Thread: Slidelock ya or na?

My two granddaughters (ages 7 & 8) love to quilt. I always had them stand right beside me and watch me when I used the rotary cutter. Now with the Slidelock they can easily do it with ME right beside them. Their little fingers are out of the way!!!! After using it for several months, I discovered it has as a wide width side and narrow width side. They use the wide side which puts their hand and fingers even farther away from the blades. Best tool I have ever bought and actually use daily. Yes, pricey - but, I have other gadgets that are sitting in my drawers.

Here are some Youtube videos that show how to use the Slidelock:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1hyEDLC4S8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYOoRetnlfM

Although I use my Slidelock on top of my June Tailor Shape Cut mat, I do not use it on top of my other rulers. In terms of measuring, it does not take the place of my regular rulers. It does take the place of my regular rulers for cutting.

Was one of the first "extra" tools I treated myself to and have not regretted it at all! Love it!

Originally Posted by Ginaky

According to the man who developed it, whom I met in Paducah in April, he showed me to place it beside the ruler, not on top of it. If you go to this website www.slidelock.com there are several tutorials and demos on how to use it. I met him and his wife--he said he made it at her request and at the time they were working on developing the Sidekick template to use with it. Both of them were there working the booth.

I'm going to put up this website. I think this is the one. I really like the idea of these. They look like they make cutting real safe for sure. http://www.quiltersslidelock.com/

Originally Posted by Onebyone

That's interesting. When I bought mine it was called Rule Steady and I still have the directions with pictures that show to place it on top of the ruler. It was made in Australia with no US distributor at the time. I love it. I won't use a rotary cutter without it. I have the long and short size.

The Rule Steady and Slidelock are different rulers.

The Rule Steady is indeed designed to be placed on top of rulers; it has two uneven sides, one of which is higher to compensate for the height of the ruler. The Rule Steady has rubber grips under the two sides. Here is a link to a Youtube demo of the Rule Steady:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKpqNqK1q80

The Slidelock does not have two uneven sides and was not designed to be used on top of rulers; it is designed to be used as a cutting ruler itself. It has a single row of round "grippers" underneath the handle. The ruler itself has holes in the ruler under the handle. When the handle is pressed, the grippers go through the holes in the ruler to "grip" the fabric. It will not work on top of rulers in the same way that the Rule Steady does; the design is different. Here is a link to a Youtube demo of the Slidelock:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1hyEDLC4S8

Originally Posted by Prism99

The Rule Steady and Slidelock are different rulers.

The Rule Steady is indeed designed to be placed on top of rulers; it has two uneven sides, one of which is higher to compensate for the height of the ruler. The Rule Steady has rubber grips under the two sides. Here is a link to a Youtube demo of the Rule Steady:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKpqNqK1q80

The Slidelock does not have two uneven sides and was not designed to be used on top of rulers; it is designed to be used as a cutting ruler itself. It has a single row of round "grippers" underneath the handle. The ruler itself has holes in the ruler under the handle. When the handle is pressed, the grippers go through the holes in the ruler to "grip" the fabric. It will not work on top of rulers in the same way that the Rule Steady does; the design is different. Here is a link to a Youtube demo of the Slidelock:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1hyEDLC4S8

Thank you so much for showing the videos which definitely show the differences in the Rule Steady and the Slidelock. I never questioned the Slidelock instructions and now I know I am using them as intended.