How often do you change your blades?
12-08-2010, 02:16 PM
#11
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 1,329
I was finding a couple of years ago that my blades were not lasting and using the sharpner wasn't helping some of them A quilter on another board suggested I make scrappy quilted cases for them and get into the habit of sliding them into the open end of the case when not cutting.This seems to have helped with the length of time they cut well!
12-08-2010, 03:35 PM
#14
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Lexington,Kentucky
Posts: 6,163
I was just having the same problems, and thought the blade sure wore out fast. turned my blade around, not any difference. Well, went to fabric store to pick up a few things and decided to get one of the June TAYLOR cut and press mats because it was bigger than the old one I had at home. That mat is a lot harder it seems, and the rotery cutter is working like new. I also think I was pressing too hard on the softer mat, and I believe that was what made some of my strips not quite the same size., the fabric was actually going into the mat.
12-08-2010, 04:17 PM
#15
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 1,703
Originally Posted by clem55
I was just having the same problems, and thought the blade sure wore out fast. turned my blade around, not any difference. Well, went to fabric store to pick up a few things and decided to get one of the June TAYLOR cut and press mats because it was bigger than the old one I had at home. That mat is a lot harder it seems, and the rotery cutter is working like new. I also think I was pressing too hard on the softer mat, and I believe that was what made some of my strips not quite the same size., the fabric was actually going into the mat.
12-08-2010, 07:54 PM
#16
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 2,189
Try turning the blade around and adding a drop of oil on it. Just make sure that it's only a small drop and you let it set for awhile then run it though scrap material.
Also, clean your mat well. I have a very old Dritz (10 years) and as long as I keep it clean (I don't use the lines on the mat). I wipe it down with the dishcloth when I do dishes......
Also, clean your mat well. I have a very old Dritz (10 years) and as long as I keep it clean (I don't use the lines on the mat). I wipe it down with the dishcloth when I do dishes......
12-08-2010, 08:03 PM
#17
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Royse City Texas
Posts: 2,870
Originally Posted by Flying_V_Goddess
Originally Posted by amma
It may be that when you are starting to cut, you are bumping the blade into the ruler. Or pushing the blade into the ruler instead of alongside of it. This will cause knicks in the blade and the skipped cuts you are describing :D:D:D
But one thing I noticed was possibly my blade wasn't screwed on very tightly. I had taken the blade off because black lint had built up underneath the blade guard and I took the blade off to remove it. I made sure the blade was put on right, but maybe I didn't screw it back on tightly enough. It was on pretty tight, but on further inspection I noticed it could wobble the slightest bit. I tightened the screw so that the blade would still turn, but would move from side to side. Unfortunatly I'm out of fabric for the moment so I can't test out this theory.
12-08-2010, 08:11 PM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: montana
Posts: 620
Originally Posted by Flying_V_Goddess
Originally Posted by amma
It may be that when you are starting to cut, you are bumping the blade into the ruler. Or pushing the blade into the ruler instead of alongside of it. This will cause knicks in the blade and the skipped cuts you are describing :D:D:D
But one thing I noticed was possibly my blade wasn't screwed on very tightly. I had taken the blade off because black lint had built up underneath the blade guard and I took the blade off to remove it. I made sure the blade was put on right, but maybe I didn't screw it back on tightly enough. It was on pretty tight, but on further inspection I noticed it could wobble the slightest bit. I tightened the screw so that the blade would still turn, but would move from side to side. Unfortunatly I'm out of fabric for the moment so I can't test out this theory.
I find it easier to change often than re-cut threads. a little drop of oil under the blade when you change is good too. be sure to cut through some scraps in case of oily residue.
but don't wipe ! good way to get cut.
12-08-2010, 08:17 PM
#19
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: London, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,326
You may have nicked the blade on your ruler. Happens a lot to beginners.,
As for having to "reswipe" and then being off the line, only cut the area that missed, don't go over the whole cut.
And, always keep a spare blade handy.
As for having to "reswipe" and then being off the line, only cut the area that missed, don't go over the whole cut.
And, always keep a spare blade handy.
12-09-2010, 02:51 AM
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Indiana
Posts: 351
My sister told me to keep my hand over the blade not behind it. This has helped me quite a bit. It's much easier to keep an even pressure and since my hands can be weak at times I need all the help I can get. I find that very often when a somewhat new blade is not getting through the layers it's because I have let my hand drop back to far. I hope this makes any kind of sense.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
