Just curious if anybody has ever cut magnetic material into circles with some other and better way than I have been. I am afraid I am going to cut my finger off, ha!ha!. I have been making a bunch of these magnetic soccer balls and to make a magnetic circle, I have been taking a heat gun, heating it up pretty good and then taking a newly bladed X-Acto knife and using anything round I can find, bowls, plates, paint can lids as a template. Any better suggestions. I need all of my fingers.
Posted by Mike Kelly (Member # 2037) on :
There really is no need to heat up the mag, I have found. Take your template and "score" the mag. You don't have to cut all the way through. Also, I have seen circle cutters in some of the catalogs that look easy and safe.
Posted by Bob Rochon (Member # 30) on :
John,
how big are your circles and how big do you need them to be? I cut all my mags in my 4B plotter now, Of course we only print them now on the edge but if I had to cut many of one shape I'd try to use the plotter.
Like Mike said just score the surface, don't try to cut all the way through, then bend and peel the edges to get your shape out.
I have 1/8" pvc on both sides of the vinyl path on my plotter so it doesn't stick and it cuts any and all shapes.
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
I agree with Bob. However, if you don't have access, you may want to check this out....
This is my 1st reply to this site so be nice...as I know you will be...
I had to make about 500 yellow,4 inch circles out of magnetic for the local junior high school...some sort of biz class project...
I made a tool out of a sharpened piece of metal pipe that was close to the right dia. (they didn't have to be an exact size), welded a piece of flat steel on top that served as a handle and a place to smack with a mallet...
Screen printed the magnetic sheets with a reference circle printed slightly larger than the homemade tool (for registration)...
Cut the magnetic into manageable sheets... Applied yellow vinyl... Screen printed... Set on block of wood, smacked with hammer... Ever so often dress the edge on tool with a file.. Done quicker than it seems to post this reply...
Hope this helps...
Mark
Posted by Kathy Joiner (Member # 1814) on :
Good going Mark, that's using the old noggin! You must have a creative mind. There's more than one way to skin a cat. Sometimes we have to look beyond our everyday tools to solve problems. Thanks for sharing your idea. Don't be afraid to speak up and share, we don't bite too hard. HEHEHE
Posted by PKing (Member # 337) on :
If it not a "straight" cut I always use scissors. If it is a Soccer Ball,Base Ball,or Foot Ball I always buy them from GRIMCO cut and printed. Just add names on my end,with NO cut fingers
Hope this helps
Posted by Bill Cosharek (Member # 1274) on :
Scissors here also. Even on some straight cuts.
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
![[Smile]](smile.gif)