Rotary cutters
#21
![Default](/images/icons/icon1.gif)
TrueCut My Comfort 45mm Rotary Cutter
Item #: 81993
Ergonomic rotary cutter 45mm blade left or right handed
The gal at one of our quilt stores uses a cutter similar to this. Same brand, different color. When she cuts, it seems to move easier ---------------or at least that is my observation from my side of the cutting table. I'm going to investigate.
Item #: 81993
Ergonomic rotary cutter 45mm blade left or right handed
The gal at one of our quilt stores uses a cutter similar to this. Same brand, different color. When she cuts, it seems to move easier ---------------or at least that is my observation from my side of the cutting table. I'm going to investigate.
#22
![Default](/images/icons/icon1.gif)
The mat really makes a big difference...I have said it before somewhere on here. But here is my experience. I had the original white mat...or maybe I should say one of the first white mats. The ones from Joann's. Well, I was going through rotary blades. Too many for the amount of cutting I did. But I was working and didn't even consider the mat. Then was at a quilt show, and got a newer mat...another white one. I liked the lines on it better...just wanted something new.
When I started with it, put a new blade in. I was not getting clean cuts. Somewhere along the way I had bought a medium sized green one...not sure of the brand. I had it by my sewing machine. I moved it over to my cutting table and was simply amazed at the difference. I don't sew every day...for sure don't do a lot of cutting most days. But my rotary blades last forever now. Keep in mind, when cutting strips, I use the 60 mm rotary cutter. They last longer than my 45 mm ones that I use near my machine for trimming crumb blocks, etc.
The one thing for accuracy...I place my hand on one end and cut to about midway of the 24 inch ruler. I make sure I stop cutting and then lift my hand from the ruler and place it farther up the ruler. Sometimes I walk it up, but feel the thing that makes the difference is to really stop cutting before I move my hand. It is a thing of actually thinking 'stop' and then moving my hand. This might sound silly, but it really helped me.
When I started with it, put a new blade in. I was not getting clean cuts. Somewhere along the way I had bought a medium sized green one...not sure of the brand. I had it by my sewing machine. I moved it over to my cutting table and was simply amazed at the difference. I don't sew every day...for sure don't do a lot of cutting most days. But my rotary blades last forever now. Keep in mind, when cutting strips, I use the 60 mm rotary cutter. They last longer than my 45 mm ones that I use near my machine for trimming crumb blocks, etc.
The one thing for accuracy...I place my hand on one end and cut to about midway of the 24 inch ruler. I make sure I stop cutting and then lift my hand from the ruler and place it farther up the ruler. Sometimes I walk it up, but feel the thing that makes the difference is to really stop cutting before I move my hand. It is a thing of actually thinking 'stop' and then moving my hand. This might sound silly, but it really helped me.
#23
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: A Hop from Heaven, a Skip from Sanity and a Jump from the Good Life....
Posts: 6,665
![Default](/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Heres a link for rotary cutting basics- YouTube by pat sloan..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjQNY9j_PIQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjQNY9j_PIQ
#24
![Default](/images/icons/icon1.gif)
If your hand is slipping when you cut, maybe your table is not the right height for you. If I work on a table that is too high (which is most of them because I'm short) I have less control, especially on a long cut. Maybe try working on a different surface. Not too low, though, or it's a backache waiting to happen. And I personally can't seem to cut while sitting at all.
#25
![Default](/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I cut a lot it may be your cutting board, but any way I get my at walmark . As for the moving I know it happen to me when I do not move up with the cutter some time I cut at the table that when I mess up the most. I have a little place where I cut most my stuff there I can only go as far as my arm gos it works good. gl on finding your help
#26
![Default](/images/icons/icon1.gif)
If you have a friendly quilt shop worker or another quilter friend you trust, have them watch you cut to help you determince what is happening. I have never found any kind of blade sharpener that works and will not even consider trying any more. I try to buy them with Joann coupons or if they are ever on sale.
#27
![Default](/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I cut a lot and I bought a Kai cutter in 1982 and only just replaced the blade in December 2012. I do have 4 cutters of varied sizes,so the amount of use is possibly evened out. However, perhaps it is the quality of the blade that is important. I'm not inclined to replace blades when they cost $10 - $15+ in this country. A kind lady on this board sent me some replacements and I have just Christened one of them.
#28
Power Poster
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Citrus County, Florida
Posts: 10,849
![Default](/images/icons/icon1.gif)
If it is the hand moving, I bought a suction handle... one of those "as seen on tv" kind for getting out of the tub for about 5$$. A friend's husband said he can sharpen the blades so I will have to see what he has in mind and how it works
#29
![Default](/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I found the handle that you attach to the ruler helps tremendously. It's the ones you can buy in the bath hardware dept. for attaching to the shower to assist getting in and out of the shower. It has a suction cup on each end and snaps down. It's cheaper to buy it there than at a quilt shop.
#30
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 203
![Default](/images/icons/icon1.gif)
One of the things that helped me the most was the purchase of some wookworking clamps and a long metal ruler. One that is at least the width of my table. (Found at a home improvement store or hardware store. I use my acrylic ruler to measure the with of cut I want and set my metal ruler abutted to the acrylic ruler and clamp down my metal ruler to the cutting table. works good to cut 2.5 strips also, because it is 2.5 inches wide. That way I can cut on both sides of the ruler before I remove the clamps. Harbor Freight has a straight edge that clamps on both ends, but I dont like it as well as the metal ruler and the woodworking clamps.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post