[QUOTE=SillySusan;8040815]Another one of my June Taylor Shape Cut thingies just broke. I picked it up wrong, I guess, and it broke off at the 12" slot. It isn't the first one that did it. Sometimes they broke because it was cut bit-by-bit by the rotary blade. They are so flimsy and I have to be careful to keep the squares from getting wonky. I promise I won't buy another one, but cutting without the slots, the rotary blade takes different directions on me. Talk about wonky. Sometimes I end up in a different neighborbood.

Any suggestions will be very appreciated.[/QUOTE

In my little "herd" of JT Shape Cutters, there are several repaired babies. I live in two places so this is why I own so many of these darlings! My hint has nothing to do with the repairs. Great suggestions are already given. My tip is about keeping the ruler still while you cut. Go (or send DH) to a hardware store to purchase two of these spring clamps. https://www.homedepot.com/p/BESSEY-1...FYcuaQoda7EBdA They should have plastic guards and they come in various sizes. I have huge ones but I think I will invest in a set of the smaller ones to try out. My bad boy clamps hold the bottom ends of the ruler to my cutting mat. I let it hang off the edge of my table a wee bit to do this. Boy, do they work. In between cutting, one of these clamps holds a large plastic ziplock baggie for my growing strip collection to the leg brace on the corner of my cutting table.

I used "gorilla tape" on mine several years ago and it is still holding.

[QUOTE=mhollifiel;8041489]Great idea! The clamps should keep the blocks from going wonky also! I'm on my way to Home Depot today to get some. Thanks so much!

Don't know if this is possible, but could you go to a glass place and have one cut out of plexiglass? It would be much more durable, but I don't know if this is copyright legal.

I read through the answers and saw where others have problems with regular rulers vs. the JT shape cut. I use my JT then purchased the Creative Grids Stripology which is much more substantial.What I use is the Quilter's Sidelock. https://www.quiltersslidelock.com/ab...ers-slidelock/ I have a healthy fear of the rotary cutter and the Quilter's Sidelock allows me to be away from the blade, it holds the fabric in place. When using the Creative Grids slotted ruler I do as Dina in post #2 described. Place the Quilter's Sidelock on top of the slotted ruler lock it down and cut. I believe have been discussions on the boards here about the Quilter's Sidelock for me since using this tool my wayward cutting adventures no longer happen.

looking over the website http://store.junetailor.com/store/t-returns.aspx they have a one year policy and I expect it would require the store receipt.

Rats! I don't know when I bought this one... and no receipt. I did email them and complained very nicely. After they answer, I think I will ramp up the complaint and leave it at that. And, I promise I am not buying another one!

I agree with Onaemtest, the Slidelock is a must have for me. Mostly for safety but you cant' beat the ease of cutting using it. I do not cut with a rotary cutter without a safety tool. Either a glove or the Slidelock. I had one bad cut and I was being careful. I'll never cut an inch without a safety device.

Acrylic gets brittle with age and gets tiny cracks that build up over time. If it lasts over a couple of years you have gotten your money's worth being it is so thin to begin with.

I doubt a slotted ruler could be cut precisely without a laser cutter. And the cost of having one made would be more then a new one would cost. Joanns has them so wait for a big coupon to use. Quilt in A Day has them on daily deals a lot too.
When I take my Stripology ruler to class, everyone wants to borrow it even if they have the June Taylor one.

I agree about using the Slidelock on top of a mat when cutting strips. I also will place it on top of a ruler if I am cutting with a ruler. It really works to stop slippage, and it keeps my ruler hand out of the way of the cutter.

Regarding the Stripology, I think it's important to note there are two versions. I have the earlier version, which is the large rectangle. My gripe about this mat is that they made the slots too short, so it will often not cut strips all the way to the end of the selvedges. Major design flaw, in my opinion. Their newer ruler is the Stripology Squared. With this one they had the sense to make the slots longer; however, it is a smaller mat so there are fewer slots for cutting. If you can only get one, I would recommend the Squared version. I find all of the Creative Grids rulers to be visually confusing compared to others, though. My brain gets dizzy just looking at all of their markings. Most people love them, though.

All of my JT mats are old and they are all still going strong. I have not had any issues with them at all -- no breakage, no nicks in the slots, nada. Have to admit I am a slow quilter and really never rush myself, probably contributing to me not being prolific. However, maybe there is an upside to that. :cool:

Thank you for pointing this out. Had no idea Creative Grids made one of these slotted rulers. It is so on my wish list!