How do you know it is time to replace your blade? If you find your cuts are not sharp and crisp, you have to increase pressure for cutting materials. Read here to learn how to replace Cricut blade. Cricut machines are wonderful for cutting, writing, scoring, and debossing. In order to perform these activities, the machine uses specific blades. When it repeatedly uses the blade to cut materials, it can get dull and not give a smooth and sharp cut. Then, you will need to change the blade on your machine.
Blades need to be changed at intervals depending on the materials you are cutting. Your choice of blades should rely on two factors. First, which crafting machine are you using, and what kind of materials will you cut? Even though many machines can replace a blade, there are many ways. Replacing blades on Cricut is simple. Dive into this blog to discover.
3 Different Types of Blades in Cricut Maker
Different crafting machines are compatible with a variety of blades. Here is a list of blades compatible with the Cricut Maker machine.
1. QuickSwap Tools
This tool changes places at the touch of your fingertip, so you can cut different materials at once and finish your work quickly and easily.
- Perforation blade
- Wavy blade
- Engraving Tip
- Debossing Tip
- Scoring wheel and double wheel.\
2. Knife Blade
It has the sharpest blade and some deeper cutting ability. It can slice dense materials up to 2.4mm thick, like wood, leather, and chipboard. Also, it is compatible with only the Cricut Maker machine.
3. Rotary Blade
The rotary blade is part of the QuickSwap Tool. It can cut soft, delicate fabrics and other less dense, delicate materials with extra precision. Use this blade with a stronger FabricGrip mat that can withstand the pressure of the cutting process.
Above, you read about different types of blades. Both rotary and knife blades are used for different purposes. Proceed to learn the process of replacing the blade on your machine.
How to Replace Cricut Blade to Start Making Projects?
Here, we are going to explain how to replace blades on the cutting machine:
Step 1: Turn off Your Crafting Machine
Before you start replacing the blade, make sure your machine is turned off and unplugged from the power outlet. This is the most important step, and you have to make sure to do it first.
Step 2: Remove the Blade Housing
After turning off your machine, you need to remove the blade. To take off the blade from your machine, follow the below steps in the section below:
- First, you need to remove the blade housing (a part of the machine that holds the blade) from the machine. It is located on the exterior platter. The cutting assembly is the first thing you will see when you open the front part of the machine.
- On your tool holder, locate clamp B. Open the clamp to remove the housing on the machine. If you are using older machines, you need to first remove the small arm holding the blade housing in place.
- After that, the clamp will be loose when turning anticlockwise, and the blade will slip out.
Step 3: To Eject the Blade
There are various blades, such as fine-point, deep-point, and deep cut blades. All the blades come with a changing cap. Here, we are replacing the knife blade:
- A knife blade is made of super strong blades for cutting thicker materials. Its housing is silver in color with gold gear at the top.
- Now, you have located the blade housing. If the blade does not come out, locate the changing cap at the top of the blade housing and push it down.
- Then, hold the housing tightly. Over the blade, you will see a changing cap. Hold it and turn it counterclockwise to unscrew the blade from the blade house. Twist once more, and the blade will drop out.
Step 4: Reinserting the Blade
After removing the blade, you should replace the empty housing with a new blade. Let us see how to replace Cricut blade with these simple steps:
- First, you need to remove the plastic cover from the new blade.
- Then, take your new blade and insert it into the housing. Make sure you are inserting it fully.
- Now, the magnet inside the housing will hold the blade in place.
- If you have installed the blade correctly, you can see some of it coming out.
- When you are done replacing the blade, tighten your bottom screw, which holds the blade housing.
Step 5: Reinserting the Housing
- After installing the new blade, it is time to put the housing back into your machine.
- Next, slide the housing into the clamp B for your machines.
- Then, close the clamp to secure your housing.
- Push down the clamp B, which should align perfectly with clamp A.
Summary
The Cricut machine is a crafting tool that allows crafters to cut out designs and projects from different materials. After a certain amount of usage, the blade will wear out and become dull. Also, they will stop giving crisp and clear cuts. Then, you need to change your machine with a new blade. How often you change your blade will depend on each crafter. If you are a crafter who uses the machine regularly, you must replace it more often. If you are an occasional crafter, you do not need to replace it often.
FAQs
When do you need to change blade on Cricut?
You need to change the blade on your crafting machine at different intervals based on the materials you use. It is time to change the blade when the machine cuts are not sharp and smooth. However, if you use your machine frequently for crafting, you should change it every six weeks.
What is the difference between a Cricut Deep-Point and Knife blade?
The main difference between a deep-point and a knife blade is the types of materials that they can cut. The knife blade is suitable for moderate and detailed cuts in the thickest materials, while the deep-point blade is perfect for intricate cuts in medium-weight materials.
How often do you need to replace Cricut blade?
It depends on how many projects you create on a daily basis. If you are a regular crafter, your blade will get dull and lose its sharpness sooner, and you will need to change it every six weeks. But if you are not using it frequently, then you may only need to change it every two months.