Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 11

Thread: rotary trimmer

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Jan 1999
    Location
    Louisiana
    Posts
    287

    rotary trimmer

    Will this Saunders cut mat board? The write up says it will cut up to 3mm.

    http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...aunders-pro-m3

  2. #2
    http://www.spiritsofsilver.com tgtaylor's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Posts
    4,728

    Re: rotary trimmer

    While it may cut 1/8" board, its really not meant for cutting mat board. For one thing, it doesn't have a squaring arm for insuring straight 90 degree cuts nor does it have a bevel cutter for cutting windows. How would you even cut a window with it?

    Thomas

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Jan 1999
    Location
    Louisiana
    Posts
    287

    Re: rotary trimmer

    I didn't say I was cutting Windows. Just for cutting boards to size.

  4. #4
    Tim Sandstrom
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    San Jose, CA
    Posts
    318

    Re: rotary trimmer

    While it could, I think it's the wrong tool for the job, and may end up making it less
    precise for when you need it to be. I'd use a real mat cutter, expensive but probably
    worth it. That being said, I haven't bought one myself and still buy pre-cut mat-board.

  5. #5
    Drew Wiley
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    SF Bay area, CA
    Posts
    18,337

    Re: rotary trimmer

    You could force it through a piece of 4-ply matboard if you had to; but the basic answer is, NO.

  6. #6
    Daniel Stone's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Los Angeles area
    Posts
    2,157

    Re: rotary trimmer

    A 60" straight edge from Home Depot + a high quality retractable knife works great for me. Total cost was under $25. Blades are cheap too, change them often

  7. #7
    Jon Shiu's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Mendocino, California
    Posts
    1,317

    Re: rotary trimmer

    I've used a Rotatrim Mastercut paper trimmers to cut down 4-ply for many years. Cutters still work fine.

    Jon
    my black and white photos of the Mendocino Coast: jonshiu.zenfolio.com

  8. #8
    Drew Wiley
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    SF Bay area, CA
    Posts
    18,337

    Re: rotary trimmer

    That's called doing it the hard way.

  9. #9
    Jon Shiu's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Mendocino, California
    Posts
    1,317

    Re: rotary trimmer

    Actually, quite easy, fast and precise. But I already have the cutters and wouldn't necessarily buy one for cutting down mat board. Great for trimming paper, though. If you have a mat cutter, there's usually a straight cut attachment. Good to have both paper trimmer and mat cutter.
    my black and white photos of the Mendocino Coast: jonshiu.zenfolio.com

  10. #10
    Vaughn's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Humboldt County, CA
    Posts
    9,211

    Re: rotary trimmer

    I use a Dexter Mat Cutter to cut matboard down (I use a lot of 8ply fronts and 4ply backs) from the standard 32"x40" sheets. Its turtle-like shape fits my hand well and I clamp down a long straight edge to cut down the 32x40s; and to cut smaller pieces, I use the Dexter with the matboard on a simple Logan mat cutter. There are tricks of the trade one learns, and they are often driven by the tools one uses and gets use to. I like the way I get a good clean cut in one pass with both 4 and 8 ply and the way it is easy for me to adjust blade depth. While I can easily see someone not liking the Dexter at all, I am using the same one I bought 40 years ago back in college when I was cutting mats for students and faculty in exchange for beer. (A shiny well-fitting tool, art, and beer -- the good life!)

    While I used it to cut windows for a few years, I switched to a Logan cutter for that. The Logan cutter for straight cuts is also a nice tool. The disadvantage of the Dexter is that it can slightly emboss the back of the matboard if too much down-pressure is used. Cutting 8 ply does take some arm/hand strength!
    "Landscapes exist in the material world yet soar in the realms of the spirit..." Tsung Ping, 5th Century China

Similar Threads

  1. Squaring Your Print Trimmer
    By Photobackpacker in forum Style & Technique
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 29-Dec-2014, 18:37
  2. Looking for an adequate paper-trimmer
    By Robert McClure in forum Darkroom: Film, Processing & Printing
    Replies: 12
    Last Post: 12-Jun-2005, 14:10
  3. Replies: 8
    Last Post: 8-Apr-2004, 20:44
  4. Opticam Rotary Trimmer
    By Daniel Grenier in forum Gear
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 14-Jan-2004, 12:33
  5. Which Paper Trimmer?
    By d.s. in forum Darkroom: Film, Processing & Printing
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 17-Apr-2002, 19:09

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •