Best office cutting tools according to redditors
We found 235 Reddit comments discussing the best office cutting tools. We ranked the 100 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
We found 235 Reddit comments discussing the best office cutting tools. We ranked the 100 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
These work too
Seam rippers are so small, envelope cutters are bigger and have a long leading pointy bit for getting under the hair, if it breaks - no big deal, they're cheap.
> So, I only have 30 minutes with the group once a week as a DnD club. I figure that I'm just going to be there to facilitate them getting into groups and finding their own DMs so they can play outside of the school day.
Yes, this sounds like the way to do it. It sounds like you'll have a weekly clinic for people to level up characters, talk out rules issues, work out group issues, share awesome stories and such.
> I also will likely need to start some fundraisers for game materials since we're in a VERY high poverty school.
Since you have so many players, you're getting into territory where buying in bulk becomes realistic.
Even if $1.50 is too much for these kids to spare for a set of dice, if the kids are playing at school after hours, these can be club materials.
You might also reach out to book stores, game stores, theater groups, art stores, office supply stores and such to see if there's any type of sponsorship opportunities to help with some of this stuff.
1" Grid Paper Roll 34 1/2" x 200' for $42.
I'm also looking at other options because I really like this idea. I'm thinking a table with an electronic roller built in. You can use it to chart your whole campaign! Add some good electronics and you can press a button and have the roll change to the environment you previously drew to go back to the scene of a crime!
Guillotine model kit
Another guillotine model kit
Yet another guillotine model, not a kit
Bialetti - stove top espresso maker - you'll never need to buy an expensive coffee maker ever again.
Leuchterm 1917 journal for my bullet journal
6in Ruler to go with my journal - fits in the back pocket perfectly
Huhuhero Color Pen Set also to go with my journal -- has every color you'll need and has a really nice thickness. I use a finer tipped Staedtler for writing but these pens are perfect for titles and decorating and under $6 can't be beat
Customizable dog tag
Ahava Dead Sea Bath Salts - for a luxurious bath that won't dry you out
Ramekins for all of your baking needs. It's also fantastic to use for cooking (holding onto spices, separating eggs, etc.) and for serving dips.
Dog Toy Basket - adorable, holds a ton of toys, and looks really chic in my apartment.
Salt and Pepper Mill Grinders - pretty and functional
Bath Overflow Cover - get your water higher for a more satisfying bath
Bath Spa Pillow
Grippy Stand - the BEST stand for any size tablet.. I have two of them they're so good
Hotel Spa Cotton Towel 4 Pack - smallish bath towel with so many uses. I leave then by the front door to wipe the pup's paws.
Popin Cookin 9 Pack - the MOST FUN you'll ever have 9 times over
Tons and tons and tons of books - look under the "available for less money" links for "used" paperback versions that will make them super affordable and they usually come nearly brand new!
Ok. Did some reading.
I'm not going to sugar coat this because well, I don't believe in that.
Welcome to the dark side. We have goldfish crackers. (BTW my roommate was an aide for 20 years and said that they are convenient because if they are attacking you, you can throw them at them and it will distract them for a while.) Invest in goldfish crackers and fruit loops. They make good rewards.
Buy this book. I really wish someone had recommended me that book before I stepped into an autism classroom. I reread it now every once in a while and still learn new things.
Start here. Go through the rest of her blog. Subscribe to it. She runs an excellent easy to understand blog.
Visuals are insanely important. Subscribe to LessonPix. Your school may have Board Maker, but I find it very difficult to use. Plus, LessonPix is online based so you can create something at home and then access it at school or vice versa. It is like $36 a year, which is insanely cheap. For my visuals, I usually put a picture with the word on the bottom.
You will need velcro. Do not buy it from a store. This is a wholesale place online. They have the cheapest velcro out there. I buy coins so I don't have to cut it, it makes it a lot easier. If you are going to cut velcro, get titanium scissors. They will not gum up when cutting velcro. Have a system with your velcro so you don't have random patterns of velcro. I usually do soft on a surface and rough on anything that travels.
You are going to need a personal laminator. My binding has the cheapest 5 mil laminating sheets out there. Use 5 mil for anything that travels and if its going to stay on a wall, use 3 mil. 3 mil or 1 mil (what the school laminating machine uses) tears easily and doesn't last. Once you create something, you don't want to lose it. Most any laminator will do. I like the Fellowes brand. This is a very good one. That my binding website has some awesome deals on laminators. Whatever you get, just make sure it doesn't need a carrier sleeve to laminate because those are annoying. Just make sure that if you from 5 mil to 3 mil you switch the laminator over to 3 mil and let it cool or there will be a burning smell. To save time I bought one of these. Just makes cutting faster.
Don't overspend on stuff for the classroom. Look at oriental trading post. You can find a lot of stuff there. Sign up for the newsletter and wait from a free shipping coupon, don't pay for shipping.
Get yourself a couple pairs of these. I like the 18 inch ones. Make sure your tetnus shot is up to date.
You probably need to brush up on your evidence based practices for autism too.
I know this is a lot of information. But these are all things I wish people would have told me before I started teaching this level of autism kiddos. I went into it blind. I've had to put all this together through reading, training, and observation. Its easier just to be front loaded with the information.
My first year teaching, I was put in a K-1 mod/severe autism class (your setting 3). It was the first autism specific class at the school. Nobody gave me any support. I had no idea what I was doing. I had very little formal training on autism specific teaching. It was like being sucked into a vortex in deep water with nobody around to help me. I didn't even know where to go for information. That's why I try to help people and be completely honest. I'm not trying to overwhelm you.
If you need help and support, let me know. My MA.Ed is in Special Ed with a specialty in Autism Spectrum Disorder. I am teaching a class similar to yours at an elementary school level next year. I'm really good at dealing with behaviors and data too.
I prefer this miniature Sting sword. I know it says it's a letter opener, but trust me it's a sword. I haven't encountered any orcs on trail to confirm, but it's said that it glows blue in their presence. Could be useful, I guess.
Anyway, it's pretty light and it fits in my water bottle pocket, so there's that.
https://www.amazon.com/THE-HOBBIT-STING-Letter-Opener/dp/B009OANBH6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1485300118&sr=8-1&keywords=sting+letter+opener
Since I see a lot of lovely maps for early on in LMOP I wanted to give others a heads up on the scale of the tasks ahead. Especially since it’s possible for the characters to take some short cuts and get there earlier than maybe otherwise planned. Who needs Gundren for this anyway?
