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DIY Diecutter?
I've a friend who knows where to get cheap customized die-cut blades. I was thinking of getting one since it saves a whole lotta time on cutting the sheets into cards AND THEN rounding their corners. Anyway, I plan on making an improvised die-cutter, since I'd rather do the cutting at home than send them to those cutters with the necessary machines (plus, they charge for using their machines too!).
So anyway, my question is: How do those die-cutting machines work? I've seen a scrapbooker friend who had a small machine with rollers on top and bottom. There's a tray to place the paper in, and then the diecut blade's placed on top. I was thinking this might not be a good idea for cutting stacked paper since the rollers might tend to make the sheets in the middle slip (especially if they're the slippery laminated kind). So, any other idea of doing it? I was thinking of maybe making some levered device that uses weight or force to cut the paper from the top. But then I'm not too sure about it since the diecut blades seem a bit blunter than I expected.
Any ideas or advice would be welcome.
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I think a roller type cutting machine would work fine, with the sheets clamped between the die and cutting board.
I think if I were going to make a press type machine I would just cut it out of 1/4 inch plate steel, making it so that it al fit together with slots. The handle would be fairly long and have a cam that drove the pressplate down, basically an off-center circle at the base of the handle that when it rotated the cirlcle would be the part pressing down on the machine.
I have been thinking about inquireing to the makers of the little hobby die cutters as to how much a custom plate from them would be, or maybe a series. If you could get an 80 dollar machine that would cut a few cards perfectly or something that would cut counters there might be enough of a demand for it.
As far as die cutting blades I am experimenting with the scraper blades you can get at hardware stores. Mounting them in wood blocks.
thanks. I'm also planning on mounting them on wood blocks. Or maybe finding a way to make the mounting block adjustable so that i can mount other blades of different sizes. here, getting die-cut blades custom made isn't that expensive. prices start at around 40-50, my main problem's getting a device to mount the blades in. i'll try to think over your suggestions and fit them into whatever scheme i'll be making. thanks again.