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Funny sponge shape after cut rubber

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LonelyKid View Drop Down
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    Posted: 09/12/2016 at 2:50am
Hi, I have trouble cutting my rubber. I watched several rubber cutting videos but I still cant do it right. I can get the topsheet cut nicely, but not the sponge. The sponge always ended up with funny shape. I tried with a new blade (the blade isnt blunt for sure), i tried with the tip, the middle, adding and not adding water.. still cant get it right. The sponge still isnt perpendicular with the topsheet. If i use a pair of scissor, i can get the sponge perpendicular with the topsheet, but the shape will not be as beautiful as using the knife.

Any advice? 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote *_strataras_* Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09/12/2016 at 3:07am
You should try the scissors, it is always the best from my experience, cause I cut many many rubbers per year (I cut mine and also my team-mates' rubbers). But if you want to use something else, you should try the razor blades and not a knife. The best would be something like that:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cf/Box-cutter.jpg
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote LonelyKid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09/12/2016 at 4:07am
Yeah, that is what I'm using. Sorry for the wrong word. I dont know why but the sponge just seems to being pulled by the blade. I tried to cut hard or cut soft,repeating, and the result is the same. 

When I used the scissor, if I mark the rubber and cut directly, the shape wont be nice. If i cut after i glue the rubber to the blade, there's always "leftover" and the rubber will be easily"opened", and I have to reglue again. 

Maybe I'll need to cut more rubbers, still lack of experience. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote *_strataras_* Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09/12/2016 at 2:24pm
If you use scissors, you always stick the rubbers and then you cut them individually. You never try to mark them, cut them and then stick them! And if you currently use the razor cutter, then you should change the blade in order to cut evenly. This is the reason for not cutting well the rubbers, cause of the used blade. I have been in your situation when firstly started to cut the rubbers with razor blade cutters, and it took me about 2 rubbers to understand that the reason for not cutting them right was the change of the blade.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote wturber Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09/12/2016 at 2:54pm
Originally posted by LonelyKid LonelyKid wrote:

Hi, I have trouble cutting my rubber. I watched several rubber cutting videos but I still cant do it right. I can get the topsheet cut nicely, but not the sponge. The sponge always ended up with funny shape. I tried with a new blade (the blade isnt blunt for sure), i tried with the tip, the middle, adding and not adding water.. still cant get it right. The sponge still isnt perpendicular with the topsheet. If i use a pair of scissor, i can get the sponge perpendicular with the topsheet, but the shape will not be as beautiful as using the knife.

Any advice? 

If using scissors, spray the scissors with Windex before cutting.  This acts as a lubricant and helps to make a cleaner cut.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote vishal_dindoyal Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09/12/2016 at 3:26pm
I you don't want 'leftover' when cutting your rubbers with scissors try to trace the shape of the blade on the sponge side of the rubber first (using a pen) and then take the rubber in your hand with the sponge side facing up (very important) and start cutting exactly on the line. Always cut anti-clockwise! If you cut it clockwise you will end up with the sponge not being perpendicular with the topsheet. Just my 2 cents!

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JohnnyChop Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09/12/2016 at 4:28pm
I cut softr but I take couple of rounds to cut through the rubber to the table... Unless your blade is super sharp I find taking a few rounds to cut is best for ...
Also when I cut I normally lean part of my knife blade against the blade to ensure I cut in smooth lines

Edited by JohnnyChop - 09/12/2016 at 4:30pm
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote TurboZ Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09/14/2016 at 9:07am
Remember to rub some baby oil on cutter as lubricant before cutting. I have used windex before but it turned my whole cutter into rust. Better test the sharpness of cutter on the outer edge of sponge first before actual cutting. If sponge is too fragile and crumble even with a new cutter then I will go with scissor. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote suds79 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09/14/2016 at 9:11am
I just always use an X-ACTO knife. Get spare blades because they get dull quick. One blade I'd say is good for about 3-4 rubbers. Past that your cuts won't be as clean.