Things I have learned:
I would recommend against a guillotine style cutter for this kind of work, it's very easy to get a slightly curved line on them if you aren't careful - one of the craft cutters would probably be better... something like http://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-SureCut-Deluxe-Trimmer-152490-1004/dp/B0038F1A0S/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1396231676&sr=8-8&keywords=paper+trimmer
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Section 1: Tools
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Note: Just because it is more expensive doesn't mean it is better. You could get by just fine with the "cheaper" options.
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| Tool | Required vs. Optional | Use | Notes | Price & Link |
|:---|:---:|:---|:---|:---:|:---:|
| Tandy Wholesale Membership | O | Allows you to get better pricing at Tandy. | This is definitely optional. Items will cost slightly more without it OR if you have a tax ID you can get the membership with better pricing for free. | $35 / Free|
| Awl Haft | R | The handle which will hold your blade. | This particular haft allows for different blades to be added or removed with ease. | $16 / $35|
| Diamond Awl Blade| R | This is the blade used for piercing the holes in your projects.| This goes in the awl haft.| $4.80 / $28
| Channel Groover | R | Used to measure and gouge channels where your thread will lay. | Some say gouging a channel is optional however I find it to be required. It further protects your thread from damage. | $16 / $80 |
| Overstitch Wheel | R | Marks where you will punch your holes. | This particular overstitch wheel is a few dollars more than the versions that only offer one wheel. | $24 / $225 |
| Edge Beveler | R | Used to bevel and round off the edges of your project prior to burnishing. | Sizes vary. The smaller the number, the smaller the round edge. | $12 / $55 |
| Adhesive Glue | O | Used to hold your pieces of leather together prior to piercing the holes. | Some people prefer binder clips instead of glue. I've found that the clips end up making marks on my projects so I've always stuck with glue. | $6 / $30 |
| Gum Tragacanth | R | Used as a burnishing agent for your edges.| Some people use saddle soap. I prefer gum trag.| $6.40 / $21|
| Harness Needles | R | Used in combination with the thread for your projects. | Avoid the stitching needles. They break very easily.| $5.99 / $7.50 |
| Xacto Blade | R | Used for cutting projects. | You may have one of these at home already. Be ready to have replacement blades handy ($21.95) | $2.49 / $50 |
| Self-Healing Cutting Mat | R | Used for cutting your leather projects.| You may have one of these at home already. If so, you can obviously use that.| $14.73 / $50.80 |
| Cork-backed Ruler| R | Used for cutting straight lines.| I highly recommend the cork-backed version. It will save from accidental cuts/slips.| $4.80 / $14 |
| Burnishing Tool | R | Used in combination with the gum tragacanth to get a good burnish.| A good piece of canvas can be used as well. | $8.99 / $80 + $99|
| Sanding Tool| O | Used to sand down the edges prior to burnishing.| You might have sandpaper at home. Feel free to use that too.| $7.30 / $0 with dremel|
| Steel Square | O | Used for creating nice, even squares/rectangles for projects. | Learn to use this correctly!| $8 / $14|
| Thread Cutters | O | Use these for cutting your thread in the hard to reach places without running the risk of damaging your project. | Scissors work for cutting thread and the xacto blade can work for cutting thread inside your projects -- just be careful! | $3.95 / $39 |
| Maul | O | Used for end punches, rivets, snaps, chisels, or irons. | You really only need one of these if you are planning on doing any of the activities mentioned previously. | $20 / $55 |
| Pricking Iron/Chisel | O | Use these to mark or punch your holes instead of an overstitch wheel and awl. I prefer using the overstitch wheel and awl but others like the irons/chisels. | There is a big difference between irons vs. chisels, diamond vs. lacing. They all produce different results. Definitely ask before purchasing! The ones I linked are very different.| $12 / $259|
| Creaser | O | Used for decorative creases on things like card slots. | Definitely optional and definitely personal preference. | $14.40 / $72 |
| Wax | O | Used for burnishing. Gives the edges a nice seal. | The $10 is my top secret wax I use. I bought a bunch on sale for $5 and it is fantastic. | $4 / $10|
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Buy some high quality cardstock, get yourself a cheap papercutter, a 1/8" hole puncher (like $4 after a Joannes coupon), and with a little bit of design skills you're all set to make your own hang tags! I usually attach them with some of that really nice little and silky looking embroidery floss attached to a tiny gold safety pin or loop it around anything with a loop.
I've got some ideas. What exactly do you need a laminator for? And are you in a decent sized city?
The Pixma Pro-100 handles cardstock perfectly. It's not going to be the most amazing print quality on most cardstocks. You need special inkjet paper which tends to be expensive. But I find it is more than adequate for my purposes using regular cardstock. I got mine on sale + a big mail in rebate that came with a Visa cash card. Overall I paid about $130 for it which is pretty good imo. I print on both sides of some real thick cardstock and then just cut them out with the paper cutter I'm going to link below. The other good thing about the printer is it handles larger paper sizes. I have 13x19 inkjet paper that it takes and the prints come out incredibly good. And that's a pretty decent size for printing the stuff I'm going to attach to chipboard.
(If you go the Pixma route, I suggest looking at some bulk inks. It has reduced my costs significantly)
I use this for a paper cutter. Works fine. You might do well to find a way to shine a light from underneath the swing arm to line up cuts but it's plenty good enough without it.
I use this corner rounder. I've done thousands of cards with it. Still good. I think if I had to buy it again though I'd look for something that was more like a traditional hole punch in using your whole hand. The one I linked gets your fingers sore after a while.
The reason I asked about where you live is because if you live in a good sized city, you may have access to fab labs. My public library has one with a laser cutter. It makes making tokens a breeze. And because it's at the library for me, it's freeeeeeee. Print on some label paper. Slap the fronts and backs onto a sheet of chipboard. Stick it in the laser cutter and voila, perfect tokens. They'll come out slightly singed but overall they're great.
How much are you going to print and play?
