Rotary cutter for use with newspaper articles

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Rozmataz

Rozmataz

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Joined
Jun 13, 2002
Posts
2,773
Loc
Fingerlakes Region of NYS
I can't believe the "light just went on" this a.m. while watching the Quilting Show on HGTV while having my breakfast.

Subsequently I was harrassed by my husband when this revelation hit me: "You, of all people, not thinking of this before now amazes me!!"

I seem to handle a fair share of newspaper articles and cut them and lay them out for Plakit.

I have had trouble with the utiliy knife or Exacto knife blade "pulling" at different points on the paper - even though I use a metal edge, cork backed ruler to hold the paper in place.

WELL. I can't beieve I have been using a rotary cutter at home for my hobby for years... and haven't thought of using it in this application until today.

I would say it is a MUST HAVE item for the workshop. Now, I know I need one here and at home!!!

This happens to be by Fiskars and it has replacement rotary blades. They are available at most craft (ahem, big box) stores (use the weekly coupon and get 40% off!) and I have seen packages that include them at the Sam's or BJ's in the office supply section - for anyone interested in one!!

Another example of something that can make our lives easier!!

Roz
 
Roz,

Team that rotary cutter up with one of these self-healing cutting mats and you have a combination that will work on anything from Mylar to newsprint to fabrics, to just about anything that can be cut with a scissors.

I have a small self-healing mat that is probably 10 years old and I use this to cut Mylar for encapsulation using the grid laid out on the cutting mat and a straight edge. I trim news articles (when the customer thinks to leave enough around the article to work with!)

When I built my moulding sample carousels I even used the rotary cutter to cut straight lengths of outdoor carpeting to cover the faces of the carousel! It worked great and didn't seem to dull the cutter too much either.

Framerguy
 
Framerguy....

Oh, thanks for adding the self-healing mat - I was so excited with my revelation, I forgot to mention that!! But I also use it on a piece of glass that is on my work counter - works beautifully!

And you used it on carpet - interesting!!!

Roz
 
This is the best tool ever and one where price dose make a difference. The Fiscar one is the best I have found so speed the extra for it and you can also get a blade sharpener for it and a self healing mat is a must.

Jill Hennes
Omro gallery
 
I have a paper cutter with a builtin rotary cutter that is great for clippings, photos, CD Labels, Mylar, whathaveyou. I like it better than the hand held ones because it can cut a perfectly straight line and has a 90 degree edge for square corners. It isn't cheap at $50.00 but well worth the expense if you do a lot of cutting. It has different kinds of blades available for making pattern cuts also.

Here's a link to it at staples.com : http://www.staples.com/Catalog/Browse/sku.asp?PageType=1&Sku=483083&bcFlag=True&bcSCatId=1&bcSCatName=Office+Supplies&bcCatId=27&bcCatName=Scissors%2C+Rulers+%26+Trimmers&bcClassId =10501&bcClassName=Paper+Trimmers&bcSSetId=985570&bcSSetName=Carl+Manufacturing++Professional+Rotary+Trimmers+%26+Accessories

[ 11-24-2003, 11:12 PM: Message edited by: Larry Peterson ]
 
Larry,

Thanks for the link to the cutter. Do you know if the blades are compatible with the Fiskars? I have a cutter and a hand held that are interchangeable... (at home of course)

The shop definitely has one of those on the shopping list!!

And, why is your post so wide?! I had to scroll across to read it all!??

Thanks, Roz
 
Hello Roz,

I don't know if it uses the fiskar blades. I found another site (actually where I bought mine) at http://www.wilde-ideas.com/Vndrs/Crl/rtseries.cfm. They show all the available blades there (12 different patterns)). I also notice that they have a handheld trimmer that does use the same blades on this page as well as a lot more info on there cutters. There are three different sizes available size from a 12" model for $31.99 up to an 18" model for $47.99.

I'm not sure why my post is so wide but I suspect that the browser has some trouble parsing the URL in that post for a line break.
 
I use a paper cutter also. I have a BIG one (I think it cuts 72") because we also do large format printing. We have a Rototrim. It is truly awesome and like Larry said, it has a squaring arm that is really invaluable. They say it will cut gatorboard and foamboard, which it does. It does, however, crush the cut edge so I don't use it for board. Best part about having a paper trimmer is the time saving aspect! :D
 
they looked like a good piece of kit…worth a look
Click to expand...
Yes it does look worth a look. A google search found it selling for $499. A pack of 24 blades goes for $49.99. It may be the cadillac of trimmers but a bit out of my range.
 
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