Using the fabric blade with ZingOrbit

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Bladerunner
Posts: 8
Joined: Tue Mar 28, 2017 6:17 pm

Using the fabric blade with ZingOrbit

Post by Bladerunner »

Does the fabric blade require a spring to use in the yellow blade holder?
The blade I purchased did not have a spring in the envelope.

Where can I find tips for using this blade to cut fabric?
SandyMcC
Posts: 1114
Joined: Mon May 09, 2011 7:01 am

Re: Using the fabric blade with ZingOrbit

Post by SandyMcC »

Yes, you need a spring! Does the blade package say Force or Zing Orbit?

Here are some guidelines on cutting fabric and felt:

• It is highly recommended that the Fabric Blade be used when cutting fabric and felt. It is designed to give sharper cutting in tight corners and points.
• When cutting with the fabric blade, it is not necessary to apply a stabilizer to all fabrics. While some thicker fabrics will cut much better with an iron-on stabilizer such as Steam-a-Seam 2 or Thermo-Web’s Heat n’ Bond, others will still yield good results when cut without it. Some users also prefer to iron their fabrics to freezer paper before cutting.
• With or without a stabilizer, it is highly recommended that a clean and sticky mat be used. If no stabilizer has been applied, then brayer the fabric firmly and evenly to the mat. With most fabrics it will be necessary to use stickier mats than normal and tape the outside edges of the fabric.
• Because the backing sheets on Steam-a-Seam 2 and Heat n’ Bond are slippery, spraying them with Odif USA 505 Temporary adhesive can then make them stick firmly to the mat and not slip during cutting. Some residue from the 505 may get onto the mat, thus the reason to use a dedicated mat for fabric. This residue will add to the bonding for future cuts. (Thanks to Lynn Keniston for this idea!)
• Some users also prefer to remove the backing sheets on stabilized fabrics before brayering to the cutting mats. This works as well.
• The best unstiffened (soft) felt to use is 100% wool. It cuts cleaner than other types. A wool blend should also work well. The Nonwovens WoolFelt is 35% wool, 65% Dacron and tends to cut very cleanly. If the felt you have is not cutting well, consider applying one of the stabilizers mentioned above.
• If the felt is pre-stiffened, then it should cut fine using the blue capped thick materials blade versus the fabric blade. Because of the thickness, you may need to tape the felt to the mat to prevent slippage during cutting.
• In general, you will need to use 2 or 3 passes when cutting most fabrics and felts. It is necessary so that all fibers will be cleanly cut.
• For cutting force, it will depend on the fabric. Refer to the recommended settings table.
Sandy McCauley
Owner of http://www.iloveknk.com/
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