Rotary cutters
 

Hi, I must have 10 rotary cutters with dull blades in them. I purchase the electric blade sharpener, but the sharpness only lasts for one cutting. Are there better blades out there? Or maybe, what is the best rotary cutter you have every used? I recently read a post that this women has had the same rotary cutter for years and never changed the blade, I figure that she doesn't cut much. I even purchased the AccuGo cutter for the 5" squares, but it doesn't cut even. I am bad at cutting. my hand always moves as I walk up the ruler and rely on this tool (rotary cutter) to make a clean cut the first time. I usually only cut through 2 layers at a time - Is there help for me? NormaBeth

If your hand moves when you are using the cutter, then bad cuts are probably not the fault of the cutter, but of your hand movement. Have you analyzed why your hand moves? How far can you push the cutter before your hand moves incorrectly? For starters I would tape my single fabric to my cutting mat so that it couldn't move. Then when my ruler was in position I would tape it down so it couldn't move. Then I would push my cutter however far I could before my hand moved incorrectly. At that point I would stop, rest my hand muscles, change the position of the arm if necessary - all without lifting my cutter from the fabric if possible- then cut however farther I could before I knew my hand would move incorrectly again. This sounds like a lot of pain-in-the-a-- prevention, but after awhile you should be able to anticipate when you need to rest or reposition your hand and not have to secure your fabric and ruler. You should have the fine cutting results with your cutter blades that the rest of us do. I think it is learning the correct hand motion and pressure, not thinking you are the victim of cutting voodoo. Too much pressure will make that cutter not work right, wobbling your hand will not give you straight cuts, etc. Tense muscles do not work well, etc. Good luck on analyzing where your problem actually lies.

You sound like me. My hand always seems to move when I am cutting a long piece. First of all, the rotary cutters. I recently purchased a Fiskar Titanium cutter. It is great! Cuts much more smoothly and the pressure can be adjusted. I can cut through many more layers without having to go back over it so many times that I then have frayed edges! I got it at Joann's with a coupon. It was only a dollar more than the regular rotary cutter and I recommend it highly. The next issue, I was cutting fabric at my mentor's house last week and noticed nothing moves with her rulers. She has these sticky dots she buys and puts on the back (downside) of her rulers. They hold very well and no movement for me. I came home and put "double sided scotch tape" on my rulers and now nothing is moving. Try that and see how it works and good luck.

try blades from Harbor Freight. Inexpensive and change the blade when it gets dull. Also pick up one of the books on Rotary Cutting - look at the library. They usually discuss issues such as those you have If you have a LQS, check to see if they have a class on rotary cutting. There is a skil to it which a class might help.
And in my opinion the electric sharpeners don't work as advertised.

It seems some blades last forever and some not very long. I have a fiskar cutter and blades .

Titanium blades will last longer. Get rid of those old blades, you may find it's a LOT easier and you'll make less mistakes when you use a sharp blade.

I too have problems with my hands. Years ago I bought the Alto's QuiltCut2 and it is terrific! It (1) holds the fabric secure, (2) I only need one pressure point to hold the cutting edge in place, and at times it is my palm rather than my fingers, (3) it stores easily, even though I usually have mine out, and (4) it doesn't matter how much my hands tremor or anything else and I still get a precise cut.

If you have issues with arthritis in your hands or wrist, I reccommend the Martelli rotary cutter. I find it easier to grip and control. When I use that one I am much less apt to stray on the cutting side. I tip the cutter ever so slightly toward the ruler and that helps to keep me from flying off the wrong way!.

I wind up holding the ruler down with my whole arm to keep it from wobbling around - which I know is not the smartest or most efficient. I saw a ruler here the other day which I can't remember the name of but it had a wodden handle on the ruler. That looked like it might help me hold the ruler straight!

For longer cuts you might also want to look at one of the O'Lipfa rulers. tried to find a link with one in action, but couldn't. Basically, there is a iip on the bottom of the ruler which you let it lap over the edge of the cutting mat. This keeps the ruler straight and secure as you cut.
With any ruler, you need to add something to the bottom to keep it from sliding. There are many products on the market for this purpose.


http://www.amazon.com/OLipfa-18-Inch...lip+edge+ruler

I recently got a martelli.and it makes a diffrence for me. I am disabled with m.s , in a wheelchair and only have use of my left side. I also use a quilt cut but 1 and it helps. I also weigh down the ruler with an old iron (they're heavier) with the cord cut off.

One possible source of your rotary blade problems may be your cutting mat. Some mats are rough, something like the white mats Joann Fabrics sells. They actually wear out the blades faster. The smoother the mat is, there is less wear and tear on the blades.

