Quiltingboard Forums - rotary cutter

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Guess I am officaly initated. Just started learning how to use a rotary cutter and nicked my finger.:(

Did you have some instruction or read about its use before start using it?

Nicking your finger is not part of the learning process.

OOOOOwie! That hurts. I hope it's not too bad and that it heals well for you.

Sorry you hurt yourself. That can happen even when you have been using them awhile. Just remember to take your time and keep track of where your fingers are. I got my left pointy finger pretty good once.

All I have to do is walk into any room with a rotary cutter and I will nick myself. Funny how it never happens (knock on wood) when I am cutting. I guess they have a shield on them for some reason!

Congrats on your battle wound, a first of many!

My daughter yells at me when I forget to put the guard down. She cut herself pretty badly once.

I knicked myself twice yesterday! You'd think I'd learn.

I think most of us have done the same thing - one thing I learned is to rinse the cut out with lots and lots of water - it's the same way with paper cuts, it's not the cut that is the problem, it's the LINT from the fabric or paper that gets into the cut and causes it to not heal quickly - so don't forget to rinse under running water whenever you have a cut from your rotary cutter or when you get a paper cut. And be careful so hopefully it will be your first AND last cut from the rotary blade!

I have twice seen posts on this board about people amputating parts of fingers. I have to admit that when I see "rotary cutter" in the subject line I hesitate to click, but then I think that whatever it is, it's probably best to read it and let myself be reminding once again of the dangers. Mine jumped over the edge of the ruler one time and nicked me, and I no longer use it with any part of myself or anyone else on the business end of it.

Somewhere on Youtube is a video showing two women taking turns cutting from alternate sides of a table toward each other. It is speeded up, which makes it look all the more risky. They may be more coordinated than I am, but it gives me palpitations, and I can't watch it.

One tip that has helped me a lot is to coat the underside of all my rulers with rubber cement. It takes a long time to dry (at least in our humid climate) but it is the best thing I've tried for keeping that ruler where it belongs without any temptation to hold it dangerously far ahead. Also, I have abandoned the old cutter that has to be clicked shut in favor of one that closes automatically when the handle is released. This is well worth getting. I have heard of too many people who have dropped them, putting their feet or someone else's or a pet in danger.

Thanks for posting this, and I'm sorry you hurt yourself, but relieved it wasn't worse.

I have also tempted fate with my rotary cutters. Finally broke down and bought one which automatically closes when you lay it down. Used a coupon so price was reasonable. I wouldn't buy anything else now! Otherwise, I am an accident waiting to happen. It's a good investment!

I do have a few smaller cutters which do not have the safety closer. Just checked Olfa's website and they don't make any size other than 60cc and 45cc. Sure wish they did!