Silhouette CAMEO 4 Blade: How to Use the Ratchet Blade Instead of Autoblade

Silhouette CAMEO 4 autoblades are becoming increasingly more difficult to find, but that doesn't mean you can't cut with your machine. If the CAMEO 4 Autoblade is sold out, switch over and use the Silhouette ratchet blade instead.

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This manually adjustable blade can be used in any and all Silhouette cutting machines - including all Silhouette CAMEO 4 machines.

In order to use the ratchet blade in any of the Silhouette CAMEO 4 machines including the 15" CAMEO Plus and upcoming CAMEO 4 Pro, you will need to use the black tool adapter.

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As Silhouette School previously confirmed, Silhouette will be releasing a ratchet blade that can be used in the CAMEO 4 without a tool adapter soon, but it's not yet available.

How to Use the Black Ratchet Blade in the Silhouette CAMEO 4

With your design set up and ready to cut, start in the Send panel of Silhouette Studio.

Select the material you will be cutting. Change the Action to "Cut" and pick "Ratchet Blade" from the Tool dropdown menu.

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When you make these selections the recommended cut settings will appear below. You'll need to match the blade depth on your blade to the Blade depth recommendation.

The ratchet blade has to be manually adjusted so place it into the built in ratchet on the front of your machine and twist until the red mark aligns with the recommended blade depth.

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This needs to be done because when using the Ratchet Blade because the CAMEO 4 will not and can not tap to adjust the blade depth prior to cutting as it would with the AutoBlade.

Place the ratchet blade into the black tool adapter making sure the fin on the blade is sitting in the groove in the tool carriage. If your Silhouette CAMEO 4 machine did not include the black tool adapter, you can get one here.

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Snap the tool adapter closed making sure the small tab is locked into place.

Place the tool into the left tool carriage of the CAMEO 4 making sure there is no gap. Push the lock back so the teeth clamp into the grooves of the adapter.

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You can also use the Ratchet Blade in the Silhouette Portrait 3 this way.

You can now move forward with cutting as you normally would.

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. By clicking on them and purchasing products through my links, I receive a small commission. That's what helps fund Silhouette School so I can keep buying new Silhouette-related products to show you how to get the most out of your machine!

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