Altered Sizzix Die
Free downloadable tutorial on how I altered a Sizzix die. DISCLAIMER: USE caution as die components are very sharp and you could cut yourself. I am not recommending that anyone alter a die, I am simply sharing how we did it. For educational purposes only. :c)
Okay, so I also told you that my sweet, amazing hubby altered a Sizzix die for me. I had owned it (untouched and in it’s original state) for well over a year, and just never touched it. It was one of those things that I “had” to have because it was only $2 or $3 on the sizzix.com clearance site. I didn’t really like it as a frame as it was too chubby, so I was chatting with my hubby about it one day. I asked what I should do with it and he offered to “take a look at it.” He decided to try and work on it for me to create a solid die instead of a frame. We didn’t know where to begin, so I tried to google, “How to alter a Sizzix die” but there wasn’t any help at all out there in cyberville. So, he just started pulling it apart. I decided to take photos of his work along the way to be able to share what he did. (Disclaimer: Warning, I highly recommend that you never attempt to alter a Sizzix die as the steel rule on the die has a very sharp blade and you could cause you harm. Also, the risk of ruining your die is very possible by attempting to alter it. Attention: Never try to alter a die as there is a severe risk for an injury). Okay, so now that that’s off my conscience, onto the photos.
You can download a PDF of this tutorial by clicking HERE. (Download will open in a new window).
This is the die that I owned for 1+ year and never touched. 
And here is the end result; which I can now use as a chipboard album base. (The paper is from the Old World paper stack from DCWV).
The end result! A custom scalloped square die that I am now using frequently and am enjoying much more than the previous die shape!
He removed the foam from the die.
Then removed the outer portion from the die.
Next, he removed the remaining portion from the casing.
He needed to remove the metal which created 4 holes in the corners of the die.
Removing the steel from the corners from the back side of the die.
He next removed the center metal square which created the framed area. (Seen to the right of the die)
Sorry it's blurry, but this is the wood base with all metal removed.
He will apply Glossy Accents in to the die casing to adhere the wood die base into the proper place.
Fitting the steel rule portion back into place around the scalloped frame.
It needed to be lined up perfectly for the die to be functional.
Trying not to get cut while pushing the steel and wood pack in to place.
This is the frame center steel and corner hole pieces removed.
Still trying to get the steel into place.
Woohoo! My hero! He got it!
Glossy Accents (our glue of choice for this project)
Placing the wood and steel back into the casing.
The center wood was added as a spacer, but the die will no longer cut the center square.
Putting the foam back into place.
Woohoo! All finished! Now, just need to let the glue dry...
He altered this die back in December (2009), and I’ve not had any trouble or problems with the die since. I’m so appreciative that he took the time to do this for me. Thank you so much sweetie pie!
Here is one of the albums that I created with this die, it is from my January Scrapzville swap. Because I used my Bind-it-all for this album, I had to trim some of the scallops from the left side of the album.
Okay, I told you it would be a long post! :c) Hope you are inspired or maybe learned something new here today.
You can download a PDF document of this tutorial by clicking HERE. (Download will open in a new window.)
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Stampin’ Hugs,
Robyn
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