Advice request: cutter

[Dave Wooten]

Recommendations for cutter for film up to 24 inches max.
Thanks

[Tin Can]

24" is a problem for length

I tested several type and brands of cutters

I cut a lot of film, but not 24"

I found using 2 cheap Dahle was best for me, as they have a unique film-hold-soft clamp
https://www.dahle.com/trimmers/guillotines

I use 2 often, 12" and 18" Vantage models, Amazon has a good price

They have an soft rubber clamp that lowers just before the blade

I dust the whole contraption before usage and use them only for film, never paper, storing in a clean metal drawer 'toolbox'

I have the roller cutter everybody 'likes'

I don't



Dalhe seems to be a good company in many ways

[John Brady]

24" is a problem for length

I tested several type and brands of cutters

I cut a lot of film, but not 24"

I found using 2 cheap Dahle was best for me, as they have a unique film-hold-soft clamp
https://www.dahle.com/trimmers/guillotines

I use 2 often, 12" and 18" Vantage models, Amazon has a good price

They have an soft rubber clamp that lowers just before the blade

I dust the whole contraption before usage and use them only for film, never paper, storing in a clean metal drawer 'toolbox'

I have the roller cutter everybody 'likes'

I don't



Dalhe seems to be a good company in many ways

These look very nice. Are you cutting multiple sheets at a time with this? I cut 8x10 film to 5x8 frequently and have been doing that one at a time on a root trimmer. I would love to cut a ten sheet box with one swipe and then be bone!

Any suggestions for notching the other half?

[Tin Can]

I cut one sheet at a time, my system is quick, expensive film is slow

I cut a lot of 2-sided X-ray so notching is not needed

When I cut single sided normal film I keep emusion up always

X-Ray has round corners




These look very nice. Are you cutting multiple sheets at a time with this? I cut 8x10 film to 5x8 frequently and have been doing that one at a time on a root trimmer. I would love to cut a ten sheet box with one swipe and then be bone!

Any suggestions for notching the other half?

[John Layton]

Whatever you use just make sure it doesn't leave a sharp, downward-turned edge on every other sheet of film - because if you are a tray shuffler then you might get some serious scratches. Just sayin' :eek:

[Tin Can]

I never shuffle

Tried it many times

Hangers I can do


Whatever you use just make sure it doesn't leave a sharp, downward-turned edge on every other sheet of film - because if you are a tray shuffler then you might get some serious scratches. Just sayin' :eek:

[Conrad . Marvin]

I bought a 16” Dahle guillotine 30 years ago in the clearance corner of an art store. They work. I also have a 24” Roto Trim. Both excellent. The advice of TC to use the cutter only for film is very sound, after all, you wouldn’t use a prosciutto slicer for cheese......

[John Layton]

....that would depend on the cheese!

[Dave Wooten]

Sounds like Roto trim..

20x24-10x24

20×24-12×20

20×24-10×12

8×10-5×8

Etc.

[Jim Andrada]

I use a Roto-trim 30"

[Ari]

The guillotines always make the material move at the moment of cutting, even if it's only very, very slightly.
Anyway, I could never get a square cut from them.
I recommend the Rotatrim as well. It's fast, precise and cuts smoothly/evenly without nudging the material.

[Sal Santamaura]

The guillotines always make the material move at the moment of cutting, even if it's only very, very slightly.
Anyway, I could never get a square cut from them.
I recommend the Rotatrim as well. It's fast, precise and cuts smoothly/evenly without nudging the material.

I agree with this, and also use a Rotatrim for paper. However, I've never been able to get a straight cut when attempting to trim 4-ply mount board with it. Other photographers I've known in the past used a heavy guillotine with hold-down clamp for that. Do any of you cut mount board with a Rotatrim? Guillotine? What have your experiences been? Thanks in advance.

[Greg Y]

Sal, I tried cutting mat board with a Rotatrim once. Since then I've used a big Logan mat cutter, the $1k one. Mat board is expensive these days and if you want results you can live with, you need tools that do the job.

[Tin Can]

The 1K Logan is on my list

However I have been using precuts for years

as for film only cutting, the blade must be perfect

and technique counts, I start slow, then speed up before the blade contacts and cut decisively

CHOP!


Sal, I tried cutting mat board with a Rotatrim once. Since then I've used a big Logan mat cutter, the $1k one. Mat board is expensive these days and if you want results you can live with, you need tools that do the job.

[Michael R]

I agree with this, and also use a Rotatrim for paper. However, I've never been able to get a straight cut when attempting to trim 4-ply mount board with it. Other photographers I've known in the past used a heavy guillotine with hold-down clamp for that. Do any of you cut mount board with a Rotatrim? Guillotine? What have your experiences been? Thanks in advance.

I only do prints with my Rotatrim. For straight cuts of mat board I would just use a knife and straight edge.

A mat cutter can be a useful tool if you can justify the expense relative to the volume of mounted prints you make. There are several benefits. They make it easy to set up accurate, repeatable cuts, and they make it relatively easy to make window mats with beveled edges, so basically you can do everything yourself in whatever size.

