Sizzlets still not cutting

[Pixiefish]

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 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)

Someone on UKS suggested I try them in a sidekick but i don't have access to a sidekick so I'm thinking of buying one now- that's how fed up I am- dh is going to leave me at this rate of spending lol

Sorry Pixie, can't help I am afraid, I have no sizzlets here!

If you have a few that aren't cutting then it's unlikely that it the sizzlets at fault.

I have enormous trouble trying to cut sizzlits too. I don't bother with them. Fortunately I only bought one set and don't plan to add to them.

oh dear PF, i know how you feel! don't waste good stuff on them, attack your junk mail, there are usually card type thickness in there, and keep at it, i don't use a shim with mine; now that i/they can do it! i am sure it is like JM said they just need bedding in.
if you want you can send a couple from different sets to me and i will see what happens- cheaper than buying the sidekick. where did you get your sizzlits from? have you talked to them about it?
email me if you want to send some
user name at yahoo dot co dot uk

Pixie, unless you can take your sidekick back to shop in which case don't do this. Either you or DH is he is handy with stuff like this, check the screws which hold the mangle in place they probably need tightening. Pull back but not off the black rubber pad and you will see 4 phillips style screws. Tighten em and see whether this helps. Actually looking at mine, this wouldn't matter if you do take it back to shop. Mine cuts card, thick card fine. the only thing I have a problem with is glue backed plastic, you know where you pull the back off your self.

UCM, pixie is using a Sizzix, not a sidekick, as am I.

My Sizzix feels very loose, but I can't find anywhere to tighten it up. It cuts other stuff fine as well it's only the sizzlits that don't cut well.

Right silly me. Didn't realise.

I have just looked at my 'barely used' sizzix. it has 4 screws on the top and 4 underneath. I suspect that if you unscrew the underneath panel there may be more screws that you could tighten. I could be wrong. Just an idea

undo them anyway and screw back in. its worth a try

The sizzix doesn't work along the same lines as the sidekick either. Thinking. I would maybe add a really thick piece of card... I haven't really used mine yet so am not 'au fait' with it yet. Sorry I can't help

I've tried to tighten the ones on top but will have a look for the ones underneath and see if that makes a differnece. Really don't want to spend any more dosh at the moment but don't like the fact that io have 30odd dies that i can't use

I've added shims and they do help but the really telling thing for me is that in order to get my sizzlits to cut properly the plastic on them is cracking!

Now that can't be anything but having to compress them more than they are built for just to get them to work.

LOL anorak

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 RC due to the 30% 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)