electric scissor

I've been having trouble with my right hand and find it difficult to use regular scissors on heavier fabric. I'm OK with light weight stuff. All of which brings me back to the age old discussion of electric scissors. Please let me know what you all think. I'm not a happy camper at this point. I've had to put some projects on hold for now. I have been able to make a couple of window valances for the cottage and still have 2 left to make. I'll probably be able to do the table cloth for the picnic table and I hope make the new pillow shams for one bedrooms at the cottage but I'm not sure right now if I can cut the quilted fabric I have for them. So far sewing hasn't been a problem. Juno

Reply to
Juno B
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Haven't tried electric scissors in a very long time; they were uncomfortably 'vibratey', noisy and rather clumsy. There could be a new model. I studied what you're making lately and wonder why you don't give a rotary blade cutter and ruler a try. There are some cutters that are very kind to hands. I have some Gingher serrated scissors that will cut the sole off your shoe if you take the notion but they are heavy. I just cut with them when necessary and go do something else when my hand wearies of them. We're making lots of washable diapers for NewBorns in need and my best cutting trick is to get all the help I can. =) Polly

"Juno B" wrote> I've been having trouble with my right hand and find it difficult to use

Reply to
Polly Esther

I do cut with a rotary cutter but think I have to look into a new one. I've been using a Fiskar. When I hold anything for a few minutes I have to pry my fingers loose. I guess I should research the best rotary. Unfortunately there are somethings that need scissors. I don't do well on curves with a rotary. I appreciate your input. Juno

Reply to
Juno B

I cannot make a recommendation based on personal use, the only ones I ever had 30+ years ago were not very precise, and did not cut tough stuff.

However, these:

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they cut through Kevlar! And they are cordless/rechargeable! Hmmm, I may have to check them out. However, they also say, "Not recommended for material over

1/8 inch thick due to short stroke." so probably would not work for your quilted fabric.

They also have some electric rotary cutters:

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Reply to
BEI Design

They're too buzzy/choppy and vibrate too much for me, at least all I've tried.

I've got three suggestions:

1) Martelli rotary cutter, if you've got a big mat already. 2) Kai scissors, especially the standard ones. Microserrated blades, very light weight, very sharp. The N5230s, for instance, weigh 4.4 oz, and I've cut 6 layers of Dockers-weight cotton twill with them. The Kai pro line scissors are a fair bit heavier. Free sharpening if you send them back to Kai/Kershaw in Tualatin, OR. 3) Learn to cut left handed with real lefthanded sewing shears. No, I'm onl mildly crazy. I did a real number on my right hand when I was in high school and learned to type left handed, write left handed and cut lefthanded. Once the wrist heeled I switched back to being a right hander, but it really didn't take as much effort to learn to be a lefty as I thought it would.
Reply to
Kay Lancaster

Juno, I loved my electric scissors after the incident that crushed my left wrist severely, I am a leftie you know. I'll have to send the information later, as I haven't used them in a while and they are in the closet now. I used them for corduroy, heavy denim and other heavy fabrics with no problems.

I also have the Gingher scissors with serrated blades, but don't use them often as they are heavy. I don't use rotary blades often, I suppose I think they are just not as accurate as scissors.

Emily

Reply to
E Bengston

I'm thinking about trying this rotary cutter for the straight things and then trying a new scissors.http://spedr.com/1sDcRYW6 Kay do you know if there is much difference in this one and the Ergo 2000. As far as switching hands I think it was probably easier as a teen than at 76. The brain patterns are well set. I know I can relearn ,but it would probably take me so long the summer will be over and the things for the cottage wouldn't get done until next year. The valances are muslin and I think I can handle them with my present rotary cutter. Juno

Reply to
Juno B

Thanks Emily, I appreciate any information I can get. This just happened in the last couple of weeks. Never had a problem before. I'm also finding the mouse a troublesome. The weird thing is sometimes it doesn't hurt at all. If I'm cold it's more of a problem. Juno

Reply to
Juno B

Sigh. Do not attempt to type while two cats are threatening war across your feet. Sorry about the typos.

Kay

Reply to
Kay Lancaster

Typos are my middle name Juno

Reply to
Juno B

That looks like mine -- don't know if it's the same one or not because the packaging is long gone. If you extend your index finger over the top of the cutter, it's basically point and press cutting. I don't like the way they handle the blade guard -- I really prefer to open and close it by hand, but that's a small quibble.

