When working on projects related to arts and crafts, as well as when sewing or creating quilts, cutting mats and rotary cutters are complementary tools that function well together. Because of this, the significance of properly maintaining one’s crafting equipment cannot be emphasized enough. Even though several of these instruments are likely to be quickly obtained just about anyplace, you can actually enable them to be kept for a longer period of time by doing some extremely easy maintenance on them. If you adhere to the suggestions that are provided below, you will be able to save a significant amount of money in the future by avoiding the need to purchase new rotary blades when your current ones wear out. In addition to this, it will save you from having to go through the frustrating experience of receiving a blade that is dull precisely when you want it the most. Utilize a cutting mat that automatically repairs itself. As was previously said, a cutting mat and rotary cutter are indispensable tools for a wide variety of creative tasks. Because of this, you should make it a point to use a cutting mat, and preferably one that can heal itself after cuts have been made on it, if you are working on any projects. If you use this as your surface area for cutting, you will not only protect your tables or even your work places, but you will also be able to limit the amount of dulling that occurs to your respective blades. However, keep in mind that you should choose a cutting mat that is of high quality and should not replace it with something that is of a cheaper price. You should opt for a cutting mat that is not only affordable but also long-lasting. Use a specialized device to sharpen the blades of your rotary cutter. Depending on the kind of rotary cutter you have, you may be able to purchase a blade sharpener in order to keep the blades in good working condition. However, bear in mind that some brands may not need to have their blades sharpened at all. You may need to purchase a unique blade sharpener designed for the blade you’re using, depending on the kind of blade you have. Regularly clean your cutter; in particular, you should ensure that your rotary cutter is cleaned each time it is used. Remove the screw that is located where the blade is fastened to make this process more simpler. Immediately after removing the first screw, just remove the nut, the curled washer, the second screw, and the blade guard all at the same time. We suggest that you just set the screws, nut, and washer on the desk in the order that you removed them. This will help you to remember where each screw is supposed to go and will also save you some time. Make sure that both the blade and the plastic shield are clean by using a gentle cloth that has a few of drops of oil added to it. As soon as that is done, just before you put everything else together, make sure that you sprinkle a couple of drops of oil on both sides of the blade. This will prevent the blade from becoming rusty. The great majority of rotary cutting blades come with a schematic that explains how to put it back together in case you forget how to do so. This is done for your convenience in case you lose the instructions. Avoid scraping the blade as much as possible; the majority of individuals will, at some point or another, inadvertently scratch the ruler or pins while using the blade, which causes the blade to get duller more quickly and may even chip. hence, you should try not to carry out this plan at all costs. Make sure that it has been sufficiently oiled; this will make the cutting process easier and will extend the life of your blade. All you need to do is oil your rotary blades on a regular basis. When carrying this out, make it a point to use oil for your sewing machine that is of the highest possible quality. Always keep in mind that the optimum cutting mat for any rotary cutter is a high-quality cutting surface. This is the case in every situation. By investing in a self-healing cutting mat of the highest possible quality and sticking to the advice shown above, you can ensure that your rotary cutter will serve you well for many years to come. robert garciasta has a great deal of experience in the field of arts and crafts, and she wants to share her expertise as well as the things she has learned with the rest of the world via writing. Simply click on the link provided to learn more about the greatest high-quality cutting mat she suggests.