Today we have a very interesting question by Elizabeth, regarging two different die cutters: Sizzix Big Shot Pro and AccuCut Grand Mark.
Question:
“I have question for anyone who knows about the Sizzix Pro and the AccuCut Grand Mark. I am curious as to what dies will work with BOTH machines? I have been doing some research on sizes of dies or rather the widths. I am more concerned with the hight’s between the dies in the machines.
Also, does anyone know the difference between the Big Shot Pro and the Sizzix Pro Shape Cutter or also known as the Westminster Fiber? The research I have done says the only difference is the color and the size of the cutting pads the machines come with.
Any help with these two issues would be GREATLY appreciated!!”
Elizabeth
Answer
(by Jane)
“It’s a little tricky with the Big Shot Pro (BSP), as you can get one with the bigger feed tray (this is where the Sizzix Pro Shape Cutter label comes into play). 12×12 vs. 12×26″ mats. For about $100, you can get the bigger tray for the BSP, but at that price, you might as well just buy the SPSC which is about $50 more when you compare the price of the two models. Confused yet?
Both the Grande Mark and BSP use commercial dies – and these are a standard height with both Accucut and Ellison. Both machines also have optional personal die adapters so you can use the personal style steel rule dies. The Grande Mark has other accessory trays and you can add feed rollers (the ones on the bottom that make the machine longer and steady the cut, which is handy if you strip quilt) to make use easier. The price on additional trays is $35 – $40 and other items are also very reasonably priced.
The Grande Mark has a wider (not taller) throat, so you can use the Giant size dies in them. With the BSP, you need to make sure that you have a feed tray that can accommodate the commercial die you are looking at–some of the trays are a bit short on length (and some of the dies are too wide at over 15″) and you can’t feed a commercial die in a machine without the feed tray. Even though the BSP is 15″ wide, that is not the feed width (tray stops at 12 1/2″).
Overall, the parts for the GrandeMark are less expensive and the machine has been around for many years so you have a history you can review vs. the BSP which is a new model machine (even though Ellison has been around for many years). Also, keep in mind that Accucut has moved away from clear acrylic mats and moved on to more durable mats that don’t warp and last about 10x longer than acrylic.
Both machines are easy to use. If shopping around and you have the funds and space, I would recommend opting for the largest machine you can get – I never thought I would use Giant size dies, and now I find myself ordering them more and more often (for cupcake boxes, formal stationery, party favors, and yep, even some album dies to make altered books).”
Learn More About The Big Shot Pro
Demo for the Sizzix Big SHot Pro presented at CHA Summer 2009. You can find this tool at Scrapbook.com
