Ask Ozone

Question

Greetings!

I am researching paper cutters/trimmers. I am hoping you can give me some advice on product selection? I have two different tasks, maybe one cutter/trimmer can do both? We have a medium-volume color laser printer that can do saddle-stitched booklets. We would like a machine that could trim the 1/4″ margins off three sides after they were printed and bound. Also, we sometimes would like to trim flyers, etc. into 1/2 page (8-1/2′ x 5-1/2″), 1/3 page, 1/4 page etc in small quantities up to about 3,000 sheets or so. We don’t need 3,000 sheets in one cut, just want to do them faster & easier than our manual, guillotine-style cutter.

Thanks,

John F.

Answer

We highly recommend the Intelli-Cut 550MS Electric Stack Paper Cutter. This cutter was specifically designed to tackle large cutting jobs such as yours. The model 550MS handles thick stacks of paper with ease, yet will execute accurate trimming strokes as well. It can cut through sizeable quantities of standard paper, card stock and chipboard. This paper cutter is made from durable metal components and includes a long-lasting cutting blade that stays sharp for a long time.

Question

Hello,

I have a small letterpress invitation company and am looking for a higher sheet capacity, but still very precise paper cutter.  The Model 1038 Kutrimmer seems as though it might suit my needs.  I am currently cutting paper individually with a tabletop Carl rotary cutter.  The Carl is nice in that it is precise, but cutting paper one by one is really labor intensive.

The 1038 seems suitable as I liked that it mentioned that it has the ability to trim off very narrow edges.  What sort of customer feedback have you received on the 1038 or have you used it yourself?  Does it have the ability to clamp and precisely cut small items, like business cards without fanning?

Also, what is the longevity of the cutting blades?  Most of my letterpress work is printed on very thick 100% cotton paper, which dulls standard Carl rotary blades REALLY quickly.  The sheet capacity called out is 50 sheets.  I assume this is for typical text weight paper.  Any idea what the sheet capacity would be for 100lb Crane Lettra cover stock or 140lb French Paper Muscletone card stock?

Any further information and guidance you can provide on the 1038 would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you and Kind Regards,

Sarah S.

Answer

We have used several arm paper cutters of the years, and the MBM Kutrimmer 1038 Arm Paper Cutter ranks near the top. Our customers also give the Kutrimmer 1038 high marks. Its independent hand clamp prevents annoying paper slippage or bunching when cutting. The 1038 has a German-engineered Solingen steel blade that stays sharp longer than most competing models. This highly durable blade may also be re-sharpened, thus giving you several years of use. Several competing paper cutters and trimmers available today merely offer disposable blades. A front guide on the machine lets you cut paper strips as thin as one millimeter.

You can easily cut through 50 sheets of copy paper at once with the Kutrimmer 1038. When cutting heavier paper stock with the 1038, the cutting capacity may be reduced by up to 50%. The 1038 features an easy-to-use handle that almost effortlessly brings the cutting arm down on the stack of paper. It also comes standard with a safety guard that prevents injury.

Question

Hello

I’ve purchased a paper folder from you guys and I’m really happy with it – Thank you!

I also need a new binding machine ( something I can recreate spiral notebooks with) and a good paper cutter.  I would use the cutter for accurate sizing down of printing I do.  In other words, I would need to be able to cut a few sheets of paper at a time very accurately.

Please help me find out some options!

Reza

Answer

Glad to hear the good news about your paper folding machine! We highly recommend the Akiles CoilMac-ECI Manual Spiral Binding Machine With Coil Inserter. This particular model is a big favorite with our customers. They prefer the CoilMac-ECI because it’s a durable binding machine that simply gets the job done. You can easily punch through a relatively thick stack of paper with it, and then quickly insert the binding coil with the unit’s electric coil inserter.

We also recommend any Rotatrim Professional Rotary Paper Cutter model. What else can be said about the quality of Rotatrim cutters? Their construction and cutting quality are unsurpassed. We actually did a tolerance test a couple of days ago with a Rotatrim paper trimmer. It easily sliced through a wide variety of materials from tissue paper, cork board and then plastic magnetic pads. The most impressive thing about a Rotatrim cutter is that no matter the weight of the material, the blade stays sharp and you still get an accurate cut with every pass.

Question

I would like a recommendation for a manual stack cutter under $800. I am in the stationery business and currently own a QCM 8200, which I am unhappy with.

I need to know which of your cutters is the most precise, as I am a perfectionist. I need STRAIGHT cuts to exact measurement. Would prefer a self sharpening blade if possible. I need it to cut 100# cardstock 20-50 sheets at a time.

I also would like it to be easy to use.

Wondering if the GBC ClassicCut Guillotine Paper Trimmer CL800pro fulfills my requirements?

Thank you for your time.

The problem I had with the QCM is that it is not a perfect square. I had to align the backstop ruler manually and the side gauge is totally useless since it is not a perfect square when screwed in. Also the cuts are about 1/8\” off if you go by the ruler guides.

Yesenia A.

Answer

Unfortunately you will not find a stack paper cutter under $800 that will meet all of your stated cutting requirements. One simply does not exist. However, for a slightly higher investment we recommend the Tamerica GuilloMax Plus Manual Paper Cutter. This is a precise stack cutter with several high-end features.

The Guillomax stack cutter is a guillotine-style cutter capable of slicing 800 sheets of paper in half with a single stroke of the blade. The GuilloMax Plus is easy to set up and operate. It also has a laser guide for added cutting precision. Its wheel-driven paper clamp holds a stack of paper firmly in place, thus eliminating most cutting slips and errors.

