Just picked up a rotatrim 30" M for 50 AUD. I've also had a play with the same size Dahle model, it cuts fine, just all molded plastic and wobbly..
Paper cutters?
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I needed a good paper cutter as I've had my fill of cheap and nasty ones. I'd would have loved a Rotatrim, but really for the volume I needed (a few cuts a week!), I couldn't justify the price. In the end, I got a good price on a Dahle Professional. It's perhaps not quite up to Rotatrim built quality, but it's solid, really well constructed and laid out and can cut the tinest slivers with great accuracy. For half the price of a Rotatrim it's a pretty good compromise.
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At that price I would by three and have two in spare
Seller said it was 'broken' but I fixed it
I did similar. Shop was closing down, I bought both of their rotary trimmers. Problem is how to replace/sharpen the rotary blade.
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The rotary blade is supposed to be self sharpening. So if you are getting clean cuts, the replacement is not necessary. Some people claim to try to sharpen the blade by cutting aluminium foil. I do not see though how it should help. The blade is supposed to sharpen itself against metal edge of trimmer. You can try first lubricating the rails to ease the head movement and then cutting some (waste) regular photocopy paper to see if the blade sharpness improves.
Rotatrim does sell replacement blades and have a video on how to replace it (youtu.be/FF9sFZJN9cg) for Two rail version here. For USA see here (not exactly cheap though).
Rotatrim does sell replacement blades and have a video on how to replace it (youtu.be/FF9sFZJN9cg) for Two rail version here. For USA see here (not exactly cheap though).
If I were buying one today it would probably be a rotary cutter. My only experience is w/ the large guillotine cutters, and while they work great, they scare me too. It would be so simple to have a senior moment (or a Denver moment, LOL) and cut off several fingers! I don't even think it would slow down, it would go right through the bone and everything.
As it is, I just bring out the scissors after each print is made if something needs to be cut down. Works fine. If I had a lot to do I would probably build a jig w/ a couple of boards and clamps and use a box cutter.
As it is, I just bring out the scissors after each print is made if something needs to be cut down. Works fine. If I had a lot to do I would probably build a jig w/ a couple of boards and clamps and use a box cutter.
That is why I HATE the idea of using a guillotine cutter in the darkroom. It is dangerous enough in the light, then add the darkness, and you have a situation just waiting for an accident.
The good thing is there are relatively inexpensive rotary cutters today that did not exist when I was in school. Amazon has several for under $20. At that price there is no excuse to not use a rotary trimmer instead of a guillotine cutter.
At many places that I worked the large guillotine cutters were kept behind the counter so that the engineers would not use them the trim their hang nails.
Good guillotine cutters make it virtually impossible to cut yourself. That is not true for cheap ones. I can not see any way for me to cut myself even in total darkness with my guillotine cutter.
I needed an inexpensive paper cutter (sorry I can't afford over $250 for a Rotatrim) so I went to Hobby Lobby and bought the latest Fiskars aluminum rail model. It sells for $39, but Hobby Lobby often runs a 40% off coupon for any one store item that you can easily find online. Final cost was around $25. At this time Amazon doesn't sell this model. It is not a rotary- it's called the
Fiskars Deluxe 12 Inch Paper Trimmer with Aluminum Cut Rail
number 154560-1001
My impressions: flimsy, but can get the job done if only one sheet of double weight paper at a time. One issue I hadn't anticipated is that the extension (which rotates out) necessitates about one inch where the backing isn't contiguous, and that makes accurate measuring for 6 15/16 (needed for 5x7 film that I use) impossible without rigging an additional jig. Easy enough to do, but just one more kludge. Since I won't need it very often I will probably be OK with it, but it certainly isn't a tool that can take much use or abuse.
One other issue- evidently Fiskars doesn't have their "titanium" blades for this available yet, and in fact Hobby Lobby doesn't even stock the regular blades for this (it's different than the other Fiskar blades). Very soon I will need to source them, and of course probably need to pay shipping for them, an already high margin item.
I may actually have done better just to stick with using a mat knife, but I sometimes need a paper cutter for other paper projects, so it will get used one way or the other.
The take-away: if you can afford it buy a nice dual rail Rotatrim like most others have already opined.
Fiskars Deluxe 12 Inch Paper Trimmer with Aluminum Cut Rail
number 154560-1001
My impressions: flimsy, but can get the job done if only one sheet of double weight paper at a time. One issue I hadn't anticipated is that the extension (which rotates out) necessitates about one inch where the backing isn't contiguous, and that makes accurate measuring for 6 15/16 (needed for 5x7 film that I use) impossible without rigging an additional jig. Easy enough to do, but just one more kludge. Since I won't need it very often I will probably be OK with it, but it certainly isn't a tool that can take much use or abuse.
