Cutting Sheet Stock Accurately & Easy

[redneckrigger]

Many most likely have one already, but I just added these to my bench when I started the Link Belt HC-218 crane that is in the large trucks WIP section.  Found these at an antique shop.  One is a small size and the other is huge.  These paper cutters are sharp, quick, and accurate and are easy to cut multiple quantities of the same size piece. I had a newly made one but it could hardly handle three sheets of paper.  These old timers can cut 1/8” of plastic sheet without batting an eyeball! What a time saver!

[NOBLNG]

Yeah, they don’t make things like they used to! Nice find.👍

[peteski]

That is a nice heavy duty cutter. They sure don't make them like this anymore.  Cast (or forged) steel handle with replaceable blade.  No wonder it can cut through thick plastic.  I bet it would also cut aluminum sheets.

[CabDriver]

Those are awesome!  Nice score!

[deuces wild]

That's a vintage piece ... probably from the '30s or '40s.. Nice score!...🙂

[TarheelRick]

Very nice cutter; I really like the weathered look you have given it.  BTW, be sure to count your fingers after each use, these things are notorious for nicknames such as "three finger Louie"

[Tom Geiger]

Great tool!  

For thicker plastic.. the Evergreen we score and break, the grid on the bed will come in handy. True up the plastic against the top, and mark both edges at the cut mark using the increments engraved into the bed.  Then cut the piece with your eXacto against your metal ruler.

16 minutes ago, TarheelRick said:

these things are notorious for nicknames such as "three finger Louie"

These were actually banned at one large pharma I worked at!  We used the ones with the roller blade.  They were tossing one out one time and I grabbed it.  I had to do a minor repair but it's served me well for many years.. I cut mostly 60lb paper stock for my stamp collecting needs.

[SfanGoch]

34 minutes ago, TarheelRick said:

BTW, be sure to count your fingers after each use, these things are notorious for nicknames such as "three finger Louie"

That's what we called our machine shop teacher, Mr. Russo, whose first name just happened to be Louie. He was short two digits on his left hand after an accident on a multi-speed engine lathe.

[deuces wild]

I've been a machinist all my life... I still have all my digits...

Knock on wood!!!!!....🙄

[redneckrigger]

This sure is an oldie, as is it's little brother also shown here. Got both of them in an antique shop for $20 for the pair. With the scratchbuilding I do, it has become priceless. And, yup, it could make me into a three fingered Tom in a heartbeat! But I like my fingers attached to my hands, so I am VERY careful. And, yes it does cut sheet aluminum as well as brass. When I do thin brass and aluminum with it, I use a "cover sheet" which is just a heavy steel ruler, that I put over the part still on the cutting board, right up against the blade and hold pressure on it over the sheet. This helps me prevent curling of the edge of the cut. All in all a VERY handy tool

[Skip]

I’ve used the same type of guillotine cutter for a long time too.  Never even come close to cutting anything other than the material intended to be cut!  Cutting tools of any kind are only as safe as you make them.  

Think safety at all times whether it’s an X-acto knife or a Dremel with a saw blade spinning at forty-bazillion RPM’s, treating them all like they’re going to bite you is a start.   You will only get bit when you’re either taking shortcuts, doing something stupid, or just plain let your guard down.  You’re the one with the brain, you have the ability to think; where any piece of machinery can do neither!  So plan your steps out ahead of time, it’s your responsibility to protect yourself.

[slusher]

I remember when I was in school my teachers.had those and cast iron green ones.  They made and trimmed work sheets for us.  That’s worth having as an antique..

[customline]

On 1/17/2022 at 9:48 PM, Skip said:

I’ve used the same type of guillotine cutter for a long time too.  Never even come close to cutting anything other than the material intended to be cut!  Cutting tools of any kind are only as safe as you make them.  

Think safety at all times whether it’s an X-acto knife or a Dremel with a saw blade spinning at forty-bazillion RPM’s, treating them all like they’re going to bite you is a start.   You will only get bit when you’re either taking shortcuts, doing something stupid, or just plain let your guard down.  You’re the one with the brain, you have the ability to think; where any piece of machinery can do neither!  So plan your steps out ahead of time, it’s your responsibility to protect yourself.

Keep some band-aids handy.  I have a box of band-aids within my reach at all times 🚑

[customline]

On 1/17/2022 at 9:48 PM, Skip said:

I’ve used the same type of guillotine cutter for a long time too.  Never even come close to cutting anything other than the material intended to be cut!  Cutting tools of any kind are only as safe as you make them.  

Think safety at all times whether it’s an X-acto knife or a Dremel with a saw blade spinning at forty-bazillion RPM’s, treating them all like they’re going to bite you is a start.   You will only get bit when you’re either taking shortcuts, doing something stupid, or just plain let your guard down.  You’re the one with the brain, you have the ability to think; where any piece of machinery can do neither!  So plan your steps out ahead of time, it’s your responsibility to protect yourself.

Keep some band-aids handy.  I have a box of band-aids within my reach at all times 🚑

[1930fordpickup]

Tom you are lucky to get one of these.  Used one back in school while in journalism class. Always made sure I watched my fingers. 

[Jonathan]

Nice score.   

A friend of mine took the very tip of a finger off in high school with one of these.  😕

[deuces wild]

OUCH!.....😬🤬😡🙄

[NOBLNG]

Yeah, if you have an accident with one of those you’d likely need a tourniquet, not a band aid,😬

[customline]

As old as those cutters are, there's lots of DNA on them 😝

[Charlie Lowell]

Has anyone used a "mini" table saw for cutting sheets? I haven't put it together yet, but I 3D printed a mini table saw that you attach to a Dremel rotary tool. I got some blades from Amazon. I've been meaning to put it together and try it out, but too many other retiree things going on right now.

I also picked up the HFT mini miter saw for cutting round and square stock. Haven't had the chance to try it out yet either.

[Bugatti Fan]

Those antique guillotines. Great, but risky.

I think I will stick to a craft knife and a steel rule!

[W Humble]

I have used one of these for decades, and never lost a drop; the knife and stainless-steel rule, now; too much multi-tasking!  (I"m 76; really: decades!) I use mine very regularly; it does a great job on large pieces, and okay on ones so small they're hard to hold.  Wouldn't be without it.

You want to see scarey, when I was a fine-arts teaching specialist, we had a power bulk cutter; no chance of getting cut, as it had safeguards, but could crunch through about 1-inch of heavy card in one pass!  Heads-up; I have a rebuildable guillotine cutter if someone wants it; free.  Came from my fourth-grade teachers (my step aunt) classroom in N CA.  Get in touch!