Your tips for cutting cotton stock?
Alrighty! I’ve got some Lettra here, 110lb weight. I can’t seem to cut it down without the blade leaving a ragged edge on the cut. I know for a fact my blade is sharp, and my Kutrimmer cutter is certainly not the most entry level of cutters.
What are your tricks for cutting these thick cotton stocks? I’ve placed corrugated cardboard on the bottom, but then the clamp dents into the top sheet. Do I need to sandwich everything together each time I cut?
Thanks for the help.
Hi Vikki,
Maybe your Kutrimmer has other issues. I also use a Kutrimmer and get a perfectly clean cut on all my stock, including all cottons. I regularly cut down Lettra, Somerset, Rives, Arches and others. I haven’t sharpened the blade in a year of regular use and it still gives me a clean cut. I think it would be better to make absolutely sure that all adjustable parts of the cutter are setup correctly and the blade was sharpened correctly before trying other ways to overcome the problem.
So it’s not the stock, that’s good to know. Can you elaborate about what adjustable parts I should be looking at, and what they should/shouldn’t be doing? I would greatly appreciate it.
I am not an expert, but, the blade first of all needs to be sharpened correctly. The pivot point for the blade has a spring that pulls it into contact with a metal strip as you are actually making the cut. If the blade is not making good contact all along that metal strip, it will not make a good cut no matter how sharp your blade is. How easy is it to move your blade? Mine is very stiff, both to prevent the blade from wanting to fall on its own, but, also to make sure it makes good contact with the strip. I believe some shimming behind the metal strip is also done if contact with the blade is uneven.
Ok, I’ll check that pivot point— my blade is also quite stiff, it doesn’t slide down on its own, that’s for sure.
Perhaps I should contact the folks who make the Kutrimmer, they might have some info as well. Will post back —
You don’t want to overdo it, but pressing the handle toward the base of the cutter as you cut helps the spring keep good contact with the fixed metal cutting edge. If you don’t do that and the thick paper resists cutting that will push the handle away and mess up the cut. You don’t say how many sheets you’re trying to cut at a time — with the 110lb you may have to only cut one or two at a time. A strip of cardboard on top, only under the clamp (not cut) will help with the clamp marking the sheets. But both cutting edges need to be sharp — think of it as a large scissors with one blade attached to a board.
Bob
Success! The plastic shield was jutting out ever so slightly (the screw was loose. I tightened it, and perfect cuts, every time. Though, Bob, yes I can only cut one or two sheets at a time, but it’s sure one perfect cut.