One other issue- evidently Fiskars doesn't have their "titanium" blades for this available yet, and in fact Hobby Lobby doesn't even stock the regular blades for this (it's different than the other Fiskar blades). Very soon I will need to source them, and of course probably need to pay shipping for them, an already high margin item.
I may actually have done better just to stick with using a mat knife, but I sometimes need a paper cutter for other paper projects, so it will get used one way or the other.
The take-away: if you can afford it buy a nice dual rail Rotatrim like most others have already opined.
ditto!!
TheFlyingCamera
Membership Council
I have one of the steel base Dahle cutters that is I think 24" wide. It wasn't cheap, but it was a lot less than a comparable Rotatrim, and it works just as well. Anything bigger than that that I need to cut, I can do with my Logan mat cutter which will handle up to 3/16" foam core or 8-ply mat board in widths of up to 40".
Little love for guillotine cutters? I have a 24" and I'm very happy with it. It has a 1/2" measuring grid, and a guard that keeps your fingers out but allows about 1/4" of material. I can trim paper with it, but also matte board or double-thick corrugated for shipping prints. Does the thick stuff in one whack.
I have a weak safe light over it, and my most common cutting sizes are marked with blue tape. Yes, you have to sort of hold the paper down so the blade doesn't pull it over. I've used rotaries at workplaces, and they may be better for trimming film, but I'll never ditch my guillotine.
I have a weak safe light over it, and my most common cutting sizes are marked with blue tape. Yes, you have to sort of hold the paper down so the blade doesn't pull it over. I've used rotaries at workplaces, and they may be better for trimming film, but I'll never ditch my guillotine.
I have used both, but have a guillotine cutter in my darkroom. Regardless of type, the most important aspects are:
1) A sharp blade
2) An accurate grid
I don't find the guillotine type to be scary or dangerous, although it is a good habit/practice to lower and lock the blade when not in use.
A good guillotine cutter will last a long time. Because of their smaller cutting surface rotary cutters wear and need to be replaced periodically. When a rotary cutter dulls it tears the paper, when a guillotine dulls it pulls and bends it before make the cut.
1) A sharp blade
2) An accurate grid
I don't find the guillotine type to be scary or dangerous, although it is a good habit/practice to lower and lock the blade when not in use.
A good guillotine cutter will last a long time. Because of their smaller cutting surface rotary cutters wear and need to be replaced periodically. When a rotary cutter dulls it tears the paper, when a guillotine dulls it pulls and bends it before make the cut.
I use a razor knife and wooden ruler. Maybe not the best but it work pretty good for me. My work table already has the rubber cutting board so that is what I went with.
I will go with the guilotine every time - especially the rotary type. I have an ancient 24" heavyweight model that cuts as cleanly now as when I bought it. I never use it to cut card though, that is the territory of a heavy duty craftsmans knife and a steel ruler. (On top of a cutting mat)
I cleanly cut 4-ply mat with my Rotatrim.
For those of you who use a mat knife and a ruler, what type of mat are you using to cut on? As I've asked around stores, all the mat cutting boards (mats) say they are only for use with rotary cutters, not suitable for mat knives!
I second the recommendation of a Kutrimmer if you can find one.
I use a self healing X-acto cutting mat and it has lasted me decades. Lots of the grid marks have worn off but the cutting mat is still healing it'self.
I also use a large black ALVIN cutting mat that I pulled out of a dumpster and cleaned up and it works great with my X-acto knives as well.
Kuttrimmer is by far the best imho. I'm not sure it's for everyone however because of the size. It's big non-space economomizing equipment made to make cutting ez as well as accurate with a bar that locks the material in place and is usually on a floor stand. For the size I need we are talking taking up the floor space of an 8x10 enlarger.
It really fits into what I would call the best tool for the job class. But then again so are those huge drymount presses that are mounted on their own stand.
For most people they need to decide if they have room for this size of equipment------witch loosely translates for most people that they need to compromise and get a lesser cutter because the Kutrimmer is just south of the size of an old school pinball machine.
I love the Kutrimmer but in the end a rotary trimmer can get the job done for me and take up a slight fraction of the space AND BE STORED WHEN NOT IN USE.
It really fits into what I would call the best tool for the job class. But then again so are those huge drymount presses that are mounted on their own stand.
For most people they need to decide if they have room for this size of equipment------witch loosely translates for most people that they need to compromise and get a lesser cutter because the Kutrimmer is just south of the size of an old school pinball machine.
I love the Kutrimmer but in the end a rotary trimmer can get the job done for me and take up a slight fraction of the space AND BE STORED WHEN NOT IN USE.
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