New Cutter Advice
 

My Olfa 60mm cutter has started leaving 3-4 uncut threads every time it's used,even with a new blade.So time for a new cutter. Have a couple other sizes,so has to be the 60mm size.
What brand do you like & why? Does anyone use the Ergo? Safety is a factor.Thanks for your help.

Interesting. This is the same thing that happened to me this week...60 mm Olfa cutter, new blade, but leaves an uncut span of a few threads. I have to go over the cut every time. Is it really the cutter or could it be a defective blade?

I could be your mat that need replacing. A new blade should make the cutter almost like new. I rarely use a 60 mm cutter so not familiar with that size. I like the Olfa Ergo rotary cutter.

contact customer service at Olfa and ask their advice.

It could be a defective blade, but I would check the mat first. cut in an area that you normally don't use. or flip it over.

Is your mat older? I just had the same issue, but the mat I was using has seen its share of work over the years and I think the older mat affects the cut.

I had a pkg of 5 blades recieved as a gift.Just put a new blade in last wk,still have one left. Need to cut a lot of small pieces & this having to go back over uncut threads is a pain.

I would tend to believe it is the cutting mat and not the blades

my mat is old with deep cuts, so i get the uncut threads all of the time. when i use my other mat, the blade works just fine.

Thanks all. I tried a new mat,didn't help,so has to be the blade.With a Joanns coupon,a new cutter makes sense.

I buy a new cutting mat when mine gets cuts and scratches I don't deal with it for fabric cutting. I reuse it for crafts, gluing, cutting batting and when the time comes to toss it I do.

There's no logic to this, but I found my 60mm cutter seemed to dull much more quickly than my 45mm. As a result, the only time I ever use the 60mm is when I'm cutting fleece or something else ridiculously thick. I get much more mileage out of my 45mm.

Definitely the mat. When cutting in old ruts they leave threads.

I would tend to think that it is the mat too, unless you get the exact same threads uncut at exactly the same distance apart as the blade turns. For example, if the circumference of the blade is 4" you would get uncut threads exactly 4" apart at each rotation.

Bought the Fiskars Titanium 66mm. Already have smaller Fiskars,will see how it does.With new cutter,new mat,all should be well.

http://www.joann.com/fiskars-60mm-ti...prd_10805216a/

Are you sure you have just one blade on the cutter? Mine did this when I had changed blades and accidently added two!

How can it be the cutter itself as this is. Only there to hold the blade in place. It must be the blades that have a nick on as they are faulty unless you have knocked the edge at some time getting them out of the box. Guess how I know this. I couldn't get them out so used a pair of scissors which nicked the edge so everyone had a nick in the same place.

I would vote that its the matt... turn it over and try the back...

the blades are so oily and do stick together. i've put two in and cut badly due to that. Check that only one blade is in the cutter.

Me too. New blade won't cut through 2 layers completely.

Why will no one believe me that too often the Olfa cutters and blades from Joanns are "second rate citizens?? I have seen this over and over and over through the years. I promise!!! I've taught a lot of classes and can tell every time someone has a problem with a new blade that, before I even ask them, they have bought the blade from Joanns/Walmart/Hancock.
I can't prove it.
The "experts" swear it isn't true.
The web sites deny it.
But experience is a great teacher, and my 30 years experience tells me to avoid buying these from them in order to avoid frustration. Hancocks of Paducah (not the same as the chain store Hancock) sells Olfa blades in packages of 10 for a decent price and have a sale every year or more.

Jan in VA

Thanks for the heads up Jan. Just bought a new package of 5 today from Joanne's (before I read this). I will be paying close attention to how they cut!

DH and I prefer TruCut Rulers and Rotary cutter. I think they stay sharp longer because the cutter rides on that rail and keeps a consistent angle to the mat. They don't have every ruler shape but we do all our basic cutting with them. I also keep the blades sharp by using their electric sharpener.

try re-conditioning your mat - soak in a tub for a while, then lay out to dry on flat surface. Sounds like your mat just needs to be 're-hydrated'.....let us know what works for you

Thank you,Jan.I appreciate you sharing your own experience.Have you used the Ergo cutter? I planned to get one,but they have to be ordered on line from Joanns.I'm in the middle of cutting out a quilt,so need to keep at it.
Going to check out the store you mentioned.I need all the help experienced quilters are willing to share.

