Thursday Tip with Hali - Rotary Cutters vol. 2

Thursday Tip // Rotary Cutters vol. 2: How to change the blade

If you are new to rotary cutters you may also be unfamiliar with how to change the blade. Here are some tips and a step-by-step explanation of how to change the blade in your rotary cutter. The video shows these steps along with a bonus demonstration of a rotary cutter with a quick release blade.

1. Place a towel or piece of fabric down on your work surface. This will keep the pieces from rolling off the table and if you accidentally drop the blade it will be much easier to pick it up off a towel rather than a flat surface. If you are nervous about handling the blade, feel free to wear safety gloves to protect your hands. Just remember to take it slow, this is not the time to rush through the steps.
   

2. Make sure your cutter is in the locked position. Hold the backside of the cutter with one finger as you unscrew the cap/bolt that holds everything together. If you don’t, everything will just spin and you won’t be able to get the cap off properly. Place the pieces in a line as you take them off so you remember in what order to put them back on.
   

3. Take off the metal washer. Notice that it has an obvious “U” shape. There is only one way to put this on so it fits. If you put it on upside down the cutter will not glide properly. It also fits only one direction over the screw. The screw has two flat sides and two rounded sides. When put on properly, the washer will be flush with the base of the screw. (See pictures below)
   

4. Take off the plastic spacer and remove the blade. You can dispose of the blade directly into a marked “sharps” container or if you have an empty case from purchasing blades you can use that as well. Some pharmacies will give out sharps containers if you ask or you can ask about bringing your sharps (eg. blades, pins etc.) to be disposed of there. Most importantly, package them safely and mark the container and then dispose using your preferred method.
   

5. Take off the screw part and clean your cutter by removing any lint or fabric remnants. Wipe clean with a dry cloth. Replace the screw.
   

6. Take out your new blade. You will notice it is oily - Don’t wipe it off! - the oil helps the blade glide smoothly. If you have several blades stuck together in a pack, slide them apart to pick just one. Don’t try to pry them apart or you could cut yourself. And remember, leave the oil on and then place the new blade onto the screw.
   

7. Replace the rest of the parts in the order you took them off. Remember that the metal washer has a “U” shape and that “U” should be pointing up when you put it back on. Coincidently, “UP” starts with the letter U so that should be easy to remember. Also remember that the metal washer should be flush with the base of the screw.
   

8. Tighten the cap just until snug and you are ready to cut again!
   

   Note: if you are left hand dominant you can use these same steps but place the blade on the opposite side. The model of rotary cutter shown here is designed for either left or right handed use.

A close up of a rotary cutter showing that the metal washer is on correctly and sitting flush against the base of the screw. There is a text box outlined in blue that says “Correct, Washer is flush with base of screw. End.

A close up of a rotary cutter showing that the metal washer is incorrectly placed. There is a text box outlined in blue that says “Incorrect, Washer needs to be rotated to fit. End.