If it's not a lot, I would say just skip the printer. It's $130 at its cheapest and that's not even counting the cost of replacing the ink. If you're only going to print a few games and they're not that intense, just go to a local printshop and use their high quality business laser printers. They print super sharp into label paper and card stocks. Print the fronts on one, the backs on the other, stick em together, cut it out with the paper cutter. It's a bit of work but the finished product looks great.
Your price is too high.
1.) It is selling for $29 on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/THE-HOBBIT-STING-Letter-Opener/dp/B009OANBH6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1419442766&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Hobbit+Letter+Opener+Sting
2.) The ones that sold went for less than you have it listed. Or wait and see if the price ever increases.
Either lower your price or put best offer on there.
So I posted a 2-picture album yesterday of my World of Warcraft: The Board Game box both before and after I made tuck boxes for all of the cards. (link)
I got a lot of questions about what I used and how I did it, so I decided to do a small how-to covering the assembly of tuck boxes for your various games.
If you guys have any questions, please feel free to ask. I'll be posting some additional information shortly.
EDIT: I'm aware that BGG has a repository of tuck box images for download - print, cut and done. I put this up because most of the tuck box patterns on BGG are for cards without sleeves, and figured that knowing what tools to use would be helpful.
Speaking of materials or tools:
The storage containers I use for the tokens in WoW:TBG
The scoring table I use
My cutting table
It depends on the letter opener. Mine certainly isn't intimidating. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017O3F46K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_ArGcAb5FT7V3G
A knife style letter opener is basically a knife. I am not sure what type of office you work in but I have literally never seen someone use a knife type letter opener. From fancy investment banking to tech, not once have I seen one.
> Although it does have his name huge on the bottom
I bet the local copy shop has one of these!
https://www.amazon.com/Swingline-Trimmer-Guillotine-Capacity-ClassicCut/dp/B016LDV41S
I'm also into Gundam models and I went through the same thing a while back.. I probably tried a dozen types of side cutters until I found ones that work. The problem is many of the jewelers cutters don't have a straight edge, since they are designed to cut metal. So even if the edge of the blade is flush with the piece you cut, you still get end up with some plastic attached.
These are by FAR the best ones I've found: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B002SZVE8M/
The blades are very sharp, and they're small enough to get into tight spaces. I would suggest you order a couple pairs. These even blow away the Tamiya cutters you posted (I bought those too and they sit in a drawer unused).
Note that regardless of how close you get the cut, you will still need to cut / file away the extra plastic bit on the piece. I use an x-acto knife with the following blades: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00006ICJV
Then use a series of finer files to get the piece smooth.
I'd recommend picking up some 1" grid paper like this https://www.amazon.com/Pacon-Grid-Roll-Inch-Rule/dp/B000XP23O8
You can probably find it in office supply store in flipboard sized sheets.
I have a couple battle mats, and a bunch of dwarven forge, but some rooms are complicated and my party is excellent at evading my preparation.
Hah, ok...I'll get a few more up before Christmas at least!
Ordered one of these bad boys just to keep this up for you all: http://www.amazon.com/HFS-Heavy-Guillotine-Paper-Cutter/dp/B00NO7PYYI
Hate to have to say it, but you're being much too ambitious at this point, and it seems like you are trying nearly every one of these techniques for the first time. It would be wise to practice each new technique individually before attempting to combine them into one project, otherwise you will likely become frustrated with the results. Another thing--unfortunately, touting Japanese vocabulary won't get you very far in the bladesmithing world. You seem to be slightly more humble in this post, but if you're not careful you're just going to irritate the more experienced members. Cheers and hope the project works out well, practice makes perfect.
Also, here
Would [this] (https://amazon.com/dp/B075NYWF5P/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_OV4TCbJYYH80Q) help?
Got an HFS Guillotine-style Paper Cutter for my gf - https://www.amazon.com/HFS-Heavy-Guillotine-Paper-Cutter/dp/B00NO7PYYI/
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Handle swivels up and down, and it's strong, so you can cart this sucker around.
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The arm pops right off and fits between the cutter and the handle when it swivels up.
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Grid on the platform.
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It's just a beaut.
http://www.amazon.com/Pacon-Grid-Roll-Inch-Rule/dp/B000XP23O8/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top Not used it myself, but it has decent enough reviews for the purpose it serves. And it's pretty cheap considering you likely won't need another roll for a few years.
Thats nice, but a chessex battlemap is durable and amazing. Not even that expensive. They last years and are well worth the investment. Mine is 10 years old and I'm pretty sure I'll get another decade out of it at least.
If you want to premap out rooms ahead of time instead of drawing on the spot? Get something like this. It's 50 sheets of 24x37, that's a lot of rooms/hallways/buildings to map out. If you do a lot of DMing then they even come in a 4 pack.
Think that is overpriced? Get a roll. The grid isn't exactly an inch, but it's close enough. We're gaming, not trying to land on the moon. It's 34" by 200 feet. That's enough for entire campaigns.
Is 200 feet too much investment for you? 8 bucks gets you 12 feet, that's twice the length of typical wrapping paper (I seem to find 6 feet the norm). Hell, they threw the word "gaming" into the name and seem to have forgotten the 200% price mark up that normally accompanies the term.
Wrapping paper has to be the single most ridiculous way to do D&D. They don't all have grids, and the price is not great. Maybe if it goes on some sort of supersale and you can ensure that it has grids on the other side, go for it, but there's just better sources of grids available out there.
Imagine you have a piece of paper, and you want to use it for an art project. Obviously this project, in order to really flourish, will require you to cut the paper, and paste it back together in different patterns.
Imagine now that the only things available for you to cut the paper are expensive paper cutters that only the really committed or well financed paper artists can afford. You can probably still do your project, but you'll have to rely on big players in the paper art world to provide the resources.
Someone just invented scissors, but they're still sort of on the pricy side, and rather hard to use, requiring training and theoretical papercraft knowledge to use effectively. Nevertheless everyone is freaking out over how much easier and more precise scissors are when compared to previous bulky methods. Lots of new artistic avenues open up, but still only to the big players for the most part.
Suddenly somebody invents a cheap consumer pair of scissors and makes them widely available. Anybody can now cut and paste together all the paper they want.
Some artists are worried about the ramifications this will have on the paper art world, as amateur paper artists will likely flood the market with ill thought out artistic projects. The world will sour to the idea of anyone and their mother making paper art, and the doors will close on amateur paper artistry.
