Questions tagged [cutting]

Cutting or trimming materials with scissors or knife. This tag is best used in combination with a more specific tag about the material being cut and/or tool being used.

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How to crop a T-shirt without it fraying

I have a plain cotton t-shirt that I need to crop for a costume. I was wondering what is the best method to cropping it without it potentially fraying without a sewing machine?
Kkell1150's user avatar
  • 161
2 votes
2 answers
73 views

Tapering a 43mm hole in 1/2" acrylic sheet out to 47mm

I have been all over the Internet looking at reamers, cone grinders, cone sanders, tapered wheel polishers and more, and I never seem to find a solution. Everything is too small, too large or the ...
iPaul's user avatar
  • 21
1 vote
1 answer
78 views

What is this type of dotted art called and how can it be achieved?

I'm obsesses by this art piece I found while traveling and couldn't bring home. What is this style called? How can I find more of it? Are there any digital tools that could help me generate pictures ...
sigmaxf's user avatar
  • 113
1 vote
1 answer
428 views

When would multiple low power passes of a laser be preferential to a single higher powered pass?

Under what circumstances would it be preferable to choose to cut or engrave using multiple lower powered passes rather than a single higher powered pass with a diode laser? Please presume a material ...
Aaargh Zombies's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
128 views

Advantages of a guillotine over a bookbinder's plough?

What can a guillotine (AKA paper cutter) do that a bookbinder's plough can't, if anything?
Noah J's user avatar
  • 123
2 votes
1 answer
72 views

How to Cut 5.25” Circle in 8” Steel Sphere

I am working on a project where I need to mount a speaker inside a pre-fabricated 8” steel sphere. The cutout diameter for my speaker is 5.25”. What is the cleanest way to cut the 5.25” hole in to the ...
Emmett Palaima's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
113 views

How to Cut A Clean Rectangular Hole in a Plexiglass Box

I need to make a clean rectangular hole in the top of a plexiglass box that looks like this. Normally I would go to laser-cutting but the fact that it's already in box form makes it hard with the ...
Emmett Palaima's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
356 views

Is it safe to cut into a stuffed futon mattress?

I am attempting to create plans for converting a regular futon frame and mattress into a slide out style sofa bed using the original parts of the futon, an additional iron twin bed frame, and ...
Pix's user avatar
  • 51
2 votes
1 answer
395 views

Cutting and reattaching sections of a polyresin figure

I recently got a statue (Yes Man from Fallout: New Vegas, if you're curious :3) and I was looking to cut it to add electrical internals. What is the best method of cutting and re-attaching pieces of ...
Mark Mulvenna's user avatar
4 votes
3 answers
419 views

Why is my sharpening stone producing a lot of dust/paste or crumbling?

I got this sharpening stone and soaked it in water for an hour before using it on some fairly dull pocket knives. I have never sharpened a knife like this before, and only have watched a bunch of ...
cmcculloh's user avatar
  • 141
0 votes
1 answer
717 views

What can I use to reverse my lino print?

I am fairly new to lino cutting/ printing and currently using the relief printing technique. So far I only chose motives that don't need to be reversed when transferred during the printing process. ...
Hannah's user avatar
  • 168
5 votes
1 answer
948 views

When should I cut fabric with scissors, rotary cutter, or knife?

Inspired by Can a pizza cutter cut through fabric? I started thinking. I tend to cut fabric with scissors, or occasionally a scalpel (x-acto knife) on a cutting mat. I used to have a rotary cutter, ...
Chris H's user avatar
  • 6,779
5 votes
4 answers
5k views

Can a pizza cutter cut through fabric?

As can be seen in this video, a CNC machine uses a cutting wheel in order to cut through fabric. That tool resembles a pizza cutter. So can a pizza cutter cut through fabric? If so, what kind of ...
Dimitrios Desyllas's user avatar
2 votes
3 answers
446 views

Repeatedly cutting 44mm circles from paper

I'm making badges, so need to cut 44mm circles out of photo paper. I'm currently using sharp scissors and being careful, but that obviously takes a fair amount of time, and doesn't give perfect ...
Chris Baker's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
219 views

How to cut out notches and holes in foam semi-precisely?

I'm considering modifying a foam glider into an RC plane, but one of the problems I'm worried about is that all the electronics will be sitting rather exposed on top of the fuselage(I think that's the ...
Ceramicmrno0b's user avatar
9 votes
6 answers
2k views

What tool or technique is best for cutting circles in matte board?

