Luminous Landscape Forum
Raw & Post Processing, Printing => Printing: Printers, Papers and Inks => Topic started by: howardm on February 07, 2009, 01:00:24 pm
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So with my 3800 printer, it seems like I'm going to need a good trimmer, sometimes for large prints, sometimes for mundane things like cutting fine art paper into smaller proof sizes ($$). I think I've decided on the Dahle Pro series (can't justify the Rotatrim I think) and in that, maybe the 554 which is a 28" max cut vs. the 552 which is a 20" cut. The 554 is pretty big already w/ a base size of 36x14 (vs. the 552 @ 27x14).
I have visions of the 20" cut not being enough when I need it but I'm prone to overbuying/oversizing (as most of us are). I do like pano's though
and they can be up to 38"
Your thoughts? How has your real usage meshed w/ what you thought when you bought? Honestly, at no point in the future do I think I'd have more
than a 24" printer (and even thats a stretch)
Thanks.
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just get the Rotatrim. it just works. Expensive? yes, but the dual rail and overall quality are tops (i've had one forever, and it is like new)
well, a chevy will get you from a to b
so will a mercedes
is it worth it?
to some, yes
Victor
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I have both a Dahle and a Rotatrim professional models and my opinion is the Rotatrim is definitely a much better product. The Dahle will serve as an adequate cutter, its just very light and flimsy compared to the Rotatrim which is solidly built. having a sturdy cutter makes the act of cutting easier also.
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Buy the RotoTrim. It's one of those things where you'll wonder how you did without it. I bought a Dahle. Kept it a few months then got a Rototrim. There's no comparison. The Rototrim is vastly more precise... and will stay that way through years of use. I wish I had bought one years earlier.
Bob Smith
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I have to agree with the above posters. I resisted the expense of the Rotatrim, by first buying a Dahle. Then I upgraded to a monorail Rotatrim only to get frustrated with it during heavy use. I then bought a 24" dual rail Rotatrim and It is a joy to use! My trying to be prudent really backfired. This is a good case of " You get what you pay for ". The dual rail Rotatrim is really worth the extra money.
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Yes, I have to agree with the others. I used to have a small Dahle trimmer, but then upgraded to a 36" Rotatrim. Only regret was I later bought a 44" Z3100 so needed to buy the 54" version - worth every cent.
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I had other trimmers but none as good as the top of the line Rotatrim I use now. The only thing I should have done is bought one at least one size up as we are all going to get a bigger printer eventually!
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It's a no brainer - Rotatrim. Don't eat for a few days.
Cheers, Brian
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I feel really dumb for just seeing this thread. Just bought a dahle 36" a week ago. not to impressed by it. What is the main difference in the rotatrim? what would i like better and which one to buy? I have an epson 7990. Can it cut poster board? my dahle doesn't do inches which sucks. it has it on the side but no lines extend out.
Thanks
chris
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I've learned a lot of highly useful things form this site, including recently another member suggested I get a Rotatrim as a paper trimmer. I did some investigation and found that these are pricy little gems. Well, okay, they are not “little,” but my search lead me to a way to search Craigslist (all craigslist where English is used) and found a 36” one in an ad on the east coast. I contacted the seller, who wanted to know how I found them. I told them about the search tool and per his ad, the seller parted with it for $175 and I paid the shipping costs. What a score! It was in good condition when I received it and it makes perfect cuts down to hair-fine thinness.
I would recommend to anyone to use the search tools available and be patient, you’ll end up with a great value and save a lot. Here’s the link that showed me how to search across all Craigslist sites: http://lubethemind.com/2008/07/31/search-a...ce-with-google/ (http://lubethemind.com/2008/07/31/search-all-craigslist-sites-at-once-with-google/)
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you guys are killing me. I was really hoping for a 'the Dahle is fine'.
OK, Ramen noodles it is for a while
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What is the main difference in the rotatrim? what would i like better and which one to buy? I have an epson 7990. Can it cut poster board?
The main difference is build quality and precision. You can predictably make cuts as fine as a hair's width if you need to. And it will maintain that precision through years of use.
I manage a photo lab in a college fine arts program. We made a lot purchase of a pile of old darkroom gear last year. I agreed to the purchase primarily because it contained a 24" Rototrim. It was obviously numerous years old and well used but it still cuts perfectly. After a years worth of student pounding, it's still working just fine.
