Monday 1 July 2013

There wont be a third...

You were so nice to me about my Big Shot breaking.  No one mentioned that I'd obviously overdone it once too often.  Thank you.  We've had time to take it apart today.  That's a bit of a joke..take out loads of screws and nothing really shows itself. 


Take an allen key to the little spot behind the handle and that reveals everything.  Certainly well built, this Big Shot, but not intended to be repaired!  See the half wheel of cogs that should be a whole wheel of cogs. You'd kinda like to think you could just get a new cog, but we can't get into it to remove or replace.  Ho Hum.  Rhymes with Bum.
That's why the plates are stuck in the rollers..won't go forwards and certainly won't go back...but we did manage to wrestle the die out of the sandwich, so I'm pleased about that.  
And then, just as I was getting over the Big Shot, I moved the tote bag into the middle of my craft room in an attempt to remind myself to empty and sort it.  And the handle broke.  PING...it really went, and a bit of insidey metal popped out and the handle came away in my hand and the bag hit the ground I swore.  Sorry about that.  It's relatively new to me, as a gift from a crafty friend who had one too many.  So that's bad luck, huh. 

Mr D has valiantly attempted mending, but it's a gonner.  So I'm going to browse some very unintersting industrial storage catalogues and see if I can find something that might replace it in.  Plastic, wheels and space...it may last longer if it looks awful!  
So this post isn't one of my long whines about inferior quality or products not being up to it.  Not at all.  It's more a lesson in expecting more than the product should be expected to deliver.  I will be replacing the Big Shot with another Big Shot.  It's the tote that may well get a very practical downgrade - just to become 'me' proof rather than because they aren't built well.  Watch this space - storage is such an issue.
Ah well, these things happen.  I shall be more careful in the future, I promise.  And there won't be third..there's really nothing else that could break in the old craft room.  Is there?



40 comments:

voodoo vixen said...

Oh poop! You really are having a bad time with stuff going ping aren't you? My Nan would say to take a jam jar out into the garden and break it... that would be the third thing... but she was superstitious and you aren't, right? ;)
Hope you find an alternative to the tote and if it is a bit ugly you can view as a challenge to brighten it up a bit?

Candace said...

Considering how much 'weight' goes in the craft toes the handles are not sturdy at all. I've never actually broke the handle but got rid of 3 in perhaps the space of 5 years before the handle did break.

Surely there has got to be sometine out their who can design a more sturdy bag handle. You don't see suitcase handles breaking this easily

mamapez5 said...

Not sure about that Julia. My wide-format printer has given up the ghost and I wasn't even using it at the time! It told me to buy a new print head so I did, and it hasn't made any difference, so that's 80+ € down the pan. Now it looks like a new printer is at thetop of my 'need' list. Kate x

Fiona@Staring at the Sea said...

Eek! On the plus side you can get rid of the pink (a good thing in my book!) and get one in the pretty new design. It comes with extended platform and plates, so practical too :o)

skylife said...

Oh dear! That's really bad! Why don't you write to Sizzix and ask if possible to repair it or something else...

My Spellbinder's Wizard is pretty much what you are talking about. If you could find one...

Still haven't break my Big Shot but sometimes, if I don't feel sure about some "sandwich" - I prefer using the Wizard ;-)

Julie Lee said...

Oh no! Sorry to hear it couldn't be mended. It's interesting though how they construct these things - built in obsolescence or something??? Hope you find a good tote. Storage - tell me about it. I'm still waiting for my shed in the garden...sigh, sigh! And there's a hiatus in the kitchen reno! Hope you have a better week with no more breakages and that you feel less 'cream crackered' too! Julie Ann xx

Judys Lace Creations said...

Oh dear, some weeks are like that!
i knew about Big Shots not being able to be repaired as I was at our local scrapbooking shop when the assistants were talking about someone who had brought their broken Big Shot in. A lot of "tut, tutting" was uttered by those assistants.You'd think from their reaction that the lady had attacked hers with a tomahawk!!
This week I've been bending over trying to sort fabric squares into a semblance of a quilt.Ouch!Thank goodness for heat packs!haha.The joys of older age.
Hope your week improves.
Judy x

Redanne said...