'S quite likely to be a worn mat - I like kai cut rotary cutters.They automatically retract when not in use.

I have the Martillini cutter as it is ergonomic and I find it easy to use!

You probably need to clean your mat. This is what happens when they get older. I don't know the link to find it,but if you go to the Olfa site, they have instructions on how to do it and make it almost new again.
Judy

Well, I have to tell you,my husband took my Olfa 66mm cutter apart because I didn't like the Fiskars bought yesterday.
So used to the Olfa blade retracting when you let up on it,was afraid my fingers would be sliced off.You have to click a button on the Fiskars cutter & I was forgetting to do it.
Anyway,he said he'd rather fix it,than listen to me gripe. Me? ;) So a soft cloth to wipe the blade & one drop of silicone....all is well,working like brand new.

I too have had problems with my Olfa. I'm wondering if there is a defect in this brand? Hmmmmmm.

I use the Martelli 60mm Ergo cutter for all my shop and personal cutting. The blades last many many times longer than any other cutter we've tried, and we've tried them all. The ergonomic fit in your hand also helps you cut easier and longer without strain, and it's a lot easier to keep your cuts straight and upright.

With a new blade or even a half-worn blade it will cut on rough mats, our mats are not self-healing and they take a beating from hundreds of full-width cuts every day. I just replaced the blade on my cutter after a year of cutting - only because I finally missed a cut and messed up the blade by trying to cut my ruler.

BTW, we don't sell them, but maybe we should.

I have three Olfas and never have had any problems.....I would replace my cutting mat first and then see if the problem continues..

Make you a ball of aluminum foil and run your blade over it several times, then cut with it. If it cuts okay, then you need a new blade. I use the aluminum foil for a quick fix to try to get all I can out of that blade. The other thing is make sure you have your blade installed correctly in the blade holder. That could be a major concern. When all this fails, call you dealer for instructions.

I use the Blue Dritz , but lately Jo Anns and Wal-Mart have stopped carrying them. I love them, plus you don't have to worry about the blade because it is never exposed . You pushed down on it to cut. Maybe they stopped making them.

I only know this from my own experience--I kept having problems with my cutter after I put a new blade in it and then another one because I thought there was a nick in the first one, and then discovered that I had put my cutter back together in the wrong way. After I actually got that figured out eventually, then no prolems. Just an anecdote.

Dana

She said she tried a new mat, so that isn't it. I'm wondering if there could be something in the post and hole assembly where the blade goes around. Whenever I change a blade I notice that very fine residue accumulates there and it has to be carefully cleaned out. Also, could there be something wrong with the turn post (axel?) in the middle that is not perfectly round? My dad and hubby both worked with metal tolerances, etc. and I know a flaw in metal might throw off the rotation of the blade.

Olfa Mats
 

Speaking of mats, I have 3 large mats that I use side to side on my cutting table. They are well used. Many of you have mentioned that you soak them and they revive. I am wondering if this might help these "defective" blades, even new blades. I also wonder where you soak your mats if you don't have a tub that is wide enough to keep the mats flat? I also wonder if I could soak them in my swimming pool for a few minutes? I live in south FL and when we use the pool we heat it to 90 degrees. I doubt the amount of chemicals would harm them. any thoughts??? Emily

When this happened to me I found that I had put TWO blades on my cutter! DAH.

I am glad to find out others have problems with rotary cutters. I have been wondering if I am just tooo dumb to figure out how to use a cutter. Mine gives me fits , Sometimes I resort to finishing my cuts with scissors. and that is a real drag. I have tried everything I can imagine to clean the blade and changed numerous times. So now I'll try cleaning my mat.