Re: [ATM] Slitting metal

[GARY FUCHS <gary@rcn.com>]

Hello Doug,

I'll second (third?) the suggestion to use a guillotine type paper 
trimmer(ie: 
http://www.staples.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StaplesProd
uctDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10051&langId=-
1&productId=17598&cmArea=SEARCH). I haven't tried 
stainless, but have easily cut aluminum and brass sheet. My 
cutter is a 15", old, and heavily used. I use a scrap of masonite, 
thin plywood, or heavy cardboard placed over the bulk of the 
material. Clamping would be good, but I think you can just bear 
down with your free hand, placing most pressure nearest the 
cut - watch your fingers obviously! If you need to do more than 
the cutter's capacity just cut down maybe 75%, raise the blade 
and move the sheet forward, lining the cut edge up with the 
edge of the trimmer and cut again.

On my cutter I couldn't rely on the accuracy of the grid 
markings so taped on a sheet of clear, thin, stiff plastic and cut 
it. That way you can see exactly where the cut will be from 
above. Probably overkill for this, and it limits the length of the 
cut, but lets you line up your cut with markings on the material -
 or something like trimming off borders on photos.

Gary Fuchs


>>I am thinking of using thin stainless shim stock  (0.010"
or less) to make spider vanes...but the question is how to
cut it to shape. It's available in strips perhaps 6" wide,
and I'll need strips that are 0.5 to 0.75 in wide.
Suggestions?

Thanks,
Doug Arion
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