I'm not much of a metalworker, I joined this group to look for
information on metal etching and wound up never leaving. But I have a
need for an item that might be considered simple to those of you with
a decent size workshop, but I figure someone might also be able to
come up with a better idea.

I need a straight edge to use to cut out business cards, shapes, etc,
out of paper and card. Rotary trimmers, guillotine style cutters, and
the like are far too imprecise, it's almost impossible to get them to
cut along a specific line. It's very difficult to find a ruler that is
good for this. A cheap plastic or wooden ruler is useless, the blade
will cut these as easily as the paper. I have a Helix and Wescott
rulers designed specifically 'for use with a craft knife for paper
trimming'. They have a groove for your fingers so you don't
accidentally cut yourself, a beveled edge of about 20-30 degrees to
create a very nice line to cut along, and a little rubber grip liner
on the bottom. However, they are both made out of aluminum. If you
don't hold the blade perfectly parallel to the cutting edge, you will
nick it, slice off the metal, or otherwise damage the ruler. Both of
them are already useless as they have enough nicks and grooves that
the knife will always go off course. I have about five different
stainless steel rulers. Two of them have a thick no-slip cork liner
that lifts the ruler too far off the page - the knife can tilt and cut
underneath it. The two that don't have a no-slip liner seem to be made
out of softer steel and the x-acto knife will notch them, though not
nearly as easily as the aluminum ones. Also, without the beveled
edges, it's harder to line it up along cut guides, especially for full
bleed business cards (print to the edge).

I guess what I'm basically looking for is a straightedge made out of a
very tough metal that won't be easily nicked or scratched with an
x-acto blade. Beveled along one edge to make it easier to line up on
the image. A small groove along the underside, closer to the
non-beveled edge, to put a bead of caulk in or a little rubber strip
in order to keep it from slipping, while not lifting the beveled edge
off of the paper. A larger groove, or some kind of 'finger stop' along
the edge where the bevel starts, to prevent you from putting your
fingers past the edge of the ruler. One 12" long and 2" wide, and one
6" long and 1" wide. If anyone has any idea about how hard it would be
to make something like this, or improvements to the design (or if they
know of a commercial product that's already made - every single one
I've looked up is made out of aluminum!), let me know. I don't need
ruler marks on it (would be a bonus though).

---

http://www.FenrirOnline.com

Computer services, custom metal etching,
arts, crafts, and much more.

"Fenrir Enterprises" wrote in message
...

I need a straight edge to use to cut out business cards, shapes, etc,
out of paper and card. Rotary trimmers, guillotine style cutters, and
the like are far too imprecise, it's almost impossible to get them to
cut along a specific line.

Google kbctools, enco, msc, go to measuring instruments, Starrett, PEC,
Suburban all have straight edges made from tool steel, but might not be
suitable as purchased. Pricey, 12" would run near $40, no 6" available.
Possible to buy flat tool steel and machine, not as pricey and with
reasonable toughness. Suburban has them graduated, added cost. Any
machinery supply house will have them, standard item.

Rich

"Fenrir Enterprises" wrote in message
...
|
| I guess what I'm basically looking for is a straightedge made out of a
| very tough metal that won't be easily nicked or scratched with an
| x-acto blade. Beveled along one edge to make it easier to line up on
| the image. A small groove along the underside, closer to the
| non-beveled edge, to put a bead of caulk in or a little rubber strip
| in order to keep it from slipping, while not lifting the beveled edge
| off of the paper. A larger groove, or some kind of 'finger stop' along
| the edge where the bevel starts, to prevent you from putting your
| fingers past the edge of the ruler. One 12" long and 2" wide, and one
| 6" long and 1" wide. If anyone has any idea about how hard it would be
| to make something like this, or improvements to the design (or if they
| know of a commercial product that's already made - every single one
| I've looked up is made out of aluminum!), let me know. I don't need
| ruler marks on it (would be a bonus though).