If your DNA is paper, the scissors are crispr, and the art projects are the results of synthetic biology experiments, that's basically a brief history of crispr/cas9
I probably went too deep into the metaphor, but whatever.
If you're looking to buy a big roll, Amazon Canada has one for $45.
Alternatively you can find wrapping paper that has a grid on the back and stock up after holidays from a brick-and-mortar store.
If you're not opposed to using the standard single edge razor blades, the tap knives are pretty thin. About the thickness of a stick of gum... They're great and inexpensive to boot - I have them sprinkled around the house, car, and bags.
Edit for links:
A few options...
Here you go
Have you tried to clean the hair off the brushes using this type of letter opener? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016QTXIG6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Ji5SCbJFS9AVS
I think you can buy giant grid paper rolls on amazon.
Edit link
Edit 2: of course there’s also these: link
For all my prototype needs, standard cardstock (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006IDRW/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1) and a decent paper cutter (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003SLAAOO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1) will get you ~2000 cards worth of paper for ~$40. It also allows you to print your prototypes, which isn't really an option with blank playing cards.
I don't know of any stores, but I make my washi thinner by sticking long strips of it to some wax paper and using a paper trimmer to slice it down to size. Then I just cut it to size when needed.
This is the trimmer I use
www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003SLC3IU/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?qid=1453151039&sr=8-3&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=paper+trimmer&dpPl=1&dpID=41g6f-hDWgL&ref=plSrch
Sorry for the shitty link. I'm on mobile.
Either style of paper cutter would be fine. Examples below.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B016LDV41S/ref=s9_top_hm_awbw_bXCSbz_g229_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=mobile-hybrid-3&pf_rd_r=HHP3KVCMX5RQH5A1WJD0&pf_rd_t=30901&pf_rd_p=9277535f-d065-5f1d-a396-6522a3d72e42&pf_rd_i=490589011
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00LX2N0Z6/ref=s9_top_hm_awbw_bXCSLr_g229_i4?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=mobile-hybrid-3&pf_rd_r=4GXNEMD1SNMNRKR6K27M&pf_rd_t=30901&pf_rd_p=ca989efb-6c90-5476-b3bd-464fc5efa6a1&pf_rd_i=490588011
My wife is a crafter so i just steal her rotary cutter when she isnt looking. And use a metal ruler held firm and then cut against that.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000B7M8WU/ref=zg_bs_262718011_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=8742ZXR3GGAX3FR2F8AA
Now I'm not cutting sleeves but it would work fine to cut sleeves. Paper trimmers are easier imo but they are big and really only good at one thing.
There is an "ideal" for an athame, but diverging from the ideal for pragmatic purposes is completely acceptable. The ideal of an athame is a double-edged black handled knife about nine or thirteen inches in length (I have heard both, as well as a few other lengths).
Unless you are of a really picky tradition though, you can dismiss any of those details, but i think it helps to keep as many as you reasonably can. I would suggest not worrying about size, but instead find something that meats those criteria that is as non threatening as possible.
With that in mind, I would suggest something like this or this or this or something similar to any of these.
I'd say that you're halfway there already! Just get a blank notebook and start your own?
I've found that I enjoy the flexibility of using a blank notebook and constructing planner pages as I see fit. It looks like you need a bit more real estate than I personally use, but here's my setup:
I set aside a few pages before each month for social media ideas, big projects, task lists, and evaluation points. http://i.imgur.com/Tt475M7.jpg
Then I go about lining the pages for the month and carving out a day-by-day: http://i.imgur.com/rCnDpHD.jpg
It just takes about a minute to line a weekly planner page, plus you can change the way you format if you find a better system halfway into the notebook.
I also write traditional notes in the back of the notebook and work towards the front with those. When I meet myself in the middle, time for a new one!
If you play on a grid, I would look into a dry or wet erase grid to work with. That is what my group uses and it works well enough. The only downside is you are limited to however many mats you have, if your dungeon is bigger, then you need to erase and redraw. (something like https://www.amazon.com/RPG-Battle-Game-Mat-Polyhedral/dp/B075WS9DGL/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1510605712&sr=8-1&keywords=dnd+paper)
Alternatively, you can get a pad or roll of 1 inch grid paper (something like https://www.amazon.com/Pacon-Grid-Roll-Inch-Rule/dp/B000XP23O8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1510605653&sr=8-1&keywords=large+1+inch+graph+paper)
Alternatively to all these, you can go a bit more modular and go with something like https://www.amazon.com/five-inch-interlocking-role-playing-miniature-tabletop/dp/B016H14JFM/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1510605750&sr=8-4&keywords=dnd+tiles where you can pre-draw sections of a dungeon, and connect them as the party explores.
Hope this helps! Any questions feel free to ask!
http://www.amazon.com/Handy-HC-100-Box-Cutter/dp/B00006IC0L
But that's for a single edge.
It's not about the length, it's more about the girth.
I carry Leatherman skeletool. Blade is half serrated. Use the flat screwdriver and pliers to fix derailed zippers.
Also consider a box cutter. Literally razor sharp and under a dollar.
There are a few things to consider. First, the guillotine seems great but it isn't very accurate and requires more work than you think (the repetition). Fiskars 12 Inch Recycled SureCut Trimmer (01-005454) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003SLC3IU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_0n9CAbS90N938 This option is cheaper and more accurate. The blade is also easily replaceable. Don't do more than 1 sheet at a time. Can it be done? (Yes) But will it always off by a little? (Yes)
I have made extensive use of card stock terrain and have learned. There is also the high end option of purchasing a cutting machine but that is $100+ to get started.
To further save you from future heartache, I strongly suggest something like this. There are cheaper varieties, but this happens to be the one I have kicking around thanks to a crafty wife.
I do believe we all follow similar ebbs and flows when entering into this hobby or profession. As such I hope to save people time by adding more education materials to my site to help save the time required to get started equipped with the best and most relevant experiences backing them.
