Sizzix big shot pro owners
 

I just received the big shot pro. Does anyone have any tutorials on using accuquilt dies with it? I bought the accuquilt rag circle die and can't figure out how to use it. I only got the standard accessories which only had one cutting pad. Do I need a cutting pad for the bottom too? The sizzix fabi sqaure is not cutting either. Thanks in advance

To use accuquilt go dies you will need to "shim" them to raise them up. You can use lots of things for that, magazine pages, card stock sheets, card board . Put whatever you use under the die.

hi thank. When using the sizzix dies do you use a cutting pad on the top and bottom ? It only came with one cutting pad and when I tried using the square die tonight with just the pad on top it didn't cut it .

I guess I am afraid that I am going to ruin a cutting pad. How do you know how much to "shim" something up ?

I use a priority mailing envelope with my Go dies with mine. It is enough to cut.

I went the easy route and bought the adapter from Accuquilt. It wasn't cheap, but I knew I was getting what I needed. I use it, the Accuquilt die, fabric and the Accuquilt mat. I don't mix and match my mats--it might be ok, but I don't want to take any chances on ruining my Accuquilt dies. I have bought some Studio dies and don't have to use the adapter with them, they cut just fine as it is. I haven't used any Sizzix dies with it yet.

One more thing, you will use up the cutting pads. You can make a lot of cuts with them, and need to move it around some on the dies to keep from cutting in the same spot. They last quite a while, but they are an expendable part and intended to be replaced--they are not expensive.

I bought the larger tray, adapters and cutting mats as the one included wasn't really suitable for cutting strips. You will know you have enough shim when the mechanism bites when you turn the handle. I'm pretty bad for not using it as I don't like to see the extra wastage. Plus of course I don't have all the dies I'd like to have.

Do you use a cutting mat on the top and bottom ? I have watched the quilting videos on sizzix website and they always have the pro set up but the demonstrator always uses the big shot and she uses a cutting pad on top and bottom.

Top and bottom, yes. I'm waiting for mine to crack as the are the ones I bought years ago. I do have new ones waiting.

At one time Sizzix sold some shims for embossing. If you can find, might work with Accuquilt dies. They are silicone rubber. I still have one from cardmaking, along with the adjustable platform.
http://www.sizzix.com/product/655121...ilicone-rubber