The other things you might want to know about:

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(My PT calls it "industrial strength IcyHot -- nearly odorless, and cooling--helps take down swelling) Pipe insulation for padding handles:
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cheap atthe hardware store. Epoxy paste for customising grips:
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yeah, I know it's about gardening. It's also about ergonomics and tool choice and modifications. Your library should be able to get you a copy.
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-- industrial sewing ergonomicsbut a lot of the same stuff applies to us sewing at home
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Also useful forpadding out handles. The more you stretch it, the better it sticks to itself,and only to itself. No adhesive. Slit it and it comes back off, no residue. And knock off the mouse -- learn the keyboard shortcuts, it's easier on your hands. Or consider something like:
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Reply to
Kay Lancaster

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cheap atthe hardware store.

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yeah, I know it's about gardening. It's also about ergonomics and> tool choice and modifications. Your library should be able to get you a copy.>

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Thanks Kay, As usual you're an encyclopedia of information. I'll look into everything you have suggested except the Biofreeze. I'm so sensitive to so many topicals that I general refrain from using them. I just get so many allergic reactions I don't need any more. Juno

Reply to
Juno B

Maybe you could. Learn to cut with your left hand. I've always thought of myself as one-footerused... in that I could only use the foot control on my sm and serger with my right foot. Then I stepped out of my friend's home under construction and kerblombled my right knee. I discovered, even at the age of 76, that old parts can learn new skills and I can use my left foot. Not so sure it would be easy to learn to cut with scissors with the left hand. OTOH, I'll bet we can if we have to. Wasn't Grandma Moses 90-something when she learned to paint? We haven't even started yet! Yes we can. Polly

Reply to
Polly Esther

I have no problem in trying to learn, It's just not going to happen before I complete the projects I have to get finished befor Memorial Day weekend. I did get the valances finished yesterday and they came out just the way I wanted them to. I'll post pictures after I hang them. Don't hold your breathe though, they won't be up for a couple of weeks. Juno

Reply to
Juno B

Good job getting your valances done!!! YAY!!!

I tried electric scissors years ago. They skeert me, Juno. lol They weren't strong enough to go through much, and they were extremely hard to control speed-wise. Now, that was years ago, and like everything else, I'm sure they've improved. (If Emily likes them, there has to be something to them!!)

Have you tried these at all?

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They used to be called soft touch scissors. Now looks like they call them easy action (which sounds slightly risque if you ask me. lol) They are super easy to use. I used to get cramps in my hands if I had to cut out a huge project. Since I started using these, nothing like that happens any more.

And Fiskars means that lifetime warranty. The spring broke on my original pair after I'd had them for several years. I emailed Fiskars and asked what it would cost to have them repaired. They asked for my mailing address and the size of the scissors. Then they sent me 3 replacement springs, for free. Didn't even ask me to pay shipping, thank you very much.

I have a couple pairs. Got them at WM for about half the MSRP.

Just thought I'd toss that in the mix. If you can't find an electric or rotary cutter that you like, this might be a little easier on your hand. And, BTW, I'm so sorry you're hurting. If it keeps up, go get it looked at. Take care of you!!! :)

Sharon

Reply to
mamahays

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I'll look into them Sharon as well as the ergo Rotary cutter. I have a pair of Mundial's and they are doing me well at all. I cut the Valances with a rotary without a lot of difficulty. Of course muslin isn't hard to cut. I love the way they came out. Instead of a bottom hem I bound the edge with blue bias binding. So they are white with the blue strip on the bottom. My favorite home dec color combination. I also was able to cut down a ready made shower curtain with out any real problem. I cut that in half, length wise. My indoor shower, at the cottage, is so narrow, that I can take one shower curtain and make it two and it fits fine. It's the heavier fabric that really concerns me. The jacket is just sitting because the denim is heavy. That bugs me know end. I know I'll end up getting my hand looked at, I just get so tired of going to the doctor for the advanced maturity stuff. You know the aches and pains that drive people nuts. If I could take ibuprofen it wouldn't hurt as much, but that stuff is deadly for me as are all the NSAID'S.I hate when things slow me down. On the positive side, we had breakfast with old friends this morning and she said she would give me a hand with fitting patterns whenever I need help. I never think of her as doing clothing sewing. She specialized in slip covers, upholstery,and silk lampshades. It will be a big help to have her help, she's much more available than my friend Bobbie. Juno

Reply to
Juno B

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