What do you use for cutting end-discs?

[Ubehage]

I am looking for a tool to cut circles, for making end-caps and such...

 

I have found a few which turned out to be different pieces of crap.

 

After doing a bit more research, I found that the Allpax "Gasket Cutters" should be some of the best.

But, those are kinda expensive to get in the EU. So I'm wondering if there are other alternatives.

 

What do you use for cutting your end-discs?

[OldMarine]

Look for the Spearhead brand. It's the same thing basically and parts are interchangeable. I just found me an Allpax for $45 on eBay but I'm in the US. How much is international shipping? I've never checked.

[Mumbles]

There are several more economic brands very similar to Allpax. Other gasket cutters will work. They're often not quite as well built or robust, but they'll get the job done. An Allpax will probably outlast you. There are also drillpress based ones available pretty cheaply, but they're not my favorite.

 

For disks smaller than maybe 50mm, you may want to look into arch punches or sharpened pipes. You can cut pretty small with a gasket cutter, but it tends to get sort of tedious, especially if you need a lot.

[OldMarine]

Hey Mumbles, I've seen references to arch punches but haven't seen them. Are they different from hollow leather working punches?

[Mumbles]

They look pretty similar actually Arch punches have a tapered end and cutting face, as opposed to being straight like most leather punches. I'm not sure if there is a particular difference, though assume they have their own applications. My tool knowledge is alright, but I don't have a particularly in depth understanding of all the intricacies. I've never really done leather working past punching a few extra holes in a belt, so I'm not very familiar with it.

 

I believe Northern Tool, Enco, Harbor Freight, or one of the other Chinese import tool companies used to offer a pretty inexpensive set, but I can't seem to find one anymore. In smaller sizes they come with drill press mountable cutters. They make quick work of chipboard. I've seen a few people who rounded off the handles for larger arch presses for the same applications. You can sharpen hole saws to do the same for larger sized disks too. Since we care about disk size, not hole size, you need slightly oversized ones though.

[schroedinger]

Ubehage, for everything up to 33 mm you can cheaply get a set of hollow punches from china.

Any bigger is not so easy in the EU. I searched long for gasket cutters, but most ones you get are just plastic toys. Cutting gaskets is just no real theme over here.

But you can get hole saws for 10 of Amazon/Ebay. You want the type that is only a single bar with two adjustable pins for cutting.

 

If you only need a couple sizes, You can also make easy cutters of fixed sizes yourself. Fix a razor blade (or a more stable one) to tne end of wooden/metall rod and drill various holes for inserting a center pin. These work best with just one fixed pin.

[Bangkokpyro]

Nothing compares to an Allpax for cutting end discs, you can find second hand ones or vintage models ( work just the same) on ebay for less than 100 quid.

[OldMarine]

Paul, your video of cutting discs with the Allpax was what sold me on it. I've got just enough arthritis to make scissors a real pain.

[rsambo]

I completely agree with Paul. Nothing beats an Allpax gasket cutter - have never looked back and use to cut anything down to 3/4 inch. Money well spent.

[lloyd]

Money in THIS hobby is a variable, based upon desire and need.

 

To be sure, books and good tools are expensive, but the first gives you a foundation, and the other allows you to continue to build, almost forever!

 

Lloyd

Edited February 23, 2016 by lloyd

[mikeee]

You can easily make a tool similar to the Allpax tool, when mounting the razor blade tip that does the cutting

through the material it needs to be perfectly aligned with the pivot pin that the cutter turns on. If the cutting point leads

or lags the center-line of the tool it will cut poorly and the blade will drag through the material. Using a cutting board that

has a groove cut into the board at the different diameters of discs you want to cut also makes it easier for the cutter to

make its way through thicker materials. A sharp blade is a must, or you will have to make several passes on heavier materials.

The really hard thick materials will require a sharp new blade and several passes of the cutter.

