Hi Susan,
In my teenage youth I had a summer time job working in a sheet metal
fabrication shop. Most of the equipment we used to cut large sheets of
aluminum and steel were quite large but there were a couple of smaller hand
powered machines that were occasionally used. You never know you might find
one of those smaller machines.
Don Bryant
-----Original Message-----
From: SusanV [mailto:susanvoss3@gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, February 07, 2007 6:27 PM
To: alt-photo-process-l@usask.ca
Subject: Re: Cutting KM73 polymer plates
Hi Don!
This stuff is really very thin metal with a gummy polymer layer covered by
an acetate protective sheet. I'm sure that even "aviation"
tin snips would cut it, but any kind of scissor thing wouldn't make a nice
enough edge. The edge of the plate shows on the final print (etching), so
it has to be perfectly straight.
The best thing to have would be a metalworker's guillotine type of shear.
When i win the lottery I"ll get everyone one of those :o)
susan
On 2/7/07, Don Bryant <dsbryant@bellsouth.net> wrote:
> Susan and Jon,
>
> I have no experience with this material but here is a thought I'll
> cast out, about cutting the plates.
>
> Could the really huge sheet metal hand shears be used to cut this
material?
> I don't mean the small wimpy ones but the ones that are almost 1.5
> feet long. The kind that might be used to cut sheet steel roofing.
>
> Just a thought, interesting thread though, keep it going.
>
> Don Bryant
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jon Lybrook [mailto:jon@terabear.com]
> Sent: Wednesday, February 07, 2007 3:14 PM
> To: alt-photo-process-l@usask.ca
> Subject: Re: Cutting KM73 polymer plates
>
> Hey Susan,
>
> Out of desperation I've used the blade approach to cut plates (score
> on the steel side with a ruler many times, then break). That works in a
pinch.
>
> Paper cutter works better, though it's sometimes difficult to get a
> straight cut. I cut them using a paper cutter (poly side up, leaving the
mylar on).
> If cutting big plates, I also take a flat board, and use it to hold
> down the plate, close to the blade during cutting and try to keep the
> plate flush against the ruler/guide on the top of the cutter.
> This helps prevent the plate from bowing so much and helps to achieve
> a straighter cut.
>
> No, it is not good for the paper cutter (though it still cuts paper),
> and goo tends to build up on the blade which needs to be cleaned with
> alcohol periodically.
>
> Cheers,
> Jon
>
> SusanV wrote:
> > HI guys... I'm testing away here today, and getting some encouraging
> > results! My newest question is how do ya'll cut these plates? I've
> > tried a draw knife with a carbon steel blade, and a similar tool
> > used for cutting plexi. I've used both before when cutting zinc
> > plates for printmaking (by making multiple scores), but these thin
> > little polymer and steel (?) or (aluminum (?), things are killing me to
cut through.
> >
> > I'm about ready to break out the circular saw or the table saw :o)))
> >
> > susan
> >
> > www.dalyvoss.com
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
--
Susan Daly Voss
www.dalyvoss.com