something wrong- my friends tell me to just keep at it and I'll get it eventually but I'm wasting paper/card and time. I've tried using a new cutting pad. I apply pressure to half, all then the last half. I've tried applying pressure to the whole die- just don't know what to do

I bought some QC dies from Chrisrydal and I can use them no problems. They are fine. I've got about 30 sizzlets and just can't flippin use them.

PLease someone help me- I'm desperate- or should I just sell them and buy QC dies??????

(BTW I have nop problems with the ordinary Sizzix dies. I'ts the ordinary Sizzix machine that i have btw)

Do you know anyone who has a Sidekick you could try them in? I couldn't use mine in the normal Sizzix but they work perfectly in the Sidekick.

nah- I don't really know any RL scrapeprs/cardmakers. Looks like I may end up selling them (or buying the sidekick do you think??)lol. dh will despair of my spending habits

where in Wales are you?

If you look on eBay - you can buy a sidekick for about £20.

I have one and have no problem cutting the Sizzlits (and QK with adapter) in that although the machine itself will only do paper and card. It has no problem cutting the thickest cardstock.

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Originally Posted by Hayley B

where in Wales are you?

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up North. Too far from you.

May send a couple to a friend in leeds and ask her to try them in her machine

just one word of warning re. the sidekick though..it is only meant to take paper or thin card!! or you will end up with one very very sidesick.... :blink:

sizzlits are "low profile" so i dont use them for heavy duty card... if you want to cut bazzil or other heavy cstock you will have to use the sizzix dies.... BUT the sizzlits do leave a nice "embossed" image on card when used in the sizzix...

nicky

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Originally Posted by smurfie

just one word of warning re. the sidekick though..it is only meant to take paper or thin card!! or you will end up with one very very sidesick.... :blink:

sizzlits are "low profile" so i dont use them for heavy duty card... if you want to cut bazzil or other heavy cstock you will have to use the sizzix dies.... BUT the sizzlits do leave a nice "embossed" image on card when used in the sizzix...

nicky

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i'm having real problems getting them to cut anything at the moment

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Originally Posted by smurfie

just one word of warning re. the sidekick though..it is only meant to take paper or thin card!! or you will end up with one very very sidesick.... :blink:

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I've cut Bazzill in both of my sidekicks with no problem - the first one was killed by some dorkbrain trying to cut inkjet shrink plastic in it :blink: (despite sticker saying "paper and card only" on the side). :lol:

Cutting ability obviously varies from sidekick to sidekick :D

you are very lucky with yours then carolyn.. first thing ellison said to me when i reported the faulty sidesick was "you havent been cutting heavy card have you?" and they made it crystal clear that if it had broken because of that they would not exchange it...

Nope - no problems cutting card in either of them - but then I mostly cut alphas and only use little pieces of card to cover the letters I'm cutting - although I have used long strips too!

Somehow I don't think Ellison would have been too impressed with the shrink plastic excuse though - the only way we got the jammed sizzlit out was with a block and mallet - it was stuck solid!

I had problems to with the sizzix machine and sizzilets too, I bought the side kick and they work fine.

Oh the memories come flooding back :lol: My first sidekick died because I didn't realise that 2 pieces of card stuck together went in...

CLUNK + CRUNCH + CLICK + RATTLE = BROKEN!!!

Fortuneately after hours (no exagerating) DH managed to release the sizzlit, and I blagged it with the seller that it must have been faulty :lol:

have just borrowed a friends sizzix machine, and have fallen in love with it... DH is going to buy me one when he gets paid :D

Sorry to hear your having these probs.

I have the Zipemate machine, and one or two dies, (new to this see), and had the flower Sizzlits set for christmas. I wasn't sure how to use them in the ZM, had advice from another thread, very helpful too, and have not had chance to use them in my machine yet, so I'm hoping that all will be well.

I have bought a pack of 2 thin cutting mats too, so hopefully it'll be alright.

Hope you sort it out anyway. :)

Love my sidekick and have no problem cutting Bazzill in it. Sone of my sizzlit dies don't cut that well with a Sissix machine but great in the sidekick.

I also use the convertor and cut QK dies in it as I can't use a QK machine at all.

hiya - have you seen my wizard thread... cuts sizzlets no problem, plus all other makes of die ( and is very strong, aircraft aluminium construction - so not easily broken.. ) ... so if your gonna invest in a new machine (now you've got all those dies, you've already invested a load..LOL!) might be worth a look...?

whereabouts 'up north'? I got a sidekick for christmas and you could come and try in that if you wish. (Mainly cos I haven't had much of a chance for a play with it yet and that would be a great excuse!!! lol0

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Originally Posted by persephone

up North. Too far from you.

May send a couple to a friend in leeds and ask her to try them in her machine

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Whereabouts in North Wales? We are on the Wirral but I work in Queensferry, we have a Sizzix and use sizzlets with no problems.

I love my sidekick - I use it and it cuts bazill beautifully - wouldn't be without it

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Originally Posted by gilly_dragon

Whereabouts in North Wales? We are on the Wirral but I work in Queensferry, we have a Sizzix and use sizzlets with no problems.

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Anglesey so too far from Rhyl and Queensferry unfortunately :(

Never mind- it seems to be unanimous that a sidekick is the way to go- either that or sell all my sizzlits and buy qc (which work fine) swings and roundabouts really i spose

I have been using my new sizzix with my sizzlit alpha all evenig with no problem was very happy that with normal sizzix dies it cut through really thick mount board really smoothly. if you do sell let me know.

It's going to have to be one or the other I'm afraid ie I'm going to have to seel the sizzlets and buy qc or buy a sidekick. Have tried again this morning with all sorts of shims and positions and tightened screws and have had some luck but not regular enough to keep at it. Have cut SOME through but the next time I cut the same die with the same card it won't do. FDecisions decisions

Buy a sidekick they are lovely - I find them easier to use than a quickcutz and are so light if you want to take it to a crop!

But there's another dilemma now. The Sidekick for £25 including postage OR the Tag-a-long (new companion to the BIG SHOT) for £35 including postage

Well- have ordered the Tag along. WAS going to get the sidekick for 20 plus 7 postage off ebay BUT then realised the tagalong is only £24.50 from a site I use due to the 30% January sale discount. They don't have them in till this week but don't mind waiting a few weeks. So hopefully dilemma solved. PLUS I can buy the slim dies for the Tag along now (well once it's here)

Let us know what its like when you get it

Hi just read your post. I have sizzlits unfortunately unlike the dies they are only meant for thin card and paper. Trying to put anything else through will kill your machine. Hope this helps

Have you tried putting a shim on top of the sizzlet - like a sandwich? Works well for me.HTH.

I dont use shims and mine cuts bazzil cardstock. Make sure the sizzlet is well placed under convertor and apply a good pressure.

I love my sidekick, it always cuts Bazzill cardstock without any problems. I have used alpha sizzlets and a 12" film strip sizzlet die, with no problems. I just love the small size of it, it's great to take to crops.