April Techniques: Tuning up your tools 

Mark your calendar and take time every 2-3 months to get your tools into tip top shape with our tips. Periodically you will want to wipe off your tools with a damp cloth and check their performance. It is easy to let your tools get into bad shape but it only takes a few minutes to get them back to peak performance.  Before your next scrapbooking session, take a few minutes and tune up those tools!

Circle cutter- Replace the blade often for faster easier cutting. I keep a pair of needle nose pliers in the drawer with my circle cutter for frequent blade changes. A sharp blade makes a fast, smooth cut. Since the blades are inexpensive why not treat yourself to a new one!! Make sure the glass base of your circle cutter is free of nicks or scratches many instructors find themselves with a damaged cutting base because of a beginner's error. If the cutting base is damaged, get a cutting mat or a replacement piece of glass from a glass shop. When buying a replacement glass, buy one that is at least 9 inches square- you'll find the larger size to be very handy. Be sure to have the edges of the glass smoothed so you won't get cut. A local glass shop quoted $4 for a 9x9" glass with the edges smoothed. Add some adhesive pads to the bottom of the glass (found in the hardware area of a drug or department store) or some "gripper mat" by Rubbermaid to keep your glass from slipping and your circle cutter will be as good as new maybe even better since some circle cutters have small glass bases or don't have gripper feet on the base which allows the base to slide.

Oval Cutter- Ant brand of oval cutter will benefit by replacing your blades periodically. A new blade will ensure a quick smooth cut. Make sure your cutting mat is in good shape and if needed buy a replacement mat.

Fiskars 8" or 12" trimmer with slider- Clean out the groove where the slider slides often. Keep an extra slider blade refill on hand. A 2 pack of refill blades should cost less than $5.00. If you keep an extra set on-hand you will never get caught with a dull blade and no trimmer to use when you are hit with scrapbooking fever.

Fiskars Rotary Paper Trimmer- Replace the cutting mat when a groove gets worn into the pad. Check the blades frequently and replace them if they become worn or dull. Use one cutting mat for the straight edge blade and one mat for the decorative edge blades. The new Rotary Trimmer has a cutting "block" with four sides. This block style cutting mat makes it very easy to use one side for your straight blade and one side for your decorative blades.

Punches- I have heard a lot of conflicting information on punch maintenance- here is what the experts recommend: lubricate a "sticky punch" before you try any other measures. The fastest and easiest way to lubricate a punch is to cut through wax paper. I layer wax paper, cardstock and wax paper and make several cuts until I see an improvement in the punch. The cardstock makes the wax paper "firmer" and less likely to get stuck in the punch mechanism. If wax paper doesn't help, you may want to resort to using a drop or two of sewing machine oil or WD-40. After using WD-40 or sewing machine oil, you will need to punch through some scrap paper until the punch is clean. After you think the punch is clean, I would recommend putting it aside for an hour or two and then punching on scrap paper again to make sure it is clean and all oil residue has been completely removed.

As a last resort you can punch through aluminum foil or fine grit sand paper, but use these at your own risk and only if you are at the point where the punch will be garbage if you can not fix it. Instead of lubricating the cutting surface (like the wax paper and the oil) aluminum foil and sand paper are abrasive and may ruin the cutting surfaces of your punch.

Remember, that most decorative punches will have a limited lifetime and if they are heavily used they will wear out and will need to be replaced eventually.


Die Cutting machine- After using a die make sure that all paper scraps are cleaned about from the die using the die pick that comes with your die cutting machine. Change the cutting pad periodically. Cutting pads are available from Ellison at a minimal charge.  The Accu-cut machines will occasionally need to have the roller trays and rollers replaced. Die cutting machines are fairly low maintenance but it is important to keep them in top shape to protect the investment you have made in dies.


Scrapbooking Totes- Connie Platte from Platte Productions, maker of the Crop In Style Totes recommends wiping down your tote with a damp cloth to remove any surface stains. Periodically empty your bag, turn it upside down and shake out any scraps, dirt and dust that have accumulated inside.

Templates, stencils and rulers- It is recommended that you rinse off templates, stencils and rulers with warm soapy water right after using. If you don't wash the templates, stencils and rulers right after using, place them in a sink full of hot soapy water and use a soft dish towel to try and remove any dried-on Stabillo-All pencil or dried pen marks.

Scrapbooking Pens- Always store pens horizontally to ensure a long life. 

Straight-Edge Scissors- The best way to sharpen any good scissor is to have them professionally sharpened. How often will depend on your usage of the scissors and the quality of the scissors you use. I have a small pair of Fiskars scissors that I have used for years and they are still very sharp. You may find that your scissors only need to be sharpened once every five years. Many fabric stores have frequent sharpening clinics available to get your scissors sharpened. 

If you are in a hurry or want to try it yourself you can cut through aluminum foil or fine grit sandpaper but these methods are not recommended instead of professional sharpening because they can ruin your blades. If you own several pairs of straight-edge scissors and shears you might want to shop for a sharpening stone so that you can sharpen the scissors yourself. A sharpening stone may be available in a hardware store or the sporting goods department of a department store.

Decorative scissors- Amanda at Fiskars recommended using a sharpening stone to try and prolong the life of your decorative edge scissors. She also recommended cutting through wax paper and then gum eraser to clean the blade. Please keep in mind that these decorative scissors do have a limited lifetime and will become dull and need to be replaced if they are heavily used.