I disagree about the mats. A hard surface mat, the blade rolls on top of it, a soft self healing mat the blade cuts into the mat. I worked in a field where cutting mats were used and they were always hard surfaced. The blades were too expensive to replace and couldn't be resharpened except for scheduled maintenance. A blade should last you a long time if you don't nick it. I have a manual sharpener and I sharpen a sharp blade. I don't wait for it to get dull. If you have the electric sharpener then use it on the sharp blade before you start cutting. If you can, find a quilt shop or guild close to you and let other quilters show you how to use a rotary cutter to get straight cuts.

try using a narrower ruler,if you have small hands it will make it easier. I also have the clear plastic on the backs of my rulers so they don't slip. I buy blades on ebay, usually the olfa brand

Are you cutting from the front to the back? are you cutting across your body? Are you using a cutting mat? I was talking to a lady today and she was using a piece of gyproc (sheetrock) to cut on...not so good for the cutter. Why are you changing the cutter, when you can just change the blades. I saw a video, not too long ago, where the quilter was using the hand sharpener and she sprayed the sharpener paper with water before turning the blade on it and she had been using the same blade for months.

the little dots sorta like sandpaper on your ruler will keep your ruler from sliding and therefore help you cut a stright er line . It sure helped me

I use the self-healing Olfa mats. I have had a large one for a couple of years. I clean it often with a soft brush to remove dust, lint and debris and have soaked it a few times. I recently purchased another Olfa mat and butted them up to each other on my long counter. When cutting a fairly long piece of fabric, I noticed my rarely used blade had 'skip' sections on my cutting line, but only on the old mat. I tested several other fabrics and changed to new blades and had the same problem. I wiped off the mat with my hand and slightly deeper cut lines in the mat. It occurred to me that the blades were skipping as there was no flat smooth hard surface for the cutter to go against. I used a kitchen brush that has the green microfiber pad on it and gently went over it a couple times. That did the trick. Blades glided right over and cut perfectly. My blades were acting dull, but they were not the problem.

I sprayed basting spray on the back of my ruler, then rubbed most of it off. It now 'grips' the fabric, so the fabric doesn't slide. Because my hands don't like holding the ruler in place, I place my forearm (elbow to wrist) about 4 inches in on the ruler. It works for me, but is probably not a the safest way to cut, as the blade does slip on occasion. I started using this method, though, the second time the blade got away from me and nearly cut off the tip of my thumb.

Again, my method of keeping the ruler in place is probably not the safest way to do it. I did try the little sticky dots, but the ruler slipped anyway. The clear double sticky tape does sound like it would work very nicely, though.

What position do you cut in? Are you comfortable? Do you stand or sit? What height is your table?

My cutting definitely improved after I bought a small banquet table just for cutting and a set of height risers. It's light enough to set up by myself and put away after (I 'store' it in the bath, lol). No more worrying about slipping onto my good dining room table.

I agree with the little rubber dots on the corners of your rulers. They help ALOT. Another thought, if you have difficulty 'walking' your hand up the ruler, get a couple of spring-type clamps at the home supply/hardware store. It does limit your cutting to the far edge of your cutting surface/table, but the ruler definitely won't slip.

I finally figured out that my problem is the mat....I had cut in the same spot so many times that the fabric was pushing down in there and the blade couldn't cut it. Try turning your mat around to an unused spot or maybe consider a new mat....I can cut anything now with no problem.

TrueCut My Comfort 45mm Rotary Cutter

Item #: 81993

Ergonomic rotary cutter 45mm blade left or right handed


The gal at one of our quilt stores uses a cutter similar to this. Same brand, different color. When she cuts, it seems to move easier ---------------or at least that is my observation from my side of the cutting table. I'm going to investigate.

The mat really makes a big difference...I have said it before somewhere on here. But here is my experience. I had the original white mat...or maybe I should say one of the first white mats. The ones from Joann's. Well, I was going through rotary blades. Too many for the amount of cutting I did. But I was working and didn't even consider the mat. Then was at a quilt show, and got a newer mat...another white one. I liked the lines on it better...just wanted something new.

When I started with it, put a new blade in. I was not getting clean cuts. Somewhere along the way I had bought a medium sized green one...not sure of the brand. I had it by my sewing machine. I moved it over to my cutting table and was simply amazed at the difference. I don't sew every day...for sure don't do a lot of cutting most days. But my rotary blades last forever now. Keep in mind, when cutting strips, I use the 60 mm rotary cutter. They last longer than my 45 mm ones that I use near my machine for trimming crumb blocks, etc.

The one thing for accuracy...I place my hand on one end and cut to about midway of the 24 inch ruler. I make sure I stop cutting and then lift my hand from the ruler and place it farther up the ruler. Sometimes I walk it up, but feel the thing that makes the difference is to really stop cutting before I move my hand. It is a thing of actually thinking 'stop' and then moving my hand. This might sound silly, but it really helped me.

Heres a link for rotary cutting basics- YouTube by pat sloan..