[Drew Wiley]

I'd never use a matcutter for cutting down film. My linear matcutter does have a squaring arm and sizing option for cutting down and squaring matboard, as well as a different cutter for beveled window cuts. I also have a big wall mounted machine for precise right-angle cuts of backing board, plastic sheeting, and glass. It's very difficult to make true straight cuts handheld. Even my circular saw is a top-end rail version capable of precise cuts, so much so that a jointer is not even needed afterwards when assembling and gluing wood strips to a precise fit. And nowadays, a person on a budget can get a basic straightedge with a linear cutter captured on it. That could be made to work with especially large pieces of film on atop a self-healing mat, but would not in my opinion be ideal.

[Michael R]

Why would one use a mat cutter to cut film?


I'd never use a matcutter for cutting down film. My linear matcutter does have a squaring arm and sizing option for cutting down and squaring matboard, as well as a different cutter for beveled window cuts. I also have a big wall mounted machine for precise right-angle cuts of backing board, plastic sheeting, and glass. It's very difficult to make true straight cuts handheld. Even my circular saw is a top-end rail version capable of precise cuts, so much so that a jointer is not even needed afterwards when assembling and gluing wood strips to a precise fit. And nowadays, a person on a budget can get a basic straightedge with a linear cutter captured on it. That could be made to work with especially large pieces of film on atop a self-healing mat, but would not in my opinion be ideal.

[Drew Wiley]

A matcutter could be adapted if it had a self-healing mat installed, along with some kind of squaring system. But that would be a clumsy way to do it, especially in the dark.

[Eric Woodbury]

https://www.qcmcorp.com/1200E.html

I used one of these once long ago to cut 8x10 film stock. A local photo finisher had it. I used it as his place. He had a darkroom. Worked very well. Pricey and not large enough for 24", but you might ask at the local print shop.

[Drew Wiley]

You might find one of those from a commercial printing house supplier, or used on eBay in the industrial rather than photographic section. There are also dedicated used offset printing gear suppliers who list that kind of cutter. But if you did obtain a used one, you'd want to thoroughly clean it first, and make sure all the adjustments are correct. Lots of that kind of equipment has had a hard life; it was designed to do a task day-in/day-out.

[PRJ]

If you need to cut a large amount all the same size then a stack cutter is by far the best. Clean cuts for the whole stack. Otherwise Rototrims are the way to go. Only problem with those is you can only cut two or three sheets at a time if you want them to be good.

[Dave Wooten]

Thanks everyone...looks like rototrim is my best choice...

[Greg Y]

Why would one use a mat cutter to cut film?

I think the mat cutter came into the conversation when Sal asked if anyone cut mat board with a rotatrim. I wouldn't consider cutting film with a mat cutter either

[Drew Wiley]

A Rototrim could hypothetically be used to cut 2-ply matboard if something better wasn't on hand. Miserable for 4-ply, however.

[Greg Y]

A Rototrim could hypothetically be used to cut 2-ply matboard if something better wasn't on hand. Miserable for 4-ply, however.

'hypothetically' .......for sure.....but not well. IMO it's absolutely the wrong tool for any kind of mat board, particularly at the cost of 32"x40" mat board....not to mention the cost of the large rotatrim.

[Dave Wooten]

I just wantt to cut film, 8x10 to 4x10 and 5x8, 14x17 to 8.5x14, and 20 x 24 to 10x24 and 12x20. 1 sheet at a time as needed.

[John Brady]

I just wantt to cut film, 8x10 to 4x10 and 5x8, 14x17 to 8.5x14, and 20 x 24 to 10x24 and 12x20. 1 sheet at a time as needed.
For that, I use a high quality roto trim. Since I am only cutting 8x10 film to 5x8, I adhered a piece of mat board to the bed of the cutter to act as a stop at 5 inches from the blade. It works but I would still prefer to be able to purchase the film already packaged and cut to size. For your various formats you will need to be creative in building a variety of templates.

[Dave Wooten]

That's correct John, I agree, I'm going to start with the 8x10 and use a small rota trim for that, I will have to check on the different quality rotos available.

[Dave Wooten]

One more question. I see rota trim has 24 inch and 30 inch models. Will the 24 inch suffice to cut the long side of 20x24 film or would the 30 inch model be recommended?

[Bernice Loui]

MBM Kutrimmer, guillotine cutter with a clamp that cuts straight, even 4 ply mat board with ease and straight.

They hold up good over time and the blades can be re-sharpened.
https://www.mybinding.com/brands/mbm/kutrimmer-trimmers.html?coupon=FREESHIP&gclid=Cj0KCQjwzYGGBhCTARIsAHdMTQxOdDagEf0G2bBeR9j8kUxFKT6ZxTjyq-BBWrdpjUNcdA9Hzi4XyrAaAmAqEALw_wcB

Roto trimmers can work, these go back to the Nikor rotary trimmers from back in the day. Had a big rotary trimmer from a graphics arts shop that closed. worked good, but that one is now long gone.


