Round magnetic signs?

[Dave & Rob Lowery]

Use a tuit

[Lorraine Clinch]

Trouble is, my twit’s only available evenings & weekends! :lol1:

[George Elsmore]

:lol1: :lol1: :lol1:

[Lorraine Clinch]

Sorry Carrie! couldn’t resist. Think I’m going slightly mad!

I only cut straight lines, even that’s a feat. Don’t know is the real answer! 😳

[Paul Munford]

i score my shapes using the plotter/vinyl cutter on a very low cut speed with a sheet of silicon paper underneath the magnetic and then “snap” them out of the sheet!

[Lorraine Clinch]

Paul, what sort of plotter are you using, and blade type & pressure? I always assumed that this would ruin the blade?

[Marekdlux]

I print and cut magnetics with the Gerber Edge and the GSX plus plotter. We are limited to 12″ width though. 😕
I have never had to do bigger but I suppose I could use our router for that.
Otherwise I would say a steady hand and a good line to follow.
-Marek

[Peter Normington]

Dave , I use Tuit as well
Peter

[Phill Fenton]

Is that “a round Tuit” fellas 😉

[Paul Rollason]

http://cpc.farnell.com/productimages/cp … 623680.jpg

What you need is something like this but bigger and with a sucker on one end instead of a point.

or you could stick the point into a offcut of mag material taped to the cemtre of th circle

paul r

[Alistair Richards]

Hi,

I’m only new to this, but Jag do these corner rounders that say they can do magnetic, try http://www.jagsignsupplies.co.uk/corner.asp, what is a tuit???

[Alistair Richards]

Sorry, miss read this, you want a circular piece of magnetic sheet. Oops 😳

[Robert Lambie]

use a cnc router with a 4mm bit. not only does it cut the shape perfect, when there is a “reverse/inside” corner the 4mm bit will leave a small radius that prevents the mag panel tearing.

for round mag panels “without a cnc router” stick a very cheap spray mask vinyl onto the panel, or use a tin or something round and draw onto the mag with a pen. then take a pair of large sharp shear type scissors and cut the circle out.

[Carrie Brown]

:lol1:

Had a go with scissors today, it was ok but not perfect … perhaps it was just me and I need another go?

We also had a go as Paul suggested …. we had a drag blade and attached a piece of string, placed in the centre ….. it worked ok.

Was just wondering if there was any way that someone made them that we had not thought of yet, thanks for the replies all.

😀

[Nick Minall]

Well I would get Gerber mag and cut it on my GS plotter, if your plotter is man enough it will cut it ok.

Nick.

[Robert Lambie]

if you dont mind a small hole in the centre you could try a power dril hole/core cutter from b&q? 😕 :lol1:

[Peter Normington]

Clamp a stanley blade to the end a batton. knock a nail through at radius required, put a bit of ply around the centre on the mag and use like a compass, If you need a pic let me know Ill pop off and do a demo.

Peter

[Nicola McIntosh]

i just cut a circled outline on the plotter and stick it onto magnetic then cut around it with a knife, once youve done the first cut slowly and not too deep…the magnetic is very easy to follow round again to finish the cutting 😀

nik

[Chris Dowd]

Have seen in another Sign company in town a clear acrylic shape, asked what he used it for…… cutting magnetics for a customer (repeat orders of that shape).

So based on that, could you route a circle from foamex, then use it as a template and cut with a stanley knife?

Chris.

[Peter Normington]

You look Posh tonight Chris. Was it a special occasion?

Peter

[Chris Dowd]

Was waiting for someone to comment Peter……. get moaned at for not having a pic…..

Just one I found kicking about that was suitable, think it was at the FSB National Conference March last year, so me hairs gone grayer now!!

[John Simpson]

quote Chris Dowd:

Have seen in another Sign company in town a clear acrylic shape, asked what he used it for…… cutting magnetics for a customer (repeat orders of that shape).

So based on that, could you route a circle from foamex, then use it as a template and cut with a stanley knife?

Chris.

foamboard to soft, knife would cut into it. It would need to be acrylic or ally Chris

L J

[Chris Dowd]

Take it slowly L J, score first, applying more pressure, on a one off don’t think it would be that much of a problem, I agree with bulk then acrylic (like mentioned further up my post).

Chris.

[Robert Lambie]

i think the template, ally or perspex is good. would help allot…
personally, if we are talking “lots” ide use a cnc router. if you dont have one, get a trade supplier for perspex letter to cut them. get your mag panel suppplier to send them your material direct from you ordering it.
you will probably find the trade letter supplier will charge you very little for cutting only. at the end of the day for multiples it saves time and your customer is getting perfection.

[Alistair Richards]

This is the cheap, easy answer that will cut circles. Just thought of it after seeing this post.

Get an offcut strip of plastic about an inch wide by a foot or so depending on size of circle, clear acrylic would be best, but I just tried this with 10mm forex. Drill a hole at one end the same diameter as your plotter blade/or blade holder depending on what blades you use. Insert blade/blade holder, and make sure that it’s a good snugg fit. (I use Roland blades, and just put the actual blade in). Then get some duck tape and a drawing pin and tape the pin to the centre of the mag sheet, point facing up. Then locate the plastic on the pin at the desired radius and spin around to score the magnetic sheet. Works a dream. I’ve drilled a series of holes in mine at 10mm intervals for different radius. The reason i said to use clear plastic, is that it would help with seeing when aligning onto the pin. Also the thicker the plastic the better, the more accurate the cut would be because the less chance of wobble with the plotter blade.

I have taken some pictures, but not sure how to get them on this message.

Anyway good luck, hope this helps Carrie

[Carrie Brown]

Thanks Alistair … good of you to put a bit of time and effort into the idea.

😀

[Chris Dowd]

Interesting idea Alistair, what’s the effect on the plotter blade though?

Chris.

[Lynn Normington]

I try not to do round or oval to time consuming the only way I have found is a sharp pair of sissors 🙄 and a lot of patience 🙄 and forgot to say I usaully hand it over to Peter 😎

Lynn

[Carrie Brown]

:lol1: Lynn your idea is a very good one!! …… in the end the best solution was the one staring me in the face … Steve … bless him …. he has so much more patience than me. Havent got the job yet but we have been asked about it so in preparation for just in case … thought I would ask the ever helpful peeps here.

😀

[Alistair Richards]

quote Chris Dowd:

Interesting idea Alistair, what’s the effect on the plotter blade though?

Chris.

Chris,

Seems OK, probably best tried with an old blade, and only to score the magnetic and cut the rest with a knife.

[Dave & Rob Lowery]

Just found this Carrie, should be just the thing you’re looking for.

http://www.vkf-renzel.co.uk

search for EAN 4011432620663

Dave xx