We all know how frustrating it can be when you have a blade that’s just not making clean cuts anymore. Even worse, not having extra blades on hand when you need to finish up that last project, or have a deadline to meet. That’s why I always recommend keeping extra blades on hand. At least having one as a back up to get you through until you make that next order. I get several calls throughout the week about how to extend the life of the blade, or why aren’t my cuts clean anymore? Does this mean there’s something wrong with my machine? Well, unfortunately when the blade has seen the last of its days they’re just done. Nothing is going to bring them back; not increasing the pressure, or extending out the blade. They just reach a point where they are finished. What’s interesting about a blade that is going bad is that one moment the cuts will be fine, then the next cut there will be light feathering around the edges, and it very suddenly will get to a point that it won’t cut through the paper at all. So I have a couple thoughts for you on this. One, remember the Inspiration uses only one kind of blade!! You don’t need to purchase different blades depending on what kind of material you are cutting. Two, save those old blades that aren’t cutting through cardstock cleanly and use those to cut through chipboard. Nothing will reduce the life of a blade more than cutting through chipboard. Last, but not least, keep extra blades on hand. Remember it’s easy to lose track of what kinds of materials you have cut with your Inspiration. Even though you have recently changed out the blade in the last few weeks, the kind of materials you’ve cut could have made it go dull. Cutting regular cardstock is one thing, but bouncing between different thicknesses and materials is another. The first reaction when a blade is dull is something must be wrong with my machine. Take a few minutes, change out the blade and try cutting through a piece of cardstock.
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I too find that when a blade is at the end of its useful life….it just seems to ‘go’ ! One minute you’re cutting along just fine…..then there are places not cut etc. Of course, I tend to think I’ve done something wrong! Then when all else fails….I finally figure out it’s my blade. So, if I’m using a blade for only cardstock, I have a little sticky note on my cutter with the date I started with the ‘new blade’. This way, if things are ‘suddenly’ not cutting….I look at the date on the note!
Loretta, good idea with the note! I too automatically think there is something I am doing wrong when my cuts aren’t clean anymore, truth is I usually think geez I JUST changed the blade, but forgot that I cut a ton of stuff hehe. Dana
Dana,
How true! I usually think no way can this blade be worn out! Then I realize it is I who has lost track of the number of projects and the amount of time that has passed. (My memory is worn out too, I hope it doesn’t just ‘go bad’ all at once like a blade! LOL)
Loretta,
I love the sticky note idea!! Thanks!
One more idea- I save the little caps to the blades and when one of my blades wears out I use a black permanent marker to put a tick mark on the cap. That way I know it is a used blade.
Don’t forget about “Paper Glide” & “Cutter Glide” They too will help cuts be smoother and extend a blade life just a bit longer if used according to directions.
SueR
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