Need of Sizzix Help! PLEASE. if you have one and can help...

[princessjv]

I am begging...

I borrowed my friend/neighbors Sizzix cutter to cut out a large number of letters for preschool posters. I have no idea how this happened, but the handle stopped springing up. It now needs to be lifted, instead of springing up. I have used this machine dozens and dozens of time and never has this happened. How can I fix it?

p.s.
I told her that I would replace hers and try to fix the old one for me...

 

[TinkerKat]

Are you talking regular sizzix? I've owned two and niether of them EVER
Sprang up after a cut! The only time it felt like it was was when I was cutting something thick. But the thin stuff? I still have to move it myself.

I thought all along that was why they went to the "Big Kick" rotating handle
style.

Sizzix itself has a great Customer Svc. Dept. Give em a call. Maybe they can make suggestions for you.
Good Luck!
Kathy

 

[bigbabyblues]

I have the regular sizzix also, and I've always had to lift the handle up after I cut stuff.

Steph

 

[Mickster]

Me, too.

 

[princessjv]

Yes it is the regular one.

I really didn't feel that the machine worked any differently than it ever had, when I used it at her house (she sells CM and has workshops that I attend). But here is the email she sent... Does this sound familiar to anyone?

I wanted to let you know that when I went to unpack and use my Sizzix machine tonight that the handle was laying flat against the base of the machine. Prior to Friday the handle always responded with an immediate upward release. It doesn't have the springload force it used to have. It doesn't have the crispness in cutting the paper that it used to. I wanted to let you know this as soon as I noticed it tonight when I was going to use it.


When I packed it up to return to her, I put the handle in the down position for transport. Anyone familiar? I feel absolutely horrible, but honestly can't think of anything I did to hurt it...

I will call the Sizzix line, when it opens today.

 

[Mickster]

To be honest, mine is under my desk with the handle down right now. Mine never had a upward release, unless I was cutting something like foam (which is rare...). The actual machine has nothing at all to do with the crispness. That is an individual die issue. I have some dies that cut way better than others, but all the machine does is apply pressure to the die.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

my handle goes down and stays down too. It doesn't sound like it is broken.
if her letters are not cutting like they used to and you said that you cut a large amount of letters, she may need a new slider block (the white one). When they get a lot of cuts they tend to not cut evenly anymore. They are easily replaceable.

 

[Yzerbear19]

I know when I borrowed my SIL's Sizzix the handle would always go down and stay down. Like BandMB said it could be the mat that is making it not cut as crisp. I think replacement mats are like $4 or less.

 

[hopemax]

I thought it might be the pads too.

I know on mine, there are some dies where after I push down the handle it does pop up, like it is springy. But there are other dies that it doesn't do that at all. I have one die I barely have to move the handle at all and it cuts, and others where I can take the handle all the way down and it still won't cut all the way through. Some dies that cut better depending on which side of the die I put in first. Like my tag set, if the one I am cutting is on the left it doesn't cut, if I turn the die around and the one I am cutting is on the right, it's fine. I don't get it.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Hope it sounds like you need a shim. Use a piece of cardstock and put it on top of the die or in between the adapter and the machine if you are using a sizzlet. that will help give you a better cut.

 

[hopemax]

oh, I know about the shims, I was just trying to talk about how each die reacts differently in the machine. Although I still don't understand if I put a die on a pad, and put it in one way it cuts differently than if I turn it 180 degrees (turning both the die and the pad, not just the die so it would be on a different part of the pad). It's hitting the same point on the pad, it's the same die. I think sometimes it just doesn't like me.

 

[hopemax]

Okay, I am cutting out stuff on my Sizzix right now, and I think I understand the springyness more. If the up postion is 0 degrees, and the down position is 90 degrees, if I push mine down to 90, while cutting, and then let go, it will pop back up to about 45 degrees on its own, if I use a sizzlet. If I use a sizzix die, it will pop all the way back up.

 

[princessjv]

I spoke to 2 different customer service people. Both told me that the machine is NOT supposed to spring back up. Depending on the weight of the paper and the wear of the pad it will react differently. She suggested that I buy a new pad (as you all have suggested). She told me she has NEVER heard of one being broken.

