Who can Cut Film from a large roll.

dwdmguy · Dec 7, 2009

Good evening.

Is there anyone out there anymore that can cut large rolls (9 1/2" x 125') into smaller such as 4x5 and/or 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 ?

I know I would be asking too much if I asked if anyone can cut and sprocket onto 120 rolls....

Also, have any of you ever cut your 4x5 film down to a 3 1/4 sheet for use in a different camera?

Thanks tons.

keithwms · Dec 7, 2009

I use a rotary cutter from Michael's craft store; a guillotine is a bit too dangerous to use in the dark!

Another thought I had is cut through a roll of film with a saw. Perhaps if you wrapped it in opaque material then it could be done in deep-red safelight conditions, but beware that some of these films are susceptible to light piping.

My most creative idea so far is based on a paper shredder. It seems to me that a shredder could be adapted by removing some blades and inserting some no-scratch surfaces to cut film very quickly.

And yes, I cut my film in all kinds of nutty ways. I cut 8x10 into two 5x8 pieces for my 5x8 chamonix backs, or two 4x10 pieces...

dwdmguy · Dec 7, 2009

Hi Keith, I have a Matte cutter (Logan) that I had purchased from Michaels... I wonder if that would work????
Good idea. I could set the matte cutter before lights out to the size I want for the "landscape" i.e., 3 1/4" and then get everything light-tight and reset the cutter for 4 1/4"..... (Cutting down the 4x5 film)

The roll could really be done the same way by cutting one step at a time...

That paper shredder idea is wild. I wouldn't try it but I'll bet it works.

richard ide · Dec 7, 2009

You would find a saw a royal PITA. I have cut rolls using a knife and unrolling the offcut and also using a paper cutter. This was with ortho film and red safelights. I now have 5" and 9 1/2" rolls which I cut using a guillotine. I tape a strip of board to the cutter to act as a stop for size and it works OK but keeep my fingers well clear. A guillotine can be difficult to make straight cuts as the film has a tendency to move, but taking your time and not rushing helps a lot.

David A. Goldfarb · Dec 7, 2009

Unless you plan to make your own cutting jig, the tool of choice is usually a Rotatrim, which is a very handy thing to have for many photographic purposes. I've cut down 8x10" to 4x5" and 4x5" and 5x7" down to 2.25x3.25". It takes some practice and experimentation, but it's probably safer and easier in the dark than using a guillotine type cutter.

I know Jim Galli has cut down a lot of aerial rollfilm for use in sheet film cameras, so maybe he'll report in here.

mopar_guy · Dec 8, 2009

I use a guillotine style cutter to cut down sheet film. This is a new cutter that I bought in the last year at an office supply store. This cutter has a safety stop about 1/2 inch from the blade so that I will keep my fingers clear in the dark. I rigged up an adjustable stop with a piece of 1x4 lumber and some 3/8 dowel by drilling a series of holes in the top of the cutter. The stop is pre-set for 4 1/4 inch, 3 1/4 inch and 2 1/4 inch. I have used this to cut down 8x10 T-max to 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 or 2 1/4 x 3 1/4. I can now use my 3 1/4 by 4 1/4 Graflex Super D and 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 Speed Graphics with regular sheet film holders.

Regards,
Dave

removed account4 · Dec 8, 2009

hi

a quick search using "aerial + jig " reveals this thread that jim galli posted 5 or 6 years back...
(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

i have cut 9.5" roll film for 8x10 and it is a little tricky.
because the base it thinner than regular film, it tends to curl a bit.

have fun

john

dwdmguy · Dec 8, 2009

Thanks guys.
Great thread John. Helpful.....

I'll be cutting my roll down to 3 1/4 to use with a Mamiya Press 23 and holders.
Thx

BetterSense · Dec 8, 2009

I cut down 8x10 xray film to 4x5 using a cheap sliding-blade cutter from Staples. I use my IR goggles though, which makes things a lot easier, because you can see the numbers and scales on the cutter and where your fingers are.

mwdake · Dec 8, 2009

I cut down some 4x5 to 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 using a rotary trimmer.
To guide me in the dark I used some Dyno Label tape for alignment on the bed of the rotary cutter. It is thick enough to feel and slide the sheet film up against.
One piece at the top for the 3 1/4 cut and one piece at the bottom for the 4 1/4 cut.

Who can Cut Film from a large roll.

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