Sorry to hear of your mishaps Julia, I understand that the new Big Shot now comes with a three year guarantee so maybe they have improved it? Good luck finding a new tote too. Hugs, Anne x

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

My friend Kathy gave me her old "red" (original design) Sizzex after it fell apart and her hubby tried to fix it. He got it back together, but when I tried to use it the first time, I heard a "CRACK." The bottom plate cracked and I've been unable to use any small dies or the magnetic plate.

To compensate, she gave me her sister's Big Kick (her sister died), but I've only used it once because I have exactly ONE die that will work in it. At least you will soon be replacing your die cutter. And I'm sure you have a ton of dies, too.

Several years ago, I was stranded in New Jersey and needed to replace my carry on suitcase because the airline totally destroyed the one I was carrying at the time.

I went to a WalMart and found one with wheels and a plastic handle that disappears into the bag or extends. When I got it to the motel, I noticed it had pockets in it to hold various items, and a front zip pocket that opened to become a file folder. It was a HORRIBLE suitcase, but a great craft case. It was perfect for taking places I wanted to take paper, punches, markers, paint, and pens. There was even plenty of room if I wanted to put a die cutter in it. The back pocket held a paper cutter. I still use it on occasion if I'm going a long distance. Not sure they still make them, although there may be hope for you, yet (grin)!!

Unknown said...

Ooooh bummer, I do so hate it when things break or start behaving erratically so good luck with the next one.
When my printer told me I needed a new print head like mamapez5 I took it out, wiped it over then put it back in and it was fine! so sometimes you can bluff techo stuff.
Elaine

Clare with paint in her hair said...

Good excuse to get one of the new big shots, they have the turquoise one and the really cool Vintaj one now. Shame about the roller tote, I killed one similar not so long back, put too much in it so it was too heavy.

Mummylade said...

sounds like a bad day indeed, let's just hope nothing else breaks, you can never be too sure. Nothing is indestructable except Superman :)

roffeycreations said...

Goodness - I always crack my plates in the big shot cos I try to do things too fast and don't line the plates up properly - LOL - I keep using them though!! I love my big shot - if it broke Id be so lost - I have a friends cuttlebug on "permanent" loan but never even look at it... Hope you get a good tote - I never take my stuff anywhere any more - people have to come to me LOL... see you on Wednesday... Mxx

CoventryAnn said...

Oh, I would cry if my trusty blue Big Shot went to that crafting place in the sky, we have shared so much time over the past eight years...
On the plus side, the new one does look very pretty!

Krisha said...

So sorry to hear about your tote, but it is a good thing to know you CAN'T fix a Big Shot, so I will be a little more gentle with mine. I use a scrap book tote from Generations, and why it hasn't given out on me is a wonder. I pile just as much in it as I can, and gets too heavy to carry HAVE to pull it. LOL Hope you find a super duty one.
When you do be sure to share....

Unknown said...

Julia, what a great excuse to buy the new big shot! It is so cute--I can't wait to get one. They have a special deal to get the new Big Shot and ten dies and some other stuff for a great price--not sure how long that's going on. It's on the Sizzix site. Sorry about your mishap though. Too many things break around our house too. Last week, my car key broke off in the ignition. I had to get a whole new ignition--so there went my Big Shot money for now! *sigh*

Francesca said...

Don't you just hate it when that happens! Excuse for a new one. XX

Carole Z said...

Oh dear on both counts, but at least you have a reason to get the pretty new Big Shot :) CArole Z X

Arnoldo L. Romero, MLA said...

Yikes! It sounds like you had one of those horrible, terrible, no good days. Hope the rest of your week goes much better.

Helen said...

Oh no..... hope you find a replacement for your tote. a fork lift truck should do it....you could probably drive it too now you're a white van girl.... Bad luck about the Big Shot, did you ring Sizzix about it before you tried to take it to pieces? Fingers crossed no 3 doesn't happen!

fairy thoughts said...

Oh dear I thought the big shot was indestructible, just shows eh! I think there is a bigger one isn't there?
As for the tote, don't you drive a big white van?
janet

Monica said...

