When do i change my cricut blade

The biggest sign you will notice is that your blade will start to miss cuts, ruin designs and generally make a mess. Another way to know if you blade needs replacing is if it struggles on certain materials. If like me you use your Cricut to make a variety of projects from vinyl to cardstock then your blade might be fine cutting one but not the other.

Over time blades can wear down and still work but not on certain materials. As the materials are different and they have a different effect on the blade this could be the cuase of the problem. A solution is to have a blade for paper the original blade and a new blade for vinyl.

The last way you may notice that your blade needs replacing is your machine may make a groaning style sound when the blade is cutting. We have experienced this a few times and at first thought nothing off it. Then I realised it could be the blade really struggling to get through the cut due to it being a little dull and so it is dragging instead of gliding through the cut.

Again we used the cleaning methods above to see if it was a build up of glue from the vinyl or just age. But as a general rule of thumb go for anything from 3 — 6 months up to 1 year. If you feel your blade cannot be cleaned and reused, replace it. There is no rule to this at all.

Some people trade out their blade every couple of months and some have had their blades for 1 year. I would personally swap after a year even if to just solely use it for paper or card. A — how often you are using your machine, daily, weekly or every so often. On the other hand, if you only cut vinyl on your machine, chances are you will get a really long blade life. Either way, you will start to get a feel for how long a blade lasts you after using your Cricut for a while.

So, when to replace blades on your Cricut machine? That all depends on what type of crafter you are and how you use your machine. Either way, you should find the guidelines in this post helpful when learning to use your machine. Click here to view our privacy policy.

For over a decade, I have been sharing Cricut tutorials and craft ideas here as well as on my YouTube channel. My passions include teaching others to be creative and learning as many new things as possible. Did it properly seat in the housing? Second, look at the package. Does it say fine point blade or deep point blade?

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If you purchase something through any link, I may receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. Any supplies used may be given to me free of charge, however, all projects and opinions are my own. New to Cricut? Learn why people trust wikiHow. Download Article Explore this Article methods. Tips and Warnings. Related Articles. Method 1. Pick out a fine-point replacement blade if you want to cut paper.

There are a few different types of tips that you can choose from when replacing your blade. The blade that your machine came with is a fine point blade, which is good for cutting paper and other thin materials, such as vinyl or iron-on sheets. If a material is easily torn with your fingers, it's likely thin enough to be cut with a fine-point blade.

Get a deep-point blade if you want to cut thick materials. You can also purchase a deep point blade, which is better for cutting thick materials, such as felt or card stock. This is a good supplementary blade to use for special projects in addition to the regular fine-point blade.

If you are unsure if you need a deep-point blade, you can try using a fine-point blade first. If it doesn't cut all the way through your material or the cut is uneven or jagged, then you should try using a deep-point blade instead. Consider having several different blades that you can change out depending on what you want to cut.

Consider buying a rotary or knife blade if you have a Cricut Maker machine. Advanced Cricut machines have additional types of replacement blades available. The rotary blade is made specifically to cut fabric. The knife blade is made to cut extra thick materials, such as balsa wood, that a deep-point blade can cut through easily.

Rotary and knife blades can only be used in Cricut Maker machines. Do not buy one if you have an older model Cricut machine. Purchase a replacement blade from a craft store or an online retailer. Replacement Cricut blades are usually available at all stores that sell Cricut machines. However, the housing that the blade sits in is not always interchangeable.

If you have multiple Cricut machines, be sure that you keep your specific housing with your machine. Method 2. Locate the cutting assembly. The cutting assembly is the part of your Cricut machine that holds the blade.

It is typically a box that moves along a shaft at the front of the machine. Loosen the blade housing. After you pull the tap on the front of the clamp open, lift the circular piece that holds the blade, called the blade housing, up and out of the machine.

If you have an older Cricut machine, you will first need to unscrew the arm that is holding the blade housing. The screw is large and can be unscrewed by turning it with your fingers. Then you will be able to open the clamp on the front of the housing. Push the plunger at the top of the housing to release the existing blade. At the top of the blade housing, opposite the blade at the bottom, is a small piece of metal the sticks up out of the housing.

When you press it, the blade should drop right out. Set the old blade aside until the new blade is installed. At that point, you can cover the old blade in the protective cover the new blade came in and throw it away or store it for later use. Take the new blade out of the packaging. After you pull it out of the package, it will have a protective cover that needs to be removed.

Hold it gently on the cutting end. Once the protective cover is off, be careful when handling the blade. It will be very sharp.