The cutter has been a fine tool for me for I guess 15 years. Used correctly and kept in alignment, I have never yet needed it sharpened. I go through about 30 12x24 sheets of brass/aluminum every few months.

You just need to keep the screws on the vertical slide bar in the back set to zero clearance and keep it greased. After the first few adjustments, you can go a long time between adjustments, the wear-in period. Occasionally I will cut a sheet of paper with it. If the cut is not absolutely perfect without any hairs left, time to readjust. The more perfect the adjustment, the less wear and no discernible sharp edge left on the brass. I do not use plated steel, I always worry about moisture causing the edge to rust over the years.

A good adjustment also reduces the pull of the shear when cutting. It will pull a faint bit due to the fact that it is a paper cutter style not a guillotine style, which pulls less. Keep the table clean and for goodness sakes do not wax it, made that mistake ONCE. Press down on the piece to get more friction to the table it works better. When you finally wear the paint off the high spots it grabs even better. I have quite a few bald spots on my shear, as well as my head.

Philadelphia, PA (Really Bensalem)

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