Dust Cover Knife

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maureen

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exton, pa
Does everyone use the dust cover trimmer. I hate using it because I cannot get close to the edge. My employees like using it because it is fast, but the back dust cover looks so sloppy. I still use a metal ruler with olfa knife. It gives me a nice clean edge.
 
I've used those knives before and hated them. You're right, the edge does look sloppy, and I think that it goes WAY to far in from the edge (something like a fill 1/4"). I have always preferred to use just a single-edge razor blade, held fairly tight to the edge, and using my finger as a guide against the edge of the frame. Always had great results.
 
OK guys, I',m stupid.

What's an OLFA knife?

And Andy, I get the picture of you slicing fingers. How do you guide a razor blade using your finger without becoming "lessafinger?"

I too hate those knives and would love an alterntive.

Some folks I've seen scrape the edge of the paper with sandpaper then tear down the length. But I don't know if it works with heavier black kraft
 
28 years ago we were taught by a salesman to wet the back of the paper so when it dried it was taunt and also use a sanding block on the edge. It worked. I'm sure the paper had a hole in it by the time it got to the car. The edges were neat but very slow and the paper very thin. A few years after that we were at a gift show and found the $2 trim knife. Greatest invention ever. Keep the blade sharp and a steady hand. My other half does the single edge blade also, of course he is left handed, an artist and an old dog to name a few. I let him do that part most of the time.

I was just thinking after reading a few other threads we should have a forum where all of the framing 101 topics should be put for reference only. No posting just transfer good technical info. I really shouldn't think so early on a Saturday. Just trying to clear out the cobwebs as the late Christmas shoppers are coming at us.

One more basic, sit down for 5 minutes each day, reorganize and get the jobs done on time.
:cool: :eek:

Oooops maybe we should all post these in tips!!!
 
If you are talking about a Pro Trim knife that uses Dexter or X-acto blades, I agree. I haven't used one of those trimmers for years since they started selling those trimmers that recycle used mat cutter blades. These cutters are large, easy to guide in a straight line, and can be used either right or left handed. I use 1200SE blades in mine with the bevel turned out and it works great.

The Pro Trim had a tendency to bend the guide outwards after some use and would then cut deeper past the edge of the frame. This newer trimmer has a rigid plastic guide that is part of its body and it won't bend out of shape.

They cost about $3 and are worth a look.

Framerguy
 
Steel ruler and a #11 X-ACTO knife serves me well.

-Mike
 
I've never been able to get a neat-looking edge using a razor blade and just my finger as a guide. I've tried this and it always comes out wavy.

So I use either a trim knife or Mike's method of a metal ruler and an exacto.

Unless the frame is very narrow, I PURPOUSLY trim the paper back about a quarter of an inch so that if I have to refit with this year's diploma or certificate or grandchild's photo I don't have to worry about scraping last year's backing paper away from the edge of the frame.

Kit
 
I don't think anybody has mentioned this one yet. I have one I got from Larson probably ten years ago. It is red probably the size and shape of a credit card, although it is rounded on top. It holds two blades(uses matcutter blades) so you can use it left and right handed. The beauty of it is you should be able to trim your paper without turning the picture since you can alternate hands. The problem with it is if you don't hold it at exactly the right angle it can slice off a chunk of the frame, because it does cut so close to the edge there is no room for error.

I was happy to get it since I am left handed and those stupid protrimmers were never set up for lefties and I was always outnumbered in the shop. I will say when I first got it I couldn't get it to work right and everybody refused to use it. I persevered and once I got the hang of it I wouldn't be without it. The way the blades are held keeps them from bowing. Those protrimmers are always wearing down and that is why you get the big amount cut away. This one cuts in maybe an eight of an inch everytime. I've used the same one for ten years and it hasn't worn at all.

I am probably talking about this for naught since it appears Larson doesn't carry it any longer. I wonder about United. I bet it was so hards to get people to use it that it probably was discontinued. They probably should have hired me to promote and demonstrate it.
 
I've tried the trimmers that are out there but I like a steel ruler and an X-acto knife. Works both left and right handed! :D Ovals I freehand using my ring finger as a guide on the side of the frame.
 
