Rotary Cutter Direction
 

Today I'm squaring up half square triangle blocks. I last changed my rotary blade about two weeks ago and it was dull again, so having grabbed the new rotary cutter that came in the mail last week, when something surprised me. On the old cutter the blade was attached with the wrong fastener from the new (out of the package) one. Does anyone know if this makes a difference in the way the blade cuts? I would think it wouldn't make a difference but it seems as if I've changed a lot of blades on the last couple of months....maybe they really weren't dull after all just improperly installed! Old cutter on left...new on right.[ATTACH=CONFIG]586001[/ATTACH]

Mine looks like the one on the right. The one on the left looks like it was put together for maybe a left handed? Mine has blade changing instructions on the package which I keep because I always forget how to put it back together.

Yes, it will make a difference if you replaced your blade the wrong way.
Here's a video. You might want to bookmark it and watch it every time
you change your blade until you are familiar how to. The easiest way
is to place the parts on the table in the right order.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24niAZnwT-Q

mine is like the blade on the right. i have had things mixed up before and it didn't cut right. now, when changing, i take off the parts and line them up first to last. then reassemble the opposite way.
here's a video directly from Olfa that might help http://www.olfa.com/media/video/quil...video-RTB.html

I had 3 that wouldn't cut. My daughter came over and was trying to cut with them. She said "Mom, there's something wrong with all 3 of these." I told her "I know." She looked them over and said.."Mom, they are put together wrong. "Smile" I am book marking these videos. I know I will need them again. It looks so simple when they do it.

My Fiskars has the ability to have its blade on either side. I've always put it on the left. Never noticed any problem, but then I was not really paying attention. Maybe I will do a test and see.

If you're right handed, you will put the screw on with your right hand, hence think of the screw on the right hand side of the cutter (as you're holding it in cutting position).

So, the photo on right shows the correct way for you. I have done them the wrong way, and definitely it makes a difference. Now I hold the thing in cutting position, then turn the handle horizontally (parallel to table) so the screw is on the bottom; unscrew it and take the parts off in order and line them on the table that way. Closest part stays closest to cutter, farthest stays farthest. Then I undo the left side the same way. Be sure to clean out all the gunky, oily lint when you change blades, too. Much of the time it's the lint preventing the blade from turning properly, and you don't need a new blade.

Thanks for the question and the replies. I have always found something new to learn here, and I am still learning with the information appearing on QB... I have been quilting since 1974, self taught, and always amazed that at 75, I can still learn... Thank you all. It is a wonderful feeling to learn new ideas on why the rotary cutter does not or does work right.

If I forget what way the blade goes on I try it both ways until it cuts right.

Tee Hee. I had a friend that did the same thing. Just put it back together wrong. We got a good laugh out of it.