So this looks very interesting if a bit expensive...
 

An auto sharpening rotary cutter that is motorized. It says it will cut fabric up to an inch in depth...I wonder how this would do with strip piecing...http://www.dharmatrading.com/html/en...ign=newsletter

no reviews on the site but has any one bought this and if so how does it relate to quilting?

Looks like it might be handy for cutting strips for instance, but way out of my budget...

And I thought $70 bucks for the Gingher rotary cutter was expensive! I'd definitely have to see a demo before I'd spring for that one!

I'd definitely have to see a video on how it works.

This looks like the cutting equipment used in a sewing factory. I wouldn't want to use it in a home setting. Anyway one miss cut and you have 100 mistakes all at once. LOL

Can't figure out how it works, but think that BellaBoo is right, one slip and you've ruined a lot of fabric.

Did you see that it weighs 6 lbs!!! That's quite hefty. I imagine it is for industrial use.

I was in a quilt shop in Tennessee a couple of months ago and they used one similiar to this to cut yardage. The owner said she got it at a trade show a few years back and it cost about $300. She said that they had figured out the cost of the mats and rotary blades they were going thru doing it the old way with a rotary cutter and that they have actually saved money by buying it. It was snazzy to see it in operation!

My problem would be how to keep it straight? It's like an new and improved version of the old electric scissors.

I can see it being beneficial for cutting yardage, or for kits, but not for any closely measured cuts. It looks to me like the fabric must go between the bottom plate and the blade. I don't see how you could use a ruler or template. I would have loved that, though, when I worked in a fabric store when I was a teen!

This is an industrial cutter. They use them where I work and we cut many thousands of yards of fabric every year. They do go through about ten to twelve layers at one time. It also takes a lot of training and a very sturdy table. I do not work in a quilt shop.

It looks like it would work. but it is made in China ,thats a nono . joyce j

Besides the made in China issue (buy American-made!!) it looks dangerous to me. I have done enough damage to my hands with rotary cutter mishaps - I'd probably be missing an entire finger with this.....

How many finger tips would that little thing take off! Rotary cutter is good for me! Also love my accuquilt go

For that price it should do the dishes!!

and clean the toilet

It looks so dangerous, and one slip with it might be costly!

Three issues come to mind--how to stabilize the fabric being cut, how hard is it to see where you are cutting? and can you turn corners? This gadget reminds me of a circular saw; great for straight cuts. Period. The factory where I worked once upon a time had cutters that worked like suspended bandsaws which maneuvered handily. Dharma has another cutter a bit like that. I don't think either suited to casual home use.

I think you'd have to make a lot of garments to help pay for the garment cutter.

For most of us quilters, wouldn't it just take the joy out of rotary cutting by hand your own quilt or someone you care for's quilt? I like to savor every moment I work on a quilt. This, to me, seems really commercial and not totally personal. Just my thought! Edie

I bought the singer one for 70 dollars...It is garbage..took it back!

But it weighs 6 lbs!!!! I wouldn't want to be picking that up with my arthritic hands, very often.

This is a commercial cutter - used by clothing manufacturers to cut out patterns. Basically the same as a rotary cutter but too heavy and expensive for home use. A shop could probably justify the cost if they cut their own jelly rolls.

I had one of these several years ago I paid $125.00 for it and I loved it but at the time I was making denim purse out of really heavy denim and I could cut 8-10 layers of denim at a time. Since I retired from that, I use the Black and Decker electric cutter for cutting my fabric cost around 20 dollars and they work great. Harbor freight even has them on sale this month not the B&B brand and they are cordless. I gonna get me one of those.

Initial acquisition price is high for some of us but in the end I think it would pay for itself quickly in money saved on rotary blades. Not when compared to the tool-store blades but certainly if you buy from Jo-Ann, even at half-price. I

The price and weight would certainly deter me from buying!

Seems like way too much money for me.

if it will go through an 1" depth of fabric, what will do to your cutting mat? There is just not enough info on this product to date!

I have a friend that has a similar one that did a lot of production on puppets, jackets, hats, etc. so it was justified for them. I'm not sure that it would give the average quilter the exact cuts they are looking for. It would be interesting to play with for a while if someone wants to donate some fabric.

Sounds like an industrial tool. I wouldn't want one, for I'd ruin everything I tried to cut.

Im a gadget gal and i do love my gadgets but I won't spring for that. I don't do nearly enough cutting to justify purchasing that But it looks good for a quilt shop.

It doesn't require a mat.

I love these for home dec sewing where there are extremely long cuts with many layers.

I did too and that is why I found one on Ebay for $20!!!!

Out of my budget. Sure is nice though

I'd like to see a video demo. Looks bulky. Wonder how it handles.

Looks good, BUT (and you know it's a BIG one). Who has used it, is it really light weight, does it really self sharpen (really good), what is the cost of running it day to day (elect., bats., etc....), what is the cost of replacement parts, etc....????? Is it worth it's price? Sorry just like a new car, I'm not buying the first year it comes out - too many BUGS still. And this little guy?? It looks cool and all, but I'm going to hold off on dropping that kind of money. Will be watching .

I have a difficult time enough using the regular rotarys, let alone something as this!! I'd have to pass. Maybe you would have better luck!

This is a stationary cutter, isn't it? Mounted on a table? You move the fabric under the knife.

Yeah, me too. I can't tell whether you move the fabric ubder it or use it like a traditional rotary cutter. Seams like with that much cutting power it would go right through a mat!

This would not work with rulers for cutting quilt pieces. It's meant for cutting out paper/cardstock type patterns...for clothing manufacturers, purse makers, etc., not practical for quilting.

My husband's Aunt used to have them for cutting out stacks of halter tops, bathing suits, shorts, etc., in their clothing manufacturing shop. They made stuff for Budwiser company (they lived in ST Louis).