I'm a Big Shot pleb. Got some questions.

[FaintingGoat]

Hello, experienced die cutters!

I've recently started using a big shot and for the most part it's going well, but sometimes it makes a horrid cracking noise, as if the cutting plates are cracking or splitting. They haven't, but they are getting a bit curved. Should I be using the same side for cutting every time, or flip them over and alternate which side is in contact with the die? And should I keep one for top and one for bottom, or swap & change those too?

Sometimes it is hard to turn the handle, which I think means the whole sandwich is perhaps a bit thick, but then the whole design is not necessarily cut all the way through - we're talking fairly intricate ons like Cheery Lynn designs, a real pain to start manually snipping out bits that should have been cut. I'm told a shim might help, but wouldn't this make it all even thicker?

Thanks!

I have had a Bigshot for a few months and mainly use the Bigz dies to cut felt and fabric.
Mine also makes the cracking noise, I dont use the perspex plates in any particular order or side but they are quite heavily marked now.

Are you cutting fabric or paperstock?

I think you only use the shim on the thin sizzlits and embosslits.

Someone more experienced might come along with more insight.

Thanks for your reply. I'm using it to cut paper and card, various thicknesses but nothing really thick.