Looking for Film Cutting Service

[mwdake]

DYMO label makers - not the current ones, but the older ones that embossed the characters on to the thick tape.

That’s it. Thanks for remembering for me.
I’m not sure if you can still get the old thick Dyno tape.

 

[MattKing]

That’s it. Thanks for remembering for me.
I’m not sure if you can still get the old thick Dyno tape.

You can get the old stuff - but it is few and far between, and the colour selection is poor.
Thrift stores are actually a good source, if you are there looking for cameras anyways

 

[Truzi]

I didn't know they still made the Dymo embossing labels and such:
www.dymo.com/label-makers-printers/embossing-label-makers/

 

[_T_]

I bought an old style dymo label maker and extra tape at target a couple years ago. I’ve also seen them at office supply stores but usually more expensive there.

They’re still making and selling them.

Here’s one on amazon but it’s available other places online if you prefer:

https://www.amazon.com/DYMO-Organizer-Xpress-Label-Maker/dp/B0C6WRV2DQ?

 

[MattKing]

I have Dymo tape attached to the cutting surface of my darkroom cutter at commonly used locations - 7", 5", 4". That makes for really quick and repeatable cuts to common sizes.

 

[MCB18]

To the OP, remember that the film is a bit smaller than nominal dimensions. Usually by 1-2mm. 4x5 is 99 x 125mm instead of 101 x 127mm, for example. Same for 5x7, 125 x 175mm. And I would recommend getting a roller trimmer with a hard stop, mine works extremely well and I have cut probably a thousand sheets with it. It’s the Dahle 550 if you want a recommendation. A bit pricy still but well worth the cost.

 

[uranylcation]

I'm cutting down larger film to 2x3 on a rotary cutter. On the board I placed two strong magnetic strips as guide, one for 2-1/4 and one for 3-1/4. It's slow but I don't need to cut more than 10 at a time so it's fine.

 

[Patrick Robert James]

You need a stack cutter. It will cut the whole lot in one whack. They usually have a clamp so your fingers dont get near the blade and a lock on the blade.

 

[Pioneer]

I'm cutting down larger film to 2x3 on a rotary cutter. On the board I placed two strong magnetic strips as guide, one for 2-1/4 and one for 3-1/4. It's slow but I don't need to cut more than 10 at a time so it's fine.

This (2x3) and 5x7 is what I am most interested in cutting so tips and hints are certainly welcome. Thank you very much. I am trading some of it but I am certain I will have lots left to work with.

 

[Pioneer]

To the OP, remember that the film is a bit smaller than nominal dimensions. Usually by 1-2mm. 4x5 is 99 x 125mm instead of 101 x 127mm, for example. Same for 5x7, 125 x 175mm. And I would recommend getting a roller trimmer with a hard stop, mine works extremely well and I have cut probably a thousand sheets with it. It’s the Dahle 550 if you want a recommendation. A bit pricy still but well worth the cost.

Thanks. To this point I have used developed negatives as guides for my trimming but I have not done much yet. The hardest part so far for me has not been sizing the film but in holding it still while I cut. Of course I'm using an older guillotine cutter, not a rotary.

I will take a look at the Dahle cutter.

 

[MCB18]

You need a stack cutter. It will cut the whole lot in one whack. They usually have a clamp so your fingers dont get near the blade and a lock on the blade.

I have this but for making film notches, it’s pretty neat!

 

[loccdor]

It’s a big f-off knife attached to a board. People lose fingers to them every year and they’re not using them in complete darkness.

You have to understand and respect the inherent dangers of the tools you use or you’re asking for trouble.

One of my professors in college had worked for Kodak in Rochester. He said there was a scary, completely dark room with spinning blades that he dreaded going into.

 

[ic-racer]

I don't do much film cutting, but when I do, I use a roller cutter. In this case I set the backstop to cut 8x10 film into 120 rollfilm size for more economical testing.

 

[rcphoto]

That’s it. Thanks for remembering for me.
I’m not sure if you can still get the old thick Dyno tape.

My local Walmart keeps it in stock in multiple colors. I keep just the black on hand.

 

[DREW WILEY]

I had a really nice small Dahle guillotine cutter replete with my added sizing/squaring/hold-down for 5x7, plus a serious finger guard, but gave it away to someone who needed it way more than I did. Always inventory fingers both before and after to make certain the quantity still matches. Having been around wood and cabinet shop workers for half a century, the quantity can vary significantly. I've seen as few as two; but ten is the most optimistic number.

The upper right corner of the film can be slightly cut with scissors in lieu of a code notch.

 

[Romanko]

The upper right corner of the film can be slightly cut with scissors in lieu of a code notch.

Hand punches (look like pliers) are available from office suppliers. They are a perfect tool for the job. You can choose between stars, hearts, circles, squares, etc. Unlike guillotines they are safe to use in the dark.

 

[MattKing]

Nail clippers are good as well.

 

[MCB18]

I use a giant corner rounder press to do it 10 sheets at a time, it’s awesome