Making an inexpensive playing card trimmer

[Jim Riser]

:crazy:

I'm not certain exactly where to put this notice on the forum. Richard, please feel free to move it if necessary.

A number of people have asked me about card trimmers and about making one for them. Most could not afford the finished product so I offer this as an inexpensive option for those folk who think they need a card trimmer but have empty bank accounts.

http://jamesriser.com/Magic/CardTrimmer ... Riser.html

If this was of any use to you, please email me. No feedback = no more such web pages.

Enjoy.
Jim

[Bob Farmer]

Jim, this is a great article, particularly how you use the screw in the handle to set the length of the trim. Thank you.

I also enjoyed this comment:

"If you do not know what to do with the trimmed cards, perhaps you do not need a card trimmer."

For the corners, I use a 1/8" radius corner rounder (bought it from Lybrary.com).

For subtle short or corner short cards, I think a 3/16" would work (though I haven't found one yet).

For not-so-subtle corner shorts, use a 1/4" radius, which is widely available in craft stores.

[ADG]

Jim.....WOW!.....what an outstanding, detailed, and in-depth website post on your self made card trimmer.......BTW, Fiskars always makes good quality products....

thanks,
Alex

[Kent Gunn]

Jim,

For what it's worth, here's a link to the Fiskar product you mentioned. I realize you don't need the link, others may find it useful.

http://www2.fiskars.com/Products/Crafti ... 2-95897897

It's got the model number and you can get it straight from Fiskars this way. There's also a store locator button. It appears you can get it from Amazon.com, me, I'm off to Office Max to pick one up. Gotta leave work a little early today!

I've already sent you an email with my thanks for the article. It's really useful information.

Kent

[Jeff Haas]

Jim, thanks for that. Terrific article.

[Don Hendrix]

Hi Jim,
Long time no see. What a nice article. Very helpful. I was surprised to see Christian Schenk using a similar cutter to trim cards at a convention last year. He had taped another card to the top of the cutter to use as a guide for trimming. I also use the corner rounder from Lybrary.com. It is around $30 and works great for playing cards. You are one smart fellow and I hope that you will continue to share your ideas with us. Thanks.
Don Hendrix
Tucson

[Bob Cunningham]

Hi Jim, thanks!

This a very helpful. I have just ordered my Fiskars trimmer and am looking forward working with it.

BTW, any word on the book you were working on?

[Ken Becker]

A valuable article, and the detailed instructions superb!
Thanks, Jim, for taking the time to develop this tool.
Ken B

[Jim Riser]

Bob Farmer;
Check out ...
3/16" rounders at ...
http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ProductD ... tID=119871
and
5mm rounders at...
http://www.oregonlam.com/Paper_Finishin ... elets.html

Kent;
Email sent.

Bob C.;
Book is still in works. The big holdup has been the formatting problems associated with epubs. I have figured out how to get movies and pics better in to epub format. Though zipped in the format, files are still large.

Everyone else;
Thanks for the kind words.
Jim

[Mark Ratekin]

Hi, Jim -

Very informative and interesting article - thanks for taking the time to put it together!

Mark

[Jeremy Greystoke]

What a great article! Many thanks for sharing, Jim. This has now jumped to the top of my "Things I Wanna Make" list since there are several ideas I want to play with.

Jeremy

[luigimar]

About 10 years ago I bought a small paper cutter at Office Depot (about the same size as the one Jim is using, different brand though) and have used it to trim cards to make several trick decks. What I used as guides for the different cards needed (short, stripped) was a piece of double sided tape. The one I have is a heavy tape someone gave me and is thick enough to hold the cards while cutting. I didn't have (or have now) those strong magnets so maybe people could use my idea of using double sided tape (if you don't have that heavy tape I have) to stick a card on the trimmer (a la Christian Schenk) to be used as a guide. What I'm missing is the corner rounder. I use scissors and sanding paper. Here in Mexico it is difficult to buy those things and don't have a credit card to order one from the US.

[Bill Mullins]

Jim -- as always, when you provide information, it is gold.

Thanks.

BTW, the corner rounder that Chris Wasshuber sells is nice, particularly compared to the $5-10 ones you get at craft stores.

But, it arrives with grease or creosote on it. Clean it good before you use it on a card you care about.

[Jim Riser]

Bill;
Cosmoline perhaps? I always remove it using paint thinner.
Jim

[Bill Mullins]

Yes, cosmoline.

The same stuff you have to clean off rifles. Maybe I should try some Hoppes . . .

[Matthew Field]

Fantastic, Jim! Thank you so much. The use of magnets with the trimmer is brilliant.

Matt Field

[magicrobharv]

Thanks Jim for sharing your knowledge and experience! Like Matt, I thought the magnet part is great and I am going to apply this info to other projects. Thanks again for sharing.

Robert

[Bill Mullins]

Another budget corner rounder.

[KirkG]

Thanks Jim. Great info.

[Pete Biro]

Jim, well thought our and thorough... You never cease to amaze me.

[M.Lee]

Jim Riser ....Simply a good guy !!!

Michael Lee

[Bill Mullins]

Here is a budget corner rounder.