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Need a good paper cutter for your sandpaper?

odie

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I recently purchased a 2nd paper cutter for use in the office. My original paper cutter was inherited from my Mom, and has been in use cutting sandpaper for the last 20 years.

These are great for cutting your sandpaper. I had no idea there was a glut of them on eBay.....and they are cheap!.....Looks like it's a "buyer's market!"

This one was purchased for $10+$15 shipping......such a deal!

Search for "vintage paper cutter" on eBay, but here is a link:

click:

-----odie-----

1650107490530.png
 
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I recently purchased a 2nd paper cutter for use in the office. My original paper cutter was inherited from my Mom, and has been in use cutting sandpaper for the last 20 years.

These are great for cutting your sandpaper. I had no idea there was a glut of them on eBay.....and they are cheap!.....Looks like it's a "buyer's market!"

This one was purchased for $10+$15 shipping......such a deal!

Search for "vintage paper cutter" on eBay, but here is a link:

click:

-----odie-----

View attachment 44119
Some even come with perks !
 

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odie

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My scissors work rather well so thanks but no thanks. Oh I am not in that big of a hurry when cutting up sandpaper either.
Howdy Gerald.... :)

Sure is nice to have enough pre-cut sandpaper strips, that I only use my paper cutter 3-4 times per year, and I'm one who averages about 30 hours per week working in my home shop.....nuthin' but bowl turning!

-----odie-----

Image053.JPGkeep on turnin'.jpg
 
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If you only use 1/4 sheets folded, or only power sand, maybe this idea isn't for you. But for those of use who use strips of sandpaper, a paper cutter is a wonderful way to quickly and easily build up a stock of ready-to-use sandpaper. I keep mine in a Plano plastic box and can grab fresh paper instantly, while only cutting up strips in about 15 minutes a few times a year. I'm with Odie. (There you go being a trendsetter again, Odie)
 

odie

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I have an excellent sandpaper cutter... cost nothing... an old hacksaw blade screwed to a piece of scrap wood shelving rescued from the dumpster.

Hiya Brian...... :)

The hacksaw blade screwed to a piece of wood is what I used before I got a paper cutter. I'm happy for you that you like this method, but once I got a paper cutter, it was a game changer for me!

-----odie-----

sandpaper strip cutter (2).jpg
 
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Hiya Brian...... :)

The hacksaw blade screwed to a piece of wood is what I used before I got a paper cutter. I'm happy for you that you like this method, but once I got a paper cutter, it was a game changer for me!

-----odie-----

View attachment 44160
Mine is a little different in that a full sheet of paper slides under the blade (and lays flat on the board, which is wide enough to have the space to work with - about 13" L x 8" W x 1/2" thick) so I just pull through as much as I want for size (width x whatever length) and press down on the blade to keep it all flat then just pull up on the end next to the teeth - it works just like perforated paper, and much quicker (since the board hangs on a nail beside the sandpaper bin) than breaking out the paper cutter (However if I wanted to cut many pieces of a specific size ahead of time, paper cutter might be nice to use - I have two of those laying around) but I like to be able to grab a sheet and cut a custom size right on the spot, so I am not "nailed down" to a specific size or width that I might have cut ahead of time... that way I have less strips of paper to deal with.. :)
 
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Odie, from the looks of things in your photos over the years, I'd guess you never spend even a second standing in your shop and wondering where to find something you need. You are amazingly organized!

And I'm curious, doesn't cutting sandpaper dull the blades on those paper cutters?
 

odie

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Odie, from the looks of things in your photos over the years, I'd guess you never spend even a second standing in your shop and wondering where to find something you need. You are amazingly organized!

And I'm curious, doesn't cutting sandpaper dull the blades on those paper cutters?

Hey, thanks for the words of encouragement, Tom :)

Keeping things organized is a constant process, it seems.....my shop has to evolve with me, as I evolve in my processes of making bowls!