Question

I am looking to buy a paper cutter 24” with guards for fingers. (OSHA approved a plus) what would be your recommendations?

I was looking at this model:

Dahle Model 124 Guillotine Paper Cutter & Trimmer

Will this be a good option?

Jacklyn G.

Answer

The Dahle 124 Paper Trimmer is definitely a good machine. In the right hands, it performs accurate and relatively safe cuts. However, if safety is a big concern we highly recommend the MBM Kutrimmer 1071 Heavy-Duty Arm Trimmer by Ideal.

The model paper cutter 1071 has a hard-to-miss safety cover that keeps the blade covered and protected at all times. This ensures personal injury to the user is a non-issue. We like the MBM Kutrimmer 1071 because you can cut up to 40 sheets of paper (up to 28 ½-inches long) at a time. And, it has a convenient built-in hand clamp that keeps constant pressure on the stack of paper, ensuring a straight line with every cut.

This is a common question, and the answer really depends on the type of paper cutter you are using. You may re-sharpen the blades on stack paper cutters and guillotine cutters, but Office Zone recommends you still have a replacement blade on hand. This eliminates production downtime while the dull blade is being re-sharpened.

Rotary paper cutters often have self-sharpening blades, but these eventually become dull as well. Once the blade is completely dull, it must be replaced. Arm paper cutters may be re-sharpened, but replacements blades are also an option for these as well.

Do you need your paper cutter blade re-sharpened? If so, be sure to contact Office Zone’s Service Department today. We would be happy to help you get your paper cutter blade cutting at its best as soon as possible.

Question

I’m looking for a very precise rotary cutter for home use. I’m interested in the Akiles 1815, but I can’t find any info about the manufacturer, or the price of replacement blades. I’d want to be sure the product will still be made for a few years! Is this cutter my best bet?

Deb V.

Answer

The Akiles Roll@Blade 1815 18-inch Rotary Paper Cutter is a good choice … especially if you need to perform precise cuts. The manufacturer, Akiles, is a well-known brand in the office equipment industry. They have built a solid reputation by creating some of the most durable and dependable document binding machines available. Paper cutters are a relatively new entry for this company. However, from our testing we have found the Akiles model cutters to be just as accurate (if not better) than most competing brands.

The model 1815 rotary paper cutter is a high-precision paper trimmer. It features an ergonomic blade carriage and a tungsten steel alloy blade. Its two sliding poles deliver exceptional stability and cutting accuracy. Replacement blades are available for this model. The Roll-@-Blade also features a transparent clamping bar for added visibility and stability when cutting.

Question

Hello,

What is the availability and the price of the 5550-EP Programmable Hydraulic Cutter. We would like to be able to cut paper of a professional grade. We need to able to cut at least heavy stock 11”x 17” and regular paper is this possible on this particular machine?

Thank you,

Alexis J.

Answer

The MBM Triumph 5550-EP programmable automatic paper cutter is in stock and ready to ship. The cost is just under $13,000. The 5550-EP is a professional-grade cutter. It can perform up to 26 cuts per minute, and easily slice through stacks of paper up to 3-5/8″ in thickness. It will handle your 11″ x 17″ heavy stock paper and more.

The 5550-EP programmable cutter features a wide variety of adjustments for exact positioning of papers that need to be cut. Its hydraulic clamping pressure mechanism is adjustable to ensure consistent pressure along the edge of the paper stack to be cut. This machine features a foot pedal for pre-pressing and a handy cutting line indicator.

Question

Dear Madam:

I am trying to buy M18 Rotatrim Professional Series Cutter. Can you please advise how many sheets of paper can it cut at one time. Can it be used as an all round office machine or is it just for a photographers studio.  Is model M18 any different to Rotatrim RC RCM18 18-Inch Cut .

Your advice is greatly appreciated

Best Regards

Vishindas K.

Answer

The Rotatrim M18 Professional Cutter is an excellent choice. Pro M series cutters are designed to withstand high volume tasks and cleanly cut virtually all sorts of paper and flexible materials up to 3mm thick. We have found from our own lab testing that this particular model will trim about 12 sheets of 20 lb. bond paper at a time. You can accurately cut a wide variety of materials with the model M18.

Rotatrim cutting machines are used around the globe in offices, workshops, photography studios and schools. This rotary cutter features a tungsten alloy blade and double-steel tube cutting suspension guide for accurate cutting. It also has an automatic transparent clamping strip that prevents paper from slipping during the trimming process.

The robust construction of the M18 is fully warranted for 5 years against faulty workmanship and materials. The only difference between the model M18 and RCM18 is the cutting board size. The RC board is two inches longer and wider.

Question

I have a Dahle 858 cutter and am looking for an attachment that will hold multi page booklets in place without slipping. Do you carry these?

Bill K.

Answer

How thick are your multi-page booklets? And what kind of paper are you using? The Dahle 858 Premium Stack Paper Cutter can slice through 700 sheets of paper at a time — almost a ream and a half of paper! That’s quite a lot for a manual stack cutter. The model 858 can cut paper up to 18-5/8-inches wide too. The actual cutting action with the model 858 doesn’t take a lot of effort; however, we have found that Triumph cutters are comparatively easier to use.

The automatic paper clamp in this cutter is quite a bit different from clamping devices that we have tested at Office Zone in the past. Most high-end stack cutters have a separately operated clamping mechanism that holds the paper in place before cutting. The Dahle 858’s clamp and cutter are simultaneously activated by using the cutting handle. The clamp, although unusual from our point of view, seemed to hold the paper in place just fine while cutting various sizes and thicknesses of paper. The manufacturer does not provide a separate attachment to hold paper in place.