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjQNY9j_PIQ

If your hand is slipping when you cut, maybe your table is not the right height for you. If I work on a table that is too high (which is most of them because I'm short) I have less control, especially on a long cut. Maybe try working on a different surface. Not too low, though, or it's a backache waiting to happen. And I personally can't seem to cut while sitting at all.

I cut a lot it may be your cutting board, but any way I get my at walmark . As for the moving I know it happen to me when I do not move up with the cutter some time I cut at the table that when I mess up the most. I have a little place where I cut most my stuff there I can only go as far as my arm gos it works good. gl on finding your help

If you have a friendly quilt shop worker or another quilter friend you trust, have them watch you cut to help you determince what is happening. I have never found any kind of blade sharpener that works and will not even consider trying any more. I try to buy them with Joann coupons or if they are ever on sale.

I cut a lot and I bought a Kai cutter in 1982 and only just replaced the blade in December 2012. I do have 4 cutters of varied sizes,so the amount of use is possibly evened out. However, perhaps it is the quality of the blade that is important. I'm not inclined to replace blades when they cost $10 - $15+ in this country. A kind lady on this board sent me some replacements and I have just Christened one of them.

If it is the hand moving, I bought a suction handle... one of those "as seen on tv" kind for getting out of the tub for about 5$$. A friend's husband said he can sharpen the blades so I will have to see what he has in mind and how it works

I found the handle that you attach to the ruler helps tremendously. It's the ones you can buy in the bath hardware dept. for attaching to the shower to assist getting in and out of the shower. It has a suction cup on each end and snaps down. It's cheaper to buy it there than at a quilt shop.

One of the things that helped me the most was the purchase of some wookworking clamps and a long metal ruler. One that is at least the width of my table. (Found at a home improvement store or hardware store. I use my acrylic ruler to measure the with of cut I want and set my metal ruler abutted to the acrylic ruler and clamp down my metal ruler to the cutting table. works good to cut 2.5 strips also, because it is 2.5 inches wide. That way I can cut on both sides of the ruler before I remove the clamps. Harbor Freight has a straight edge that clamps on both ends, but I dont like it as well as the metal ruler and the woodworking clamps.

Ihaven't read all the comments, so I don't know if anyone has commented on using the Accuquilt Go. I sounds like your fabric is stretching. You can prevent that by putting a piece of clean white paper between the fabric and the mat. Accuquilt recommends that you do that - it won't hurt the dies.

I rarely use my rotary cutter anymore since I started using Accuquilt. I have most of the dies - and I love the strip cutters and the HST cutters. For HSTs, I put my Go next to my Pfaff, cut the fabric RST, pick up the HSTs and sew them in chains. It's almost magic!

Re. rotary cutters. Are you sure it is the blade at fault,if they only last for one cut. What sort of cutting mat do you use? Even if you are bad at cutting they should last longer than one cut, that would only affect the measurement of your cut, not the sharpness of your blade. Perhaps someone is using your cutter for something other than fabric, paper or card maybe----- there are such unknown fairies around ( you know who you are !!) However, hope you can solve your problem . Love

I was very disappointed with my titanium blades, didn't seem to last any longer than the regular blades. I'm beginning to think it may be the fault of my cutting mat(s).

I'm going to try putting a piece of copy paper between the fabric and cutting board to see if that works. Sure hope so and thanks for the idea!

I think that Harbor Freight must buy their blades from different sources because I have read that some people have good luck with them and some do not. I ordered 2 packages of them and they are horrible. They cut like an old blade that is ready to be thrown away and I was only trying to cut 1 layer of material. I wouldn't waste my money on them. I can use them for cutting paper for my paper pieceing only.

I bought a Gingher rotary cutter (expensive) and blades (sharp and stay sharp and are not expensive) and learned that you put your index finger on top of the cutter pointing towards where you are cutting. It works for me. I can cut 8 layers of fabric with my 6 month old blade!

Martelli cutter and blades are fantastic!

I was told not to cut paper with a rotary cutter because it make the blade dull. From what I've seen, it is true.

If you are having trouble with your hand moving while cutting, try the Tru Cut rulers and their ergonomic rotary blade cutter MY COMFORT CUTTER Http//:www.graceframe.com. The rulers have a raised lip and the cutter has an area that rides on that lip to get straight cuts every time. I also purchased their Tru Grip rubberized pads to put on my rulers so the ruler won't slip around as I move my hand. You have to pick up the rulers instead of sliding them but the straight cutting is so worth the effort. Look at their online catalog for the rulers it has great pictures of how they function.

I just bought a second 24" ruler and Comfort Cutter and had them shipped to my daughter's in CA. I want to leave them there to cut with when I go to visit. Because you know we'll be quilting while I'm there!!!

As for the slipping ruler, I recently purchased the Invisagrip for the back of some of my rulers and it works great. However, no need for the Invisagrip on Golden Rule rulers as they don't slip as easily in the first place..