Bernice

[BKP]

I started with a Rotatrim but moved to a Guillotine. Premier Photo Materials Co. Type C. I have two. One cuts film only. The other cuts paper. The film cutter has "edge guides." I used the tape that Dymo Labels were made on.(used film first but the tape was better) I also had single hole punch attached to a string nearby, to identify emulsion side. I used it to cut 8x10 to 4x5. Wore cotton glove on left hand. Anti-static cloth nearby also. Cut long dimension first. Have a few 8x10 film boxes nearby. Tape a cut out piece of cardboard to the top of box so you don't mix them up. Just "nip" the edge with the hole punch. You could use sheet of glass, film or plastic to tape to the top of cutter. The cotton gloves are handy for pushing the film down to prevent movement when the blade comes down. They also protect you. Hope this helps. bk

[Sal Santamaura]

I...use a Rotatrim for paper. However, I've never been able to get a straight cut when attempting to trim 4-ply mount board with it...Do any of you cut mount board with a...Guillotine? What have your experiences been?...


MBM Kutrimmer, guillotine cutter with a clamp that cuts straight, even 4 ply mat board with ease and straight.

They hold up good over time and the blades can be re-sharpened.
https://www.mybinding.com/brands/mbm/kutrimmer-trimmers.html?coupon=FREESHIP&gclid=Cj0KCQjwzYGGBhCTARIsAHdMTQxOdDagEf0G2bBeR9j8kUxFKT6ZxTjyq-BBWrdpjUNcdA9Hzi4XyrAaAmAqEALw_wcB...

Thank you very much Bernice. Those look promising; I wasn't previously aware of them.

[fuegocito]

I just wantt to cut film, 8x10 to 4x10 and 5x8, 14x17 to 8.5x14, and 20 x 24 to 10x24 and 12x20. 1 sheet at a time as needed.

Just an observation, unless you already have a big pile of 20x24 sheet films that you need to dispose? If not, I would really acclimatize to the cutting your own film size with smaller format first. It's not just the cutting equipment and the expense of it, but the entire logistic of handling ultra large sheet films in the dark. Technically speaking, and not saying it's not possible, it's fairly impractical to try to cut large sheet of film to size unless you have a very clean and large dedicated darkroom space. Obviously if you have to, or simply wants to, no questions here, but be prepare to deal with how to handle large sheet of film in total darkness without getting dust, greasy finger marks, kinks, crimps, buckling and scratch marks on your not so cheap film. Cutting down from 11x14 or 8x10 film is one thing, 20x24 is entirely different animal. And for the actual cutting, either the Rotatrim or the Kutrimmer will work fine, personally I prefer the Kuttrimmer because I don't have to use my hand/fingers to hold down the film when making the cut: https://www.binding101.com/mbm-kutrimmer-1038-tabletop-15-paper-trimmer?utm_source=google_shopping&gclid=Cj0KCQjw8IaGBhCHARIsAGIRRYoNLm3qJJWY2ovNHPManPbwFEPIvgOntyR0mQuY0NMUJ07MbptJLc0aArJ4EALw_wcB

[Dave Wooten]

Just an observation, unless you already have a big pile of 20x24 sheet films that you need to dispose? If not, I would really acclimatize to the cutting your own film size with smaller format first. It's not just the cutting equipment and the expense of it, but the entire logistic of handling ultra large sheet films in the dark. Technically speaking, and not saying it's not possible, it's fairly impractical to try to cut large sheet of film to size unless you have a very clean and large dedicated darkroom space. Obviously if you have to, or simply wants to, no questions here, but be prepare to deal with how to handle large sheet of film in total darkness without getting dust, greasy finger marks, kinks, crimps, buckling and scratch marks on your not so cheap film. Cutting down from 11x14 or 8x10 film is one thing, 20x24 is entirely different animal. And for the actual cutting, either the Rotatrim or the Kutrimmer will work fine, personally I prefer the Kuttrimmer because I don't have to use my hand/fingers to hold down the film when making the cut: https://www.binding101.com/mbm-kutrimmer-1038-tabletop-15-paper-trimmer?utm_source=google_shopping&gclid=Cj0KCQjw8IaGBhCHARIsAGIRRYoNLm3qJJWY2ovNHPManPbwFEPIvgOntyR0mQuY0NMUJ07MbptJLc0aArJ4EALw_wcB

Yes, thanks,
The largest film I've handled to date is 14x17.
I've had lith film cut in the larger sizes.

[Drew Wiley]

I can easily cut up to 40 inch wide material in the dark, either printing paper off rolls, or hypothetically big sheet film. I have threaded inserts precisely set at the right places in the cutting table surface, allowing exact multiple position options accepting a stainless location stop bar with matching registration holes in it, accepting nylon turn-screws. This can be repositioned in the dark if necessary. In this case, it's permanently attached and precisely square to a 42-inch wide Rototrim, but I've used the same concept on smaller scale for a Dahle guillotine cutter for sake of sheet film only.