Ovals I freehand using my ring finger as a guide on the side of the frame.
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I use that same method for everything. The rasor blades used in the mat cutter work great, in fact, even the used ones from the mat cutter cut great. Of course, my hands are so callused that it doesn't hurt my fingers to hold the blade straight.
 
And Andy, I get the picture of you slicing fingers. How do you guide a razor blade using your finger without becoming "lessafinger?"
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Happy to say in almost ten years of framing, I have never sliced my finger using my finger as a guide against the edge of the frame. The trick is to get a good dig into the wood of the frame. That way it is less likely to come slipping out and catch you on the finger, and it also keeps the cut fairly straight all the way across. I was taught this technique by the girl who first trained me, and have preferred it ever since. I found those knife tools extremely unreliable and the results were not at nice.
 
So many ways to do such a simple, routine task! Wow.

We have the red 2-blade thingy Emibub described. We also have at least a dozen other kinds of trimmers in drawers and boxes, which we've tried and rejected. Pat & Malissa use the red thing, but I prefer a used matcutter blade or razor blade.

No straightedge. The edge of the frame itself is my guide. That is, I don't cut into the wood at all, but cut the paper along the edge of the moulding. If you want to give it a try, hold the blade at a compound angle -- so that the blade cuts the paper at an angle of about 45 degrees, and so that the blade is angled equally from the outside and the back of the frame.

Admittedly, this method skins the edges of some of those rustic mouldings with splinters hanging out...but that's a good thing. They clean up easily with an emery board.
 
Hey, Framerguy, what is this trimmer you described, and where did you get it? I've been looking for something that would hold the 1200SE blades. I like the method of using my finger as a guide along the frame edge, but with unjacketed blades there's always the danger of using one "upside down". Ouch!

:cool: Rick
 
The red trimmer described above by Tom, Jim, and Kathy is probably the Hassle Free Trimmer. It's available from United, uses used mat blades, is reversible, and about $3.00. There's also an 800 number if you need it. There's a picture in United's catalog. The thing works niftily.
 
I have to use the Pro-Trim Knife. I slice my finger every time that I try to just use a blade, and "The Queen of Klutz" cannot make the red "Zippy Cutter" work, never have been able to. Don't guess I ever will. Gave the thing away. Didn't need the frustration.
 
Originally posted by fttom:
"The Queen of Klutz" cannot make the red "Zippy Cutter" work, never have been able to.
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It's not just you. I had the same problem with that thing.

I'm a "metal ruler and X-acto" girl, myself, but I have to concentrate and be really careful with fingers (typing this with nine, since I sliced into one trying to make dinner this evening ...)

Ow.

Marie
 
Thanks everyone. Now that I know I am not the only one using a steel ruler and blade, I think I will continue and just insist the framers do the same. I don't need to be redoing all the backs of frames this time of the year and that is what I did all day yesterday. I guess that is better than loosing good customers. The Olfa knife is a knife that has a blade that you can snap off as it wears down. It has eight snap off sections. They are great.
 
I bought a Pro-Knife……I think it is one of the greatest piece’s of rubbish I ever bought.

Free hand or a ruler and blade for me.
 
Not only do I use both the Pro-trim cutter and the Hassle Free Trimmer, but I also use an Xacto knife. All depends on the job. (That and I'm also left handed and cut with my right!) :D
 
Once again, I fail to understand the brouhaha (up until Sue's post.)

I nearly always use the Pro-Trim knife. I make sure the Dexter blade is sharp and my ATG isn't too close to the edge of the frame. I often use the 1/4" ATG Gold. I get a nice straight paper edge about 3/16" from the frame edge.

I did have an employee that liked to sand the excess kraft paper off. The edges were nice and neat and there were always little piles of kraft paper dust all over the fitting table.
 
Oh, I still fail to understand the brouhaha, but your post wasn't part of it. I believe you were the only one that admitted to using a Pro-Trim knife and liking it - at least part of the time. But then, you've always been the rebellious one.

Come on, folks, we're not talking about Madonna here! I'm starting to feel out-of-the-loop 'cause I don't trim my dust seals with my thumbnail (after sharpening it with a beach stone.)
 