I bought two different lengths of a cutting guide from
http://www.MicroMark.com
one's about 11" and the other 22". They're both made of aluminum but I've
yet to nick either and I have pretty much the same problem you do. They're
not awfully expensive and IMO well worth trying. Here are the URLs for them
http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares...duct&ID=80491B
and
http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares...duct&ID=80492B
or you can purchase the pair for $10.05
http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares...duct&ID=80492B

Norm

On Wed, 29 Mar 2006 08:33:19 GMT, (Fenrir
Enterprises) wrote:


I need a straight edge

Maybe a Drywall T-square will do?

Various kinds available, price range $13 to $35.

Available from hardware stores, building supply centers, etc.

Have you considered having the aluminum ones hard-anodized?

Fenrir Enterprises wrote:
I'm not much of a metalworker, I joined this group to look for
information on metal etching and wound up never leaving. But I have a
need for an item that might be considered simple to those of you with
a decent size workshop, but I figure someone might also be able to
come up with a better idea.

I need a straight edge to use to cut out business cards, shapes, etc,
out of paper and card. Rotary trimmers, guillotine style cutters, and
the like are far too imprecise, it's almost impossible to get them to
cut along a specific line. It's very difficult to find a ruler that is
good for this. A cheap plastic or wooden ruler is useless, the blade
will cut these as easily as the paper. I have a Helix and Wescott
rulers designed specifically 'for use with a craft knife for paper
trimming'. They have a groove for your fingers so you don't
accidentally cut yourself, a beveled edge of about 20-30 degrees to
create a very nice line to cut along, and a little rubber grip liner
on the bottom. However, they are both made out of aluminum. If you
don't hold the blade perfectly parallel to the cutting edge, you will
nick it, slice off the metal, or otherwise damage the ruler. Both of
them are already useless as they have enough nicks and grooves that
the knife will always go off course. I have about five different
stainless steel rulers. Two of them have a thick no-slip cork liner
that lifts the ruler too far off the page - the knife can tilt and cut
underneath it. The two that don't have a no-slip liner seem to be made
out of softer steel and the x-acto knife will notch them, though not
nearly as easily as the aluminum ones. Also, without the beveled
edges, it's harder to line it up along cut guides, especially for full
bleed business cards (print to the edge).

I guess what I'm basically looking for is a straightedge made out of a
very tough metal that won't be easily nicked or scratched with an
x-acto blade. Beveled along one edge to make it easier to line up on
the image. A small groove along the underside, closer to the
non-beveled edge, to put a bead of caulk in or a little rubber strip
in order to keep it from slipping, while not lifting the beveled edge
off of the paper. A larger groove, or some kind of 'finger stop' along
the edge where the bevel starts, to prevent you from putting your
fingers past the edge of the ruler. One 12" long and 2" wide, and one
6" long and 1" wide. If anyone has any idea about how hard it would be
to make something like this, or improvements to the design (or if they
know of a commercial product that's already made - every single one
I've looked up is made out of aluminum!), let me know. I don't need
ruler marks on it (would be a bonus though).

---

http://www.FenrirOnline.com

Computer services, custom metal etching,
arts, crafts, and much more.

greybeard wrote:
Google kbctools, enco, msc, go to measuring instruments, Starrett, ...

ENCO, yes; "measuring instruments", no. Go to "ground flat stock".
E.g., 24" long, 1/16 x 1": $8.56. Much variety as to length, width,
thickness.

Bob

Why not a good blade from a combination square?

I just picked up one of these
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=4185
beautiful blade for your purposes (except no beveled edge)

the cheaper one has a lousy blade:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=92471



Fenrir Enterprises wrote:
I'm not much of a metalworker, I joined this group to look for
information on metal etching and wound up never leaving. But I have a
need for an item that might be considered simple to those of you with
a decent size workshop, but I figure someone might also be able to
come up with a better idea.

