petscrapper
Mushy Pea
Posts: 214
Feb 13, 2023 2:09:58 GMT
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Post by petscrapper on Sept 16, 2023 17:12:52 GMT
I felt fortunate to get Tim Holtz’s rotary trimmer with a coupon a few months ago. I later felt it was a waste of money because it cut thin paper poorly and I mostly use patterned paper for layouts.
I came to this conclusion after watching his videos and reading through and following all the tips. I figured it’s suited to thicker items and I designated it for planner use because I’m less picky of how clean my cuts are.
Last week I realized I’d been getting really clean cuts from it regardless of the paper I was using. I know he said the blade is self sharpening (even though you can buy a new blade carriage), but the cuts really do seem to get better with time. If I’d of used it more I’d of realized it sooner.
I’ve never had to “break in” a trimmer but I’m glad it works well now. IMO a trimmer isn’t something you should have to break in though.
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Post by joblackford on Sept 16, 2023 23:29:23 GMT
How interesting. Curious to hear if anyone else has noticed this. I had heard it has a bit of a learning curve too.
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petscrapper
Mushy Pea
Posts: 214
Feb 13, 2023 2:09:58 GMT
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Post by petscrapper on Sept 17, 2023 9:44:09 GMT
I’m also curious if anyone else has noticed this.
When I relegated it to planner use I stopped trying to follow his suggestions and just cut as I would with any other trimmer.
I assumed recent cleaner cuts on lighter weight papers were due to repeated friction sharpening the blade. I don’t think I’ve changed my technique but maybe I have along the way without noticing.
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Post by marg on Sept 17, 2023 13:49:39 GMT
My cuts are definitely better after using it for a few weeks. In my case I think it's because I finally got the hang of it - I used to press down on it and pull the blade, now I just pull the blade, It was cutting terribly at first and I felt like I wasted my money, until I decided to figure it out once and for all. I just grip it lightly and pull or push the blade now.
I didn't realize he said the blade is self-sharpening. Maybe that has something to do with why my cuts are so clean now, I don't know, I just know I have definitely changed the way I push/pull the blade.
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FurryP
Drama Llama
To pea or not to pea...
Posts: 7,008
Site Supporter
Jun 26, 2014 19:58:26 GMT
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Post by FurryP on Sept 17, 2023 16:00:52 GMT
I only had trouble getting clean cuts for any type of paper was when I was "sloppy" with my hand movement. Now I am not saying you were, but my main trimmer is a Genesis if you are familiar with that one. It has the same type of rolling blade and I have been using it for years, so this type of trimmer was not new to me. When I did not properly hold the blade like I was supposed to, the cuts were not as clean. When I did, they were. I also only put my thumb on the top part and the rest of my hand is on the side. Not like I have seen videos of others where their whole hands seems to be on top.
I got lucky with Joann not excluding this item in their system so I got it at 40% off and I don't regret it at all. I like having it to cut my card bases, chipboard, and when I want to cut multiple sheets of thinner paper at one time. And that it is smaller than the Fiskars one.
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petscrapper
Mushy Pea
Posts: 214
Feb 13, 2023 2:09:58 GMT
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Post by petscrapper on Sept 17, 2023 21:23:06 GMT
I got super lucky also! I bought it for 50 off but I was still disappointed at first. I like it now but I still find it difficult to cut by sight. That part is frustrating.
I’m super happy it cuts lighter weight papers smooth now. I wanted to get rid of the rest of my trimmers but the difficulty cutting by sight makes that impossible.
I’ve mostly used rotary trimmers and always cut with my thumb on top to guide the blade. I can’t really press hard (which is why I got it) so I don’t think it was that, but who knows what other adjustments I may of made along the line.
Thanks for the insight! It’s really helpful.
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FurryP
Drama Llama
To pea or not to pea...
Posts: 7,008
Site Supporter
Jun 26, 2014 19:58:26 GMT
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Post by FurryP on Sept 17, 2023 23:06:52 GMT
I got super lucky also! I bought it for 50 off but I was still disappointed at first. I like it now but I still find it difficult to cut by sight. That part is frustrating. Wow, you beat me! Totally agree about the cut by sight. I don't even try anymore. I'm ok with that. It was never my intention to use it as a primary trimmer. I really just wanted something so I could cut chipboard, and heavier card stock and not have to use my primary trimmer. |
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Post by judyc on Sept 18, 2023 17:23:07 GMT
Not yet. I planned to use it as my only trimmer but now I'm back to using my small CM guillotine trimmer for photos and bigger CM trimmer for line of sight cuts. So the TH rotary trimmer is basically very useful when I know how much I want to cut and can line up with the measurement marks along the edge or grid on the platform AND the material I am cutting is not a small amount from a thin paper, which it just folds. Sorry Tim. But it does look very proficient sitting on my desk.
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