Paper Trimmers

[jkminor]

Anyone experience not getting really straight cuts from their paper trimmer? I have a fiskars... not a cheap one either and its just not cutting all that straight that I can tell. Any help would be appreciated.

Hugs
Jaunice Minor
Utah

[monkeymama]

I had this trouble, too; but mine were the older style Fiskars. I switched to the EK Success Cuterpede and love it! I have both the small and large. You can get blades to score, perforate, wavy, deckle, etc. Love it! The price is good, too!

[Faereygirl]

I had the triple track Fiskars and then the rotary trimmer Fiskars. So I bought a Tonic trimmer- the one with the 6" base. I really realy like that one.

[koopdedoo]

Jaunice -

Which Fiskars cutter do you have? (price range might help us identify!)

You may just need a new blade - I find the blades in the triple track wear out quickly, and that's when the cuts get crooked.

The blades in my Fiskars rotary cutter last longer, but a dull blade gives me a crooked cut here, too.

Kathy

[scruggle]

Mine is doing the same thing. Sounds like I need a new blade... thanks!

[Erin in Okc]

I switched back to a guillotine cutter, and haven't looked back! I bought the X-Acto laser trimmer a few years ago, and LOVE it! That was before SU came out with the tabletop trimmer, and I would highty recommend that, now. My trimmer is lightweight, but bulkier than the SU tabletop.
But, it always cuts straight and I love it!

[Nancy1970]

I have a bunch of different cutters, each for a different use...
1. My big tonic guillotine cutter with a 12" base. Use it for all big cuts at home and love it
2. A small triple track fiskars with the measurements on the blade track for cutting frames
3. A new Marvy portable paper trimmer with a rotary blade (other shapes available for the cutting blade)... straighter cut than with the Fiskars.

I'd get rid of the Fiskars in favour of the Marvy if only the Marvy had the measurements on the blade track.

[jkminor]

Quote:

Originally Posted by koopdedoo

Jaunice -

Which Fiskars cutter do you have? (price range might help us identify!)

You may just need a new blade - I find the blades in the triple track wear out quickly, and that's when the cuts get crooked.

The blades in my Fiskars rotary cutter last longer, but a dull blade gives me a crooked cut here, too.

Kathy

Not sure the name of it. Its purple and green. I think its a rotary one.

Hugs
Jaunice

[hotpinkpixie]

I have the rotary trimmer by Fiskars and I have had so much trouble with it not cutting stright lines! It drives me nuts! I bought a Creative Memory trimmer about 2 years ago and LOVES it! No trouble at all with it :o)

[buggainok]

I've had several different trimmers, and find that it helps to be sure to line the paper up with a grid on the trimmer, not just butt it up to the top of the trimmer.

Also, I hold the paper firmly down with my left hand while I run the blade with my right.

[amyschmamy]

I have the Fiskars rotary cutter (blue and yellow, if that helps) and have noticed that turning the black cutting bar (in the base where the blade hits) to a fresh side also makes a huge difference in the kind of cut it makes. That does need to be turned, and eventually replaced, to keep it cutting nice straight cuts.

[jkminor]

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions... I went and bought a cuttipede trimmer (50% off at a craft store local to here) and will try that. But I will also rotate the white bar where the cut hits ... how often do you rotate it? when do you replace it?

Hugs
Jaunice

[scrappykat]

I've had and used a wide variety of trimmers (I work in an LSS) and I haven't found one yet that truly cuts straight---even the Tonics. I've learned to live with imperfection b/c I can't see shelling out big bucks for a Genesis which is the only trimmer I've heard that does cut straight.

[pjw2855]

I have several different brands of paper cutters/trimmers. Each is used for different purposes. Fiskars Guillotine is nice if I really want to cut heavy cardstock or chipboard, but doesn't work for cutting small measurements. I use my 12x12 Fiskars rotary for cutting different edges on cards or projects (scallop, deckle, perforated, wavy, etc.). I use the Making Memories 12x12 folding rotary trimmer for cards and projects that require small increment cutting. I find the rotary cutters do better with fine cutting than the guillotine cutter.

Also I would totally agree with what buggainok says. I would add (using a rotary) if you cut from the top down you will get a straighter cut than from bottom to top.

Patti

[Cynamom]

All I know is that I hate my new Making Memories trimmer. I was so excited to have it, too! It gives ALL my CS a fuzzy edge.

[jkminor]

I bought the EK Success Cuttipede one and so far I really like it. I will definately cut from top to bottom. I like that the different shuttles make different cuts.... I also like the ease of changing the shuttle.

So far so nice.

Hugs
Jaunice Minor
Utah

[Deb Za]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cynamom

All I know is that I hate my new Making Memories trimmer. I was so excited to have it, too! It gives ALL my CS a fuzzy edge.

Interesting--because I've found it give the sharpest, straightest, and most accurate cut of any paper cutter I've ever had. And it's my 4th.

[NikiE]

I gave up on paper trimmers. I never could find one I liked. I use an exacto knife, metal ruler, and glass mat and would never go back. Although, it would be nice when making multiples of something to have a paper trimmer.

[MaryAnnK]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NikiE

I gave up on paper trimmers. I never could find one I liked. I use an exacto knife, metal ruler, and glass mat and would never go back. Although, it would be nice when making multiples of something to have a paper trimmer.

I use my X-acto knife sometimes too, but I hate having to measure 2 points on each sheet before I cut. Then I have pencil dots to erase. How do you measure and mark?