That said, $25 and enjoy: https://www.amazon.com/Swingline-Trimmer-Guillotine-Capacity-ClassicCut/dp/B016LDV41S?ref_=Oct_CABSellerC_490584011_0&pf_rd_p=74f1a79c-8a94-5d1a-90dd-007848cbf75f&pf_rd_s=mobile-hybrid-6&pf_rd_t=30901&pf_rd_i=490584011&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=JQKVXQQEZNTVTMT215R8&pf_rd_r=JQKVXQQEZNTVTMT215R8&pf_rd_p=74f1a79c-8a94-5d1a-90dd-007848cbf75f
I know you said you can’t be trusted with scissors, BUT... if you’re going to be doing a lot of smaller sized work, you might be pleasantly surprised at how user friendly paper trimmers have gotten to be. Fiskars makes a really nice one that cuts paper up to 12”x12”, has a self-sharpening blade, measuring grid (premarked for 4x6 and 5x7’s) and a groovy mechanism that ensures a completely straight cut. It sells on Amazon for $21. It will cut up to 5 sheets of regular paper at a time but can also handle stuff like card stock.
Fiskars 152490-1004 SureCut Deluxe Craft Paper Trimmer, 12 Inch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0038F1A0S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_bP.CDb5F34YYF
Maybe instead find one of those little tables that are meant to cut long straight lines into paper?
Something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Swingline-Trimmer-Guillotine-Capacity-ClassicCut/dp/B016LDV41S
I have seen some amazing wallets on this sub .. I am not one of those guys! LOL
but I have made a wallet or 50 and people seem very happy when they receive them I will offer my thought meant to be taken with a grain of salt.
Your stitch line wobbles. If you used a wing divider or something else to measure in from the edge you have to ensure you edges are straight and your edges wobble. Xacto knife is probably the issue. Trying to get a good clean cut through leather with that thin bade will produce wobble. I personally dont like the utility knives as I think the blades are to thick and they dont come sharp enough for leather work. You can pass them on a stone and make them sharp enough but I have used these for straight cuts for almost 30 years. Cheap to buy, cheap replacement blades and they cut through any weight.
Box cutters
I dont know how you beveled the edges but its uneven and step one in clean work is nice even edges. You can use a tool designed for it but sandpaper will work in a pinch.
The inside pockets feel to thick for me. Try going to no more than 2/3 oz leather for those.
As far as chisels .. I did not have a good experience with the set from goods japan. I have been using a cheap Chinese set I got on amazon maybe 5 years or more ago and they are still going strong. pair it with a good diamond awl and you will like your stitching more.
Awesome, I invested in a paper cutter (like this) and print on 90lbs super white cardstock. The cutter makes everything 10x easier :)
The screen is SUPER easy to make and 100% worth it. I have yet to find a retail screen I liked and the custom screens I found were way too expensive :)
I print my inserts using red river glossy photo paper (legal size for the universal game case boxes) and use a fiskars paper trimmer for cutting- this is much easier and quicker and is like $12 from amazon : http://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-Titanium-SureCut-Trimmer-01-005454/dp/B003SLC3IU/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1459090730&sr=8-5&keywords=fiskars+paper+cutter
You can find cover art in printable sizes at http://www.thecoverproject.net/
I work at a school as a math teacher and have a massive roll of 1in graph paper.
https://www.amazon.com/Pacon-Grid-Roll-Inch-Rule/dp/B000XP23O8
I’ve used a letter opener before.
this kind
But it doesn’t sound like it would be precision enough for you. If you fold the roll, I bet you’d get a pretty straight cut along the fold.
This method is really fast.
Are you looking for a guillotine style cutter? I currently use this one. A friend and I bought it several years ago when we did a lot of bookbinding, to help cut stacks of paper. So far, haven’t had any issues with it. I will say that it’s pretty heavy, so not great if you need something that can be easily transported around.
Should be able to cut thru 400 sheets according to the manufacturer. Highest we ever needed to go was ~250.
It was this model I got to trim the edges of the books I make. Tabletop and hand levered, great for small at home projects.
I trimmed about an inch off the top of some Dragon Shield sleeves for Burgle Bros, and I definitely recommend one of these to help with precision.
To add to this, here's a stencil that I liked as well as a small ruler. :)
Or you could get this and a newspaper.
I laminate most of my character sheets, reference cards, summary pages and so forth
Corner Rounder
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WWIPEE?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00
Laminator ( bought it last year at $17)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007VBXB48?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00
Laminating Pouches
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0010JEJPC?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00
Edit: This helps as well
Trimmer
http://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-Titanium-SureCut-Trimmer-01-005454/dp/B003SLC3IU/ref=sr_1_3?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1450980581&sr=1-3&keywords=trimmer
Look into getting a cheep paper trimmer/guillotine from amazon or staples. Allows for cutting many sheets at once and with easy adjustment for cutting all sizes. Something like this
Ever try one of these?
Much straighter cuts and reasonably priced.
Haven't used those but they look affordably priced. Paizo also offers digital versions of all their maps.
There is also the free map-a-week archive from Wizards that runs from 2000-2007.
Of course, if you're looking for the most cost-efficient map option almost nothing beats a chessex mat and wet erase marker; 1" grid paper, a sharpie, and your own time is also an affordable option.
Yes it does dull over time. It is rather significant. However, even with a slightly dulled blade, it cuts the flash off just fine. The parts you want to remove are almost always weaker/thinner than the actual detail on the miniature, so you can casually remove the excess with ease.
Plus, much of the 'cutting' power of the knife doesn't rely on it being super-sharp, it requires a simple blade and pressure. I find I cut myself much less often when using slaightly dulled blades.
Sharpening isn't necessary. Replacement blades are really cheap, and you don't have to get X-Acto brand blades.
http://www.amazon.com/X-Acto-X611-Blades-Knives-Bulk/dp/B00006ICJV/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1367812873&sr=8-3&keywords=xacto+blades
http://www.amazon.com/Techni-Edge-11-Hobby-Blades/dp/B0006GBSXG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367812873&sr=8-1&keywords=xacto+blades
http://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-96017197-Craft-Knife-Blades/dp/B0033PORF8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367813009&sr=8-1&keywords=craft+knife+blades
My husband treated me to a guillotine similar to this only larger, years ago when I got into paper hobbies. It works really really well! I don't use it for the books that I sell, as I deckle edge those, but I use it for all kinds of other projects. Just make sure you line things up properly and you'll be good to go :)
Since the most wonderfull /u/Lauran2323 has summoned me, I'll list what I have in my place that I find super useful.