Ron, I said that I always use my Pro-Trim knife. Can't do it any other way. I wouldn't get that close to my precious fingers with a bare blade on a bet! I'm too fond of all ten of them. :eek:
 
My apologies. So the Susans (and Ron) use the Pro-Trim and a couple of folks use the Hassle-Free knife.

I feel better.
 
Originally posted by Rick Granick:
Hey, Framerguy, what is this trimmer you described, and where did you get it? I've been looking for something that would hold the 1200SE blades. I like the method of using my finger as a guide along the frame edge, but with unjacketed blades there's always the danger of using one "upside down". Ouch!

:cool: Rick
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Rick,

Cathie is right, I use the "Hassle free" trimmer and I bought it from United. I didn't remember the name until somebody said it. I like it and the only time that I have any trouble with it at all is when the back edge of the moulding is beveled. Some of the gold mouldings are like this. Then you just have to take it a little slow, the blade will walk off the edge of the moulding across the bevel.

Kathy is also correct. It can be used either right handed or left handed. I am a Southpaw also but I can cut dustcovers with either hand so I can cut down one side with the "leftie" edge and down the other side with the "rightie" edge.

Framerguy
 
The other thing to remember about the Hassle Free trimmer is to put the single edge blades in so the beveled side is away from you. The opposite of how you put them into your mat cutter. I find the blade tracks better and doesn't tend to ride off the edge of the frame nearly as much. Give it another try. They really are quicker and give a much better cut than anything else I've used. You still need to replace the blades fairly often if you use it alot. But then if you were that busy, you'd have alot of blades from cutting all of those mats. ;)
 
And you need to replace the trimmer itself occasionally: if you use only one side of it, the plastic eventually wears down. Of course, I push on it like mad so yours will probably last longer.
 
I use either 1) my table saw with the blade depth set at 1/128th of an inch and the fence set at 1/8 of an inch or 2) a 48" chain saw and "eye it". They both take a little practice.....
 
I guess it must be a Wisconsin thing because, like Ron, I also like (and use) a protrimmer. The one I use is actually a worn one with the handle broken off so I can get a better grip on it. It gives me more control that way. I did buy a new one to replace it, but because it wasn't broken in, I found it cut too close to the edge and kept slipping off. I like my "modified' one better! :D
 
I use a back trimming knife, sand my corners with an AMP, and have been converted to Wall Buddies (on big frames) by all of you. Now, let's not talk about framing posters again.
 
Curly, being much more worldly than I, and a man of discriminating tastes, has stated his preferences, and technically, he's correct.
I, on the other hand, prefer a good 3 pound axe. Barring that, I use the Hassle Free Trimmer.
 
You know, how we all have our framing parlor tricks? Little things we do in the back room that let the client know that they are dealing with someone who's been around the block a time or two (where it comes to framing, I mean). For me it's trimming the dust cover. When it comes to this little task, I am so clever with my hands that I amuse myself. With no other tools then a decent, but not dull, blade and three different hand positions (two with the right hand and one with the left), I rarely, rarely go wrong. Trimmed about 1/8 away from the edge of the frame-straight lines.

Lots of ooh and aahs when I run my hand, blade between fingers, around that frame and lift the paper away, trimmed to within an inch of its life. Limited goddess value in the reverse - trimming paper to unfit. Not the same drama (though, haven't you all secretly hoped to find some valuable document buried in the old frame they took out of the attic?).

A skill worth developing IMHO.

P
 
Pam, many years ago I had cut a mat with my Oval Master and the cut had not gone quite through in a small area of the oval.

I was trimming the last little bit with an Exacto knife when someone came in and I absent-mindedly walked out to the showroom with the oval mat and knife still in hand.

The customer glanced at my mat and my Exacto, her jaw dropped and she said something like, "I came in to ask if you cut mats, and I see you cut them freehand and perfectly. I'll bring in my prints."

For one fleeting moment, I was the original Maestro of Mats.

I use a ProTrim knife, though.
 
Ron

Only one fleeting moment? That's an illusion you could have milked for ages. Did she at least bring in some nice stuff (and spend some big dollars)? I don't mind if they're picky as long as the art is worth it.

P
 
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