I am laying out a frame where I will have to cut approximately 200 aligned 35mm circles in a matte board or foam core board. I will be putting plastic coins into the holes and backing with another ...
Stephen's user avatar
  • 193
1 vote
1 answer
2k views

Passe-partout guide

Last time I went to the local frame maker I learned some things about passe-partouts: The lower border should be slightly bigger than the others, e.g. 5cm vs. 4cm or 6cm vs. 5cm. There is a certain ...
Keelan's user avatar
  • 900
4 votes
5 answers
7k views

Fast method to cut/shred glue stick into small pieces

Tried cutting a glue stick into small pieces using a normal scissor and took about 10 mins or so. Is it possible to cut or shred glue stick into small pieces much faster, say 2 min per stick? (The ...
user275517's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
252 views

Cutting a hole in baubles

When working with acrylic clear baubles like these What method can be used to cut a clean hole in the side to create a diarama within the bauble? I imagine using a dremel would create a jagged edge ...
Unicorn Sue 's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
83 views

How easy to cut a turn light?

How easy would it be to cut an item like the one shown below on a laser cutter? I might want to cut out such an item for Christmas. As you can see I’m just decorating it with glitter at this point:
Abraham Ray's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
507 views

How can we cut mirror or glass in a desired shape?

How can we transform the glass in the desired shape or size. If we want to cut a glass which instrument should we use on domestic level.
Anum's user avatar
  • 139
5 votes
2 answers
1k views

How to cut a hole in a globe without breaking it?

Together with my fiancée, we bought a globe very similar to the one below (same brand). Now we want to cut a clean, rectangular hole (roughly 8 cm x 1-2 cm) in it in order to put envelopes in it but, ...
Olivier Grégoire's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
533 views

How to cut a small cylinder out of a chunk of foam with some precision

I have a parallelogram shaped chunk of foam, the kind of foam you find in headphone ear pads. Let's say it's 50mm long on both sides and 5mm thick. What is the best way to cut 5mm long, 2mm diameter ...
Gehrard Raven's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
96 views

Is it possible to drill a CPU cleanly with a plasma cutter?

I would like to know if it is possible to cut a clean hole into a standard CPU with a plasma cutter, without damaging the plasma cutter. I am making CPU keychains but I need to drill a hole through ...
Max's user avatar
  • 141
3 votes
2 answers
865 views

How can I cut paper in one cut with scissors?

While gift wrapping this holiday season I was trying to cut gift wrap with scissors in one pass. That is to say that I was not opening and closing the scissors while I was cutting the paper but trying ...
Matt's user avatar
  • 11k
4 votes
2 answers
6k views

Smooth ends of steel wire after cutting it?

I'm cutting steel wire and inserting one end into a wooden base and the other end will be exposed and used to hang items from. I believe it's around 16 gauge, possibly larger (I can't measure it right ...
user avatar
3 votes
3 answers
2k views

How to intentionally fray curved edges in fabric?

Closely Related: - How to Sew Up "Cut Outs", (Shapes Cut Into Fabrics)? In the related question, there are solutions for prevent frayed edges in fabric. But, could you avoid the complexity ...
elika kohen's user avatar
3 votes
3 answers
6k views

How to Sew Up "Cut Outs", (Shapes Cut Into Fabrics)?

I would like to cut letters INTO a piece of cloth, but - I would like to "fold" the inside edge under itself to make a nicer edge, (perhaps helping prevent it from unravelling/tearing in the future ......
elika kohen's user avatar
6 votes
5 answers
874 views

Efficient cutting and preparation of fabric for sewing clothing

My questions: Is there an 'ideal' size to cut / store fabric for making clothes? Do other sewers have an efficient system in place for cutting / preparing their fabric for future sewing projects? ...
Candlejack's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
181 views

What is the best type of leather for handmade goods (mostly wallets)

I was wondering what properties should be considered before choosing a leather type for wallets creation, based on the following facts: The leather should be stitched after cutting; The margins of ...
n1kkou's user avatar
  • 129
6 votes
1 answer
223 views

How to prevent my cutting mat from warping?

I was finally able to setup a craft space at home and got a Blick cutting mat but after a few days it's warped. I have two culprits in mind The mat is black and it is right next to a very large ...
azani's user avatar
  • 161
6 votes
4 answers
5k views

How can I cut gemstones in half without a lapidary saw?

