Question Trimmer vs Cutting Mat / Cutter / Straight Edge

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Wondering what people think about dedicated trimmers vs cutting mat, cutter, and straight edge.

I had some not very good trimmers, a Dahle, and Rotatrim, probably on the lower end, and so far have been very happy using an Alvin cutting mat with ruler markings, Olfa cutter, and large heavy duty Safe-T-Cut straight edge.


Thanks,
Bill
 
Wow, Bill. The Dahle #142 board cutter is a wonderful machine for cutting both board and paper and the Rotatrim rotary paper trimmer are two of the best on the market. Both are built to last! The Dahle rotary trimmers are not as good as the Rotatrim, IMO.

Are you sure you weren't using the Dahle paper trimmers and trying to cut board with them?
Also, the Rotatrim is intended for paper and mylar only, not for board.

I used to sell Dahle, Rotatrim, Premier and Ingento cutters. Each was great when used for what it was intended.
 
I have a keencut wall mounted multi cutter which I bought used, I only use it for cutting mats. For $300 it has paid for itself many times over.

I use a fletcher wall mounted multi cutter for cutting glass only.

I use a table saw for mdf and acrylic.
 
We have a Fletcher 3000 and a C&H materials cutter. We also have a 36x48 cutting mat on our mounting table for trimming up edges, which we also use occasionally to cut a board to size.

So, treat yourself! Get both!
 
i have a rotatrim pro 48" trimmer, but also use a toughened grlass top on my bench with scapel and straight edge

for trimming nested prints off my printers the rotatrim does an amazing job
 
Love my ginormous Ingento and smaller Boston trimmer. Both cut paper up to foamboard just fine. I've literally had the Boston trimmer since I was about 14 years old. Bought it to trim watercolor and illustration board. L (Must now do something about the mental image that popped up with the name Space Goose... sigh.)
 
spacegoose said:
Wondering what people think about dedicated trimmers vs cutting mat, cutter, and straight edge.

I had some not very good trimmers, a Dahle, and Rotatrim, probably on the lower end, and so far have been very happy using an Alvin cutting mat with ruler markings, Olfa cutter, and large heavy duty Safe-T-Cut straight edge.


Thanks,
Bill
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Hi Bill.

I think the answer depends on the volume you are doing. If you are happy with the Alvin cutting mat and a straight edge, and it works, and you have low volume, go for it.

As your volume picks up, then I would think you should consider other options.

For me, I just use the squaring edge on my C&H mat cutter and it works well. I just finished some time studies (I'm anal) and it takes me about 2 minutes to size a board on my C&H squaring arm, including pulling out of stock; squaring (cutting to outside size dimensions), and taping size and number on larger pieces being returned to stock. Less if I don't have to pull out a new piece, or return scrap to stock. I don't have a wall cutter.

I got an order yesterday for 9 old chromo photos and I expect that it will take me about 1 to 1-1/2 hours to size (5 mats including filler and mounting times 9). If I was trying to do it with a cutting mat and straight edge, it would drive me up the wall. My volume is low, but too high for going back to the straight edge.
 
if your talking about paper trimming then something like the rotatrim i mentioned above is the way to go for various reasons

1. you will find it very hard to cut yourself using it compares to scalpel and straight edge
2. you are less likely to slip and miscut whatever you are trimming


if its for boards like people have mentioned above a panel cutter works well for me
 
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