Cricut Explore Air 2 and Cricut Maker are the most widely used die-cutting machines. People often get confused between their blades as they both come with double tool holders. Use the right Blade for your project if you want the best results. But it can be overwhelming for a beginner to figure out the right CricutExplore Air 2 blades. In this blog, we will educate you on different types of blades compatible with Cricut Explore Air and how to calibrate them.
Different Types Of Cricut
Explore Air 2 Blades
The
Cricut Explore 2 is compatible with three types of blades. These blades come color-coded,
so you can easily identify them. All three mats are designed for different
materials, so you must choose the appropriate cutting mat.
Type One: Fine-Point Blade
The
fine-point Blade is a multifunctional blade designed to make intricate cuts on
various thin to medium-weight materials, including paper, sticker paper, vinyl,
cardstock, iron-on, faux leather, suede, infusible ink transfer sheets, and
smart materials. Previously fine-point Blade was called the Premium German
Carbide blade, made from German carbide steel.
The
fine-point Blade comes pre-installed with the Explore Air 2 and Maker series.
The housing is available in two colors, gold, and silver. It has a 45-degree
point and can easily handle most cutting jobs. Generally, the fine-point Blade
generally works best with the StandardGrip or blue LightGrip, mat.
Type Two: Deep-Point Blade
The
machine does not include deep-point bade, so purchase the blades and housing
separately. You must use the Blade with the deep-point blade housing only. Its
blade housing comes only in black. It is compatible with both Explore 2 and
Maker series. The deep-point Blade is much stronger and more durable than
fine-point blades.
The
Blade has a 60-degree angle and is designed to cut heavier and thicker
materials such as cardboard, chipboard, craft foam, genuine leather, magnet
sheets, stiffened felt, and wood veneer. The deep-point Blade works best with
the purple, strong grip mat.
Type Three: Bonded-Fabric
Blade
The
bonded-fabric Blade is a fine-point blade made from premium German carbide
steel. The Blade is designed to cut bonded or stabilized fabric. The Blade is
compatible with Cricut Explore 2 and Cricut Maker series. Its housing is pink,
so you don't mix it with paper-cutting blades. You can use a Pink Fabric Grip
mat or the green StandardGrip mat to cut fabric with the bonded-fabric Blade.
How to Replace the Explore Air
2 Blade?
If
the blades have worn out and you cannot achieve the desired cuts, you must
replace the old ones with the new ones. You can place the order from Cricut’s
official website. But first, you need to have a basic knowledge of The Cricut
Explore mechanism; only then can you correctly replace the Cricut Explore Air
2. The Explore Air 2 comes with a double tool holder allowing you to cut and
score or cut and draw without needing to change the tools between operations.
A
clamp on each side of the tool holder secures the tool in place. The left tool
holder is A, and the right one is B. The Clamp A holds accessories such as pens
and markers. Whereas all types of blades and scoring Styli go in Clamp B.
First, to change any of the blades mentioned above, unclamp Clamp B and pull
the blade housing straight up. At the top of the blade housing, depress the
plunger to remove the Blade, which will protrude from the top of the blade
housing.
Out of the blade housing, carefully pull the Blade down. Carefully remove the protective cover from the new Blade to install the new Blade, as these blades are very sharp. Carefully insert the new Blade into the blade housing; the magnet inside will hold the Blade in place. The blade end should be facing outwards. Replace the blade housing and close Clamp B.
How to Calibrate the Cricut
Explore Air 2?
When
the Explore Air 2 cannot make proper cuts, and you are unsure what the problem
is, you can calibrate your Cricut machine. The calibration process may sound
complicated, but the process is simple and only takes a few minutes. You must
open the Cricut Design Space app to calibrate your Cricut machine. Then in your
canvas, choose the icon at the top left of the screen. It will expand the
Cricut menu and choose 'Calibration.’ Next, print the calibration sheet with
your printer.
Then
place the sheet on a LightGrip mat with the squares and lines facing upwards.
Press the 'Continue' button to load the mat in your Cricut machine. Once the
machine cuts the design, Design Space will prompt you to examine the line to
determine the most accurate one. Select the number and letter that fits the center
of the line and tap the 'Continue' button. The machine will cut out the larger
square in the center of the piece of paper, and with that, the Explore will
finish calibrating.
FAQs
Is Cricut Rotary Blade
compatible with Cricut Explore 2?
No, the Cricut Rotary Blade is exclusively
designed for the Cricut Maker series. It is not compatible with Cricut Explore
2. The Blade works with Adaptive Tool System, and Cricut Explore doesn't have
that feature.
Is Scoring Stylus a blade?
The scoring Stylus is not a blade but an
accessory that goes in clamp A of the printer. It's shaped like a pen and used
to score or fold lines to paper and cardstock projects.
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