Replacing rotary blade
#1
I am Probably doing something wrong but my blade gets dull fast. How often do you need to change the blade? I have cut about 1000 5" squares and 5 yards of flannel and am on my 3rd blade. I need to replace this one so I can finish cutting the backing I WANT TO SEW :?
Could I be pressing down too hard?
Could I be using the wrong type of mat? Its the bluesh "Rotary cutting mat"
Sorry for such a silly question but I am at a loss :?:
Could I be pressing down too hard?
Could I be using the wrong type of mat? Its the bluesh "Rotary cutting mat"
Sorry for such a silly question but I am at a loss :?:
#3
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: South Puget Sound, Wa. State
Posts: 2,462
Seems to me that you are doing alot of cutting.
I dunno. I change my blade whenever it gets dull.
I am careful to replace the cover when I am not cutting because it seems like even though it is on a mat, somehow it gets nicked.
I also stock up on them with the JoAnns coupon!
Kirsten
I dunno. I change my blade whenever it gets dull.
I am careful to replace the cover when I am not cutting because it seems like even though it is on a mat, somehow it gets nicked.
I also stock up on them with the JoAnns coupon!
Kirsten
#5
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Maple Grove, MN (by way of GA, NC, PA, NC, AL!)
Posts: 1,548
my blades last forever - one thing I do is make sure that I am using the "light" cutting "setting" with 1 or 2 layers of fabric and the "heavy" cutting "setting" for more than that. I also lock it when not in use to keep it from getting knicked. You could also try to take the blade out and clean out the handle area where the blade rests - sometimes it gets so full of fabric dust that the blade gets out of whack.
:) :wink:
:) :wink:
#6
Banned
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: northern New England
Posts: 459
Are you using good quality blades or the less expensive no-name type? My Olfa's last a long time. Does the mat have a self-healing surface? I don't know the "blueish" brand name, but some have very hard surfaces (June Tailor is one) that do not self-heal and are damaging to rotary cutter blades.
Wool doesn't seem to be much different than cotton, so I don't understand how flannel would be harder on the blade unless you are using the type made from synthetics. Cotton flannel is made from more loosely spun fibers than quilting cotton and so should be less damaging to a blade, not more.
Wool doesn't seem to be much different than cotton, so I don't understand how flannel would be harder on the blade unless you are using the type made from synthetics. Cotton flannel is made from more loosely spun fibers than quilting cotton and so should be less damaging to a blade, not more.
#9
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Gulf Coast, FL
Posts: 1,420
I have a blade sharpener, and I tell you what it works like a charm. I used to milk my blade for all it was worth letting it go dull and using it for much longer than I should, but once I purchased that sharpener a twist or three and it's good to go all over again. It's well worth the money.
Oh and I only buy the Olfa blades, my current was has been sharpened three times and is still cutting beautifully. (a single replacement blade runs $7.49 Joann's reg. price)
Oh and I only buy the Olfa blades, my current was has been sharpened three times and is still cutting beautifully. (a single replacement blade runs $7.49 Joann's reg. price)
#10
Cleaning the lint out & flipping the blade does seem to make it last longer. Try to only push down as much as you need to get thru' your layers of fabric. Otherwise you'll damage the mat, the blade...and you too!
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08-22-2011 08:00 PM