Paper Cutter Support
This page will help with the most common issues we're asked about with our paper cutters. Some of these issues may be the result of shipping damage (if a cutter is dropped at a weird angle some parts can shift), or just the wear and tear of extended use. If the below guides don't help, please feel free to reach out to us by clicking the blue contact button at the bottom of your screen.
Note: Our cutters comes with a 1-Year Limited Warranty, however the blade and red cutting stick are specifically not covered. This is due to the blade and knob being sacrificial parts, they will wear out with use and need to be replaced, such as tires on a vehicle. You can read more details about our warranty by clicking the link at the bottom of this page.
Download User Manual
Safety Guidelines
Operator should read the entire manual before attempting to use the cutter.
Never place hands below the blade, always use the included blade holder when changing the blade.
Do not attempt to cut any material other than paper.
Keep away from children. Store cutter with blade down, clamp down, and handle removed.
Initial Assembly
- Remove the cutter from box and place on a flat surface.
- You may need to reverse the clamp using the included allen wrench. See photo to the right.
- Attach the cutting handle by sliding it over the rod. The handle doesn’t attach in any way keeping it easy to remove.
- Rotate the clamp handle clockwise to tighten the paper. It needs to be clamped very tightly to keep the paper from shifting while being cut.
- Push the safety button while lowering the blade handle.
- Firmly press the blade handle all the way down until the blade strikes the red cutting stick.
- Raise the blade and clamp to remove your cut paper.
Operation
1. Rotate the clamp handle counter clockwise to lift the clamp
2. Lift the blade handle to raise the blade to max height, the rear safety button should engage.
3. Move the fence to your desired cutting length, and insert paper square against side and back fences.
4. Rotate the clamp handle clockwise to tighten the paper. It needs to be clamped very tightly to keep the paper from shifting while being cut.
5. Push the safety button while lowering the blade handle
6. Firmly press the blade handle all the way down until the blade strikes the red cutting stick. 7. Raise the blade and clamp to remove your cut paper
Troubleshooting
• Maintenance
All moving parts with screws should be checked periodically to be sure the screws are tight. They may become loose in the process of transportation. Users should also check and tighten the screws after more than 200 cutting cycles. All moving parts should be lubricated periodically to maintain performance and equipment life.
• Replacing The Feet
The cutter has 4 molded plastic feet, one at each corner. These feet keep the cutter from slipping and keep it level. These feet can be broken during shipping, or if the cutter is dropped. We have included one extra foot just in case of shipping damage, but we are happy to send more. Please contact us within 5 business days of receiving your cutter to let us know you need replacement feet. If feet are later damaged by accident, we do have them available for purchase as well. The feet can be attached by a screw or by an adhesive film, simple pull the broken foot off and attach the new one in its place.
• Replace Cutting Stick
The cutting stick is the red surface that the blade contacts during the cutting process. Eventually the blade will cause a deep groove in the cutting stick which will cause issues with cutting the last few sheets of paper, what that happens it needs to be rotated or replaced. Each side of the stick can be used twice by flipping the stick length-wise, then you can rotate to a fresh side of the stick for 8 usable areas total.
1. Turn the cutter upside down
2. Locate two screws that go horizontally into the cutting stick
3. Loosen the screws, then push the stick out through the top of the cutter
4. Replace the stick with a fresh side under the blade
5. Tighten the screws back in (not too hard, you don't want to make indentations in the stick
• Guide Knob Won't Tighten
If you are having trouble with the guide knob not tightening the issue is most likely that the bolt attached to the knob as stripped. This can be caused by accidentally over-tightening the knob. This knob only needs to be barely tight to hold the guide in place the guide serves no purpose in holding the paper in place while cutting, which is done by the clamp.
1. Look at the end of the channel where the guide knob slides, notice the black plastic cap.
2. Remove the cap. It will be screwed in from the bottom of the cutter, so be sure to remove the screw first.
3. Slide the knob to the end of the channel where you now have access and unscrew the knob all the way, which will allow the square nut to fall off the bolt.
4. Lift the knob out of the channel and either replace the knob, or add some washers so that the knob bolt and square nut engage in a different location that isn't stripped.
5. Hold the square nut to the top of the channel with your finger and screw the knob back into it.
6. Reattach the channel covering
• Adjust the height of the blade
Note: If you encounter a situation where the paper cannot be cut: first lower the empty knife and observe where the front blade (knife edge) meets the red pad. The gap between the rear edge of the blade and the red pad is 2mm (low front and high back) for the best cutting Cut state. If it is too flat or the height difference between the front and rear ends is too large, please refer to the following methods to make adjustments.
