You can either call this a public service announcement or ‘Reality Quilting’.. either way.. I’m about to show you real life happening right in my studio.. are you ready?.. it might get a little.. scary…. But.. it’s necessary…
Sometimes we just do NOT take the time to be sure our tools are in the best condition. You are cutting with your blade that you KNOW is dull, it is hard to push, it must have a nick because you are cutting places it missed, and you .. just.. keep .. using it…
DISCLAIMER — names have been changed to protect the innocent…. I believe Sofia did this.. right here in my studio.. let’s see what happened…
After numerous times of the blade not cutting all the places I … I mean..Sofia decided to take a look.. maybe change that blade even!
Being a very careful quilter she has a container of OLD blades and NEW blades clearly marked.
This Olfa rotary cutter is BRILLIANT as it takes all the guesswork and frustration out of changing the blade.
- Turn it over and slide down that yellow part so the screw holding the blade on is now free
- let the blade with the cover drop to the table and then turn it over
- OH MY… horror!!
- There is a THREAD MAT in those grooves
- I needed.. I mean… Sofia needed to get a needle to pry all the dust out
Next you will dump off the old blade and put a new one on that cover
BUT.. be sure you clean the crud off there too!!
ewwwwww this is a dirty job!
Now the BRILLIANT part continues!
Just lay the handle on top of the blade and cover, the screw goes back into place
Slide the yellow holder UP to hold in the screw
You are ready to rock and roll!!! New Blade, Clean Rotary cutter!
How often do you find yourself doing the same thing as Sofia and I?
Now do yourself a huge favor and buy one
- Purple ones HERE, Aqua HERE, more sizes HERE. They may have a slightly different blade changing
- New blades, of course! Get those HERE!
- Get my FREE Notices and you will be the first to know when I write something useful, funny or useful AND funny.. wink!
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17 Responses
Thanks for the tip.
Thanks for the great info. I’m wearing a bandage on my finger due to a cutting accident. Just a reminder to everyone, your rotary cutters are very sharp. LOL
I am careful 🙂
Thanks for the public service announcement. I bought one of these a year ago and W wit using it after I tried changing the blade because I thought I had lost a part! Thanks for letting me know it will still work!!
Wondered why there was oil. Thanks for the insight on this. Also if you use a canning lid tool, with the magnet on it, to pull the old blade from the rotary cutter, and put in the new blade, you won’t have to worry about getting cut with your fingers.
Good to know the purpose of the oil, Christine. Thank you!
I JUST did this very thing before I saw your….Sophie’s story! The timing is eerie.
One thing you, I mean Sophia, forgot to do…wipe the oil off of the new blade. If the blade came from a multi-pack, oil is used between them so they will slide apart.
I check mine each time as I found the same thing Pat…I have several different ones, but the Olfa is the best! And also clean my machine every Sunday….my rules to keep everything running! ☺☺ Happy Easter Pat to you and the Shipping Dept….🐰🐰🐰🐇🐇🐇😉
I bought this rotary cutter on sale one time because it was cheaper than buying a replacement blade. Best cutter by far.
Best rotary cutter ever!
I got this rotary by accident in one of my orders(of course I called and texted to pay for it). It is the best mistake I could have received, aside from a book or extra fabric. It is the best! Absolutely the easiest, quickest blade change! I would recommend Pat’s links and you too will LOVE it!
So glad to know I am in great company!!😉
Olfa is my favorite!! Love it and so easy!
Sort of like sweeping the floor; I just keep putting it off.
It is a dirty job, but needs done more often than we think…..lol….I need a Sofia!!!!
Glad it was just dirty and dull. I was afraid you might have done damage to yourself! Dull blades are almost more dangerous than new ones.