Best practices for cutting DCF?

[Diane “Piper” Soini]

Sorry to keep asking questions. I don’t want to blow it.

1. Cut only one layer at a time, or fold and cut 2 layers? Seems too slippery to cut 2 layers.
2. Use scissors?
3. Best way to cut straight?
4. Can you use the selvage edge to make single-sided tape? Too weak for that?

[Claiborne B]

Best to cut one layer at a time.

You can use scissors, but only in the push method on lighter weight dynemma. The scissors will dull rapidly. I wouldn’t suggest them. Instead use a utility knife or x-acto knife where the blades can be replaced. Always use a self healing mat underneath or a surface that you don’t mind cutting.

You can use selvage for  single sided tape. You can use your double sided tape for this. However, it doesn’t make great field repair tape due to the long curing time.

I like drawing my cut lines with a pen, or useing painters tape, before cutting on the wrong side of the dynemma. I’ve tried a ruler, but the material is slippery and the ruler position is a battle while cutting.

Hope this helps.

[Dave @ Oware]

I like to sharpen my utility knife with a fine sharpening stone each session. It comes out sharper than a  new blade and you can reuse the blade for nearly ever. Hold the blade at about the angle of the factory edge and rub back and forth without lifting the blade. This helps maintain a constant angle. Do this on one side a couple of dozen passes, flip over and do the other side.

Repeat often.

A metal edge guide held by weights (I use lots of 5 lb plates from an old dumbbell set) is useful on straight lines. I cut on a large piece of hardyboard.

[Diane “Piper” Soini]

I was thinking it would be good to draw the shapes to cut with a pen. What kind of pen should I use? I don’t want the marks from a black sharpie to show, for example.

[Pierre Descoteaux]

I’m no expert but I’ve used Sharpies for all my projects.  It does make for some interesting lines when you make mistakes.  Although alcohol could solve those.

I did use scissors (Ti coated) at first and moved on to rotary cutters. I now use exacto. I like them best. I would like to try high end scissors but the $$ is a big deterrent.

Cheers

[Monte Masterson]

Yes, another vote for the exacto knife. I see 2 sizes at stores and I buy the larger ones (far left of pic). Must change blades often though. DCF laughs at scissors, at least the 1.0 does anyway. Rotary cutters are good for silnylons.

[Diane “Piper” Soini]

I have one like the one on the far right. The problem with a knife though is that I do not have a large, smooth, hard surface on which to cut. I have a little bit of carpeted floor or my bed. Will scissors not work at all?

[Pierre Descoteaux]

New scissors work fine for small projects especially on straight cuts. I’m lacking the words…. cutting through without opening and closing the scissors works very well on lighter weight cuben.  The blades get dull on bigger projects and then it gets frustrating! I cut on a 2’x3′ self healing mat. Hope it makes sense.

[Dave @ Oware]

“I cut on a large piece of hardyboard.”

It comes in various sizes.

You can store it in the garage etc.

this is the type of inexpensive stone I use on utility blades

 

[Claiborne B]

For a cutting surface, a small piece of plywood 2′ x 2′ works fine, a medium sized kitchen cutting board also works, really any surface thats flat and you don’t mind cutting. Doesn’t have to be the size of your project.

A ball point pen or a sharpie works well for marking the fabric. I use a yellow sharpie mostly on larger projects and a bic on smaller.

Its easier if you make a prototype of your project out of tyvek before cutting the dynemma. Use the tyvek as a template.

[Diane “Piper” Soini]

Yellow sharpie. That would be a good solution to avoid leaving a visible mark.

My tape still has not arrived. Another weekend goes by without being able to work on my project.

[Chris R]

I’ve been using 1/8th inch thick hdpe, known here as puck board. Comes in full size sheets that can be rolled up to bring home in the back of the car.

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