I am fairly new to this, and I want to know if I am supposed to wipe off the oil on the new blade when I am changing from a dull blade in my rotary cutter?

I don't remember there being an excess of oil the first time I changed the blade. This is the second blade I have put in, and maybe my memory is just bad?

Thanks for any help I can get.

I wipe the oil off very carefully, then after I get the new blade installed I run it through some batting scraps to remove any remaining oil since I wouldn't want the oil to get onto my fabrics. (:

I do the same as Connie - just a tip, don't know if you knew, if you turn a dull blade over an put it back in, you can use it for a while longer.

I wipe the oil off, too, so it doesn't get on the fabric. I am going to have to try turning over the blade.

Did you know if you are left handed the blade goes on the opposite side of the rotary cutter? As a lefty, I didn't know this for the first couple of years I quilted.

I think the oil is to protect the blades in the packaging. I always CAREFULLY wipe the oil off. Yikes those new blades are sharp!!!

Ditter

I have a Clover and it has an L and an R on either side, apparently not all brands do that! :lol:

Thanks for the tips, I didn't know this!

I clean it well before using. Another thing I always do is to put the old back into the package of the new one and write on it: Used. I keep it. If there is something non fabric to cut, like paper, cardboard, and in one case a piece of screen when we had to change the screen on the screen door, I bring it out and use it. I put it back into the package and discard it. Is amazing how many times the kids need to use a rotary cutter. I wonder what they did before I quilted.

Okay, thanks. Off to clean the oil off. It is good to know that I can flip the old blade also, and keep ones I take off for future non-fabric work!

Woo! Thanks for this! :D

Just pay attention, if your blade leaves little pieces of lint all over and just doesn't seem to be working quite right, check to make sure you don't have two blades stuck together. been there, done that.

that's what I do too.

I wash mine with dish liquid.

Awesome idea!! Thanks for this

I try to buy my blades when they are on sale, and usually buy the 5 pack. I find it very hard (and dangerous!) to seperate one blade from the others when I want to install a new one. How do you handle them?

Sue

I do this too. Also, there is a place that I learned about here that you can send in your used blades and get a discount on new blades. They sell both Olfa and generic blades. Their prices were really really reasonable. I'll see if I can find the name.

Added: Found it: http://www.lpsharp.com/3.html

If you exchange 5 blades, and they don't have to be olfa, you can get new olfa blades for $3 each, minimum order of 5 and free shipping. Seems like a steal to me!

That would be great. By the way, I love your profile pic. Where is the picture from?

Thanks, it is the St Croix river which runs along the border between Minnesota and Wisconsin. It is one of my favorite places in the state. Just beautiful there.

I didnt realize you could turn them over and I also buy them on sale and try for the 5 pack

Thanks for that website.

Are the blades you buy from the website brand new in packages or are they blades they have re-sharpened?

Wow I didn't know that. I seem to go through a LOT of blades. Has anyone used one of those sharpeners ?

The website says you get brand new blades. You could always contact them to reconfirm this.

Tip: use a magnet to hold the blade while cleaning it.

I also sharpen blades, hair clipper blades (pet and human) and scissors. I have a website but the rotary blades are not listed on it. PM me and I will give you my URL.

I was told to leave the oil on, makes the blade last longer.
I have purchased blades from lpsharp, all the time. The used ones, to me don't last as long, as new ones, but in this economy, save where you can.
Ann

I gray tape mine when i am reddy to through them out.
I keep a couple for paper .I have a rotary cutter just
for that.nobody gets cut.

I've never found that turning the blade over helped. I've heard of the used blades exchange, but never tried it. I buy my blades in the 5 pack when they are on 40% or 50% off. I have used the sharpening tool, but did not find it successful. Had DH do the sharpening, thinking I was doing it right.

Ha ! I did this very thing when I changed blades when I started a new project. It took me a bit before I realized I had two blades in my cutter. I couldn't figure out why I was getting so many fuzzy pieces when I trimmed my block after I sewed a piece on. Dah! In all the years I've used a rotary cutter, I'd not done this before. :roll:

I go to a J. Hittle website to order my rotary blades. I can get generic blades 10/$14.90. I have ordered serveral things from this site. http://www.jhittlesewing.com/sewing/catalog.php

Ditto - this is what LPSharp recommends, and it makes sense. Wheels need grease to turn smoothly, and rotary blades are small wheels. You can 'clean' the part of the blade that cuts the fabric by running it through a couple layers of scraps before cutting your 'good' fabric. I've NEVER damaged my fabric with oil from a blade - and it's on the edge of the seam allowance anyway!

I read somewhere to put a drop of sewing machine oil on your rotary cutter when you change the blade. Put it close to the middle of the width of the blade, on the side that rests against the plastic of the cutter. This helps lubricate it, so it cuts easier. I've not been aware of any oil getting on my fabric, after all it's just one drop and I use a 60mm blade.

I have tried sharpening blades - didn't work. DH tried and broke the blade, so have given up on sharpening. Will have to try turning blade over. Always go for a 5 pack as they are less expensive that way.

I've never taken the oil off any of my blades. Hubby thought that the wheel needed to be lubricated or it could melt the cutter. While I do not cut in the speed of light, I have always left the oil on. I like the idea about the drop of machine oil on the cutter itself.

I find that I change my blade just like my sewing machine needle. After every big project or 2 smaller ones. This year, I want to experiment in table runners, so maybe after 4 of those, we shall see.

I think the oil on the blades is the same as the sewing machine oil and doesn't seem to stain the fabric. I have tried a sharpener and it helped a little but certainly not like a new blade

I have to smile at this. I am a lefty and just discovered this last week. I thought I was really something!

I guess I didn't know to remove it so I never did. It didn't cause any problems.

I have two cutters...one is marked for paper only and it has it's own storage case..all the older blades go there........
and the other cutter, I keep a date on it when I put in a new blade blade......

It sure is amazing how many other uses come up for mom's cutter.

I'm really new to all this and appreciate the tip ... I had bought my cutter a LONG time ago, and it got a bit of moisture/rust ... wonder if there is a way to fix it to use it? Blades are SO expensive!

It's not worth the chance you'll take on cutting yourself, even though I agree they're expensive. Use a JoAnn's coupon, or buy them at lpsharp's website. Google lpsharp - or most likely someone else will post it.

To all of those who have Hancock's by you, in this months ad running until April 18th, 5 pack Olfa blades for 14.99.....you can see where I'll be going. They were sold out when I went yesterday

They also have the j.Tailor press and cut for the same price and the 4 pack square ruler combo that's normally 32.99 for 14.99 as well.