Cutting rubbers' technique ...

frogger wrote: I use #4 exacto blade and get a very clean cut with 2 strokes. I wait 1 hour before cutting rubber to allow glue to set up hard. Anyone having difficulty with rough edge can use #400 grit sandpaper to smooth it out being careful not to sand the blade edge. There is no right way per say whatever works best for you.

I have cut Boost TP with a knife. The blade is 3/4" high and segmented to break off the dull piece. I keep a very flat angle and use 3 to 4 strokes (depending on the fragility of the sponge).
The result was as good as with any other rubber EXCEPT two rubbers that have a sponge that likes to break apart: Optimum MP and Gambler Outlaw (2nd gen.)

Salloms way seems to be the best. I cut many rubbers using this technique (tenergy, stiga almana sound, pips out, all kinds of dhs and 729). You just have to have gentle hands, don't press too hard on the rubber, let it cut instead of tear. Also try getting a low angle with the table surface because the cutter blade will have more contact, cutting it gently.  Water on the blade helps but form my experience saliva is way better than water. The cut is almost factory like. Another thing to keep in mind is that in order to cut clean at the edges of rubber sheet you must cut from outside into the rubber, otherwise it will stretch and tear. 

wkm1 wrote: No video just 2 pictures,  how you sand the rubber (above)  and the result   I bet you can't get a better, straighter and cleaner cut with a knife scissor.

What about Vaseline ? 

That method works on every other sponge I have done too, but Calibra gets a few 1/2 cm tears in the sponge around the edge when you cut in this way. It seems to stick to the knife and pull. A friend suggested oiling or moistening the knife, I will be cutting some more in the next few days so may try it.

Was that on Calibra nicefrog?

JKC wrote: I would be interested to know if anyone has a way of cutting Calibra (or Sound) without making it look like they have chewed through the sponge. It you try to cut the sponge in one, you get 3 or 4 little tears in the sponge around the edge. If you take a few passes to cut through the sponge it shreds the edge. And yes I was using a very sharp knife.

Tobhik wrote: the cutter is not sharp, a sharp cutter will cut in only 2 movement and looks like he cuts a chunk of wood also?

Pioneer wrote: shakepender wrote: yes... sallom's method (per his video clip) is the sensible way to do it... and the finish is very good too. in spite of being jealous, I should agree with you

yes... sallom's method (per his video clip) is the sensible way to do it... and the finish is very good too.

Pioneer wrote: shakepender wrote: The guy in the shop that I bought my tt blade and rubbers from in Taiwan used a quite flexible blade to cut round the tt blade in 2 to 3 quick large movements whilst turning the tt blade at the same time... over a glass table top. The blade of the knife was bent with only the cutting part against the tt blade. Of course... he does this a few times a day! The rubber is slightly over the wooden edge of the tt blade. flexible blade like sallom89's in his video ? the really issue here that it makes scratches to the table even it's a glass one ... and by the way, did he charge you for cutting ?

 Sorry to post this again (this time the video, not the thread).. because it seems that many people need to see it.

Edited by Sallom89 - 10/27/2010 at 9:05am

 The only problem is getting started by the handle because the handle is in the way.

I think to outline then cut the rubber is more difficult than glue and cut, as it needs a steady hand 

Edited by Pioneer - 10/26/2010 at 1:00pm