I need a straight edge to use to cut out business cards, shapes, etc,
out of paper and card. Rotary trimmers, guillotine style cutters, and
the like are far too imprecise, it's almost impossible to get them to
cut along a specific line. It's very difficult to find a ruler that is
good for this. A cheap plastic or wooden ruler is useless, the blade
will cut these as easily as the paper. I have a Helix and Wescott
rulers designed specifically 'for use with a craft knife for paper
trimming'. They have a groove for your fingers so you don't
accidentally cut yourself, a beveled edge of about 20-30 degrees to
create a very nice line to cut along, and a little rubber grip liner
on the bottom. However, they are both made out of aluminum. If you
don't hold the blade perfectly parallel to the cutting edge, you will
nick it, slice off the metal, or otherwise damage the ruler. Both of
them are already useless as they have enough nicks and grooves that
the knife will always go off course. I have about five different
stainless steel rulers. Two of them have a thick no-slip cork liner
that lifts the ruler too far off the page - the knife can tilt and cut
underneath it. The two that don't have a no-slip liner seem to be made
out of softer steel and the x-acto knife will notch them, though not
nearly as easily as the aluminum ones. Also, without the beveled
edges, it's harder to line it up along cut guides, especially for full
bleed business cards (print to the edge).

I guess what I'm basically looking for is a straightedge made out of a
very tough metal that won't be easily nicked or scratched with an
x-acto blade. Beveled along one edge to make it easier to line up on
the image. A small groove along the underside, closer to the
non-beveled edge, to put a bead of caulk in or a little rubber strip
in order to keep it from slipping, while not lifting the beveled edge
off of the paper. A larger groove, or some kind of 'finger stop' along
the edge where the bevel starts, to prevent you from putting your
fingers past the edge of the ruler. One 12" long and 2" wide, and one
6" long and 1" wide. If anyone has any idea about how hard it would be
to make something like this, or improvements to the design (or if they
know of a commercial product that's already made - every single one
I've looked up is made out of aluminum!), let me know. I don't need
ruler marks on it (would be a bonus though).

---

http://www.FenrirOnline.com

Computer services, custom metal etching,
arts, crafts, and much more.

On Wed, 29 Mar 2006 13:12:59 GMT, "Norm Dresner"
wrote:


I bought two different lengths of a cutting guide from
http://www.MicroMark.com
one's about 11" and the other 22". They're both made of aluminum but I've
yet to nick either and I have pretty much the same problem you do.

Maybe I just don't have as steady a hand as you do, or the aluminum
used for these is hardened. The Westcott one I have has held up better
than the Helix one, but I still managed to nick it, and the blade now
'catches' on the spots that are nicked. I wind up with tiny aluminum
chips on whatever I'm cutting, so I suspect I'm shaving off aluminum
each time I cut so it's probably not even straight anymore. The
beveled edge it has makes it so much easier to line up properly. It
has a steel edge on the other side, which is not beveled, and raised
up so that the knife can tilt under it, and go off the line.

I'll check out some of the squares other people have suggested, but
I'm still looking for something with a beveled edge that's too hard
for the knife to easily scratch it.

---

http://www.FenrirOnline.com

Computer services, custom metal etching,
arts, crafts, and much more.

Fenrir Enterprises wrote:
I'm not much of a metalworker, I joined this group to look for
information on metal etching and wound up never leaving. But I have a
need for an item that might be considered simple to those of you with
a decent size workshop, but I figure someone might also be able to
come up with a better idea.

I need a straight edge to use to cut out business cards, shapes, etc,
out of paper and card. Rotary trimmers, guillotine style cutters, and
the like are far too imprecise, it's almost impossible to get them to
cut along a specific line. It's very difficult to find a ruler that is
good for this. A cheap plastic or wooden ruler is useless, the blade
will cut these as easily as the paper. I have a Helix and Wescott
rulers designed specifically 'for use with a craft knife for paper
trimming'. They have a groove for your fingers so you don't
accidentally cut yourself, a beveled edge of about 20-30 degrees to
create a very nice line to cut along, and a little rubber grip liner
on the bottom. However, they are both made out of aluminum. If you
don't hold the blade perfectly parallel to the cutting edge, you will
nick it, slice off the metal, or otherwise damage the ruler. Both of
them are already useless as they have enough nicks and grooves that
the knife will always go off course. I have about five different
stainless steel rulers. Two of them have a thick no-slip cork liner
that lifts the ruler too far off the page - the knife can tilt and cut
underneath it. The two that don't have a no-slip liner seem to be made
out of softer steel and the x-acto knife will notch them, though not
nearly as easily as the aluminum ones. Also, without the beveled
edges, it's harder to line it up along cut guides, especially for full
bleed business cards (print to the edge).

