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Change Rotary Cutter

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By MJ Knoblock
eHow Contributing Writer
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Rotary cutters are used for sewing, quilting and crafting projects.
Rotary cutters are used for sewing, quilting and crafting projects.

A rotary cutter is a tool used in various sewing and crafting activities to cut fabric or other materials. A sharp round wheel blade, usually made of stainless steel, is attached to a handle. The rotary cutter is more efficient to use than scissors because it moves in one long motion along a wheel until the blade is lifted. It maneuvers rounded corners and straight edges fairly easily, depending on the thickness of the material. When the blade becomes dull, however, it needs to be changed in order to cut all the way through the material without fraying or skipping.

    Sizes

  1. Rotary cutter blades come in different diameters. Smaller tools are used for more intricate cutting, while larger ones are ideal for thicker material and cover distance better. Wheel blades run from 18 to 65 mm in diameter. When replacing a blade, the new one must be the same diameter as the old one for the device to work properly.
  2. Features

  3. The blade comes in a variety of styles, such as straight, curved, pinking or scalloped. This allows different design edges to be cut on the material. Fancy edges are often used in scrapbooking, while straight edges work best for quilting squares. Sewing enthusiasts use the pinking blade for finishing inside seams.

    Rotary cutter handles come either straight or ergonomically curved. Some have a special spot for the thumb and forefinger, while others do not.
  4. Technique

  5. Remove the old blade before putting in a new one.
     
    Remove the old blade before putting in a new one.
    Rotary replacement blades are sold in craft, hobby and discount stores, as well as on the Internet. There are several different brands of rotary cutters, and each supplies its own replacement blade. Some generic brands are also available which list on the back of the package which manufacturer's rotary cutter is compatible with that model blade. Change rotary cutter blades with the appropriate size and model replacement type.

    To change the blade, open the rotary cutter. While each type varies slightly, it is simply a matter of unscrewing the outside nut according to package directions and removing the cover.

    Carefully avoiding sharp edges, remove and discard the old blade before you put the new one in. Only one will fit within the device at a time. Lint or dusty residue can build up over time with use of textiles, so wipe or blow off the cutter's interior before placing the new blade inside.

    When inserting the new blade into the rotary cutter, put it in the right position for the outside pieces to properly fit back together. Then tighten the nut, and the rotary cutter is ready for action.
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eHow Article: Change Rotary Cutter

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