Arbor press for cutting paper

woodlandjustin · #1 08/06/12, 02:01 PM

Hi everyone,
I am wanting to cut paper for book-making, up to about 2 inches thick. It is very hard to do tidily by hand, and I have been trying to think how I could use any mechanical device to help me, producing nice tidy straight edges for the pages. They have to be cut all at once, so a guillotine is not an option.

If anyone has a suggestion, I would be grateful to hear it. I have one idea, and would also love to hear if you guys think this is a good idea:

I have seen 'arbor presses' and they look simple and cheap. The paper I need to cut, although 2 inches thick, is only about 10cm across. I was thinking to somehow (have no idea how yet!) make and then attach a blade 12cm wide to an arbor press, with the 12cm blade being horizontal, so that as I apply the pressure, it cuts down through the paper.

Does this sound like a good idea? If so, any tips in how to manifest this?

Much appreciated.

Darren · #2 08/06/12, 03:30 PM

The machines designed to cut a thick stack of paper use a clamping mechanism to prevent the paper from moving when the blade cycles. I'm not saying you can't use an arbor press. But by the time you get done building something stiff enough, you'll wish you hadn't.

Here's a small one on eBay that will cut 300 sheets of 20#.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-QCM-1700...item3c9a6dd256

tinknal · #3 08/06/12, 08:12 PM

Band saw? I agree that you would need some kind of clamp

**clovis** · #4 08/14/12, 10:25 PM

I've been in the printing biz for most of my life.

I think you'll spend tons of time and tons of money trying to build something that you could buy cheaper, if you'll just buy a used one.

I own one, it is at least 100 years old. I waaaaaay overpaid for it at the time, $250, but I paid for it within a week with new jobs I got because of it.

Why not just make friends with your local print shop, and have them trim for you???

**clovis** · #5 08/14/12, 10:28 PM

Yes, it must have a clamp.

FWIW, the blades on paper cutters are designed for cutting paper, and they are razor sharp. Have you ever lightly bumped a paper blade with the back of your hand? Trust me, it will go to the bone, and is not something you'll ever want to do again.

hippygirl · #6 08/21/12, 11:18 PM

As bookmaking/binding is only a hobby for me (I enjoy the process and give them as gifts), I can't justify the cost of a "proper" cutter, so I cut my pages 5 at a time on my rotary cutter, assemble the signatures, fold and trim the edges flush, sew, and then bind. For my Davey board, I cut it as deep as I can with my rotary cutter and then finish by hand.

Unless you intend to sell your bound books and recoup the cost of a higher end cutter, forking over a lot of $$$ for what is basically a one-trick pony is gonna be hard to do!

Just passing on a bit of experience...I have a craft room FULL of one-trick ponies I've collected over the years!

travis91 · #7 08/28/12, 08:43 PM

Take it to a local printing shop.. they will cut it for little cost...
(my dad is a printer of 26 years)