I guess what I'm basically looking for is a straightedge made out of a
very tough metal that won't be easily nicked or scratched with an
x-acto blade. Beveled along one edge to make it easier to line up on
the image. A small groove along the underside, closer to the
non-beveled edge, to put a bead of caulk in or a little rubber strip
in order to keep it from slipping, while not lifting the beveled edge
off of the paper. A larger groove, or some kind of 'finger stop' along
the edge where the bevel starts, to prevent you from putting your
fingers past the edge of the ruler. One 12" long and 2" wide, and one
6" long and 1" wide. If anyone has any idea about how hard it would be
to make something like this, or improvements to the design (or if they
know of a commercial product that's already made - every single one
I've looked up is made out of aluminum!), let me know. I don't need
ruler marks on it (would be a bonus though).

---

http://www.FenrirOnline.com

Computer services, custom metal etching,
arts, crafts, and much more.

If you're willing to DIY this project and you want a straightedge that
your x-acto blade won't nick or slice shavings off, this is my
suggestion to you.

Pick up some carbide tipped "planer/jointer knifes" like the ones on
this page:

http://www.amanatool.com/knives/ctp100.html

You can get hardened tool steel ones without carbide edges from a whole
mess of sources they'd probably be good enuff for the job too.

You could use epoxy or double sided tape to fasten a strip of wood or
plastic to the top of the blade to keep the knife from "bumping" against
your fingers, and glue a 1/4 inch wide strip of something like
electrician's "rubber tape" or even fine sandpaper on the underside of
the "dull" edge for "tooth" against the paper you're cutting, but the
weight of the blade itself may be enough to let you get by without
needing that.

Do they still make that electrician's "rubber tape"? The way I learned
it as a kid, the rubber tape gave you a waterproof insulating layer over
a wire splice and the cloth "friction tape" was wrapped over the rubber
to protect the rubber from (guess what?) friction when it rubbed
against things.

HTH,

Jeff

--
Jeffry Wisnia

(W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)

"Truth exists; only falsehood has to be invented."

"Fenrir Enterprises" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 29 Mar 2006 13:12:59 GMT, "Norm Dresner"
wrote:


I bought two different lengths of a cutting guide from
http://www.MicroMark.com
one's about 11" and the other 22". They're both made of aluminum but I've
yet to nick either and I have pretty much the same problem you do.

Maybe I just don't have as steady a hand as you do, or the aluminum
used for these is hardened. The Westcott one I have has held up better
than the Helix one, but I still managed to nick it, and the blade now
'catches' on the spots that are nicked. I wind up with tiny aluminum
chips on whatever I'm cutting, so I suspect I'm shaving off aluminum
each time I cut so it's probably not even straight anymore. The
beveled edge it has makes it so much easier to line up properly. It
has a steel edge on the other side, which is not beveled, and raised
up so that the knife can tilt under it, and go off the line.

I'll check out some of the squares other people have suggested, but
I'm still looking for something with a beveled edge that's too hard
for the knife to easily scratch it.


Go to your local office supply sto they sell several different
lengths/widths of SS rulers.

If you don't like the cork non-slip back strips, they peel off with little
effort.

My wife prefers my old SS forms ruler.

On Wed, 29 Mar 2006 12:36:52 -0600, "RAM³"
wrote:

Go to your local office supply sto they sell several different
lengths/widths of SS rulers.


None of which are beveled, and some of the cheaper ones are also
easily damaged with the x-acto blade. Westcott seems to be made out of
tougher steel, the Helix ones all get notched up pretty quickly.

---

http://www.FenrirOnline.com

Computer services, custom metal etching,
arts, crafts, and much more.