I'm looking for ideas on how to cut small raw gemstones (1" or less in diameter) in half without damaging the crystals and preferably without spending hundreds on a lapidary saw. I've been told tile ...
Mothman's user avatar
  • 61
4 votes
2 answers
2k views

How do I cut a popsicle stick lengthwise?

Need to do this for my art project. I tried using a normal wire cutter but the wood just doesnt break
Wet Feet's user avatar
  • 143
6 votes
2 answers
623 views

How to cut a pinewood derby car to look like a super car

Most of the pinewood derby cars I've ever seen have very crude designs and simple shapes that can easily be cut with a saw. I thought it would be cool if I made a pinewood derby car that looked like a ...
Ryan's user avatar
  • 473
4 votes
1 answer
242 views

Metal Dies for Cloth or Leather

I want to create some stamps or dies that kind of look like cookie cutters. I intend on cutting mostly layers of cloth, felt, and maybe a single layer of leather. Does any one know of a good process ...
user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
206 views

What size saw blade should I look into for cutting letters out of a 1/32" sheet of metal (I think steel) with a saw

From this question How would I cut out lettering from a stamped piece of thick-sheet metal I am looking to use a Jeweler's saw to cut through a piece of what I believe is stainless steel. According ...
XaolingBao's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
3k views

How would I cut out lettering from a stamped piece of thick-sheet metal

I have a piece of thick-sheet metal that has letters stamped in it that looks like this to which I am looking to cut the lettering out of the metal. I am curious what tools would work for this? ...
XaolingBao's user avatar
9 votes
3 answers
671 views

How to cut gift cards in order to make a mosaic?

I have a box of ~1000 (void) gift cards of various colors from my old job because I expressed interest in making a mosaic from the colorful plastic bits. My question is: how to cut them? I've tried: ...
speedfranklin's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
590 views

Can I use other brands of window cling in a cricut?

Say I have some non-Cricut window cling and a Cricut Explore. Cricut also sells their own window cling, but I have none. Is there any harm in using non-Cricut brand materials for a project?
David Starkey's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
2k views

Cutting circular corners in beveled mat

I have a silk-screen print on a square sheet of paper. The corners of the printed area are arcs with about a one inch radius. I would like to cut a beveled mat for this print with the opening about ...
Ast Pace's user avatar
  • 653
4 votes
3 answers
2k views

What do you call these snips/shears?

The tool on the left is a Wezsnip. They call it an easy snip utility shear. Almost identical tools on the web are called... Craft snip, Multi snip, Garden tools scissors. Very similar ones are called.....
Stephen Fixit's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
99 views

How can I make a regular corner punch from a fancy one?

I'd like to make rounded corners. Unfortunately, the only ones available in my country punch additional patterns besides rounding the corner. I purchased a punch that has the following result: It ...
rachel1's user avatar
  • 231
6 votes
5 answers
6k views

How can I cleanly cut thick plastic straws?

I have drinking straws like this: They are thicker, reusable straws, probably PVC. They're the thickness you generally find in tumblers that come with their own straw. I thought it'd be neat and ...
user avatar
9 votes
3 answers
3k views

Cut even circles out of felt

We recently created a kid's activity out of felt. It's pretty neat... except for the circles. They're pretty uneven, with a lot of jagged edges or straight parts. Is there a technique or tool that ...
user avatar
10 votes
2 answers
7k views

How do I cut a perfect square out of paper for origami folding?

We've all been there. You think it's a square. It looks like a square. You fold it into a bird base, and well, it's that tiny bit off. And that error multiplies as you go farther and farther down ...
inkista's user avatar
  • 2,605
9 votes
10 answers
48k views

How can I cut popsicle craft sticks without splitting them?

We often use craft sticks in kids projects, but I have issues whenever I need to cut them. They'll often split down the grain, all the way through the stick, making it useless. This happens no matter ...
user avatar
13 votes
1 answer
883 views

What is this small hand held cutter?

I was liberating some old hand tools from my grandfather's shop again, before grandma throws them in the garbage, and found some more interesting things. This cutting tool was one of them. The ...
Matt's user avatar
  • 11k
10 votes
1 answer
2k views

How can I cleanly cut the inside of a paper on a different angle?

Here's an issue that I've always faced when trying to cut something. Generally, when cutting a piece of paper with scissors, it goes on well. I cut a straight line. When I have to change the ...
Zizouz212's user avatar
  • 767