I have majoe issues with plastic wheels. when we built this house I put heavy duty floor tiles on the floor. The wheels in my chair had metal strips, they have destroyed the floor where I sit. The rest of the chair needs replacing but the wheels go round and round! I cratered the wheels on a craft tote the first time I used it and the wheels on the drawer tower never wheeled after it was loaded. So fear not You have company.

Annie said...

Oh bum....there I said it!!!
bad luck usually comes in threes so go and break a match...that's supposed to break the spell....that is if you're superstitious and I'm sure you're not...are you?
Hugs,
A x

misteejay said...

Just kit out the van with shelves and storage...who needs a tote LOL

The new Big shot looks really pretty and you have a valid reason for getting one. I have the original blue Big shot that was marketed under the Ellison brand rather than Sizzix and it is still going strong (doesn't stop me drooling over the current design).

Toni xx

Maisie Moonshine said...

Quick Julia break a match or a finger nail, you know what they say about bad luck always coming in threes! On the upside though you can now have one of those stylish new Big Shots with all the pretty flourishes on - is that an up side? I guess it is all down to taste. MMx

Unknown said...

big shots can be mended have to go a stage further in taking apart BASICALLY TO PIECES the cover over the cogs does come off. when I did this with mine I found spokes on middle cog had worn badly in one place so changed this cog with bottom one reassumbled and hey presto works. guess not meant to repair but it can be done

ednamburgess said...

That's a bummer. Hate it when that happens or things come up missing. But it's not the end of the world. Grab your coupons and get another one. Smile, at least you're still moving and hope things go better for you now. Take care. Edna

Michelle said...

Hi Julia,

Thank you so much for your lovely comment on my blog, I am excited about more adventures in WOYWW blog post land:)

Hugs,

Michelle

Princess Judy Palmer said...

Oh dear, jinxed yourself did you, what with saying nothing else could break. The heat tool could short out. Your pencils could tumble to the ground and be stepped on and broken, yours inks could dry up or reinkers leak or.... oh, lots more mishaps just waiting to happen!

Kyla said...

What a bummer....the big shot is so well built (well done on breaking one...you must have gone some distance girl!!).

As Bluebird and Elizabeth said, I reckon a suitcase would be best. I have a friend that uses a pull along cool bag (like a square picnic hamper)and that seems to work. Though I personally favour the hardware shops like axminster tools etc (other shops are available!) as their containers etc tend to be harder wearing (and not pink!!).

Fingers crossed nothing else breaks!

Kyla

Jackie said...

These things do tend to come in threes Don't they.... Best you be careful
The new big shot is very pretty and a lovely colour
Jackie

Jackie said...

Oh dear that is not good
Jackie

Jackie said...

These things come in threes you be carefull you can now buy the lovely new sizzix
Jackie

Lucy said...

Oh dear - that's about as good as saying 'What's the worst that can happen?!' Good luck with the new bigshot when you get it. x

Unknown said...

I did work in the trade for a time and Sizzix UK do send out replacement cogs to customers and their customer service is really good. It would not hurt to try them out. All big shots have a 3 year guarantee, some craft shops may not tell you this as they don't want the hassle of sending it back.
Karen

MaggieC (Silvercrafter) said...

Don't tempt fate! I did and I got bees to deal with (especially the one that landed on me - eeek). xxx

scrappymo! said...

What a bummer! Some days just were meant to stay in bed! (that was what my English Grandma used to say when crappy things happened).

Robin Horasanian said...

You're brave tempting fate like that. I would never say nothing else could break! Go outside turn around three times and spit. LOL. I'd love to recommend my JoAnn's tote to you but it looks almost like your one that broke. The bright side is that you get to shop now. Happy hunting.

Cazzy said...

You could try contacting Sizzix, they were marvellous with the Vagabond, replaced it twice, then refunded me, in between releasing plates and dies and sending them back to me. Mine went within the first year, then after the year was out and they still sorted it.
Check where your friend got it and when and ask Sizzix if there is anything that can be done, you never know!

Cazzy x

Darnell said...

I noticed this last night and had to come look. I really lean into the old BS girl now and then and I thank you for this sad tale (I'm sorry) b/c it will make me be less aggressive. I'm sorry, too, for the loss of your roller and hope you find a replacement that is sturdy and reliable. That would be a donkey, but the feeding needs make that just silly.