Wow, how frustrating! I wait too long to change blades and needles, too. Then when I do I wonder why I waited! And you're right...it's not that big an expense, especially compared to fabric and patterns.

I'm glad you had an Olfa on hand and didn't have to make a special trip!

Donna

No, thank you very much! LOL..I learned that lesson a long time ago. Not with HF blades, but just in general.

Using the correct tool for the job won't guarantee success, but it certainly helps.

Donna, I SO hear you! :) I wait to change blades thinking "I'll just cut a little longer, or finish this project - then change" I figure I'm saving a little $$ that way. But when I do finally put in a new blade, I wonder why I didnt do it sooner! Cuts like a dream! What was I waiting for?? I'm worth a new blade! I'll save $$ somewhere else - LOL - just NOT in my quilting room!

~Cindy

Remember quilters!!!

Blades are meant to be consumable, disposable. Cutting mats are meant to last for years. Keep cutting with dull blades and you will shorten the life of the mat - would you rather replace that?

Dull blades are also more dangerous. If you have to use more pressure to make the cut, you have to use more pressure to hold the ruler down. Then you are in danger of having the blade slip or jump the ruler.

Don't bad mouth my Harbor Freight Tools. I spend most of my allowance there - but not on anything for quilting including the blades. LOL Thank you HFT for my new compressor and finish nailer!! Now, I'm off to the quilt shop tomorrow to spend the rest of my allowance.

DH and I both own many Harbor Freight Tools, and I certainly wasn't badmouthing them.

But as far as I know the blades they sell are not for use on a rotary cutting mat.

I spent almost $100.00 at HF - fortunately not on blades-lol- it is a place where you have to be careful and a wise consumer. It is located in a scary neighborhood, so I won't be going often, but they had some interesting things. The pack of asst bent handle tweezers I bought for thread,etc were the same price as I paid for 1, and they work just fine.

I've heard rave reviews on the blades, so thought I would try them. I would have been surprised if I loved them!
I couldn't even use them for any cuts. Cheap lesson learned.

I bought a package of HF blades too but haven't opened them yet. I do love my finger light though. They sell them in the quilt shops for $6 and I bought mine at HF for 2.69. The other thing I love is my mechanics bowl for my pins. It is what mechanics use to hold the nuts and bolts when working on engines. It is magnetic but much better than the magnetgic pin holders made for sewers.

The blades may be put into my scrapbooking box and used for paper!

Mary

Good information! I haven't bought HF blades yet but was planning to get some. Now I think I'll pass on that purchase.

Kate