Splitcoaststampers.com - the world's #1 papercrafting community
You're currently viewing Splitcoaststampers as a GUEST. We pride ourselves on being great hosts, but guests have limited access to some of our incredible artwork, our lively forums and other super cool features of the site! You can join our incredible papercrafting community at NO COST. So what are you waiting for?
I bought a new portable trimmer last nite and used it for the first time.
I love the arm that pulls out, but the cuts seemed crooked and
the edges were "distressed" looking? rough and not clean.
Am I doing something wrong? Did I get a bad trimmer or is this the way these trimmers cut. I got the Blue one. I plan to take it back, but I wonder if I should exchange it or get my $$ back and buy something else?
If I should get something else what do you recommend. I just want a little portable that fits in my 2 cool tote (approx 6 inches wide) with an arm.
I already have a Genesis at home so I don't need anything fancy or expensive.
TIA
Bev
__________________ Bev
Organized People are just too lazy to hunt for things!!!
It tends to cut rough on whisper white or other papers that have high fiber content. It also cuts rough when you need to replace the blade. It shouldn't cut crooked though.
I have a brand new one that does the same thing, the cut edges are all shredded looking. I know it's not the blade because even though I only used it a few times, I bought a new blade to see if that was the problem. It still shreds the paper. It seems almost like the track is off just a bit. I hope your store takes it back, mine didn't.
I can't believe your store wouldn't take it back, WOW. Maybe you could contact Fiskars.
I bought mine at Michaels and they take things back especially if they are defective.
I have my receipt. I bought it 50% off with a coupon, but even at 50% it would stink to be stuck with something you are not satisfied with.
__________________ Bev
Organized People are just too lazy to hunt for things!!!
I would definitely contact Fiskars. When I had one of their cutters and was having a problem with it, their customer service was awesome and even sent me a new part for the cutter at no cost. It's worth a try.
I had the small black one that did the same thing. Now I have the purple one and it works fine. You do have to change the blades when they start shredding but as mentioned Whisper White and Very Vanilla usually do shred on me. I just carefully trim the fibers with a small scissors.
I also have the orange one and sometimes it does that to.
Fiskars CS should help you. They are very nice and very helpful. They do stand behind their products.
Are you referring to the slide cutter that Fiskars sells? That was my first paper trimmer and yes, it does cut a bit crooked. You have to get used to the way you put pressure on the slider and that will help keep your cuts more straight, but it's not a guarantee. If the trimmer is shredding your paper, chances are you need a new blade. I cut pretty heavy cardstock with mine and never really had a problem there.
I ended up taking the trimmer back. Michael's took it back without any problem.
Got my cash back and bought a brayer instead. I don't want a trimmer that shreds and cuts crooked. (Who would?!?! LOL)
__________________ Bev
Organized People are just too lazy to hunt for things!!!
Of the slider type of paper cutter, I think the Tonic brand is MUCH better than the Fiskars. My first paper cutter, way back when, was a Fiskars but with all the improvements I think the Fiskars brand hasn't kept up. I just think there is way too much 'wiggle' room when you cut on one so the cut isn't straight or clean.
I had a couple different brands, 4 cutters total of this type, and all of them cut roughly and a bit off. I think it was me -- too much/crooked/not right pressure on the slider. Finally I gave up and got a guillotine style one and now it's perfectly smooth and straight every time. So it may be that one type of cutter works better for you.
I was also having problems with my new Fiskars trimmer (ragged edges) so I contacted Fiskars and told them about my problem. They admitted that they were having some quality control issues with some of their blades but think they have resolved this issue. They're sending me a few packs of blades in the mail.
I'll let you know if those blades work any better. (I hope so 'cause my first Fiskars trimmer was really good!)
I have a guillotine cutter but I find it to be quite cumbersome and love the ease of a smaller trimmer....
I was just looking at the new Fiskars personal trimmers today! I have the old gray - maybe original - one. I have used the heck out of it for years.
I was looking due to the newer versions have better measure markings at the top and I have noticed lately that some of the cut lines are not totally straight from my current trimmer. I agree with what was said about applying pressure when cutting, but have been using it for years, so think I might have it down....um maybe not!
I noticed today that there was the orange/clear trimmer and the little more expensive blue trimmer. Any pros or cons on either of them you all have seen/experienced?
@Tornadogirl- I will be interested to see if the new blades correct your problem.
Of the slider type of paper cutter, I think the Tonic brand is MUCH better than the Fiskars. My first paper cutter, way back when, was a Fiskars but with all the improvements I think the Fiskars brand hasn't kept up. I just think there is way too much 'wiggle' room when you cut on one so the cut isn't straight or clean.
Thanks, for your post. I had not heard of the Tonic brand. I will have to check it out!
Tonic has a smaller verision of the guillotine cutter which would be good for portability. Although I have not used one, I love my larger one (SU! Tabletop trimmer). Good luck with finding the perfect trimmer!
I had read through another post that you could use the sanding block on the whisper white card stock to smooth off the edges. I have tried it and it works for me.
Stick a piece of ordinary copy/printer paper on the cutting line under the cardstock and the cuts won't be fuzzy. I think the last batch of blades were manufactured a bit too short and adding that bit of paper raises the cardstock just enough to get a cleaner cut. Haven't tried other brands. It's a bit of a nuisance but no worse than having to trim the cut edges with scissors.
Fiskars Trimmer Question
