Plotter Blades

[showcase 66]

I just ordered some new blades and the lady I was just telling me that I need to change my blade out every month. I have never heard that before and am taking it like she wants me to purchase more from them. But it got me thinking how often do I change my blades. I have 4 cutters set up and they pretty much have their own type of work to be done with. 1 for sandblast material, 1 for small decals and the other 2 for pretty much everything else. I have changed blades pretty quickly when I am using reflective or other specialty films that seem to kill the blade.

Anyways. Just curious how often everyone changes their blades.

 

[MikePro]

depends on the quality of the blade you're purchasing... i don't know too much about plotter blades, as someone else in the shop does most of the cutting, but a good comparison would be drill bits. The gold colored bits last at least 4x longer than the black oxide ones that cost half the price.

i CAN mention that, i change my plotter blades about twice a year... and we cut about 4hours out of every day, 5 days a week, same blade for all materials, just different depths/pressures.
(although we don't use sandblasting material anymore, as we route everything now... but we do put the blade through the ringer with reflective and laminated materials quite regularly.)

 

[tomence]

I change blades once or twice a year and i cut a lot of vinyl, and i change blade not because they are worn just because i want to and i believe that i can use the same blade with the same amount of cutting vinyl for over a year.

 

[CES020]

Do yourself a favor and buy cleancut blades and you'll never buy another blade from that woman again.

Best blades I have ever used. I bought several and they are still unopened because the first one I put in is still cutting like a dream. Amazing blades.

 

[BadAss]

We cut about 3-5 hours a day. My Summa blade lasted 3 years, replaced with Clean-Cut blade about 6 months ago and it is still going strong. Both of our Summa blades lasted more than 3 years...

 

[Moto]

Summa blades work good for me

 

[weaselboogie]

Do yourself a favor and buy cleancut blades and you'll never buy another blade from that woman again.

Best blades I have ever used. I bought several and they are still unopened because the first one I put in is still cutting like a dream. Amazing blades.

 

[Dave Drane]

+1 . f you did a search you would have known this long ago. Ross is the man and I believe he does a discount for members. CLEANCUT BLADES, only way to fly!!

 

[BobM]

Clean Cut blades are the best and their service is great. 866-579-0963.

 

[TresL]

Clean cut here as well....
I go though A LOT of blades doing 22+mil mateial.

Only issue with Clean Cut.... no Summa T blades... :-(
GREAT guy to talk with, he went as far as to recomend a place to get the T blades...

 

[Bill Modzel]

I just switched to Clean Cut myself. I cut tons of .oo5" lexan with a heavy duty adhesive laminated to to the back, with my GsX Plus. I generally have 4 cut paths stacked. I dropped the paths to three and dropped my knife pressure in half and am still tweaking things.
I've also dropped the pressure on my Graphtec 1/3 to 1/2 what I was using on vinyl and rubylith.

 

[klemgraphics]

I must be hard on my blades or something, I use clean cut also on my FC7000 and I change them about once every 2-3 months.

 

[omgsideburns]

We have two blades on each of our plotters.. one for regular vinyl, and one for reflective. We get at least two years with daily use.

 

[steve.leleaux]

Clean cut here as well....
I go though A LOT of blades doing 22+mil mateial.

Only issue with Clean Cut.... no Summa T blades... :-(
GREAT guy to talk with, he went as far as to recomend a place to get the T blades...

where was the recommended place and did it work out for you?

 

[TresL]

Ordered them through Fellers, they seem to be OK.
Next order will be from Phil at the Summa Store though.