You know, I thought the same thing about the likelihood of sandpaper dulling the blade on the paper cutter. So far, I've never needed to re-sharpen the blade, but it's easily removed, in case it's needed. I don't know for sure if it make a difference, or not....but, I'm in the habit of cutting sandpaper with the paper side up, so the blade cuts the paper first.

Another thing that may make a difference, is the blade is spring loaded, and the further away from where the initial cut starts, it gradually compresses a spring. They don't cut like a pair of scissors cut.....it's a bit different.

I seldom start sanding with anything coarser than 180gt......and only occasionally do I start at 180gt. The vast majority of cutting strips of sandpaper is 220/240, 320, 400, and 600 grits.....that, as well, may make some difference. If I spent a lot of time cutting 80,100, 120 grits, they very well may dull the blade faster. As I type, I can't remember the last time I needed any of those coarser grits in the three spaces on the left. Those are the same sandpaper strips that have been there for years!

-----odie-----
 
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Even cutting the courser grits the “old” ones hold up well. Mine is also from a school and guessing 1950’s era. Been using it for the last 7 years and still works great. I like smaller strips about 2 3/4” wide and 4 1/4” long. Paper cutter works great. I do have a new office cutter, but not near as robust as the 50’s cutter.
 
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Years ago I was working with Doug Stowe, the box maker. He makes a living as a woodshop teacher in winter, craft school teacher in summer, and makes boxes in his home shop to sell. He showed me the paper cutter trick. He said always cut paper side up and I figured he would know with as much sandpaper as he cuts.

I've been using my paper cutter for sandpaper I suppose 10 years now and would hate to be without it.
 
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I will mention one other variant: I buy the 3" wide by 25 meter long rolls from Klingspor, and cut 3" squares as a substitute for 3" disks. They work great and less expensive than pre-cut disks. A paper cutter makes the process very quick and easy.
 
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I recently purchased a 2nd paper cutter for use in the office. My original paper cutter was inherited from my Mom, and has been in use cutting sandpaper for the last 20 years.

These are great for cutting your sandpaper. I had no idea there was a glut of them on eBay.....and they are cheap!.....Looks like it's a "buyer's market!"

This one was purchased for $10+$15 shipping......such a deal!

Search for "vintage paper cutter" on eBay, but here is a link:

click:

-----odie-----

View attachment 44119
 

odie

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I recently purchased a 2nd paper cutter for use in the office. My original paper cutter was inherited from my Mom, and has been in use cutting sandpaper for the last 20 years.

Seems like a great idea. How did you decide which one was the one you wanted?

The recently purchased paper cutter is a smaller one, and mainly used for cutting down pre-paid shipping labels. It works great for that.

If I were to suggest a size for cutting sheet sandpaper, I'd recommend getting one with a larger capacity than the sheets of sandpaper come in. Room to spare just makes things a little easier that way...

Something like this would be an ideal size for cutting sandpaper sheets:


Note: As with all of these old paper cutters, you may need to take the mechanism apart and apply some oil and TLC if you want a great functioning cutter.....no problem, but it should be expected.

-----odie-----
 
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Do you find that the paper cutter takes up a lot of counter/bench space? I'm wondering if it couldn't be mounted and used vertically on the wall (or maybe at a 30* angle)?
 

odie

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Do you find that the paper cutter takes up a lot of counter/bench space? I'm wondering if it couldn't be mounted and used vertically on the wall (or maybe at a 30* angle)?

Hiya Mark :)

I think it would be a hassle to manipulate the sandpaper if the cutter is mounted on a wall.....but, take that for what it's worth, since I've never tried it. It works great flat on your bench, though....

For storage, it would be easy to install an eye screw and hang it on the wall, though.... :)

I now store mine vertically behind my sandpaper supply rack in a slot that is available.....this is because my stereo speaker now sits on top of my sandpaper storage rack.

-----odie-----

IMG_0062.JPGstereo speakers 1 (2).JPG
 
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