Sizzix dies for chipboard

I've been trying to research the Sizzix line for chipboard. I want to cut letters. And I know I need the flat, red machine with the knob handle.

But how do I tell which dies are the right ones for chipboard? I've seen sizzix, sizzlits, alphabars. Is there a way I can search an eBay sale and know for sure that the sizzix alphabet die I'm looking for are the ones for use on chipboard?

Yes, you need the red machine with the knob handle or the Big shot will work too

The dies that cut chipboard are any dies that are NOT sizzlits, as they are too delicate. I have used the alphabars to cut chipboard as well.

good luck with your selections

What makes the alphabars different from the original sizzix die?

I have used the original Sizzix dies in my Cuttlebug to cut chipboard as well. It worked fairly well.

I have not had luck cutting chipboard with the alphabars, it might be my chipboard is to thick, but the regular letters (blue dies) work great!!!

I've used the sizzlits to cut thin chipboard (think cereal box) with some success- not everytime. I've used my "big red" to cut them as well using the adapter and a shim to really push the die down- I'm proabably ruining my dies doing this but it works- I've also cut shrinky dink plastic and clear wrapping plastic (like what the die sets are packaged in) with my sizzlits. They seem to work fine. Try it- you'll never know if it works unless you do!

I have the alpha bars and they work great for cutting thicker chipboard, vinyl, you name it. HTH

OK. I took the plunge.
I bought a Sizzix die cutter; fun serif upper-case die; fun serif lower-case die; fun serif numbers. I hope I bought the right stuff. The boxes (from what I can tell in the photos) don't say Sizzlits, so I'm hoping they are the original chipboard cutting die.

Yes those are the ones that can cut chipboard.....

you are gonna love it!

Phew! Thanks. I was hoping I got the right stuff. I can't wait to put them to use. I've already got a couple projects in mind.

Oh...I forgot to add that I got the three sets of die and the cutter -- all new -- for $160 including shipping. It's a lot of money, but it is certainly cheaper than retail. If you are interested in the company name shoot me a PM.

oh and this list might be helpful

http://www.scrapbook.com/tips/doc/9939/84.html

Yep, those are the right ones. I got my Sizzix from a friend when she bought a Cricut. She had only used it about three times and sold me the machine, uppercase Fun Serif alphabet, and a storage tower for only $50!!! Can you believe that? Anyway, I am in love with my Sizzix. I have the Fun Serif alpha and have used it multiple times on chipboard. Just remember that sometimes you might have to move the handle up and down a few times to cut through the thickness of chipboard. Also, don't forget to replace the white cutting pad when it gets too full of cuts. You can tell because your dies will stop working as well. This doesn't usually happen for a while and you can get them on sale at AC or M for pretty cheap (<$3 each, I think). AC and M both do 40% off dies a lot, too and the Sizzix site has a big clearance sale every Tuesday.