Remove the hood screws (two on the top of the knife holder and two on the bottom of the chassis) and then open the cover (remove the cover according to the steps in the figure below).
The first case: if the rear end cannot be cut off (close to the shake handle position)
Loosen the nut 360 degrees in the direction shown in the figure.
Adjust the uppermost nut in the direction of ② as shown in the figure.
Then put a piece of paper for trial cutting. When the paper cutting handle is pressed down, the adjustment block will automatically lift up until the blade can completely cut the paper (it can also be adjusted to a height of 1-2MM between the front and rear).
After adjustment, tighten the nut ① in the opposite direction.
The second case: If the front end cannot be cut (close to the knife leg position)
Loosen the nut 360 degrees in the direction shown in the figure.
Adjust the screw according to the figure ②.
Then put a piece of paper for trial cutting until the leading edge of the paper can be cut. After adjustment, tighten the nut ① in the opposite direction.
• Blade Leveling Instructions
When the blade is fully down it should be slightly lower in the "back" of the cutter (near the hinge). If it isn't, there is a way to adjust is. First try turning the cutting stick to a fresh side. It can be rotated 8 ways before it needs to be replaced. On the bottom (underneath) of the cutter there are 2 bolts that go horizontally into the side of the cutting stick. Loosen those and push the stick out through the top of the cutter. Turn to a fresh side and put it back into place.
If that doesn't help..
See the videos below for instructions on how to remove the side access panel. Once it's off, follow these steps:
Look at the back end of the cutter (where the hinge is) and you will see a silver metal plate with three bolts aligned vertically. Loosen the top and bottom bolt only, also note at the top of the silver plate there is a small set screw. Adjust the entire silver plate (which will move the entire hinge) up and down to adjust the angle of the blade on the red cutting stick. It should contact the back of the cutting stick first, and still be -1/16-1/8" or so away from touching in the front.
The assembly may be hard to move at first, since it's been bolted in place from the factory. Often you can use a screwdriver or pry bar to get it to start moving. Loosening the middle bolt on the silver plate may help as well, though it usually isn't necessary.
• Replace Cutting Stick
The cutting stick is the red surface that the blade contacts during the cutting process. Eventually the blade will cause a deep groove in the cutting stick which will cause issues with cutting the last few sheets of paper, what that happens it needs to be rotated or replaced. Each side of the stick can be used twice by flipping the stick length-wise, then you can rotate to a fresh side of the stick for 8 usable areas total.
1. Turn the cutter upside down
2. Locate two screws that go horizontally into the cutting stick
3. Loosen the screws, then push the stick out through the top of the cutter
4. Replace the stick with a fresh side under the blade
5. Tighten the screws back in (not too hard, you don't want to make indentations in the stick
• General How-To Operate Video
The first video below shows the basic operation of the paper cutter. Please note this was filmed on an older model and some design changes have been made since then.
• Seized Clamp Repair
The video below shows what to do in the event that your clamp becomes seized, which won't allow it to move up or down. It is a simple repair and only takes a couple minutes to complete.
• Level Clamp Repair
The video below shows how to adjust the clamp so that it is level. It also covers removing the blade for sharpening and replacing. NOTE: The blade splint has been changed and is now the lid portion of the tool box. See photos below.
• Uneven Paper Cuts
In the event that a cutter was mistakenly dropped, or by some other means knocked out of true, there is a way to realign the blade. The video below shows how this is done, by adding washers to either side of the blade to end up with a straight cut.
Note: If you just received your cutter and it is not true please contact us. We consider this a valid warranty claim if submitted within two weeks of receiving the cutter, as the tweak may have been a result of shipping damage. Claims received after that period may not be honored at HFS' sole discretion, as the tweak may have been the result of accidental end-user damage.
• Design Changes
DESIGN UPDATE /1/2016: Toolbox & Blade Holder
There has been a design change with our cutters. The movable file now has a built-in tool box which holds the extra allen wrench for the cutter. The lid for the toolbox now acts as the blade holder. See photos below:
Support / Warranty / Shipping Damage / Replacement Parts
If your cutter arrived damaged, or you have a warranty claim, HFS will take care of all issues. We also have videos available and updated information on design changes and commons questions about the cutter. Please go to the following website:
The limited-warranty period on our cutters is 1-Year from Date of Purchase. The warranty does not cover blades, feet, knobs, cutting sticks, safety pins, or customer negligence. Shipping damage claims must be submitted within one week of received the product. Returns are accepted within 30 days of date of purchase, no exceptions.
Contact Us
If you have any further questions, please first visit the following website:
If the above website doesn’t help you may contact us at the following email:
info@hfsusa.com
Click Here To Download The New Cutter Manual