[calebkessinger]

I'm gonna have to figure out how to build a nice cutter aren't I. Like everything else I want, I just have to get mad and build it!

 

I better go look at a picture of one before I start.

[OldMarine]

Found this one on pyrocreations. Looks pretty good and not too expensive http://www.pyrocreations.com/inc/sdetail/55456/282519

[memo]

i have one of those cutters old marine, for what they are 45.00 is alot, they work ok. i cut a bunch of 5 inch disk. they started at 4.5 inches and ended at all most 4.75 i built a 3 break shell and when i was getting ready to mate the 3 shells together i tested them for clearance in the tube and had none. that can be a real problem. i started checking my other size diskes and it was the same thing , they had size drift also. I am going to get a allpax, you can get a used one for the same price or a little more. IMO it is worth getting the allpax. I wish I would have.

 

memo

[dynomike1]

This is the one i use, never had any problems with it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/281934719450?ul_noapp=true&chn=ps&lpid=82

[OldMarine]

Well darn. Just bought the Allpax cutter but forgot I'd bid on a Spearhead brand a while back. Today I won so now I own 2 cutters. Most of the parts are interchangeable so there's that.

[mikeee]

OldMarine,

 

You should be able to find a trade deal with someone on the site for your spare cutter.

Sooner or latter everyone breaks down and gets a good quality cutter.

Maybe Caleb will start making a dual purpose cutting tool, with a fuse punch or something built into the cutter,

[OldMarine]

Dug around in the packing and found there were two boxes of new blades included. Didn't see them in the original pics so a pleasant surprise was had!

[memo]

2 allpax 2 sets of blades that is just 2 good

 

memo

[mikeee]

Finished a smaller more user friendly cutting board for the allpax style cutters.

I cut the grooves into the board for the common size end discs and made the cutting board smaller.

The pre-cut grooves reduces drag on the cutting blade and helps keeps them sharp.

The board that Allpax sells is a cheap piece of fiber board.

 

[Ubehage]

This is the one i use, never had any problems with it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/281934719450?ul_noapp=true&chn=ps&lpid=82

I bought this one, and it's awesome!

A cheap alternative indeed.

[mikeee]

I made another cutting board to use with the Allpax style cutters.

I burned a few Lichtenberg designs on this one.

Using the center pin bushing you can cut discs up to 14" in diameter.

Using the corner pin bushing you can cut discs up to 24" in diameter.

Big enough for most of the shells I build. :-)

 

Edited March 29, 2016 by mikeee

[dgoldsmith]

Paul, in your video cutting end discs using the Allpax, what was the material under the chipboard on your work table? Some sort of self sealing cutting mat? Assuming it needs to be deep enough for the pivot pin to go through without bottoming out on the work table top.

 

Thanks,

Dave

[mikeee]

Dave,

 

It helps to have a cutting board with a center pin bushing pressed into the board, this makes for a perfect concentric disc each time.

The cutting board can be covered with a self healing mat or 1/8" thick piece of ram board or similar material.

After cutting several discs you will have a groove for your razor blade to travel in, this makes for a smoother quicker cut.

If your razor point is dragging against any type of surface you will dull the razor point quicker and your wrist will get a workout.

Shell discs are standard sizes so your cutting board will soon have the grooves cut into the board for the sizes of discs you make.

You can make a cutting board out of just about any type of material, wood, plastic, etc. you can drill a center pivot hole for the Allpax pin

to rotate in, but after cutting a number of discs the hole will slowly get slop in it and your discs will start to cut off center, that is the advantage

of the metal bushing the Allpax turns in. You could make one of these very easily if needed.

[jakespeed]

i use this http://www.amazon.com/EK-Scissor-Circle-Cutter-Package/dp/B00C90WLE2

 

works great on craft paper & thin cardboard, not so well on regular cardboard

 

1" is smallest it will cut

 

cost $14 a few months ago, amazon now has it @ $19