I use a 12 inch precision rule with a hobby knife to trim paper rolls for my
pipe organ. There isn't any problem trimming exactly along the line. I
haven't experienced any nicking the rule with the knife. This rule is made
of tempered steel, manufacturer is PEC, it isn't beveled. A beveled edge
would really make this easier to use, particularly lining up the rule with
the line to be trimmed.

These don't have the groove or finger stop that you want, but the
modifications would be easy to do. Put a piece of non-skid tape along the
side opposite from the cutting to prevent slipping. That would keep the
cutting/beveled edge against the paper. A finger guard could be glued
(epoxy) to the top of the straight edge.

Following references are from MSC, any metalworking tool supplier will have
these.

This is a reference to a Starrett rule similar to what I use.
http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT...PMT4NO=6182325

and a beveled straight edge.
http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT...57912&PMT4NO=0

Roger

"Fenrir Enterprises" wrote in message
...
I'm not much of a metalworker, I joined this group to look for
information on metal etching and wound up never leaving. But I have a
need for an item that might be considered simple to those of you with
a decent size workshop, but I figure someone might also be able to
come up with a better idea.

I need a straight edge to use to cut out business cards, shapes, etc,
out of paper and card. Rotary trimmers, guillotine style cutters, and
the like are far too imprecise, it's almost impossible to get them to
cut along a specific line. It's very difficult to find a ruler that is
good for this. A cheap plastic or wooden ruler is useless, the blade
will cut these as easily as the paper. I have a Helix and Wescott
rulers designed specifically 'for use with a craft knife for paper
trimming'. They have a groove for your fingers so you don't
accidentally cut yourself, a beveled edge of about 20-30 degrees to
create a very nice line to cut along, and a little rubber grip liner
on the bottom. However, they are both made out of aluminum. If you
don't hold the blade perfectly parallel to the cutting edge, you will
nick it, slice off the metal, or otherwise damage the ruler. Both of
them are already useless as they have enough nicks and grooves that
the knife will always go off course. I have about five different
stainless steel rulers. Two of them have a thick no-slip cork liner
that lifts the ruler too far off the page - the knife can tilt and cut
underneath it. The two that don't have a no-slip liner seem to be made
out of softer steel and the x-acto knife will notch them, though not
nearly as easily as the aluminum ones. Also, without the beveled
edges, it's harder to line it up along cut guides, especially for full
bleed business cards (print to the edge).

I guess what I'm basically looking for is a straightedge made out of a
very tough metal that won't be easily nicked or scratched with an
x-acto blade. Beveled along one edge to make it easier to line up on
the image. A small groove along the underside, closer to the
non-beveled edge, to put a bead of caulk in or a little rubber strip
in order to keep it from slipping, while not lifting the beveled edge
off of the paper. A larger groove, or some kind of 'finger stop' along
the edge where the bevel starts, to prevent you from putting your
fingers past the edge of the ruler. One 12" long and 2" wide, and one
6" long and 1" wide.

Fenrir Enterprises wrote:
I'm not much of a metalworker, I joined this group to look for
information on metal etching and wound up never leaving. But I have a
need for an item that might be considered simple to those of you with
a decent size workshop, but I figure someone might also be able to
come up with a better idea.

I need a straight edge to use to cut out business cards, shapes, etc,
out of paper and card. Rotary trimmers, guillotine style cutters, and
the like are far too imprecise, it's almost impossible to get them to
cut along a specific line. It's very difficult to find a ruler that is
good for this. A cheap plastic or wooden ruler is useless, the blade
will cut these as easily as the paper. I have a Helix and Wescott
rulers designed specifically 'for use with a craft knife for paper
trimming'. They have a groove for your fingers so you don't
accidentally cut yourself, a beveled edge of about 20-30 degrees to
create a very nice line to cut along, and a little rubber grip liner
on the bottom. However, they are both made out of aluminum. If you
don't hold the blade perfectly parallel to the cutting edge, you will
nick it, slice off the metal, or otherwise damage the ruler. Both of
them are already useless as they have enough nicks and grooves that
the knife will always go off course. I have about five different
stainless steel rulers. Two of them have a thick no-slip cork liner
that lifts the ruler too far off the page - the knife can tilt and cut
underneath it. The two that don't have a no-slip liner seem to be made
out of softer steel and the x-acto knife will notch them, though not
nearly as easily as the aluminum ones. Also, without the beveled
edges, it's harder to line it up along cut guides, especially for full
bleed business cards (print to the edge).

