This is a lot like a handheld can opener except instead of a small gear and small blade being turned by a crank, the crank turns two 3 inch pizza cutter type blades. To prevent the user from getting cut, the outer edge of the blades has a polycarbonate (heavy gauge plastic) safety guard. It is as much fun to use as it is easy to use.
-- non-eatable, Aug 15 2002

Compass Cutter http://www.nyblimp....uperior/compass.htm
If you haven't come across these before, they solve all sorts of problems for circularly challenged grade schoolers. [DrCurry, Aug 15 2002, last modified Oct 04 2004]

Rotary cutters http://shop.store.y.../rotarycutters.html
One blade is sufficient. Much faster than scissors, but generally require a special work surface. [half, Aug 15 2002, last modified Oct 04 2004]

//easy to use// Maybe I'm not envisioning this right, but they sound more difficult than regular scissors.
-- Mr Burns, Aug 15 2002


hey curly, I did not read this; as his wanting to cut circles. the circular thing is the means of cutting. (whats wrong with scissors? if it aint broke blah, blah, blah)
-- po, Aug 15 2002


Assuming you want to do more than trim 1mm slices off the edge of a sheet, how do you stop the crank getting in the way of the paper?
-- st3f, Aug 15 2002


Rotary cutters abound. But they have only one blade. They work quite well.

In a former life I did sheet metal work at an air conditioning business. We used a motorized version of the proposed idea. It was called a "slitter" It was stationary and was very effective in making lengthwise cuts in sheets of galvanized steel.
-- half, Aug 15 2002


I am assuming that [ne] is envisaging this working by turning a handle that moves the cutters along. A neater solution would simply be one that you can push along - the rotary cutters cutting merrily as they go.
-- PeterSilly, Aug 16 2002


//..generally require a special work surface.//

Pizza.
-- Mr Burns, Aug 16 2002


I could try mounting pizza cutter blades to my handheld can-opener right now and make my idea! I would need a polycarbonate safety shield though. That shouldn't be too hard to make. I also like PeterSilly's idea as well.
-- non-eatable, Aug 16 2002


I am still struggling to see why you would need two cutters. One rotary cutter is baked - you get paper trimmers called guillotines or strimmers all over the place - although as [half] linked, you need a base for them.

Is what you're looking for basically a portable guillotine?

I also can't see why you would want to turn something to turn the cutter. If it's round, it rolls. Let it cut as it rolls.
-- PeterSilly, Aug 16 2002


Great idea!
-- FloridaManatee, Aug 27 2003



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