****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
This is an awesome paper cutter!!! I've rarely write reviews, but this definitely deserves it!General (Item Quality/ Shipping):I'm a professional artist and small business owner and find myself in need of a paper cutter quite often, as well as a tool that is very accurate. I decided to upgrade form my smaller Swingline (at least 30 years old and still works perfectly!), to cut larger items. I'm so glad I went with this model and brand again! This classic design and established company has stood the test of time for good reason. They still use the beautiful maple, sturdy base, and high quality metals/ machining. I know this item will last many years as my original did, since they use the same quality and materials. To note, I also appreciated the very quick shipping and professional, original packaging, and would highly recommend this seller. Also, just to note, if you're looking for a GBC brand, they are now called, Swingline, too!Accuracy/ Adjustability:When I was looking for my brand/ model, I was specifically interested in the accuracy and cut quality. I also wanted to learn more about overall adjustability. Just as with my original, this product is very accurate/ on square and provides a clean cut! (I would recommend performing a few test cuts, adjusting the bed blade (to follow) and/ or removing any residue from the blade prior to doing a formal project.) Directly out of the box, the cut was almost right on square, but I do like to be very accurate. As with the original, I was hoping the top ruler could be adjusted, and was happy to find this IS the case with this one as well! There is a little play in the top set screws, so with a framer's square, one can make fine-tuning adjustments to get the ruler-to-bed blade angle right on. Also, to note, the spring tension as well as initial offset (distance from the arm blade to bed blade) can be fully adjusted with standard tools. The spring is is accessed by an easy-to-remove saftey and dust cover. I wish all products were made with good engineering in mind!A note on the guillotine paper cutting method and design:These types of paper cutters can perform highly accurate results! The accuracy is related to two items: (1) The ruler-to-bed blade accuracy and adjustability, and (2) the method of cutting. As noted above, this model is accurate and more importantly, fully adjustable, therefore the first item is sorted out. The other part of achieving a very accurate square cut is with how you pull the blade. There is a sticker on this model that generally explains, but to elaborate, the blade should be pulled leftward with medium to medium-high pressure, most importantly, when starting the cut. A few practice cuts will show you the differences. As long as there is sufficient tension between the cutting blade and bed blade along the entire pull, the cut will be perfectly square. You'll find, when you pull further along in the cut, not as much leftward tension is needed, and when completing, hardly any. The most important part is the initial start; as long as you pull left at the initial part, you should have a very accurate cut, especially with this larger model (the size and weight of the parts help to give more accuracy/ repeatability).The reason for the above technique is due to the mechanics of the design. The cutting blade on the arm is held onto the bed via spring tension. If that spring were tightened so much the arm blade touched the bed blade to start, there would be too much friction and tension to pull the last part of the cut, especially if cutting heavier stock. Instead, there is a slight offset (distance from the arm blade to bed blade) at the start, so the cut can be completed. With the correct leftward tension, the arm blade will always be firmly against the bed blade (which, on this model, can be fully adjusted to be square to the bed), so the cut will also be square. I hope that helps!Overall, YES, this model can give you very accurate results when adjusted/ used correctly!!! That's good news for me and all of you looking for an investment that will deliver what you're looking for. YES! I would highly recommend this product!Thank you and God bless you and your projects!
