by Gigi » September 18th, 2018, 4:26 am
I just put the setting tool next to a cd - try two cds for setting. I still think your blade is sticking out too much if you are scraping the material. If it is too low, then it cant get enough "force" to come down and cut out - there needs to be room for it to get the momentum to cut - if that makes sense.
Lets start with the test cut - there is no reason for it not to cut that out. You said you have a new blade in but be sure it's not nicked. If it is dragging across material and the mat it could easily be nicked which will make it impossible to ever get a good cut.
I understand your wanting to try different things out of frustration and wanting it to cut, but stick with just one task at a time and master that before moving on. And I love my click blade holder, but I also have no issue with the regular holder and I don't change my blade height often at all - there is no need. You shouldn't have to either. Be sure your blade is not extended too far out of the blade holder - about 1mm.
Get your mat as flat as you can. You can put it out in the sun and then place heavy objects on it to flatten it - but it needs to be flat. A warped mat will just add to the problems you are having. Once your mat is flat, or at least one large section of it is, use that part for cutting. Brayer the card stock onto the mat. Take a CD and put it on top of the card stock and under the blade. Let the blade rest on it and then pull it up slightly so you can pull the cd in and out without having the blade scrape it. Be sure you have that clearance. Tighten the blade holder in that position. Now try the try the test cut or a simple square. A lightweight card stock should cut anywhere between 45-60. I am giving you a range to start with - could be more depending on what you consider lightweight! Just cut one shape and master that. If the first attempt doesn't cut the material, go up by 10 in the force and try again. Don't go up too much as you don't want to cut into the mat.You will get to the point where you can look at a material and come close to getting the right force just by the feel of it. Start a notebook with settings and materials that work so you don't have to figure it out each time. You can enter the materials in SCAL as well so you just select what you are cutting. I have it in the software and keep a notebook for easy reference just in case. I like having back up!
So back to the beginning. Get your mat flat and start with a new blade so you have the best chance for success this time. I don't know if your blade is damaged, but let's assume it is - just set it aside and you can test it later once you are up and running, but start fresh for now. If your blade has been scraping the mat as it moves around, you need to raise the blade and/or blade holder as explained above. It should clear the mat and material and you will never get a good cut if it is dragging on the mat. Check the distance the blade is sticking out of the holder and reset the holder in the clamp. Cut a shape. Stay with one shape until you have success. Once you have the correct force, try another shape.
Don't feel like a dummy. Just conquer one thing at a time. I think your issues is with the blade holder - so once you have that set properly, the cutting should be successful.
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Gigi