Cannot use die cuts

No I don't think your machine is defective. Here are some "sandwich" ideas to help you. I know you asked just for Cuttlebug dies; I included other "sandwiches" that you can do with your Cuttlebug. If you need further assistance feel free to contact me.


Cardstock
Chipboard
Magnetic/ Metal Sheets & Thin cork (Media)

Cuttlebug Dies
Plate “A”, Plate “B”, Die (cutting side up), Cardstock, Plate “B”
Plate “A”, Plate “B”, Die (cutting side up), Chipboard, Plate “B”
Plate “A”, Plate “B”, die (cutting side up), Media, Plate “B”

Cuttlebug Embossing Folders
Plate “A”, Plate “B”, Folder (with cardstock inside), Plate “B”
Plate “A”, Plate “B”, Folder (with chipboard inside), Plate “B”
Plate “A”, Plate “B”, Folder (with metal sheet inside), Plate “B”
Nestabilities
You will need Spellbinders Tan Embossing Mat to emboss in
Cuttlebug™ machine (or a plumbers gasket cut to size, or some use a mouse pad)
Cutting Sandwich - (Stack from bottom up)
1. A plate
2. C plate
3. Spellbinders Die (cutting side up) that means the side with the
ridges
4. paper or cardstock
5. B plate
6. Run through Cuttlebug™ machine.

Embossing Sandwich- (Stack from bottom up)
*Remove C Plate for embossing sandwich
1. Place A plate on bottom
2. Leave die face up on A plate with die cut still in the die.
3. Place one Spellbinders Tan Embossing Mat on top of the die.
4. Use 2 or 3 pieces of cardstock to shim.
*Cautionary Note: Using more than 3 pieces of cardstock to
shim Cuttlebug Embossing sandwich will result in B Plate
breakage. When using Spellbinders Edgeabilities card making
dies, shim with only 2 pieces of card stock.
5. Place two acrylic B plates on top of sandwich and run thru
Cuttlebug machine to emboss Spellbinders die cuts.
6. Turn die over and use like a stencil with inks and chalks for
added detail.

BigShot Embossing Folders
Plate “A”, Plate “B”, Folder (with cardstock inside), Plate “B”, Cardstock shim

BigShot Large Dies
Plate “B”, Cardstock, Die (cutting side down), Plate “B”

Revolution Dies
Plate “A”, Plate “C”, Die, Cardstock, Plate “B”

Sizzlit Dies
Plate “A”, Plate “B”, Die (cutting side up), Cardstock, Plate “B”
Note: Provocraft suggests using Plate” C” instead of the second Plate “B”, however, CB owners have cracked plates, so try with two “B” plates first.

Sizzix Original Dies & other Steel Rule Dies
Plate “B”, Cardstock, Die (cutting side down), Plate “B”
Plate “B”, Chipboard, Die (cutting side down), Plate “B”

Sizzix CutNFold Dies
Plate “A”, Die, Cardstock, Plate “B”, Chipboard shim
Also try:
Plate “B”, Cardstock, Die, Chipboard shim (maybe 6 layers)

Sizzix Embossing Folders aka Simple Impressions
Plate “A”, Plate “B”, Folder (with cardstock inside), Plate “B”
Also try:
Plate “A”, Chipboard shims, Folder (with cardstock inside), Plate “B”

QuicKuts Dies (Regular)
Plate “A”, Plate “B”, Die, Cardstock, Plate “C”
Plate “A”, Plate “C”, Die (cutting side up), Chipboard, Cardstock shim, Plate “B”

QuicKuts Dies (Grand)
Plate “A”, Plate “B”, Die, Cardstock, Plate “C”

Brass Embossing Stencils
Plate “A”, Plate “B”, , Brass stencil ,paper/cardstock,mouse pad (cut to size, rubber side down), Plate “B”
Sandwich may need to pass through several times based on cardstock thickness
Or use plumber’s black rubber plus red rubber gasket, instead of mouse, then add last plate B.

Big Impressions Texture Plates
Plate “A”, BI texture Plate, Cardstock, Silicone Rubber pad (from BISK), Impressions Pad (from BISK)
*BISK-Big Impressions Starter Kit

Fiskars Texture Plates
Plate “A”, Fiskars texture Plate, Cardstock, tan Wizard pad, black or tan Wizard pad, (possible Cardstock shim,) Plate “B”
Also try:
Plate “A”, Fiskars texture Plate, Cardstock (lightly misted with water), 2 layers Fun Foam, Chipboard Shim, Plate “C”
Also try:
Plate “A”, Fiskars texture Plate, Cardstock (right side towards TP), Rubber Plate (made from Plumber’s rubber gasket), Plate “C”

Plastic thin stencils
Plate “A”, Plate “B”, , Brass stencil ,paper/cardstock,mouse pad (cut to size, rubber side down), Plate “B”
Here too- may try
Plate “A”, Plate “B”, , plastic stencil, cardstock, black rubber, red rubber, plate B