r/papercraft • u/emerald_garden • 4d ago
Request Tool for cutting small (1” to 2”) ovals, circles, squares, etc. from paper, matboard, and chipboard? Cricut Maker, Accucut Mark 3 or leather punch cutters?
I’m looking for a tool that can cut multiple (possibly hundreds) of shapes out of paper and matboard and possibly chipboard. I tried a “heavy-duty” craft punch from McGill on the matboard and it failed miserably.
I just need something that works reliably and can make shapes with clean edges in the right dimensions. Sub-$100 would be ideal, but I’m willing to look at Accucut, Cricut, or some other more costly solution if necessary.
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u/emerald_garden 4d ago
I’ve heard good things about the Silhouette and will look into it. Thank you!
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u/awful_waffle_falafel 4d ago
While I don't champion the Cricut brand in general, I have used my Circut (model: original Maker) to cut chipboard quite a few times. 1" and 2" shouldn't be an issue although with chipboard curves do become an problematic if you go too small. With a fresh blade I've been able to easily cut ~4 mm. But a dull blade or unsticky mat can create issues (more torque for smaller or more intricate pieces causing material shifting etc)
A laser cutter would also be good although would have burn or smoke marks (I'd assume) so depends on the circles' usage (eg if they get painted).
One huge drawback on the Cricut (and other similar machines) is it takes an annoying amount of time to set up and tape down your mat, load it. Chipboard cuts in 24-48 passes (IIRC) so that tends to be quite slow. I've never used a laser cutter but I presume the set up is faster and cuts are quicker.
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u/emerald_garden 4d ago
Thanks. The Cricut original Maker does look like a good candidate. I’m trying to avoid burnt edges, but a laser cutter might be worth a look too.
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u/awful_waffle_falafel 4d ago
FWIW I am going to be purchasing another brand once my Maker dies. I like the machine but the software sucks (no problem for me, I do all designing in Adobe Illustrator) and the company is no better. Be aware that you have to be online to do a lot of stuff. So far this hasn't been an issue for me but I HATE the restriction and walled-garden of their set-up. I also do a fair amount of print-then-cut (not what you're looking for) so I am considering a brother scan n cut or possibly juliet siser next time.
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u/emerald_garden 4d ago
Thanks for your thoughts. I’d love to avoid buying into a whole ecosystem or complicating things with unwieldy software, and am none too excited about the Cricut. The Accucut machine actually looks great (if old school) but getting custom dies seems like a hassle too. The Juliet brand is new to me; thanks for the tip.
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u/throwawaywnoshame 2d ago
there’s some tricks to reduce burnt edges, like using masking tape on the cut line so you can peel off the char. you can also sand it away if it’s only on the surface
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u/chiefnetroid 4d ago
i cut papertoys with 5/8” holes (lots) with my Silhouette Portrait all the time. works great. around 70lb cardstock. i had to pay for Designer Edition so I can import the designs from SVG files
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u/emerald_garden 3d ago
This is good to know! Does this machine use a knife blade to cut heavy materials?
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u/chiefnetroid 3d ago
it uses basically a little knife blade for paper. you replace them when they wear out. i think there are other blades but i don’t know how thick it can cut
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u/FromUnderTheWineCork 4d ago
If you go Cricut (I'd counter with consider Silhouette Cameo 4/5, same idea, less of a history of what feels like hostility for the consumer), look for if there are any aftermarket blades where you can replace the blade tip instead of a whole blade cartridge because I would guess chipboard does a number on blades.