Fiskars 12" Ultimate Craft Rotary Paper Trimmer

Cherie, try it out on scrap paper and check to make sure the blade is loose enough to turn as you are cutting. There is a small knob that allows for adjustment, just becareful as the blade is extremely sharp. I just used mine to cut a bunch of paper and don't have any problems iwth it. Also as far as the metal rail being difficult to lift once it's in place is because it snaps in place, thus helping to keep material in place during cutting. Hope that helps.

I have one of these and had the same problems at first, then I tried pushing down the handle at an angle and that did the trick, also to push down hard at the same time.

That was a good price! I got mine at Costco for around $25, IIRC.

Carolyne in TX

I've used mine with no problem. Make sure you have the guard locked down right and that you have the blade carriage in the slot correctly.. If the idea given here don't work, take it back to Joann's and exchange it or call Fiskars. Fiskars is great about replacing there items that don't work right. They've done it twice for me. HTH.

Teresa in MD

I had one of these things and kept all of about 3 hours because it was a pain to use. Instead I went to Office Max and bought one of the table top guitine cutters. The type we had in school in art class. It cost me less than 40.00 and is well worth it.

Celeste

OOOH Yes Celeste!! I love my guillotine cutter that is probably 20 years old now. The blade is starting to get a bit dull and it is cracking at the handle so time to look for a new one soon. It is SO ACCURATE and I have tried a few dfferent and have some actaully other cutters and go back to the old guillotine!!

OKC Dave