In my business, I print a little on Epson Enhanced Matte Posterboard. My Rototrim can handle that just fine but that's probably about it's limit.
I have two of the 44" Epsons but my Rototrim is only the 24" model. The cuts where I need the most precision are generally on smaller prints. I also find the smaller trimmer more convenient for general work. I have a large (4x8) table covered with a self healing cutting surface. I use a good straight edge and knife on that for the large cuts. Someday I'll probably spring for a large Rototrim but I don't feel like I absolutely need it. On the other hand I couldn't do without my 24" trimmer.
Bob Smith
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Hey guys, I will be selling my Rotatrim 24" in the next few weeks. I need a much larger model for my 44" iPF 8100 printer.
:-/
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Andy,
I sent you a message
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Thanks for the reply. which model should i get? i am thinking of the 30" but i see different models. the dahle is hard to get close trims cause there is no guide where the cutter is. i have to eye it and hope that it is where i want it. how is the rotatrim? can you put the cut right where you want it?
thanks again
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I'm looking at the Rotatrim M24 although apparently, they now have a lower priced line using a single rail
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There is an alternate. It is an exact copy of the Rotatrim. It used to be (and the one I have is) called "Kodak Professional M3 Rotary Trimmer". I bought mine at Samy's camera a couple years ago. I compared it in store, side by side, to a Rotatrim. I couldn't see any difference whatsover. It has worked perfectly, allowing a hair trim if needed. It is now sold as "Saunders Professional M3 Rotary Trimmer. It looks identical to mine in the picture here: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/5148...r.html#features (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/514848-REG/Saunders_890_024AS_Professional_M3_Rotary_Trimmer.html#features)
It's also sold at Amazon and elsewhere on the web...here's a product sheet on the trimmer: http://www.tiffen.com/userimages/SaundersM3Trimmer_SS.pdf (http://www.tiffen.com/userimages/SaundersM3Trimmer_SS.pdf)
It's rock solid, double rail, and still sharp 4 years later. I only use it a few times a month, but it shows no signs of wear as of yet...I have a 24" model, and it is ample for my Epson 4800 use.
Notice that it sells for $100 less than the RotaTrim. I would buy one again over the RotaTrim.
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certainly looks very similar. thanks for the info.
How about blade longevity and replaceability?
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I got an email back from Saunders regarding repairs/replacement parts. The phone # for parts is 800-645-2522
certainly looks very similar. thanks for the info.
How about blade longevity and replaceability?
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There is an alternate. It is an exact copy of the Rotatrim. It used to be (and the one I have is) called "Kodak Professional M3 Rotary Trimmer". I bought mine at Samy's camera a couple years ago. I compared it in store, side by side, to a Rotatrim. I couldn't see any difference whatsover. It has worked perfectly, allowing a hair trim if needed. It is now sold as "Saunders Professional M3 Rotary Trimmer. It looks identical to mine in the picture here: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/5148...r.html#features (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/514848-REG/Saunders_890_024AS_Professional_M3_Rotary_Trimmer.html#features)
It's also sold at Amazon and elsewhere on the web...here's a product sheet on the trimmer: http://www.tiffen.com/userimages/SaundersM3Trimmer_SS.pdf (http://www.tiffen.com/userimages/SaundersM3Trimmer_SS.pdf)
It's rock solid, double rail, and still sharp 4 years later. I only use it a few times a month, but it shows no signs of wear as of yet...I have a 24" model, and it is ample for my Epson 4800 use.
Notice that it sells for $100 less than the RotaTrim. I would buy one again over the RotaTrim.
The other day I saw a $60,000.00 Mercedes parked next to a $30,000.00 Hyundai. They looked exactly the same, except for name and model badges!
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The other day I saw a $60,000.00 Mercedes parked next to a $30,000.00 Hyundai. They looked exactly the same, except for name and model badges!
The only thing that proves is that Hyundai is good at copying the looks of a Mercedes. Trust me, drive each and you will feel the difference!!
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The other day I saw a $60,000.00 Mercedes parked next to a $30,000.00 Hyundai. They looked exactly the same, except for name and model badges!
Long ago, back in the 70s Ford sold a car called a Granada. They too said it looked just like a Mercedes. The difference is that a lot of people still use Mercedes which were built in the 70s...
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With all due respect, you guys are being brand-loyal without any comparison whatsoever to base it on. I've never used a RotaTrim, so I'm not going to argue the merits.
