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Blades on my Stampin' Trimmer do not last long at all.
Hi,
I love Stampin' Up! products, including my Stampin' Trimmer, which I've had about 2.5 years now. The trimmer itself, is great. The blades, not so much.
I'm having a hard time with my blades dulling fast. I write down when I switch out my blades and I just put a brand new one in, July 22nd! When I cut my paper, I have rough edges and they make the entire card look bad! I've tried using my nails to "file" the sides, to no avail. I've googled and found that tinfoil can help. I tried that. It doesn't.
I know that there are many factors, that make a card look nice and two things that are crucial to a nicely made card is, evenness and clean edges. Honestly, I'm giving up on the clean edges, as I have a lot of cards now, that have such rough edges, you would think, it's suppose to be that way.
Can anyone tell me how to use tinfoil to sharpen my blades? I took a piece of tinfoil and simply laid it down like you would a piece of paper. Then, I ran my blade over it, as if I was cutting a piece of paper. I did this several times. Maybe I'm doing that wrong, though.
By the way, the cardstock I use is 65 lb. and 110 lb. I don't make a ton of cards - maybe 4 a week, if that. My blades should last longer. :-x
I have heard other people say the same thing about the blades for this trimmer. Some have suggested alternating the direction you cut (i.e. up for one cut, then down for the next cut, then up for the next, etc. that way, both sides of the blade get used). Another suggestion I read was to make sure your cutting mat is still in good shape, and to clean the cutting track.
I believe Fiskars makes SU!'s trimmer, and I have a Fiskars trimmer that is 17 years old (not SU!) and I have noticed that the blades the past couple years are dulling faster and are shorter right out of the package. So, perhaps Fiskars is making inferior cutting blades now.
Hi Nicole, thanks for the suggestions. I have gone up and down with the blades, but I haven't checked my cutting mat or cleaned the track. I'm glad you mentioned that. I think I'll flip it over and try to clean it real good.
My trimmer has been great, but I sure wish the blades lasted longer. Thanks again for your help! :-)
I've had all the same issues with the trimmer. I complained to SU years ago and they sent new blades. This did not change a thing. I can't believe their demonstrators put up with a trimmer that cuts ragged edges. I won't send a card looking like that or spend the time scraping the ragged edges with my nails....as one demonstrator suggested in a blog video. I have just been using it to score cardstock for years.
Thanks y'all! And Chris01, I hate the way my edges look! They are so rough and it's very obvious. I have no choice, unfortunately. I just hope that the people who receive the cards, actually think it's SUPPOSE to look like that! LOL They are so ragged, pieces are sticking out and frayed. It's bad, but then again, it is handmade, so it makes it a little easier to deal with.
I finally gave up on all trimmers with that type of blade. I was replacing them every week, and they're not cheap. I now use the Tim Holtz guillotine, and another brand of large guillotine trimmer. Always sharp, no blade replacement.
__________________ Keep what is worth keeping
and with the breath of kindness
blow the rest away.
I have two guillotine cutters but over time both seem to somehow change the straight cuts. One is a X-Acto, the other a Fiskars. I love clean cuts, but I have to sacrifice uneven cuts then if I use those. I'm not sure why they do that.
Lamborghini.....people will think you are creating a vintage look��
Boy am I dense today! I was trying to figure out who said anything about a Lamborghini! But after scrolling back, I see you were talking to lamborghonigal! LOL I'll blame it on lack of sleep.
EXTRA, EXTRA, READ ALL ABOUT IT! I'VE GOT THE BEST NEWS, NO DOUBT ABOUT IT! LOL!
I did it! I changed my blade. It cuts much, much better. I didn't want to, since I just replaced it July 22nd, but those edges were driving me crazier than I already am, and that's saying something!
Thanks y'all again, for your help/advice/suggestions! :-) <3
That's all well and good about filing the blades, but it shouldn't even need to be done. What a hassle. That is why I have the carl 210 for 5 years now......cuts like butter and hassle free. SU has missed the boat on the trimmer, although I do love the design and easy to use. Too bad it wears out. Too much maintenance. Wonder why they can figure out how to extend the life of the blade. Don't need vintage look on all my cards.....right Lamborghini�� Husband and son love those cars.
Chris01, I need to check out the trimmer that cuts like butter that you have! When I get home from work today, I'm going to do that. And I do hate switching out my blades. I think I have one or two blades left and after that, I'm going to look into getting something better. LOL! I love Lamborghinis. Too bad I couldn't even afford a rearview mirror on one. Oh well, I'll stick to my pick up truck. It's just as reliable and much, much, much, much cheaper to operate and maintain. Hahaha! :-) Happy Friday.
FYI......The Carl is more expensive.Guess what Lamborghini.......my name is Beth also. Chris is my son.
Love your dog. I could use a pick up for the labs. Happy Friday to you also.
Thanks Beth! :-) My dogs name in that picture is Daffney. She is the love of my life. I don't know what I'd do without her. Of course, my husband is a close second! Hahaha.
Beth, I tried searching for the Carl 210 trimmer and couldn't find that exact one. The one I did find (on YouTube) doesn't have the arm that swings out, like my SU! trimmer. Does your model have an arm that swings out? I wonder why I can't find the 210. If you could please send me a link on that specific model or point me in the right direction, that would be great. It looks like a very nice trimmer. I love all the storage space. I wonder though, how long each blade cartridge lasts?
Boy am I dense today! I was trying to figure out who said anything about a Lamborghini! But after scrolling back, I see you were talking to lamborghonigal! LOL I'll blame it on lack of sleep.
I did the exact same thing in reverse the other day. I thought someone was responding to someone and kept searching for her name in the thread, but it wasn't a person, it was a topic being discussed.
Never had any luck with anyone's trimmer. Really hate rough edges. i don't sell for Creative Memories, but they have the best cutter. Have made a ba-zillion cards and never replaced a blade. No rough edges.
I've not had great luck with most of my trimmers but my SU has been my favorite. I am not a demo.. .just like it the best of all I've had. I do have to clean it often but once I clean it, it cuts good again. I wish I didn't have to clean it, but glad it cuts better when I do. I'm still in search of the perfect guillotine cutter.
Blades on my Stampin' Trimmer do not last long at all.
