I want to cut patterns out of reflective safety tape tape that I can put on my motorcycle. The utility knife just does'nt cut it. You get jaged lines and the tape moves around when you are cutting close to the edges. A low powered laser would be perfect because the issue is I need the tape to cut like butter...no resistance so I can maintain my lines while cutting.
I need a better technique or a better tool or both. Please help, I've been looking all over the web and making phone calls, but no luck. Thanks.
2007-09-13 13:50:10 · 7 answers · asked by Carl G 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
When I say utility knike I mean xacto. I think xacto is just a brand name for a utility knife, but I don't know. Bottom line is the whole point of my question was to find out what a better tool than an xacto knife was. Only one person really answered my question. The dremel(sp?) tool looks like it's right up my alley and its what I asked for..."a better tool". It could only be a sharper knife, or a tool cuts in a way that alows me to keep my lines straight or it would hace to be a tool(machine). Thats what I'm guessing.
2007-09-14 16:50:45 · update #1
My wood burning set has an attachment for an exacto blade. This heats the blade and will make the cut clean. I use this when I want to cut parts of decals for my woodworking projects. You will want to go at a steady even pace and not linger at any point as this will cause curling. I do this a lot on cradles and childrens chairs.
2007-09-15 17:07:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, xacto, but you'll still run into the dragging caused by the adhesive in the tape. You could try dipping the Xacto or utility knife in a lubricant (any oil) and it should take care of that problem. Xacto would be easiest to control
********Update 9/17 - a utility knife is not the same as an xacto, xacto's have a pencil shaped handle and a thin blade, an a utility knife is a box cutter. A dremmel would NOT be a good tool to cut thru tape, you would not have the greatest control and it would do more pulling of the tape than cutting.
My 1st source is a pic of an X-acto knife
2007-09-13 21:00:34 · answer #2 · answered by jndevn 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you can cut a pattern out of plywood or Plexiglas you could lay these on the tape and it would hold the tape while you cut.
These patterns could be cut with a small jig saw or band saw.
Just a thought. Use an x-acto knife.
I found this site that sells reflective tape in sheets. This would be easier to hold so you could cut intricate designs.
http://stores.ebay.com/3M-REFLECTIVE-TAPE
2007-09-13 23:23:49 · answer #3 · answered by getrdone 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Use an Exacto knife with a sharp pointed blade.
2007-09-14 13:15:39 · answer #4 · answered by big_mustache 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Xacto knife. At your hardware or hobby store.
2007-09-13 20:55:47 · answer #5 · answered by Irv S 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
maybe you could get some steel dies made--then just stamp the pattern out.
check out the dremel website--they have cutting bits for just about anything. http://www.dremel.com
2007-09-13 21:19:57 · answer #6 · answered by cheezy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Box cutter.
2007-09-13 21:03:04 · answer #7 · answered by Carole Q 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