Topic: Rotatrim cutters pricing? (Read 7400 times)

Mike Guilbault · « **on:** May 05, 2011, 02:41:29 pm »

I've been searching the archives for a paper cutter and it seems the Rotatrim is the one to get, even though it's quite costly. I didn't realize how costly though! I was looking at the 18" model (M Class) and at Vistek we're talking $400!! Is there any other Canadian sources that are a more reasonable price?

Mark D Segal · « **Reply #1 on:** May 05, 2011, 03:17:37 pm »

With that kind of price difference it may pay to buy it from B&H and pay the shipping. It's distributed by Amplis and there aren't many retailers carrying it from what I observed. I was once looking for one of these too.

Luca Ragogna · « **Reply #2 on:** May 05, 2011, 03:28:23 pm »

Mike, if you're going to spend the money get one that handles the biggest sheet you'll ever want to cut. The price difference between the 18" and the 24" isn't that much and the 18" won't help you cut a 17x22 down to a 16x20.

You should even think about getting the 36" just in case.

This place in T.O has slightly lower prices - http://harrysproshop.com/rota/rota.html

dgberg · « **Reply #3 on:** May 05, 2011, 03:43:26 pm »

Luca's right. The minimum size I would even think of is 24" I have the 36" and could always use larger.

Mike Guilbault · « **Reply #4 on:** May 05, 2011, 03:59:14 pm »

Well, as far as shipping goes, my wife's family lives in the US so it would be a matter of picking it up on the next visit.

Good point Luca... I was thinking of that but the logic escaped me until I saw it in print.

The prices at Harry's are for the MC, or MasterCut series, not the M series, and now that I look at it on B&H again, it's the MC series too. The M series at Harry's is only $10 cheaper, but cheaper none-the-less.

Guess that's the going price.

So... I guess the question is now, is it worth the price to go to the M series or will the MC do?

ftbt · « **Reply #5 on:** May 05, 2011, 04:00:16 pm »

I have the 54" model. At the time B & H had the best price. However, I experienced problems with my cutter straight out of the box. Basically, it wouldn't cut canvas! Rather than send the thing back to B & H, I contacted the manufacturer in England and they sent me a new rotary cutting head. That did the trick.

Luca Ragogna · « **Reply #6 on:** May 05, 2011, 05:33:23 pm »

We have a 54" M at work and we've abused the crap out of it for the last 5-6 years. It's still on the original blade and it still cuts beautifully. IMO, it's well worth the money.

Mark D Segal · « **Reply #7 on:** May 05, 2011, 05:43:39 pm »

You may also wish to examine the merits of a Dahle http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/15512-REG/Dahle_554_554_Professional_Rolling.html. I've been using a smaller one for which I paid 89 dollars back in the 1990s and it's still going strong.

namartinnz · « **Reply #8 on:** May 05, 2011, 07:42:41 pm »

I'll go with the rest of everyone here and agree that Rotatrims are the way to go. Years of use and still doing perfect cuts. Well worth the extra money.

Neal

Mike Guilbault · « **Reply #9 on:** May 05, 2011, 07:55:04 pm »

Quote from: Mark D Segal on May 05, 2011, 05:43:39 pm

You may also wish to examine the merits of a Dahle http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/15512-REG/Dahle_554_554_Professional_Rolling.html. I've been using smaller one for which I paid 89 dollars back in the 1990s and it's still going strong.

Well, been reading some reviews and comments and can't find anything bad about these Dahle trimmers either (thanks Mark)... and I found the 28" professional model for about $285 through a Canadian dealer. Much better than the $479 for a 24" Rotatrim if the quality is comparable.

Mark D Segal · « **Reply #10 on:** May 05, 2011, 07:59:15 pm »

Who is the dealer Mike?

Mike Guilbault · « **Reply #11 on:** May 05, 2011, 08:12:48 pm »

www.oreweb.ca

http://www.oreweb.ca/contents/en-ca/d210_rolling_paper_trimmer_cutter_dahle.html

AFter some more looking... it appears that the Dahle Professional line is equivalent to the Rotatrim MasterCut line - about the same price/size. The Dahle Premium line is the equivalent to the M series Rotatrim, again with about the same price/size.

For either one, it will come down to if the mid-quality line will be sufficient to the top-quality line.

Mark D Segal · « **Reply #12 on:** May 05, 2011, 08:26:02 pm »

Well, the Dahle I have is a "Cut Cat" model 508 - 18" - certainly less of a trimmer than the newer Professional or Premium ones, and it's still going really strong. Blade is sharp and it can trim literally shards of paper off the edge if you need to. The only reason I'd change it is for a larger size.

stefano · « **Reply #13 on:** May 05, 2011, 08:53:02 pm »

+1 for the Dahle trimmers. I've had mine for about 4 years and it is still going strong and making very clean cuts. I've used Rotatrims in the past, and they are great machines, but the Dahle has proven to be a very good value.

Stefano

BobDavid · « **Reply #14 on:** May 05, 2011, 09:40:57 pm »

I've got a Dahle 37" trimmer and a Rotatrim 24" trimmer. They are both good, but the Rotatrim is superior. I like the double rods that the cutter wheel mechanism slides across. It seems smoother. The Rotatrim cuts in one direction and the Dahle will cut in both, although it is better at cutting from left to right. I would never think of cutting canvas on the Dahle. The Rotatrim handles canvas without difficulty.

Mike Guilbault · « **Reply #15 on:** May 05, 2011, 11:29:56 pm »

Bob.. are they the Dahle Professional or Premium, Rotatrim M or MC series?

wtlloyd · « **Reply #16 on:** May 06, 2011, 12:57:57 am »

I looked at one of these side-by-side with the RotaTrim and the machining and materials looked identical. I bought the Kodak and saved $150, I can slice 1/32" off 300 GSM paper no problem...happy for 4 years now.

http://www.tiffen.com/Kodak%20Pro%20trimmers%20List802.PDF

Justan · « **Reply #17 on:** May 06, 2011, 09:31:09 am »

If you don’t mind buying used, Craigslist and Google are your friends

Enter the following into a Google search, or use their advanced search for more features

Rotatrim site:craigslist.org

-or-

Dhle site:craigslist.org

Garnick · « **Reply #18 on:** May 06, 2011, 09:40:33 am »

I have two 18" and one 24" M series Rotatrim cutters. The first 18" I bought in 1976. I have often wished it had a cutometer on it so that I could gauge how many cuts it has actually made. Given the number of situations it has been through, I would have to say well beyond a million, and that's no exaggeration. It's just a slight bit loose compared to the newer model, but I still use it daily. The 24" hasn't seen as much use of course, but it too was purchased in the late 70s and is still in excellent condition. I'm now looking at the possibility of a 36" model. The original cutter is still on the original blade and it works well, just needs a bit of adjustment occasionally. All of this to say that IMO you will NEVER regret the purchase of a Rotatrim, no matter what the cost. Take a look at Amplis for price comparison. Not the easiest place to deal with, but then again, neither is Vistek sometimes.

Gary

Mark D Segal · « **Reply #19 on:** May 06, 2011, 09:56:31 am »

I'm not sure a retail customer can buy from Amplis.

Author Topic: Rotatrim cutters pricing? (Read 7400 times)