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5 Reasons Why Sharpen Paper Cutter Blade
Image: Canva
Your paper cutter blades need to be sharpened for a variety of reasons. Better cuts will be produced with a sharp blade. A longer blade life is due to less wear and more cuts before the blade is replaced.
Here are a few justifications for why it's critical to maintain paper cutter blade sharpness. While paper cutter blades are composed of durable metal, as is well known, they will eventually grow dull and need to be sharpened. A dull paper cutter may shred the paper, make jagged cuts, and not cut through the paper neatly, among other issues.
1. Increased Cutting Efficiency
Sharper blades make paper cutters superior because they allow for safer and cleaner cuts. This is due to the reduced blade kerf, the breadth of material eliminated during a cutting motion. As a result, using the paper cutter requires less effort and prevents the blade from tearing or pulling the paper as it cuts. As a result, the paper cutter will function better and last longer.
2. Further Cuts Made Before Replacement
In addition to cutting better and lasting longer, sharp blades experience less wear. This enables you to use your blade for longer periods before replacing it. It is safer to use sharp blades than dull ones. A dull blade may slide and harm you due to its increased friction. Sharp blades are less prone to slide because they have less friction.
3. A Longer Blade Life
Due to the material being removed from the blade surface, dull blades increase the friction between the paper and the blade, increasing the risk of abrasion and the formation of a thin coating of paper dust on the cutter surface. Due to quicker wear caused by these circumstances, blade life is shortened.
Note: Paper fiber will accumulate over time on the cutter's blade and cutting surface. It is typical. When replacing blades or cleaning the bottom of the blade before storing the cutter, Clean the blade edge with a gentle cloth.
4. Enhanced Productivity
Because of the increased number of cuts a sharpened blade may be anticipated to deliver before requiring replacement, sharp blades guarantee better cuts and less downtime between the time it takes to replace a dull blade.
In other words, less downtime for blade replacement increases production. Productivity gains are one advantage. Security is the other. Since employees will be using instruments that can do tasks more quickly and effectively, resulting in less time on the job site, the better performance also increases safety.
5. Reduction In Cost Of Ownership
Lower maintenance and replacement component expenses result from fewer replacements, which may reduce your total cost of ownership. Also, you will only need to change blades occasionally, saving you money over time.
How To Sharpen Paper Cutter Blade In These Steps
Image: Canva
While using a paper cutter is not as enjoyable as using certain other office supplies, it is nevertheless important. You will eventually (usually sooner) need to replace the blade. In this situation, you'll need to learn how to hone a paper cutter blade.
1. Determine The Kind Of Blade
Finding out what kind of blade your specific paper cutter utilizes is the first step in learning how to sharpen a paper cutter blade. Various blades will need various sharpening techniques.
For instance, if your paper cutter has an oiled type blade rather than a dry one, you'll need to utilize a slightly different technique. Don't worry if you need help identifying the difference. Just two types of paper cutter blades are available.
2. Remove The Blade
Secondly, be sure you sharpen the blade of your paper cutter while it is still in the machine if it has an oiled blade. Because it's difficult to sharpen an oiled blade while it's still in the machine, you could remove the blade and sharpen it by hand. So either one you choose is OK.
3. Cut Several Sandpaper Strips
Cut a few strips of sandpaper to fit into the sharpening slots after you remove the paper cutter blade from the machine. Then, put your sandpaper in the slots for sharpening. To prevent the blade from moving when attempting to sharpen it, ensure there is enough material on it.
4. Scrub Your Paper With A Pencil Eraser
Then, run a pencil eraser repeatedly over the blade of your paper cutter. Of course, you decide how often you do it, but this is how most people sharpen their blades. This technique lets you sharpen your blade effectively in just 10 minutes.
5. Remove All Remaining Remainings
Next, you should be finished after using a towel to remove all of the pencil eraser stains from the paper cutter blade. You may now reinstall the blade and resume cutting your paper. I hope you get more cuts shortly and that this paper cutter blade won't need to be sharpened.
6. Disconnect Every Internal Component
You will need to disassemble the paper cutter if you can have one of those dry blades rather than a slippery one. You must remove the whole internal assembly, including the blade, to sharpen it manually using a file.
7. Reassemble Everything
All that's left to do is assemble everything after your paper cutter blade has been filed down to a razor-sharp edge.
Safety Precautions & Measures
1. Prevent harm by not removing the blade from the cutter.
2. Turn off the power before putting a sharpening stone or sandpaper on it.
3. Avoid touching the blade with your bare hands, as doing so might result in harm.
4. To remove any oil and remaining dirt from a blade before using one of them, use a soft cloth.
5. Make sure the sandpaper you use to sharpen the cutter blade has a thick grain (180+) and is free of jagged edges.
6. Instead of using a flat angle, begin sharpening the blade at an arced angle of 5-8 degrees.
7. Stop sharpening when the sandpaper motion creates a smooth surface and you can see a reflection on it.
FAQs
Can I sharpen the blade on my paper cutter?
Absolutely, yes. All you need to do is unscrew the cutter to remove the blade. After it is out, you can hone it or sharpen it on a grinding stone or wheel.
How should a guillotine paper cutter be sharpened?
The cutter must be taken apart in the first stage. Next, locate the sloping side using a stone or grinding wheel and sharpen it at an angle of about 20°.
Can I sharpen the blade of my paper cutter using aluminum foil?
The aluminum foil prevents a sharp blade from becoming dull but doesn't effectively sharpen a blunt paper cutter blade. Use your blade occasionally to cut aluminum foil sheets to keep them sharp.
How often should you lube a paper shredder?
Usually, it is based on the kind of a paper shredder. Since they have more complicated cutting mechanisms, micro-cut shredders must be greased every time before use. They should be lubricated at least three times an hour when used constantly for a long period.
Since the cutting mechanisms on a cross-cut shredder are simpler, they might need less frequent lubrication, perhaps once per hour or every two hours while in constant use.
How should my paper cutter be lubricated?
The proper way to cut paper is to grease it before using the cutter. Just sprinkle any oil authorized by the manufacturer, such as vegetable oil, over the paper before using the machine to cut it. The machine cut a few extra sheets with oil on them to optimize the lubrication's efficiency.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to sharpen paper cutter blades, there is no cause to ever worry about dull blades again. The new blades on your best paper cutter may now be quickly swapped out for the old ones, which will be much better for your papers, binder clips, and paper fasteners.