I guess what I'm basically looking for is a straightedge made out of a
very tough metal that won't be easily nicked or scratched with an
x-acto blade. Beveled along one edge to make it easier to line up on
the image. A small groove along the underside, closer to the
non-beveled edge, to put a bead of caulk in or a little rubber strip
in order to keep it from slipping, while not lifting the beveled edge
off of the paper. A larger groove, or some kind of 'finger stop' along
the edge where the bevel starts, to prevent you from putting your
fingers past the edge of the ruler. One 12" long and 2" wide, and one
6" long and 1" wide. If anyone has any idea about how hard it would be
to make something like this, or improvements to the design (or if they
know of a commercial product that's already made - every single one
I've looked up is made out of aluminum!), let me know. I don't need
ruler marks on it (would be a bonus though).

---

http://www.FenrirOnline.com

Computer services, custom metal etching,
arts, crafts, and much more.

I have a straight edge similar to what you are looking for (mine is
bigger). It is 42" long, 2" wide, with a bevel on one edge. it is made
of stainless steel. It is manufactured by Pickett in Japan. (we used
it for drafting)

good luck with your search,
Andy

Stop by the picture framing shop and see how they cut the cardboard that
they use. They cut rapidly and accurately all day long in a busy shop.
They also cut at angles if you need that.

--
Why do penguins walk so far to get to their nesting grounds?

On Thu, 30 Mar 2006 01:08:16 GMT, "Roger Jones"
wrote:

I use a 12 inch precision rule with a hobby knife to trim paper rolls for my
pipe organ. There isn't any problem trimming exactly along the line. I
haven't experienced any nicking the rule with the knife. This rule is made
of tempered steel, manufacturer is PEC, it isn't beveled. A beveled edge
would really make this easier to use, particularly lining up the rule with
the line to be trimmed.

These don't have the groove or finger stop that you want, but the
modifications would be easy to do. Put a piece of non-skid tape along the
side opposite from the cutting to prevent slipping. That would keep the
cutting/beveled edge against the paper. A finger guard could be glued
(epoxy) to the top of the straight edge.

The bevel is really what I want, I just can't seem to find one locally
that's beveled /and/ hardened steel, only aluminum. I think the
problem that I have is that a ruler with a bevel doesn't have a 'flat
vertical edge' for the knife to run along, therefore it's easier to
tilt the blade and hit the ruler. Westcott and Helix rulers are thin
enough to run into the same problem. I bought a cheap 12" combination
square at Lowes today (Swanson, with the plastic right angle) and
simply took the ruler off of it - the ruler is much stiffer and
straighter than anything that you can get in an office store, and
about 3-4x thicker. It seems to be the same ruler that's on the more
expensive Swanson with the cast metal handle. So far I have not nicked
it at all - the thicker metal gives a bigger vertical edge for the
knife blade to run along. I may try it with a handheld rotary cutter,
since it's about the same thickness as the acrylic rulers that are
used with them. Someone else suggested trying a planar blade, but I
think that sounds a bit dangerous (maybe run it over a screwdriver
handle to dull it a bit first) and they're a little too expensive.

It has a groove for the combination handle that works fine as a finger
guard. I'll live without the no-skid backing for now. The problem with
adding it to a ruler that doesn't have a bevel is that instead of
having the edge vertical to the paper, you have one tilted with an
'overhang', so the cut can go very slightly angled. With full bleed
business cards this does make a difference. Hopefully the stainless
steel used for this square is a strong one.

Following references are from MSC, any metalworking tool supplier will have
these.