Happy w/ my trimmer, it's held up, done what I've needed it to, and it was a 100 bucks less. It has a 5 year warranty same as Rotatrim. It's distributed by Tiffin and sold by B&H among others.
That's all I've got to say about it.
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You are correct.
Heck all I know about them is that they are highly recommended. I bought a well used Rotatrim and it cuts flawlessly. It’s clearly a well designed and very durable product. But the design is pretty simple. It is built to insure stability when cutting and durability. The blade is even self sharpening, and is made to disassemble to replace the blade if needed. Those features make for a good product.
Of course, I also own 2 MBs, one of which is 18 years old, largely because they too are well built….
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The only thing that proves is that Hyundai is good at copying the looks of a Mercedes. Trust me, drive each and you will feel the difference!!
My point exactly.
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I bought a 30" Rotatrim over 30 years ago. It worked perfectly when I bought it and it works perfectly now after three decades in a commercial printing studio.
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I bought the Kodak Professional M3 trimmer many years ago---well before Tiffen bought the line. The trimmer is well made, blades remain sharp after years of use and working events. BUT, having used the Rotatrim line of trimmers, I do have to say I'd give the slight edge to the Rotatrim overall. Can't tell you if it's worth the additional cost to you....
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I'm going to be a contrarian and say the Dahle trimmers are fine -- if you are not a high volume user and don't need to be able to make precise right angle trims. I would love to have a Rototrim (I actually did have a single rail 36" back in the day), but can't justify the expense for the kind of use I give it as an amateur. For my use (cutting down large sheets and trimming bordered prints down to printed area) it's perfectly adequate (my trims don't need to be exactly square because everything is either behind a window mat or covered by the frame edges for small unmatted prints). But I can see how for some the Dahles wouldn't cut it (oops).
If all you need it to get to the store, both the Mercedes and Hyundai will get you to there.
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I have the Rotatrim 36" and my only mistake was not buying larger. I print panos and wide prints with my Epson 7900 and trim all 4 sides sometimes. Thats where a bigger rotatrim would be better.
To the fellow that saved $100.00 on a different trimmer type,it sounds like it works for you. I look at my tools a little differently then most,I want the best quality available and the cost is what it is.
Dan Berg
Bergs Canvas Gallery
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I have a Dahle. It's okay but finicky where a rotatrim just works (used them plenty at various jobs etc). Never had any issues with accuracy but only have an A3 one - larger I can see it flexing assuming the same design. They need cleaning under the blade occasionally and the base is frustratingly lightweight so make sure you hold it firmly. If you are minted or have a heavy throughput, the rotatrim is a no brainer - but cheaping out here will only be noticeable to you in the slight extra agro. Cheaping out elsewhere will cause more hassle. (Never trust a cheap strap from experience!)
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The other day I saw a $60,000.00 Mercedes parked next to a $30,000.00 Hyundai. They looked exactly the same, except for name and model badges!
The other day I saw a $350,000 Rolls Royce parked next to a $250,000 Bentley. They looked exactly the same, except for the name and badge. And you know what? They were (except one cost less).
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The other day I saw a $60,000.00 Mercedes parked next to a $30,000.00 Hyundai. They looked exactly the same, except for name and model badges!
Ahhh, we all know which one works better. You will never regret buying quality. Peter
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there was a news article a few days ago about safety roll-over tests of some small SUVs.
The Volkswagen barely had a scratch. The Kia was totally destroyed and no one would have
wanted their family in that passenger compartment.
There *IS* a difference. It's up to you to assign a value to that difference and whether it's worth it or not.
I ended up w/ the Rotatrim. Yes, I didn't need something like that but I've tossed a lot more $$ than that $100
over the years. It's a wonderful unit and yes, I do think it's overpriced.
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What size would you recommend for a 24" printer, would a 36" cutter be sufficient?
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I can only say that for a 17" Epson 3800, I got a 24" Rotatrim. That really was the limit of what I wanted to spend.
if you think you're going to be cutting on the long axis a lot, 36" might be worth it vs. a cutting mat and straight-edge
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[snip]
I ended up w/ the Rotatrim. Yes, I didn't need something like that but I've tossed a lot more $$ than that $100
over the years. It's a wonderful unit and yes, I do think it's overpriced.
Good tools are always over priced.
That's why i'm a fan of buying tools such as this used but in good shape.
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A paper cutter is not a car.
