Question Cutting Coroplast

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Sherry Lee

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
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Jun 25, 2002
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Phoenix, Az.
I believe I've heard that Coroplast can be cut on a Fletcher 3000 wall cutter, correct? If so, the head for mats or acrylic?

I did a search on TG & Fletcher = no results popped up.

Thanks!
Sherry Lee
 
You can easily cut it on your wall cutter, or your bench-mounted mat cutter, or using a straightedge and a utility knife. The cut-line may be offset mostly if you cross the flutes at a shallow angle, but secure clamping is always a good idea.

You can also cut up to 4 mm (3/16") fluted polypropylene, aka polyflute, aka Coroplast, on your computerized mat cutter.
 
You would be better off cutting it on a 3100. I bought a 3100 as I cut a lot of cardboard. Cardboard, and Coroplast, will dull a blade real quick. Try cutting some foam core after cutting cardboard and the now dull blade will tear, rather the cut the foam core.

I bought an extra Pilar Post when I bought my 3100 so I could have separate blades for cardboard and mat board/foam core.

If you do cut Coroplast with a 3000, expect to change blades when you go back to mat board/foam core.
 
Sometimes i cut up to 3/8" coroplast on the Fletcher. Takes several passes, while holding the blade back on the first 2 passes. The thinner stuff, 1/8 cuts no problem.

BTW, can the Fletcher 3000 be used to cut Sintra? Seems pretty dense.
 
It cuts OK, but the flutes can bend the blade slightly, making a curved cut. I find that if I go slow it helps. I've not noticed that it dulls the blade particularly, but I don't use foamcore, and it doesn't seem to effect cutting the Bainbridge board we use.
 
I have not noticed any blade-dulling issues cutting the polypropylene. My model 3000 went through a knife blade in about two weeks, but the 1/2" deep knife blade on my FSC machine has been replaced only three or four times in more than two years. No kidding -- these are the toughest blades I have ever seen.

echavez123 said:
BTW, can the Fletcher 3000 be used to cut Sintra? Seems pretty dense.
Click to expand...

Yes, Sintra (high-density PVC foam) can be cut using any sort of knife blade. The trick to avoiding chip-outs and rough cuts is to move the cutting blade s-l-o-w-l-y through the material. You can cut Sintra on your CMC, too, but reduce the cutting speed by at least 50%.
 
That was FUN!

Thank you all for your input!

I only had to make one cut against the 'grain', so it was a piece of cake (on the Fletcher 3000 wall cutter)! Smoooooooth! It did not move at all, but I can see why it would cutting WITH the 'grain'.

When I'm caught up with my projects I will play with it more - cutting WITH the 'grain' - using the scrap piece.

Sherry Lee
 
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