I have this in the kitchen, it holds the microwave and our champange and wine
I think it's a very cool tissue holder
You want this always readily available to you or a guest
Holds even more wine and double as a buffet in your dining room
Fans are huge if you want to save money by using an A/C less
Just to keep things organized on the fridge
It drives me nuts when people open letters like a christmas present
Also some sort of nice smelling candle - it'll make the place feel more like home.
As far as saving money - the urge to order out is immense. Try and cook as often as possible, it's cheaper and healthier. Except on Fridays. On Fridays you can eat pizza!!!!!!!
Once laminating you'll need a paper trimmer too. The $10 kind work fine (this is mine https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MUB5MY5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 but there are a hundred like it)
Tip: get both regular and matte laminating pouches. The regular keeps your colors bright and text super clear, but if it's something that lays flat on the table, the glare will kill you! Plus the matte finish feels ridiculously cool.
You can get rolls of grid paper like this; http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000XP23O8 try your local art supplies/craft store.
I'm not willing to spend three times the game price for an add-on like this. But if I was this is what I'd get.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001QYE6W2
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000093KW1/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1505112845&sr=8-7&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=wooden+ruler&dpPl=1&dpID=41Mr3FiiV8L&ref=plSrch
Remove any metal edge. You're welcome.
I carry a knife when I know I'll need to make some kindlings. But I always carry a box cutter in my first aid kit to cut moleskine or bandages.
Used to be a stocker, only used that knife for 2 reasons, the shrink wrap cutter hook and the little tip for cuttin tape. Otherwise I used this style for cardboard. https://www.amazon.com/Handy-Cutter-Open-Close-Assorted/dp/B00006IC0L So much easier when you got a metric fuck ton of boxes to slice!
I think my DM would prefer more theatre of the mind, but I am absolutely bollux with it and my group is very tactically minded. So we use a mat + minis the vast majority of the time.
This mat is our go-to for pretty much every encounter. It's easy to use, easy to store, and reusable by anyone in anything we're running, from one-shots to our major campaign.
If we want to work up a dungeon in advance, then there's something more like this. I've used both ways. They're both great.
Minis, you can do in several ways.
Here are 5,000 translucent round tokens that are smaller than an inch. You can use your wet erase marker from your battle map to write numbers on them. You can also use them to denote status effects. There are tons of different colors that you can get them in and in smaller batches than this one, but this will give you an idea of what to look for.
Here are 1" wooden circles. They also come in 2" and 3" varieties. That gives you Small/medium, Large, and Huge creatures.
Oh, and here's a tutorial on how to make paper circle tokens. You can print these out on cardstock, cut them out, and use a glue stick to stick them to your wooden tokens.
And! If you don't want to cut out a shit ton of little paper tokens, you can buy paper punches that will cut them for you. I have them in 1", 2" and 3" size.
I also have Paizo minis, but the circle tokens get used a lot more because they're much more versatile. And players love being able to have their own token for their character.
$0.87 each on Amazon
Does anyone know if #11 blades will fit in the Tamiya Design Knife (74020)?
I lost my replacement blades for the Tamiya, so was wondering if these will work
I've had mine for a few years (didn't buy it for my current project), but I think it was this one or something like this one:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01174H37K/
Mine is by no means a high quality cutter (it's a little off true), but with a little caution it works fast and easy. Just make sure you get one that's fairly large (the little ones intended for cutting four or five sheets at a time will not work. Any A4 or larger guillotine cutter should work with a little fiddling.
Based on the middling reviews on mine, you might be better off with this one: https://www.amazon.com/HFS-Heavy-Guillotine-Paper-Cutter/dp/B00NO7PYYI/
Amazon sells one very similar to this as well. I bought mine from there. Mine has the sword in a stone with the triforce emblem instead of on a pedestal.
Edit: here it is
Slightly cheaper Amazon version. 👌
I honestly have no problem doing it, i just can't ensure you that everything would look perfect in the end. If you shop on amazon you can get.
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https://www.amazon.com/Swingline-Trimmer-Guillotine-Capacity-ClassicCut/dp/B00006IATI/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_229_bs_lp_t_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=6YSKHPNNJF58YM0VJD11&dpID=51thzb%252B7vJL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=detail
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https://www.amazon.com/Staples-Matte-White-Sticker-Sheets/dp/B00MD4IYIQ
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https://www.amazon.com/Avery-Self-Adhesive-Laminating-Sheets-73603/dp/B00006IC7H/ref=sr_1_3?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1509583821&sr=1-3&keywords=laminating+sheets+stick
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https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-PL9-US-Thermal-Laminator/dp/B00BUI5QWS/ref=sr_1_1?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1509582547&sr=1-1&keywords=laminaor
For a one time investment, you will never need to buy grid paper ever again. Ok, that's a lie. Each one lasts about a year in my experience. We use like 4-5 feet of it each session, but the size and ability to erase lets us keep track of temporary modifiers, hitpoints, Spells/day, active effects right in view of everyone. It also lets the DM reuse or modify maps as necessary. I think he keeps them in labeled poster tubes in his closet, personally...
THEY ONLY HAVE TINY ONES
Dude, okay. I love this letter opener. You should definitely buy it!
Oops, bunnicula :) If you gift me, can I ask for a surprise? I like everything on my lists :) If surprise is not okay this book in any condition would be cool, I'm dying to know what happens :) Also, I love letter openers that look like swords--I actually have a sword of Gryffindor letter opener on my expensive stuff wishlist myself!
You should definitely get this. It's useful AND cool! I mean, come on. LOOK AT IT. YOU NEED THIS IN YOUR LIFE. YOU'RE NOT REALLY LIVING YET. THINK OF ALL THE LETTERS YET TO BE OPENED. YOU CAN MAKE SWORD-WIELDING NOISES WHILE YOU DO AND EVERYTHING.
As for me, I'd love this! For grinding and such. It's on my main list!
Thank you for the contest! I love bunnicula and I still have my copy of it. :D
If you can shrink down to business card size, you can find business card sheets to print on.
If you need to go poker card size, and if you don't mind a bit of tedium, get a pack of card stock -- I think I'm using 85lb, and it works pretty well. Print on that, and then cut them. I use this type of cutting board. It's a lot easier to line up (there's a wire guide to show exactly where the cut will be) than a traditional swing blade cutting board. Get a 40% off coupon, go to Michaels, and you'll have your supplies for about $15-20. Add some card sleeves if you want.
