I want to use an Olfa rotary trimmer to cut heavy cardboard. Can I use the 45mm one, do I have to buy the 60?
ADDED LATER:
I just noticed you referred to an Olfa rotary “trimmer” but I don’t think that the Olfa company makes a rotary trimmer like some of the other brands of rotary products do (i.e., a rolling blade fixed in a track on a base).
So if that’s the kind of cutter you were referring to by a different company, some of the info below may not apply.
Drip is right in that either size rotary cutter blade would work since most types of “cardboard” are thinner than the cutting areas of most rotary cutter blades, but you’ll have to apply more torque if using a smaller-diameter blade than a larger-diameter one.
And of course, it will take several passes–especially if you’re cutting “heavy” cardboard and non-corrugated cardboard.
I save my old rotary cutter blades for use with paper (and paper products) since cutting even regular paper will dull the heck out of the blades and make them fairly useless for fabric.
It would be easier and better to use a utility knife (preferably with a fresh blade) than a rotary cutter, or even an Xacto knife (with a pointed blade). A metal straight-edge is helpful for long cuts, but freehand can be done too if you go slow on the first pass or two.
I cut cardboard all the time with one of those two, and even use my self-healing mat underneath (though I do use the *back* side of the mat if using the heavier utility knife).
HTh,
Diane B.