When is it time to buy a new cutter head?

[Bleedy Pokes]

I have a Toyo pencil grip cutter with a replaceable cutter head. Love this thing! I've been using it for a little less than a year and noticed today that I wasn't getting that "scratch" noise when scoring some super-smooth Wissmach clear glass. Inspecting the score lines, I don't seem to have any dents or dings in the cutter, and the scores broke just fine. So I seem to be in good shape for the time being.

But not hearing that "riiiiip!" when scoring a straight line made me stop and think that my cutter might be getting dull. I broke out one of my handy-dandy old fashioned Fletcher cutters and got the ripping sound.

So anyway, long question short... how long will a cutter head last? I'm only a hobbyist, probably only put in about 6 hours cutting time a week (if that much) and I take good care of my tools. Do other hobbyists replace their cutters yearly?

Thanks for any input!

[Kev]

I've been using the same cutting head on my cutter for over 6 years. Good question though.

[Bleedy Pokes]

I was thinking that replacing it after just a year seemed a little premature... but I'm also still learning! Just in the last few months did I learn to ease up on my pressure when cutting. I used to press down way too hard. Maybe that is making it dull?

I still press down too hard when I draw or write. I'm dubbed "queen of all broken pencil leads" in this house.

[Linde]

I was thinking that  scores sound differently depending on the type of glass...smooth, textured etc. Maybe I'm wrong.

[Vic Rothman]

With a Toto cutter you should not press so hard as to hear a noise. These cutters should last many years, unless you use them carelessly

[Graham]

Score a line on a piece of clear glass, mirror is even better. If the score line is continuous, with no little blank spaces along the way, and you're still getting good cuts, the cutter head if fine.

Maybe you're not hearing the score because you've finally learned, albeit accidentally, that you don't have to press as hard as you did in the past.

[Alan]

Score a line on a piece of clear glass, mirror is even better. If the score line is continuous, with no little blank spaces along the way, and you're still getting good cuts, the cutter head if fine.

Maybe you're not hearing the score because you've finally learned, albeit accidentally, that you don't have to press as hard as you did in the past.

Or maybe you're like me - need new batteries for your hearing aids
 

[Rebecca]

I agree with Vic.  I seldom hear my score and can just barely see it.  (Maybe I'm like Alan only it's my hearing aid batteries AND my glasses that need replacing.)  But they break fine.  Also, different glasses make different sounds.  If it is breaking okay, then don't worry about it yet.

Rebecca

[Bleedy Pokes]

Well hopefully, I'm just getting better at scoring!

The score lines look good and unbroken, so the wheel must still be in good shape. Maybe I was hearing the score with my Fletcher because I was pressing too hard with it (bad habits die hard). My breaks really got much better and cleaner once I learned to ease up on the pressure. n

Thanks to all!

[Rebecca]

My breaks really got much better and cleaner once I learned to ease up on the pressure.

Thanks to all!

I wish everyone would realize that!  I'm sure you're getting MUCH better.

Rebecca

[PiscesGlass]

When it does get old..or at least when mine have...you'll see skips in the score..and it won't break where you planned...might be time for a new cutter wheel.  But I had my first cutter for quite a looong while before I had to replace the head on it.

De

[AglassAct]

I also am going on 6 yrs. with my Toyo. No problems with it yet!