It's time consuming and boring, but it's probably the cheapest option. And the DIY approach means you can more easily fix things if you realize you need new cards.
a boxcutter
Handy Box Cutter
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00006IC0L/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_xIIUtb0QTVXAWK90
Small, light, cheap, easy to replace the blade, and safer than most utility blades.
We didn't print our invites, but we did print our STD's, programmes, menus and hen do invites.
This is the card we used, House of Card, 250gsm, pack of 100 for £5.99. In theory, if you're having A5 invites, this will give you 200... or 100 A5 invites and 100 A6 RSVPS and 100 A6 Info cards.
The card is a really lovely weight - a tiny bit floppy if using as full A4, but at A5 it feels great. Not flimsy at all. And worked a treat with our basic old £30 from Tesco inkjet printer. Has a really nice finish too.
Really, it's not that much of a faff. Buy extra card so you can practice - and invest in a good paper trimmer and you'll be golden. I originally bought a £10 one from Argos - it was rubbish and made my lines wonky. This works great!
If using thicker card (which you'll want to do for the weight), I recommend only feeding say 10-20 sheets into the printer at a time.
I use this: https://www.amazon.com/Swingline-Trimmer-Guillotine-Capacity-ClassicCut/dp/B016LDV41S
I just got a roll of grid paper on Amazon. It’s sturdier than wrapping paper, and it’s uncoated, so you can use pencils or markers without an issue.
Pacon roll of 1” grid paper
Note: the grid on the featured picture looks awful. The grid is much less thick and not as intense. The photos of it being used are more accurate.
We use a guillotine cutter for cutting dividers:
Swingline Paper Trimmer, Guillotine Paper Cutter, 12 inches Cut Length, 10 Sheet Capacity, ClassicCut Lite (9312) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016LDV41S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_VDPCDbA5AQYY7
It's definitely not a necessary purchase, but it makes cutting them super easy. It can also be used for other craft projects.
I started with scissors and it was a huge PITA. If you’re looking for the best option I would pick up one of these.
Swingline Paper Trimmer/Cutter,... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016LDV41S?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf
Put some Tape Dots and some box cutters on your order, haha.
It has been a while since I read the return policy, but last time I checked stuff had to be "unused, resellable condition" to process a return.
It's your call as to whether having a look-see from your living room is fair use. Sending items back "just because" incurs a small surcharge so you don't ding the seller's account. It's cheaper than the fuel you'd use to drive to Cabelas.
Legend of Zelda Hylian Blue Master Sword Letter Opener https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QVZVZSY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_A6fzCbB0D8AMV
Things I use teacher money for:
Post-It Easel Pads
Flip Chart Paper Also comes in 1-inch grid
Flip chart easels to use with the pads so you can use them anywhere in the room
Thin markers and thick ones
Construction paper
Colored printer paper (i.e. astrobrights)
write and wipe pockets
Organization - file folders, hanging folders, and mobile drawer units
Scissors, pens, rulers
A scanner
Flash drives
Classroom laminator and associated supplies
Paper trimmer
Misc project supplies or manipulatives
A large world map and a map of the US
I'm sure there's more but I'm pretty sure I already spent all of your money :)
Sorry, the spam filter caught your link. Could you trim it down to just https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0038F1A0S and post again?
These would be super easy to make especially if you have the right machine - https://www.amazon.com/Binding-Machine-Manual-Operation-BUYOR/dp/B07GDXK1HB/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1541711463&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=binding+machine&psc=1 (Push down to create the hole punch and push back to open up the binding and slide on the paper.)
Based on your dimensions it looks like the previous person may have just been printing out 2 per page then cutting them in half. (8.5/11 page). Hole punching then sliding them on the binders.
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Now for the covers, they just look like clear binding covers: https://www.amazon.com/Fellowes-Binding-Presentation-Covers-52089/dp/B0015ZVXIW/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1541711751&sr=8-3&keywords=clear+binding+cover
​
And then if you want to be exact I recommend a steady hand or just a standard paper cutter. https://www.amazon.com/Firbon-Scrapbooking-Automatic-Safeguard-Cardstock/dp/B075NYWF5P/ref=sr_1_5?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1541711789&sr=1-5&keywords=paper+cutter
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You may have to recreate the file itself, but overall easy to do!
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Hopefully that helps!
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Edit: And binding combs, which could also just be cut in half with scissors
2nd Edit: The paper, I would personally use a cardstock for the covers, but that would generally be personal preference. The inside you could just use regular paper
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After doing some looking I found this (it also comes in a 15 inch model if you need something larger) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016LDV41S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_n970Cb0ZQY9T5
That settles it, I now know what I must get for myself if I ever make it to being a fellow.
https://www.amazon.com/The-Hobbit-Sting-Letter-Opener/dp/B009OANBH6?crid=14CJN2ZD6JISJ&keywords=sting+letter+opener&qid=1539577669&sprefix=sting+letter+%2Caps%2C233&sr=8-5&ref=sr_1_5
Thank you so much for your thorough reply! This was immensely helpful; I never knew that there was so much to learn about paper! 110lb Index it is!
I'll be sure to get a rotary trimmer as well.
Is there much of a difference other than sheet capacity between the rotary cutter you recommended and a cheaper one? (e.g.http://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-Titanium-SureCut-Trimmer-01-005454/dp/B003SLC3IU/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1457236889&sr=8-11&keywords=rotary+paper+trimmer)
Also, sorry for all the paper questions, but do you think 80lb cover paper would be better? Or is that coated and therefore unsuitable? http://www.amazon.com/Hammermill-Color-Digital-Sheets-120023/dp/B000J0C47S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1457238143&sr=8-1&keywords=80lb+cover
Thank you for your time!
> If I want to print smaller than 8x10 I need to cut the paper to fit in the easel frame. I'm assuming I have to cut it in the dark? Or should I expose just half of an uncut 8x10 sheet?
You can just use scissors, but a guillotine style paper cutter is great, or check amazon for the cheaper sliding kind. You don't need to cut B&W paper in full dark, safelights are fine.
I cut fiber paper all the time; I cut 8x10 in quarters or halves to start dialing in prints.
>Also do I need graded filters to put in the enlarger?
