[markg22B]

I have a large roll of filter material for my DIY COVID mask. Since the filters are disposed of daily, I need to make short(er) work of cutting the same size piece from the large roll. There's got to be either a tool or something for this situation?


Mark

 

[Nealtw]

There is lots out there.
https://www.google.ca/search?q=fabric+cutting+machine&source=lnms&tbm

 

[Bud9051]

If all of the cuts are straight, a good straight edge and a razor will do a good job. Trick as with any sewing is to hold everything in place while you cut. Are your pieces all rectangular?

if you pressed down with a rectangular piece of metal and then cut around the outside that might work for a small production.

Bud

 

[markg22B]

If all of the cuts are straight, a good straight edge and a razor will do a good job. Trick as with any sewing is to hold everything in place while you cut. Are your pieces all rectangular?

if you pressed down with a rectangular piece of metal and then cut around the outside that might work for a small production.

Bud

You're on the right track. I definitely do not need a machine for cutting. I just don't want to cut piece by piece. Yes, they are rectangles ~9" x 7". and yes, the 'something' wants to be the outline pattern for same and now that I'm thinking I can't cut multiples since I'm cutting the size from a sheet so I'm stuck doing one at a time.



I just had a thought. the sheet is about 3' x a lot. If there was some way to pin down a length of the material (laminated layer 1 polypropylene spunbound nonwoven, layer 2 nanofiber fine filtration, layer 3 polyester nonwoven and only 0.040" thick) and using a straightedge and utility knife slice along the 3' width a bunch the height of the mask material and then cut the 3' lengths to the mask width using a width template and knife.


How's that sound? Better ideas?


Mark

 

[Bud9051]

Getting close. If you have to and depending on the material size vs final cut, you could cut larger pieces and stack then for the final cut to size.

I have an 8' straight edge I use for drawing long lines, searched and didn't see it but saw many. Mine came from Home Depot.

Bud

 

[HotRodx10]

Cutting across the 3' width at 7" increments could be made a little faster with the use of a board 7" wide, so you could lay it down 7" from the end of the fabric, and cut along both sides.


One of the old shear-type paper cutters might work to cut at least a few layers of 7" strips into 9" squares.

 

[SeniorSitizen]

For her quilting fabrics, the wife uses a Rotary Cutting Mat with a Fiskars rotary cutter and a straightedge. And i use it for other cutting tasks she doesn't know about, i think.

 

[ron45]

As a young boy living in a small town they started a shirt factory and us kids use to watch them through the big windows.

There was a several tables of different lengths.
The material/fabric was on a roller attached to one end of the long table.
They would would pull the end of material down the table and clamp it.
Then cut it to length and repeat the process until it was thick.
Then it was taken to a smaller table and cut to length again.
This happened until they got the desired size.
Then it was off to the pattern table to be shaped.
Then to the sewing ladies. OMG!


Here's a little more modern.

 

[Colbyt]

Stacked fabric tends to shift. The slicker it is the more it does.


What Senior said but here is a better picture: https://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-1952...qid=1590245170&sprefix=fabric+,aps,183&sr=8-4


Probably sold at Wally World, Hobby Lobby and any fabric stores close to you.

 

[DexterII]

I don't have a good answer for you, but just a couple of random thoughts that might fit someplace. So that you're not having to fight with the roll, a dowel through it setting on a block at each end with a pair of nails on each side of the dowel will let you just spool it out as you go. The wife was working on something a couple of years ago, struggling with holding both ends, so I got a strip of foil faced rigid insulation from the shop and she was able to quickly pin and unpin one edge of the material.

 

[huesmann]

Stacked fabric will shift a bit even with the roller cutter. You can do a few layers at a time, though. Obv it depends how thick the fabric is.

 

[SeniorSitizen]

I ask the wife how many layers and her reply was 4 layers easily of most fabric she uses. The shifting will also depend on the type of material but the straight edge pressed firm prevents that fairly well.

 

[markg22B]

You all have been a huge help. I'll order the Fisker tool shortly.


>>>>Stacked fabric tends to shift. The slicker it is the more it does.<<<<


Playing safe, I cut 4 at a time. What do you use to hold the 4 together and not moving while moving the straightedge around?


Mark

 

[Bud9051]

Your link goes to a discontinued 3 piece garden tool set.
Common sewing approach for holding multiple pieces of fabric together for cutting is to pin then in some fashion. As mentioned before you could also apply pressure.

Bud

 

[ron45]

Flat bars come in different lengths and used to cut carpet.

Set one several inches to a foot from the end and slide it to where you want it and clamp it to the table. You can get fancy and make a clamping surface such as the one used on a brake.

If your serious get a macine shop to make you a complete table/roller/clamps/cutter.

 

[Colbyt]

What do you use to hold the 4 together and not moving while moving the straightedge around?


Mark

I know pro drapery makers that staple layers and hems together for sewing and remove them later. Straight pins are what most use.


But considering the purpose of the finished product do you want any holes at all? Anything you use will leave some small hole.



I really don't think a 1/8" slip is going to matter in the finished product for the stated purpose but if you think it does why not cut a small scrap of thin plywood to the exact size you want and then just let the cutter travel the circumference without ever moving the plywood.

 

[huesmann]

But considering the purpose of the finished product do you want any holes at all? Anything you use will leave some small hole.

Not a problem if you staple or pin outside the cut line.

 

[Nik333]

Will sewing scissors cut the four layers? It sounds like you're trying to re-invent sewing. There is a carbon copy type of paper in the sewing section of a store like Walmart that can be used to mark material with a small tool. Then it's pinned with sewing pins. Then cut. There's an electric sewing shears that can be used, also.

 

[HotRodx10]

Using small spring clamps will allow you hold the layer together without holes.


Btw, I'm not suggesting you get the clamps from HF; I just knew they had them, so it made the search quicker. I haven't had any problems with their spring clamps, though. Their cheap bars clamps are another matter - they're junk; not even worth the $2 sale price.

 

[SeniorSitizen]

Omit the straight edge this time and cut a templet of tempered Masomite, plastic or other suitable thin material to use as a cutting guide. Cut around all sides then move the templet and repeat.