I saw a Saunders at a camera shop today and had regrets having purchased the more expensive Rotatrim a month or so ago (found this thread when looking to compare the two).
The Saunders seems to have the same blade system as the Rotatrim, dual rails, and is made of metal where the Rotatrim baseboard is made of MDF (fibreboard).
The Rotatrim is nice, but doesn't seem nicer than the Saunders.
I'm unhappy with the plastic guard on my Rotatrim. I use mine for cutting sheet film among other things, and there is the possibility of scratching the emulsion when moving the film under the guard. I removed the guard but that rendered the cutter useless. The guard is necessary to hold the item flat, otherwise the item moves all over while cutting and a clean or useful cut is not possible. When removing the guard on the Rotatrim I was unimpressed with precision of the screws, the strange, haphazard, cheap spacers/shims, and the screws screwed right into the MDF (without precision so not exactly straight), there were no screw anchors, it seemed rather shoddy actually for such an expensive item.
I bought it to replace a rather low-end Dahle which kind of sucked, the straight edge was not straight and therefore the Dahle did not cut straight due possibly to needing adjustment (according to Dahle customer support), but the screws to do this adjusting are star screws, and I only have flat and Phillips-head. Plus it is mostly plastic.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/511185-REG/Saunders_890_018AS_Professional_M3_Rotary_Trimmer.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/251598-REG/Rotatrim_RC_RCM18_Mastercut_II_18_Rotary.html
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I've used a Rotarim for over 30 years and although I've also worried about it scratching some of the more delicate inkjet papers I use these days, I've never once had a problem with it scratching anything.
I'm unhappy with the plastic guard on my Rotatrim. I use mine for cutting sheet film among other things, and there is the possibility of scratching the emulsion when moving the film under the guard.
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I've used a Rotarim for over 30 years and although I've also worried about it scratching some of the more delicate inkjet papers I use these days, I've never once had a problem with it scratching anything.
Ditto...the key is to keep it clean and lift the guard when you are placing the item to be trimmed until to get it in place. The lift the guard when removing the item...
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I'm sure the Rotratrim would be fantastic. But I'm definitely in the "poor man's" category of printmakers. My solution to print trimming is a glass table top on my 4x8 foot work table, a box cutter, and 100 blade box of utility blades purchased at the local hardware store. The glass table top was about $100, and covers the whole work surface. I throw away the utility blades the moment they start to show any dullness which occurs gradually after several large print trimmings, but they are pennies apiece. These blades cut paper and canvas adeptly, but do not scratch the glass. I let the printer print my cut lines, and I just use a simple aluminum straight edge easily laid down along the cut lines, also purchased at the hardware store for just a few dollars. Sure, I'd still like a Rotratrim, but probably only one for cutting smaller prints (i.e., 16x20 inch or less) which can be quickly rotated on the cutting surface. When working with big prints, I've gotten really fast at walking around my glass table top, thus not having to turn the print around at all as one would have to do with a rotary cutter. My method would undoubtedly never be used in a high-end printing studio, but it works quite well, actually.
cheers,
Mark
http://www.aardenburg-imaging.com
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If you had a Rotratrim 52" like I bought 10 years ago you would wonder how you survived before having one.
Of all the various equipment I've run through (tons of big Epson printers an expensive Macs for instance) this thing still looks and works like the day I bought it. They are in a class by themselves. This is one of the last examples of great craftsman ship and price of manufacture. Good job England. With that self-sharpening blade it's always sharp and ready for action. I couldn't live without one now.
john
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A friend of mine uses a couple of 3/4" plexiglass sections that have been glued together. I think the combined piece is 4 feet long by about 1.5" thick and about 5 inches wide. Works like a charm with razor blades.
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I don't own a Rotatrim, but have used one a lot at the local FedEx to trim prints. These things, as you can imagine, are abused on a daily basis, and, I can still cut 1/8" off the edge of a print accurately. Whenever I set up a print studio of my own with room for a trimming area, I'm definitely buying one.
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Hi All
Well all I can say is I have a rotatrim it has been in use professionally for about 15 or more years and over that time has cut tens of thousands of prints its still sharp and works with out any problems the only thing I did was to take the reverse cut stop off (or what ever its called )
oh and I think it's had a new set of plastic bushes on the guide bars but apart from that I don't think you could do better. Just buy one .
Jon
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What about a 60" + sized trimmer? Would you guys recommend this one?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/222580-REG/Rotatrim_RC_RCDT1850.html