One thing that works for me, maybe this will help you or maybe not, is that I don't try to cut through it all in one pass. I score it several times. Little by little over & over. That seems to work for me. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote AndySmith Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09/14/2016 at 10:18am
Originally posted by *_strataras_* *_strataras_* wrote:

If you use scissors, you always stick the rubbers and then you cut them individually. You never try to mark them, cut them and then stick them!

Funny, because that's exactly what I do every time.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote *_strataras_* Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09/14/2016 at 10:22am
What do you mean Andy? that you first mark them and then stick them on the blade?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote suds79 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09/14/2016 at 10:43am
Originally posted by *_strataras_* *_strataras_* wrote:

What do you mean Andy? that you first mark them and then stick them on the blade?

I don't do it but that's what my brother does. Puts the rubbers flat. Traces a line (i don't know with what. maybe sharpie?) around the rubber. then cuts it. Then glues it on.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote AndySmith Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09/14/2016 at 10:54am
Originally posted by *_strataras_* *_strataras_* wrote:

What do you mean Andy? that you first mark them and then stick them on the blade?

Yeeeeeah.

Originally posted by suds79 suds79 wrote:

I don't do it but that's what my brother does. Puts the rubbers flat. Traces a line (i don't know with what. maybe sharpie?) around the rubber. then cuts it. Then glues it on.

Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote *_strataras_* Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09/14/2016 at 3:56pm
Omg Andy, seriously now...LOL
You are kidding me right?Ouch
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote TurboZ Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09/15/2016 at 4:26am
I believe it is one of the common cutting method that people mark the blade shape on sponge side with marker first, then cut with scissors and glue onto blade, just exactly like when you re-glue a used rubber. I actually do that from time to time.  
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote AndySmith Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09/15/2016 at 4:31am
Originally posted by *_strataras_* *_strataras_* wrote:

Omg Andy, seriously now...LOL
You are kidding me right?Ouch

Nooooooope.

It's the best way.  Lovely clean cut with super sharp scissors.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote *_strataras_* Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09/15/2016 at 7:50am
Maaaaan....you first glue them on the blade and then you cut them nice and easy.
For me your way is totally unorthodox way to cut your rubbers, but if it works for you then it is the best way. Everyone does it as he can or how he is used to do it.
But you have to admit it, the faster and easier way is to stick them and then cut them, without marking etc...right?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote AndySmith Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09/15/2016 at 8:18am
Originally posted by *_strataras_* *_strataras_* wrote:

Maaaaan....you first glue them on the blade and then you cut them nice and easy.
For me your way is totally unorthodox way to cut your rubbers, but if it works for you then it is the best way. Everyone does it as he can or how he is used to do it.
But you have to admit it, the faster and easier way is to stick them and then cut them, without marking etc...right?

LOLz, yes I said it was the best ironically, because as long as the rubber is cut neatly and stuck down well, who cares, right?

I'll tell you the problems I've had with stick first, cut after.  Using scissors, I sometimes get an uneven result when I make each cut (little notches and bumps when I hit a pip or adjust the scissors).  It's also tricky to start cutting when the handle is in the way.  Sometimes I cut too close to the blade and chip the outside edge of the wood.  Sometimes I can't get the scissors close enough to the edge which leaves an overhang, which I'm not a fan of.  Sometimes I get a funny angle of cut where the topsheet and sponge aren't cut vertically, exposing a bit of sponge (as the OP has said).  Also, the action of cutting the rubber can cause it to pull away from the blade slightly at the very edge, which I don't like (it's harder to re-stick peeling edges since we moved to water-based glue).  I find it all very fiddly.  I just don't like it.

Using a razor is better in some ways, but I have to wet the blade as I slice and each razor is only good for 2-3 rubbers and then I have to throw away.  I don't like keeping a pack of razors on hand, and it takes me a long time to cut smoothly for some reason.  I prefer using scissors.

If I mark the sponge and cut I get a perfect cut with my scissors, which last for several years and can be sharpened if they start to go blunt.  The only issue is lining the rubber up with the blade to ensure the right fit, but I move rubbers around a lot anyway so I'm already good at this and have a couple of strategies to help.  The process of fitting a new rubber is then almost identical to when fitting a used one, which simplifies things IMO.

