Small Accutcutter

[John Jackson]

I have two 12 inch metal shears, the traditional New Hermes cast iron style, both with metal cutting blades. They cut great when breaking down a sheet of 12 X 24 inch aluminum.

However as the pieces get smaller they get harder to hold parallel to the blade and keep them from moving around as I cut, resulting in crooked cuts. I use a 10 inch drafting square against the ruler to help keep the piece parallel - it helps lots but when I try to cut a 2 X 4 inch plate into two 1 x 4 inch plates I end up throwing both halves out many times.

Any tips for keeping smaller pieces from wandering?

Also I see that Accucutter have a small unit Model 1001EVO - does this solve the problem or does it just limit your mistakes to 4 inch sized pieces?

Thanks

John Jackson
Russell ON

[Gary Hair]

I'd be inclined to think that your blades need sharpening or that they aren't the right type for metal. I have an Accucutter 12" and it has very little problem cutting aluminum in a straight line. I make plates by the hundreds in sizes down to .375" wide and can't really say I've had any problems keeping the cuts straight.

[AL Ursich]

I like the Square Idea.... I will use that...

On another topic.... I made a bunch of tags from a old sheet of .030 White 2 sided Aluminum. A 1/16th of an inch of the white fractured off on one edge on a regular basis along the cut line... This made for a problem Sublimating... Then I tried some .045 Single Sided that cut just fine.... That had me wonder... IF the .030 from 2007 that was chipping because of AGE.... Even my Corner Rounder did it... So it must be the Metal...

AL

[Mike Null]

The New Hermes type cutters do seem to torque the metal stock a bit. I bought an Accucutter guillotine a few years back and do get better results. Even there, if I'm cutting a single small piece I use a draftsman's 30/60/90 triangle to square up the material.

But don't discount Gary's point about sharpening the blades--that will help.

[Martin Boekers]

I have had this issue with new cutters, I tend to guide the piece through. Sometimes it torques so bad if it is up against the top guide it crimps the corner slightly. These cutters have been basically unchanged for years, it seems they could improve them a bit, like making a sliding guide for the top that could flip up when not needed or even something as basic as a grid etch to the platen so you could visually see if you were running out of square. The Industrial shears my brother has does share these problems, then again it's not $300....

[Mike Null]

Marty

My 3001 has this feature: “Flip-Up Hold-Down”
Accucutter®’s exclusive “Flip-Up Hold-Down” is standard on all standard 3001 shears. When in the down position, it automatically applies pressure to the material to facilitate smooth, accurate cutting. When necessary, the hold-down may be flipped up out of the way to permit easy access to the blades.

I would also consider a sticky mat--just a thought--I don't know if it would work.

[Martin Boekers]

Mike, you got the nicer cutter! I just have the standard blade cutters. The problem with a sticky mat might be that there is not a "flush" edge to trim. I have had issues when the back of the platehad an adhesive strip and needed re-trimming that it sort of had a slight fold.