Rotary cutter comes with an easy to grip handle, making it easy to hold and work with, and it works well on a variety of materials. The best part of a rotary cutter is that you don’t need to purchase a special tool if you want to use it right-handed or left-handed cause this cutter can convert easily to what you need. So how to use rotary cutter?
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How To Use Rotary Cutter – Step By Step Guide
Before starting to use a Rotary cutter ( check the cutter list), there are few things that you should get; these things simplifies and improves the efficiency of the work that you’re doing.
Things You Need:
- A rotary cutting mat is also known as a rotary self-healing mat.
- One long ruler.
- On square ruler.
- And your preferred rotary cutting tool.
The blades are sharp like a razor; therefore, you should be careful when you use them. There are lots of different brands that make these tools, and they come in different sizes. If you want to use the blade to cut curves, then choose a small size; it is nice and easy to use, it can slide around the ruler well and smoothly.
If you want to cut layers or want to cut quickly, then go for the extra-large size like the 60mm. The Rotary cutters have different blade options for different shapes, and you can change the blade easily.
Total Time: 30 Mins
Step 1
First place the mat on a table, make sure your surface is smooth and has no bumps.
Step 2
Then line up your fabric to the mat.
Step 3
After that place, the ruler, according to the size that you need
Step 4
Gently and firmly applying equal pressure on the ruler and the blade press and cut it away from you.
Always ensure that you cut firm, cutting slowly, and making repeating cuts can cause tear and uneven lines on the fabric. Make sure you cut the fabric with one cut.
These are the four simple steps on how to use the blade.
Different Rotary Cutters Available
1. 18mm Rotary Cutter
This rotary cutter is perfect if you have different shapes or difficult curves that you want to cut. Both right-handed and left-handed people can use this cutter. They also include a quick blade change handle. See this Dremel cutter kit.
2. 28mm Rotary Cutter
This cutter is for small projects, or if you need to use a tool to work in tight corners, this blade features a quick blade change, sliding lock to use, and cover back the blade. The handle is designed to fit the users’ comfort.
This blade is sharp and perfect for cutting the fabric into strips, shapes, quilting, and craft projects.
Use a ruler to guide you when your cutting straight lines and always keep the pressure equal on both the cutter and ruler throughout the process.
3. 45mm Rotary Cutter
This tool allows you to cut multiple layers easily; you can use this tool to cut a wide variety of materials like wool, cotton, fleece, felt, leather, foam, etc.
It can cut up to 6 layers of material in one go.
There are self-healing rotary mats that you can use, using this prolongs the life of your tool and protects your surface.
4. 60mm Rotary Cutter
This rotary tool is ideal to use for heavy and medium work projects. It can cut up to 6-8 layers of fabric at a time. The blade is sharp, so it can be used to cut through a variety of fabrics like fleece, felt, and wool.
About Tool Handles
There are Rotary cutters that come with straight and ergonomic handle.
An ergonomic handle is made for the user’s comfort so that whoever is using the tool can use it for a long time without getting any pain or hand cramps.
The blade of Rotary cutters will not be exposed unless you squeeze the handle in an ergonomic designed Rotary cutter, and for straight handles, you have to slide down the shield to expose the blade.
Different Kinds Of Handles
Rotary cutters have different handles we have listed below all of them, and you can choose which one suits you best:
1. The Original Straight Handle
This is the first handle invented, like the name, the shape of the tool is straight, the blade has a blade guard.
To expose and use the blade, you must push the blade guard-forward and push it back down when you are not using it. The tool has ridges on the edge of the cutter. This gives grip to your index finger when your cutting.
The advantage of this handle Is that it can be used by both right and left-handed. At the back of the blade, there is a washer and a nut that holds it in place.
2. Splash C Handle
This is similar to the original straight handle because it is also straight in shape, but it has more curves and contours. The blade has a blade guard when pulled down, exposes the blade, and when pushed up, it covers the blade.
It also has ridges on the edge; this gives a more excellent grip to the index finger. It can also be used right and left-handed. At the back of the tool is a quick-change mechanism. You pull back the lock; the blade will fall off; you can change the blade and then snap it back.
3. Quick Change Handle
This is also a straight handle, but it has more features; at the back, the handle is round, and at the side of the handle, there is a rubber inlay for comfort and secure grip, and it has ridges on edge.
The blade guard is spilled, meaning there are a right one and a left one. When you want to expose the blade, you pull down on the left lever only this exposes the right amount of blade to cut. The top portion of the blade will remain covered.
You can use the tool both right and left-handed, for either side only pull down that side of the guard to expose the blade for the side you need. To change the blade at the back of the tool, there is a quick change mechanism. You pull back the lock. The blade will fall off. You can change the blade and then snap it back.
4. Deluxe Handle
This is a very different model; the handle is curved, which gives more comfort to the user.
There is a red button at the center of the blade. This is the blade locking mechanism. You have to push the button; this will allow you to expose the blade by squeezing the handle; as soon as you release the handle, the blade will retract.
You can use this handle with either hand, but you must take the blade off and move it to the opposite side of the cutter, and then you can use it left-handed.
FAQs
1. What is the meaning of a Rotary cutter?
It is a tool used to cut fabric.
2. Advantages of a Rotary cutter?
It can cut large amounts of materials with no error. You can use it both right and left-handed.
Final Thoughts
A rotary tool cutter was designed to make cutting fabric easy, and since then there has been a lot of added features and design to this tool, making it more adaptable and user friendly.
The user before buying this tool, must keep in mind a few things like if they prefer using it right or left-handed or if they need to keep changing the blades or the kind of fabric that your working with.
Knowing these factors will help make buying the right tool easier.
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