This is a reference to a Starrett rule similar to what I use.
http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT...PMT4NO=6182325

Probably similar to what I took off the combination square, I figure
the ruler marks are more precise - I use a different ruler to mark
with a pencil or scribe, I just want this one to use as a cutting
edge.

and a beveled straight edge.
http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT...57912&PMT4NO=0


This is nice, but a tad expensive - the precision it has is probably
/more/ than what I need. Cheaper than planar blades, and probably not
as life threateningly dangerous to use loose. I'll see how things go
with this new ruler. I think my biggest problem is that I simply don't
hold the knife straight enough when I make the cuts. I'm sure I'm not
the only one who does this, though.

---

http://www.FenrirOnline.com

Computer services, custom metal etching,
arts, crafts, and much more.

I have several 12" school-type wooden rulers that have a steel strip on
one long edge. Perfect for X-acto cutting. Have used them for this for
years.
JR
Dweller in the cellar

Fenrir Enterprises wrote:
I'm not much of a metalworker, I joined this group to look for
information on metal etching and wound up never leaving. But I have a
need for an item that might be considered simple to those of you with
a decent size workshop, but I figure someone might also be able to
come up with a better idea.

I need a straight edge to use to cut out business cards, shapes, etc,
out of paper and card. Rotary trimmers, guillotine style cutters, and
the like are far too imprecise, it's almost impossible to get them to
cut along a specific line. It's very difficult to find a ruler that is
good for this. A cheap plastic or wooden ruler is useless, the blade
will cut these as easily as the paper. I have a Helix and Wescott
rulers designed specifically 'for use with a craft knife for paper
trimming'. They have a groove for your fingers so you don't
accidentally cut yourself, a beveled edge of about 20-30 degrees to
create a very nice line to cut along, and a little rubber grip liner
on the bottom. However, they are both made out of aluminum. If you
don't hold the blade perfectly parallel to the cutting edge, you will
nick it, slice off the metal, or otherwise damage the ruler. Both of
them are already useless as they have enough nicks and grooves that
the knife will always go off course. I have about five different
stainless steel rulers. Two of them have a thick no-slip cork liner
that lifts the ruler too far off the page - the knife can tilt and cut
underneath it. The two that don't have a no-slip liner seem to be made
out of softer steel and the x-acto knife will notch them, though not
nearly as easily as the aluminum ones. Also, without the beveled
edges, it's harder to line it up along cut guides, especially for full
bleed business cards (print to the edge).

I guess what I'm basically looking for is a straightedge made out of a
very tough metal that won't be easily nicked or scratched with an
x-acto blade. Beveled along one edge to make it easier to line up on
the image. A small groove along the underside, closer to the
non-beveled edge, to put a bead of caulk in or a little rubber strip
in order to keep it from slipping, while not lifting the beveled edge
off of the paper. A larger groove, or some kind of 'finger stop' along
the edge where the bevel starts, to prevent you from putting your
fingers past the edge of the ruler. One 12" long and 2" wide, and one
6" long and 1" wide. If anyone has any idea about how hard it would be
to make something like this, or improvements to the design (or if they
know of a commercial product that's already made - every single one
I've looked up is made out of aluminum!), let me know. I don't need
ruler marks on it (would be a bonus though).

---

http://www.FenrirOnline.com

Computer services, custom metal etching,
arts, crafts, and much more.


--
--------------------------------------------------------------
Home Page: http://www.seanet.com/~jasonrnorth
If you're not the lead dog, the view never changes
Doubt yourself, and the real world will eat you alive
The world doesn't revolve around you, it revolves around me
No skeletons in the closet; just decomposing corpses
--------------------------------------------------------------
Dependence is Vulnerability:
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"Open the Pod Bay Doors please, Hal"
"I'm sorry, Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that.."

On Thu, 30 Mar 2006 01:08:16 GMT, "Roger Jones"
wrote:

I use a 12 inch precision rule with a hobby knife to trim paper rolls for my
pipe organ. There isn't any problem trimming exactly along the line. I
haven't experienced any nicking the rule with the knife. This rule is made
of tempered steel, manufacturer is PEC, it isn't beveled. A beveled edge
would really make this easier to use, particularly lining up the rule with
the line to be trimmed.