So, in short, I find cutting once on the blade fiddly, and cutting before much easier, and the end result is pretty much the same.  If the only extra step for me is drawing a line with a pen, which avoids the faff of cutting around the blade, I don't really think either method is faster or easier.  Just different.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote suds79 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09/15/2016 at 9:25am
so one thing I feel like I've only recently discovered when cutting around rubbers with my knife is that while I said I score it little by little.

By the 3rd or so cut, don't press down so hard on your blade. In fact, pick up the blade off the cutting board and bend back the rubber slightly to expose the cut area. You'll probably see the sponge is cut and maybe just the rubber to go next or something like that. Then place back down and with loose pressure put the blade in that groove and keep going.

I hope that makes sense. It just helps get your blade in that channel you've been cutting. In the past I pressed down so hard I think I kept scoring it and sometimes my cut might not have been exactly in that previous channel. Anwyays, my cuts of recent have been very clean.


Edited by suds79 - 09/15/2016 at 9:27am
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote *_strataras_* Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09/15/2016 at 10:21am
Originally posted by AndySmith AndySmith wrote:

Originally posted by *_strataras_* *_strataras_* wrote:

Maaaaan....you first glue them on the blade and then you cut them nice and easy.
For me your way is totally unorthodox way to cut your rubbers, but if it works for you then it is the best way. Everyone does it as he can or how he is used to do it.
But you have to admit it, the faster and easier way is to stick them and then cut them, without marking etc...right?

LOLz, yes I said it was the best ironically, because as long as the rubber is cut neatly and stuck down well, who cares, right?

I'll tell you the problems I've had with stick first, cut after.  Using scissors, I sometimes get an uneven result when I make each cut (little notches and bumps when I hit a pip or adjust the scissors).  It's also tricky to start cutting when the handle is in the way.  Sometimes I cut too close to the blade and chip the outside edge of the wood.  Sometimes I can't get the scissors close enough to the edge which leaves an overhang, which I'm not a fan of.  Sometimes I get a funny angle of cut where the topsheet and sponge aren't cut vertically, exposing a bit of sponge (as the OP has said).  Also, the action of cutting the rubber can cause it to pull away from the blade slightly at the very edge, which I don't like (it's harder to re-stick peeling edges since we moved to water-based glue).  I find it all very fiddly.  I just don't like it.

Using a razor is better in some ways, but I have to wet the blade as I slice and each razor is only good for 2-3 rubbers and then I have to throw away.  I don't like keeping a pack of razors on hand, and it takes me a long time to cut smoothly for some reason.  I prefer using scissors.

If I mark the sponge and cut I get a perfect cut with my scissors, which last for several years and can be sharpened if they start to go blunt.  The only issue is lining the rubber up with the blade to ensure the right fit, but I move rubbers around a lot anyway so I'm already good at this and have a couple of strategies to help.  The process of fitting a new rubber is then almost identical to when fitting a used one, which simplifies things IMO.

So, in short, I find cutting once on the blade fiddly, and cutting before much easier, and the end result is pretty much the same.  If the only extra step for me is drawing a line with a pen, which avoids the faff of cutting around the blade, I don't really think either method is faster or easier.  Just different.

Got it Andy!Wink  You are right about the razor blades, they are ALL good only for 2-3 rubbers, then they are off. Also, as I already said, the best way is the way that makes you feel more comfortable and gives you the best result. 
Just for me, I use my mom's scissors which is for cutting and repairing clothes, so for tt rubbers are perfect.Wink
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote nv42 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09/15/2016 at 12:09pm
Originally posted by JohnnyChop JohnnyChop wrote:

I cut softr but I take couple of rounds to cut through the rubber to the table... Unless your blade is super sharp I find taking a few rounds to cut is best for ...
Also when I cut I normally lean part of my knife blade against the blade to ensure I cut in smooth lines
Making a few soft passes with the blade gives the neatest result imo too. :)
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