cutting damper felt

[NBWW@aol.com]

Jim

I have the guillotine type felt cutter with the razor blade holder and i'm
disappointed in the way the blade smashes the felt and distorts it first
before the cut occurs. I thought the sharp edge of the razor would be
sufficient to do the job. When I toured Kimball in the late 80's, I saw them
cutting damper felt from sheets with a machine that had a spinning blade much
like the one you see in meat depts. in the grocery store. The operater said
you can tell the blade was getting dull when it pulled the felt before it cut.
Now your notion of spinning the blade from your rotary cutter-which I have-to
cut felt bears some thought. I have access to machine shops and very clever
people that run them. I'm putting this problem to them and will report later.
I have tried the rotary cutter and straight edge technique for sheet stock and
have had good luck with the thin stock and marginal results with heavy stuff.
Going back and forth in short bursts seems to keep the felt flat, but also can
easily create double cuts or off line cuts. I was hoping to hear of a machine
that did the job.  Thanks to you and all who have replied. Your advice is well
taken.

Paul ChickRPT
Plainview MN