I am Probably doing something wrong but my blade gets dull fast. How often do you need to change the blade? I have cut about 1000 5" squares and 5 yards of flannel and am on my 3rd blade. I need to replace this one so I can finish cutting the backing I WANT TO SEW :?
Could I be pressing down too hard?
Could I be using the wrong type of mat? Its the bluesh "Rotary cutting mat"
Sorry for such a silly question but I am at a loss :?:

I have blades last like what seems forever and some that will last just thru the cutting of a couple quilts.
Dunno......maybe someone else might have more insite.

Seems to me that you are doing alot of cutting.
I dunno. I change my blade whenever it gets dull.
I am careful to replace the cover when I am not cutting because it seems like even though it is on a mat, somehow it gets nicked.
I also stock up on them with the JoAnns coupon!
Kirsten

Cutting flannel wears out the blade faster than cotton. Same with fleece. Thicker that cotton.

my blades last forever - one thing I do is make sure that I am using the "light" cutting "setting" with 1 or 2 layers of fabric and the "heavy" cutting "setting" for more than that. I also lock it when not in use to keep it from getting knicked. You could also try to take the blade out and clean out the handle area where the blade rests - sometimes it gets so full of fabric dust that the blade gets out of whack.
:) :wink:

Are you using good quality blades or the less expensive no-name type? My Olfa's last a long time. Does the mat have a self-healing surface? I don't know the "blueish" brand name, but some have very hard surfaces (June Tailor is one) that do not self-heal and are damaging to rotary cutter blades.

Wool doesn't seem to be much different than cotton, so I don't understand how flannel would be harder on the blade unless you are using the type made from synthetics. Cotton flannel is made from more loosely spun fibers than quilting cotton and so should be less damaging to a blade, not more.

I just read a tip the other day that suggests taking out the blade and flipping it over and says that it works like a new blade...Havn't tried it yet but sounds like a real money saving idea...

I bought a bunch (5-5pks) of fiskars blades on ebay for less than $25. I haven't tried one yet, but a buck a blade is pretty cheap....

I have a blade sharpener, and I tell you what it works like a charm. I used to milk my blade for all it was worth letting it go dull and using it for much longer than I should, but once I purchased that sharpener a twist or three and it's good to go all over again. It's well worth the money.

Oh and I only buy the Olfa blades, my current was has been sharpened three times and is still cutting beautifully. (a single replacement blade runs $7.49 Joann's reg. price)