I bought a Fisqures (sp) rotary cutter. It worked great until the blade got dull. I replaced the blade and began to cut out fabric for next quilt and I got about half-way through and it won't cut again. I have to push down hard to get blade to cut and now my hands are hurting. I thought a new blade should last for more then 1/2 a quilt. So I trecked to Joann's and bought another replacement blade. Same thing has happened. I am squaring up blocks and nothing is cutting. What is wrong with this cutter? Am I doing something wrong when I cut that is dulling the blade really fast? How long should a blade last? If I buy another rotary cutter what brand do you recommend?
Thanks for the help.

I do not know a great about Fisckars (I have two Olfas) but could you have tighten the blade too tightly?

I found this on line - hope it helps.

http://www.ehow.com/how_5017517_chan...ry-cutter.html

My blades last a very long time. Are you sure you put it back together right? Too tight?? Make sure there are not 2 blades stuck together. That happened to me one time. :-/

It sounds like you either have 2 blades stuck together, which I have done numerous times OR you have it put together wrong. Maybe the nut is too tight?

Hi Agree.
I changed my blade this week and I had tightened it too much and it wouldn't work and I was wondering what was wrong - loosened it a bit and it now works like a charm.....

be sure you don't have the guard on wrong, I had mine behind but it goes in front! (olfa)

I'm wondering if the blade it too tight, also.

I was in a class and having a lot of trouble cutting. Same thing, having to press hard, etc. The shop owner looked at it and discovered I had put the blade in backwards. There was a left handed way and a right handed way. My cutter is a Clover.

I have a fiskars and have no problems with mine, I am thinking like the rest maybe it is in wrong?

I had same problem last time I changed blades on my Olfa. I had put the little round bit (I'm not technical!) before the bolt screws back on, the wrong way round. It was fine after.

My blades are good for one quilt only. And if you put it on the wrong way it doesnt cut well at all.

I have had my Fiskars cuttar for a while and it has never gave me any problems. I just changed the blade the other day and it is cutting perfectly. I have used generic blades and Olfa blades and can't tell a difference in either one.

My Fiskars does that too. After a bit it eases up.

Check to make sure you only have 1 blade on there. It has been known to happen getting 2 on there by accident. Ask me how I know? LOL

One other question.. what kind of cutting mat do you have? I have a couple of different ones, and the June Taylor one is VERY hard on blades. it's not as "spongy" as the self healers and therefore dulls the blades faster.

if the mat has a lot of fine cuts, the blades may be falling into those grooves. try cutting with the rotary cutter on the opposite side of the matt ad see what happens. i wouldn't throw the blades away until i checked out everything. it can't be every single blade.

My favorite cutter is a Fiskars and the only times I have had trouble were when I didn't get it put back together correctly or too tight (it should roll smoothly across the mat). Be careful about too much pressure as this can damage the mat.

Thank You to everyone for your suggestions. I have tried them all. I first checked to see if I only had one blade in and then if I had put it together right. I changed to a different mat that I had just purchased. I losened the nut a little but for some reason as I use the cutter the nut works loose to almost falling off. I have to keep screwing it back on. Nothing seemed to remedy my situation. I did manage to get the squares blocked and I am now ready to continue sewing. Hopefully top will be finished tomorrow. I guess I am going to have to invest in another cutter when I can manage to save enough money to buy one. Thanks again

not yet. take everything apart and put it back together again a different way. this time keep track. if it doesn't work, try a different way. keep trying and keeping track.

the reason the nut keeps loosening is that the parts are in the wrong order. i've done that. and there's a little springy thing to give it tension that has to face the correct side. try that both ways.

Check the package the new blade came with if you still have it. I can't remember which blade it was that I got (I have several) that had a diagram showing the correct way to assemble it.

I think it may be put together to tightly.

I have put mine together wrong and it was a nightmare. A blade should last more that half a quilt.

Do you have the nut on right?
Is the nut in the back? Is it seated right? Just suggestions.

Here is how to change the blade from Fiskars website:
http://www.fiskarscrafts.com/tools/4...structions.pdf

If you are having trouble, they have excellent customer service.

....if you need to ask a question, just click on our Live Help button, or if you have a broken tool, please call customer service at 1-866-348-5661 or drop us an email at: [email protected]. ...............

Boy I thought I was the only one that had trouble with rotary cutters. I have to admit I've owned three all different brands and I just can't use them. I gave up and went back to scissors (I know stone age!) Now I wonder if I just had the dang things put together wrong! I really decided it was because I was left handed and all the right handed companies were against me, okay I only thought that for a minute but it felt good to blame someone else besides myself. And now that those cutters are boxed up someone where I'll have to find them and try again. Hopefully it will be soooo long scissors!

I have both kinds. The Fiskars is a little booty to put back together. Could do the Olfa with one hand. It's like others have said, it's either too tight or not back together right.

Hum, you mean it isn't because there is a right handed conspiracy? LOL.

Looks like I'm going to be putting mine back together a couple of times and see if it improves. I just thought that it had a dull patch on the blade somewhere. Because it's like it's making a perforated line rather than a clean cut.

I'm having the same problem. My blades aren't lasting like they used to. I buy only Olfa blades and have been very disappointed with my last couple of blades, so much that I bought a new cutter. Didn't solve the problem, but I have a nice new cutter (ergonomic).

I have a very cheap mat and I use rotarycutters from the tool store. They are cheap and so are the blades. When I started quilting I couldn't afford a Olfa rotary cutter. A friend showed me the cutters in the toolstore. They are cheap but only for righthanded persons. I like them.

Try the Martelli rotary cutter. It is designed ergonomically so it is easier on the hands, plus they make a left-handed cutter. They have a video on the website that shows how to replace the blade. Here is a link:
http://www.martellinotions.com

You owe it to yourelf to get away from those scissors!

Here is a link that explains how to use the Martelli cutter:
http://www.martellinotions.com/productvideos.asp#video
(Scroll down to select the rotary cutter video.)

Curious about the cutters from the tool store? What brand are they? Where in the store are they? Hmmm...wanting to try that!

I have the Martellino cutter. I bought it about 5 yrs ago at a show. I loved it until the plastic cover started to come off the handle. It stretchs over time and so had to stop using it.

I have three different brands of cutters, and I use Olfa blades on them all. They all cut great, and the blades last through at least 2 quilts, sometimes more. I had a friend who bought a cutter that we could not get to cut for anything. She took it back to the store, and when they checked it, they said it was defective and gave her a new one. Not all cutters are 100% perfect. If you can't get it to work, take it to the store and ask for help.

Had same problem and I did put back together right. So I bought an Olfa. I just use the fiskars one to cut paper with my old olfa blades.