by MeFlick » December 7th, 2015, 5:44 pm
Hi Jessica and welcome to the forum. I will tell you that right now - there is not a lot of activity going on here on the forum. I think it is the fact that we are in the holiday season. Plus, some other regulars have had some family concerns that are keeping them away right now.
First, have you been through the Learning Center? Have you used the information there to set your blade holder and blade depth correctly? (Do not over extend your blade, that will cause some of the issues you are seeing with the tearing apart of designs. You don't want that much blade exposed - if you have too much blade and/or pressure/force then you are going to cut into your mat, chip/blunt your blade, etc. Since you are having issues with your cutting, I would highly recommend that you check the tip of your blade(s) (if you have used more than one) and make sure that they are not chipped or broken in anyway. This is a common occurrence for those new to the machines and why it is recommended that you get additional blades and mats when first starting out. Also, are you using the test button on the machine to test settings before moving on to actual files and media? It is highly recommended that you use the test button to find the correct settings for cuttings. Also note, the settings you find will usually work for you but can change depending upon the age and use of your mats, your blade, the weather, etc. so always consider any settings as a "starting point" and adjust as needed to find the right settings for that time.
Second, I believe that 65 lb cardstock is fairly "light weight" - while you are learning your machine I think it is recommend that you try with a little bit heavier cardstock. Lighter weight paper/card is going to be harder to cut then heavier cardstock. Many start out trying to cut regular copy paper and fail because it is too light and more difficult to cut, especially for those just starting out. Also note, that all paper and cardstock are not created equal, especially when trying to cut with a blade cutter. Some paper is just not good for cutting at all. Others are okay, and others better. It is a trial and error somewhat in finding what works for you and your machine. For example, I have and use the Georgia Pacific 110 lb white cardstock from Walmart all the time. I have heard others say they can never get a good cut with it. I would be befuddled as to why that might be since I get great cuts with it. What I use primarily when I do "print and cuts".
So, I would first recommend that you lighten up on the blade depth and start with a heavier weight of paper to learn with. Check your mat and make sure that you have not been cutting into the mat, you shouldn't really feel any real "cuts" in the mat. Also, learn to brayer your media down on the mat for better adhesion, less shifting, and moving.
You can also check the forum here for older threads discussing similar issues/concerns and answers provided then.
Go Vols!