Kitty

You might want to try to use a paint brush to periodically clean out your rotary blades and place a few drops of oil on it afterward. Be sure to allow the oil to dry before using it again.

patricej

if i'm not mistaken, you will also need a special machine

Yvonne

While shopping at the local Hancock's store I picked up a free pamphlet put out by Olfa on their cutting tools and mats. In the back there is a page on the "Care, Cleaning & Blade Replacement".

"Cleaning
"To maximize longevity of your rotary blade, periodically remove the blade and carefully wipe the lint and residue from both the OLFA cutter and blade. Put one drop of sewing machine oil around the center of the blade before reassembling the cutter."

There you have it. Sewing machine oil. We all have some!

May your cutters all be free-wheeling!
Happy cutting!!!

Sharon Levanway

I have used the sharpener for years. I find they are not as sharp and need to be sharpened sooner than a new blade, but it saves $$. I have already purchsed replacement disc for sharpener. I keep one of the little plastic containers marked to sharpen for free(?) time. My husband has been known to sharpen while watching TV, either he does it onger or presses harder but does a better job. I tried to mark sharpened ones with magic marker and foound that the blade stuck and almost had to throw cutter away. I have oiled for years but have put on too much and had drips so run over scraps first or carefully wipe down.

Sharon Levanway

sewers aid is silicone. I use a drop at the top of my needle. I slowly runs down and is supposed to reduce friction on thread. I have never had a sign of it on anything I sew.

Joyce

Yes, you do need a special machine to coil bind. I bought mine over the internet, along with the plastic coils. I was extremely pleased with the prices and service from the company I bought from. If anyone needs info, let me know.

I hate to use books that you can't lay flat!
I gathered up 20 quilting books and went in to Staples. I asked them to bind just one so I could check out the quality of their work.
A girl did just one and it looked just fine. They told me to come back in a couple of hours and they would be done.
When I went back, the girl was gone, and a young guy (new hire) had done the job.
IT WAS AWFUL!!!
When he cut the binding off, he cut it starting at 1/4" that went to a half inch. A severe angle to the cut, which took off part of the printed page, which included pattern parts. I was furious! These were up to $30.00 books.
I went to the manager and showed him what had happened. I told him I wanted to be re-embursed for the price of the books. Two of them were out of print and couldn't be replaced, so I told him I wanted those back, but wouldn't pay for the binding.
I could tell he didn't like it, but you know what? I didn't like what had just happened either.
So to make this long story short, that is why I bought a binder. I tell family and friends to bring their books to me that they want bound, and no, I don't charge them, not even for the coils. I figure it is my way of "casting bread upon the waters".
You can probably tell I still get "hot" over this issue.
Thanks for letting me blow steam.
Joyce

patricej

you call that steam? Girl, please. read the threads about WalMart or fabric prices. you haven't even hit the "Silk" setting yet. LOL

we talk about all kinds of things at this board. occassionally one or a few of us will already be ticked off when we log on and everybody else gets to share our "joy". what you'll find here is a whole bunch of old friends you've never met. it's GREAT!

be yourself. join the fun.
:mrgreen:

Kitty

I would be interested in knowing where you purchased your machine for book binding. I have alot of patterens that friends and family have given me and researching them in my computer and then printing them is just not time effecient for me, I would rather have a reference close at hand without having to search through record after record for what I need.

june6995

We seem to digress at times. But someone mentioned steamed.

Is anyone steamed at the new JoAnn sales flyers? There are no 50% off coupons (this was discussed some time ago) and the things they want you to use those coupons for don't help quilters one bit.

What do you like about JoAnn these days? The coupons are limited and so are the days on which to use them. I just missed it!

June

mary705

I also have wondered about the blade sharpeners. If you have a JoAnns that you shop at, I have a couple near me, take advantage of the coupons that are in the sales flier or mailer to buy the more expensive items. I have bought many rulers, templates and other items at 40% and 50% off that way. They also have ALL thread 1/2 price at times, that is when I purchase all of my multicolored/specialty threads. Haven't used them all yet, but have them when I need them.

JoAnns will also honor a coupon from Michaels, but not for fabric.