These don't have the groove or finger stop that you want, but the
modifications would be easy to do. Put a piece of non-skid tape along the
side opposite from the cutting to prevent slipping. That would keep the
cutting/beveled edge against the paper. A finger guard could be glued
(epoxy) to the top of the straight edge.

Following references are from MSC, any metalworking tool supplier will have
these.

This is a reference to a Starrett rule similar to what I use.
http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT...PMT4NO=6182325

and a beveled straight edge.
http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT...57912&PMT4NO=0

Got a bit larger version downstairs that followed me home after I
followed my job to regional office and was given the task of cleaning
out our old quarters after everything of value had been re-assigned.
This is from Rabone-Chesterman and is 1 m. long by 60 mm. by about
1mm. thick, beveled one side. Comes in very handy every so often.
Gerry :-)}
London, Canada

On 29 Mar 2006 17:48:15 -0800, "andy"
wrote:


Fenrir Enterprises wrote:
I'm not much of a metalworker, I joined this group to look for
information on metal etching and wound up never leaving. But I have a
need for an item that might be considered simple to those of you with
a decent size workshop, but I figure someone might also be able to
come up with a better idea.

I need a straight edge to use to cut out business cards, shapes, etc,
out of paper and card. Rotary trimmers, guillotine style cutters, and
the like are far too imprecise, it's almost impossible to get them to
cut along a specific line. It's very difficult to find a ruler that is
good for this. A cheap plastic or wooden ruler is useless, the blade
will cut these as easily as the paper. I have a Helix and Wescott
rulers designed specifically 'for use with a craft knife for paper
trimming'. They have a groove for your fingers so you don't
accidentally cut yourself, a beveled edge of about 20-30 degrees to
create a very nice line to cut along, and a little rubber grip liner
on the bottom. However, they are both made out of aluminum. If you
don't hold the blade perfectly parallel to the cutting edge, you will
nick it, slice off the metal, or otherwise damage the ruler. Both of
them are already useless as they have enough nicks and grooves that
the knife will always go off course. I have about five different
stainless steel rulers. Two of them have a thick no-slip cork liner
that lifts the ruler too far off the page - the knife can tilt and cut
underneath it. The two that don't have a no-slip liner seem to be made
out of softer steel and the x-acto knife will notch them, though not
nearly as easily as the aluminum ones. Also, without the beveled
edges, it's harder to line it up along cut guides, especially for full
bleed business cards (print to the edge).

I guess what I'm basically looking for is a straightedge made out of a
very tough metal that won't be easily nicked or scratched with an
x-acto blade. Beveled along one edge to make it easier to line up on
the image. A small groove along the underside, closer to the
non-beveled edge, to put a bead of caulk in or a little rubber strip
in order to keep it from slipping, while not lifting the beveled edge
off of the paper. A larger groove, or some kind of 'finger stop' along
the edge where the bevel starts, to prevent you from putting your
fingers past the edge of the ruler. One 12" long and 2" wide, and one
6" long and 1" wide. If anyone has any idea about how hard it would be
to make something like this, or improvements to the design (or if they
know of a commercial product that's already made - every single one
I've looked up is made out of aluminum!), let me know. I don't need
ruler marks on it (would be a bonus though).

---

http://www.FenrirOnline.com

Computer services, custom metal etching,
arts, crafts, and much more.
There used to be an 18" wooden ruler with an inserted strip of steel
along the beveled edge - check in office supplies.
Gerry :-)}
London, Canada

Go to an office supply store like staples or office depot, Get a Helix
cork backed stainless steel ruler.

On Thu, 30 Mar 2006 03:32:15 -0500, wrote:

If you are nicking your straightedge, you are not holding your knife
correctly. A beveled edge will nick easier as it is thinner no matter
what material it is made of.
Ther are many dedicated stainless steel beveled straight edges on the
market.
I also had a problem "connecting the dots" when the factory put in new
lighting. The position on "my" overhead lighting was such that it cast
a shadow over the edge of my set of aluminum angles (in use over 15
years). I repositioned my work space and everything is fine.
Mike

Go to an office supply store like staples or office depot, Get a Helix
cork backed stainless steel ruler.