Rotary Blade - It is Supposed to Wobble

[tortugaquilter]

Excuse me if this has been posted before. I tried a search to check, but there are a lot of posts about rotary cutters.

I learned something new to me the other day about rotary cutting, and it has made such a huge difference in my cuts.

I stopped at a quilt show demonstration and the first thing the lady said was "You all know you don't tighten your rotary blade all the way down, right?" There weren't many of us standing there, and we all looked at each other and then at her and said "Of course!"

Well no, I did not know that. I have always tightened my blade tight. This demonstrator talked about how you need a little wobble in the blade to get nice straight cuts. I came home and tried loosening up my blade just a little and didn't notice a difference, but then I loosened it just a bit more and I swear I have never cut such straight strips.

Did everyone else in the world know you don't tighten the blade all the way down? I know that was never discussed in any of the classes I attended.

Happy Quilting Everyone!

[Jean Sewing Machine]

I did not know that! Thanks for sharing!

[Love my aussie]

I have never heard of the either. Will have to try it and see. Thanks for the info.

[sidesaddles]

Blade need to be able to turn, If tight blade can not rotate.

[Midge]

I've never heard that. I'll have to experiment a little.

[vchale]

That reminds me, I don't think I posted about my Martelli experience. I had a cutter that the blade seemed to get tighter when I was using it. I would have to get pliers to loosen the screw. Called them and they said it was the screw and they sent me a new one, no charge. Problem solved. Great customer service.

[K. McEuen]

Mine will work loose if I am doing a lot of cutting. I'll tighten it, then try to cut a couple times and loosen it just a bit and it cuts much better. Heh, so whether or not I knew it was supposed to be like that, I've been doing it that way.

[Terry L]

I will have to try this

[coffeebreak]

Well well well. Who'd a thunk it!?!? I'll give it a try too!

[Sandy Navas]

I finally have learned the proper direction for the lock washer and nut when reassembling mine after a blade change. That, too, makes a big difference.