I have left my friend/neighbor several messages and sent an email with the info. At this point, I am not sure what else I can do...

Thank you everyone! I have just been feeling awefull about this all last night and today!

 

[holycow]

I hope she is understanding. Is she trying to get a new machine out of you?
I hope not!


Good luck.

 

[Downrivermama]

I have the big Sizzix and never really noticed if it springs back up or not. I buy a new pad and give it to your friend. I got the Big Kick at Joann's 40% off last week and it has the old sizzix machine beat my a mile! I love it! It works so much better than the older machine.

 

[princessjv]

I have the big Sizzix and never really noticed if it springs back up or not. I buy a new pad and give it to your friend. I got the Big Kick at Joann's 40% off last week and it has the old sizzix machine beat my a mile! I love it! It works so much better than the older machine.

I am going to buy her a new pad when I can find one. I went out last night to 3 different Michaels, 2 JoAnns and 1 Archivers...no one had any in stock. I think I will may order one online.

But...
I did finally get to speak to her last night as well. She told me that she has extra pads at home and that is not the issue.

I gave her all of the information you all have given me PLUS the info that the SIZZIX customer service gave me.

I told her that I was out shopping trying to find a replacement pad and I again told her that I would replace it, she told me "that is not needed."

I asked what I could do to make this better and she told me, "nothing, But I should know that I didn't return the machine the same as I received it" and she would probably have to replace the machine earlier than she wanted too.

I really just want to make this situation better... I am truly at a loss as to what I can do to fix it. My DH says short of buying her a new one, he feels she will not be happy. He says that even if I buy her a new one, he thinks she will still not be happy...

I counted the letters that I cut out and it equals 72. So that is 72 cuts, which I would be surprised if it will make the machine worn that much sooner...which makes a need to replace... Am I wrong?

 

[PrincessNancy96]

I have had my older sizzix for 2 years now..and mom had it for a year before that.... (so its a handy-me-down)
The only time my lever ever bounced back up was when I had foam letters I was cutting.. Other than that.. it has a little spring but nothing major... I have 5 kids that also use this machine.... so I don't think you did anything to warrant a replacement..unless of course you are doing this out of the kindness of your heart...

In the time we have had our big sizzix.. we have only replaced the mat a few times.. I rotate them around and use the both sides of them...

 

[Yzerbear19]

But...
I did finally get to speak to her last night as well. She told me that she has extra pads at home and that is not the issue.

I gave her all of the information you all have given me PLUS the info that the SIZZIX customer service gave me.

I asked what I could do to make this better and she told me, "nothing, But I should know that I didn't return the machine the same as I received it" and she would probably have to replace the machine earlier than she wanted too.

I counted the letters that I cut out and it equals 72. So that is 72 cuts, which I would be surprised if it will make the machine worn that much sooner...which makes a need to replace... Am I wrong?

It sounds like she is just trying to get you to buy her a new one. 72 cuts wouldn't wear the machine out. And the machine is working as it should. It seems she is just trying to take advantage of you. And your DH is probably right, nothing will please her. I would buy her the new mat, call it good, and chalk it up as a learning expierence. Good luck resolving this situation.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

It sounds like she is just trying to get you to buy her a new one. 72 cuts wouldn't wear the machine out. And the machine is working as it should. It seems she is just trying to take advantage of you. And your DH is probably right, nothing will please her. I would buy her the new mat, call it good, and chalk it up as a learning expierence. Good luck resolving this situation.

I have to agree with Yzer, there is nothing wrong with the machine. I think she may be taking you for a ride.
I would take the money and buy one for yourself so you won't have to borrow one in the future.
I've had mine for about 3 years with 3 boys and all my friends using it, and it's no where near in need of replacement. If I ever did replace it, it would be because I want the big kick, more of an upgrade than a replacement.

 

[Mom2Ashli]

About a month ago Michaels had them on clearance and I was able to use a coupon and picked one up for a friend for $16.00.

My handle doesn't spring back and never has.