That enlarger probably needs under-the-lens contrast filters, unless it has a filter slot above the lens board somewhere. Filters are only for use with multigrade (also called VC) papers - which most papers are these days. Without a filter, the paper will be about a 2.5 contrast; filters give you lots more control. You can usually find under-the-lens sets used on ebay, but it's critical that they're clean and unscratched, no stains, etc. You can do split-filter printing, where all you need is the 00 and 5 filters (though if split filter prints seem flat, replacing the 00 with an 0, 1, etc. can help).
Shave that thing down
http://www.amazon.ca/X-Acto-X611-Blades-Knives-Bulk/dp/B00006ICJV
these are what i use (blue) i ordered them from S&T office products, havnt seen them anywhere else really i ordered a 100 pack probably a year ago and still have 60 or so id say they last 5x longer then the normal colored ones
the black blades i havnt seen in xacto form, only in the flat razors ...opp did a search http://www.artistsupplysource.com/product/20549/cutting-tools/art-knives-and-blades/x-acto-no-11-carbon-steel-blade-blister-carded-pack-of-5/ CARBON STEEL :OOOOO
He is. And I try to tell him as often as I can. He definitely needs to hear it more though ;-)
it's a hinged paper cutter. I have a hinged one and a slidey one
I use a combination of techniques. 3D printed dungeon tiles, dry erase flip mat and tiles. If there is a nice pre-existing gridded map I want to use then I will print it at home.
I use a relatively cheap Ink Jet printer and I added a "continuous ink supply" system (CISS) purchased off eBay. It has paid for itself many times over.
I print the maps full size on many letter sized sheets. Trim the edges as necessary using a ruler and utility knife or something like This.
Next I will use small pieces of Post-It tape to hold the pieces together from the front side.
Finally, I flip the whole thing over and use packing tape along the seams on the back of the map. Then the Post-it tape can be easily removed without tearing up the map or messing with the images at all. You can follow-up by running a glue pen inside the overlap from the top of the map if you wish.
It sounds like a lot of work, but I can generally do a map that spans 8 pages in about 30 min from PC to finished paper map. It's much cheaper then printing at a print shop. After 2 or 3 maps the CISS and supplies pay for themselves. I try to reserve this for larger areas or maps that might be reusable.
Many map makers on Patreon also make modular systems, like forests, cities, etc. I print these out and glue them to 8" x 8" pieces of chipboard or cereal box. They can go together any way you want.
I would invest in the paper cutter. They really are not very expensive--i have what I imagine is probably the smallest size and it works for my everyday crafting needs.
You can also try folding, licking the edge, and tearing paper. I do that and actually really like the soft edge you get. Just practice a bit and as long as you fold straight, you'll get straight pieces from it.
P.S. Here's a 12 inch cutter from Amazon, I have the same size but different brand. This one is under $11: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075NYWF5P/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_tFiYDbC67CWHZ
This is the one I have.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003SLC3IU
Works well for trimming sleeves or cutting printed dividers for games like Marvel Legendary.
Get one of these:
http://www.amazon.com/Open-Smart-Plastic-Package-Opener/dp/B0012NLLMA
They are great.
You have no idea how badly I want this.
And those are so awesome!! I am way impressed.
I teach 7th grade math this year, spent most of my career in 8th grade and high school. Things I use on a consistent basis that are not directly tied to my curriculum:
there's more. everyone is different, and there are great suggestions out there. take inventory of what you already have and what your school is supplying you.
https://www.amazon.ca/Open-Smart-Plastic-Package-Opener/dp/B0012NLLMA
I have a letter opener that just slices it open very easily. It's not even about doing it carefully, it's just about using the right tool for the job. Do yourself a favor and pick some up.
Ram-Pro 3pc World's Most Efficient 3” Letter Opener Envelope Slitter Set https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B017O3F46K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_aQMQCb2H68Z4C
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006IC0L/ref=s9_simh_gw_p229_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=06HPF0JYQPYN49TR3HDD&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1688200382&pf_rd_i=507846
I have a little experience with Stahls. I'm happy with them. I have more experience with Avery. I'm not happy with them.
For light duty cutting I use this. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003SLC3IU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
But I'll tell you that it's really not capable of cutting more than 3-5 sheets of paper at a time if that. I cut single transparencies and such with it all the time.
I used Oracal vinyl and a paper cutter for the angles/straight-edge cuts.
I watched this video and it really helped me out + gave me direction with applying the vinyl, even though it was my first time messing with it on a bike.
Before cutting the pieces out of the vinyl roll, I used paper to help create a template. I didn't take many photos of the process, but I did create a "highlight" on my Instagram account (same username), showing a few pics/vids that I took during the process.
I print them on 90lb cardstock. You can get a ream of the stuff on Amazon, it's pretty cheap:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006P1EQIA/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Then I cut them out using one of these:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003SLC3IU/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Not hard to do at all, just takes a little bit of time.
Personally I've found these types of letter openers very handy for safety cutting apart mats:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016QTXIG6/ref=s9_acsd_top_hd_bw_b4UBq_c_x_1_w?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-3&pf_rd_r=J70E9SFFSXPN4GTCY9W6&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=9db0b260-27d4-5fd6-bce5-f1bdc71556d6&pf_rd_i=1069366
Thanks for the feedback!
Do you have any opinions on which guillotine paper cutter would be good? I see this one. Is Fiskars a good brand? She currently has one of the little sliding paper cutters but mentioned she didn't like it so maybe a guillotine type cutter would be better for her. I actually wouldn't mind getting into scrapbooking so maybe I should go with a guillotine so it'll be a gift for both of us :)
I'll try and get some other pics up.
They're 20 sheets, so 40 total pages.
I use a paper cutter like this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0038F1A0S?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s02
I also use a long-reach stapler, and the corner chomper I referenced in the comments.
Yours look good! You just need to make the corners and edges a bit neater and you're there.
Some gifts that may be appropriate for your mail person during Christmas and such: (Not too expensive so you don't run the risk of being accused of attempting to bribe a federal employee and non-food because one does not know their dietary requirements):
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0044CUB22/ref=oh_details_o09_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006E0QAFY/ref=oh_details_o09_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00352O79U/ref=oh_details_o08_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008M5U1WM/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001G8XOS0/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Here are some more:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004GXSUHW/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001EFSTI/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001AY2WLU/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Card sheet cutting device.