How to cut a Vinyl Banner Roll

[Designer85]

I just got some banner material that is too big for my Roland SP-300 and need it cut down to fit. What's the best way to do this locally? I was told to take it to Lowe's or Home Depot and get them to use their Plexi Glass cutter, but my local Lowe's wouldn't do this for me. I've got a glass store and a locally owned hardware store that also cuts plexi-glass that I haven't tried yet. I tried a Miter saw with a plywood blade and it started to melt the vinyl! Luckily that was just a test cut on one end. Any suggestions?

[Ken]

Roll it out on a table , use a straight-egde and razor knife. Double-sided tape may be useful to hold it down.
Good luck!
Ken

[Designer85]

Hey Ken, it's 131 feet long, that's a lot of cutting! Of course if I don't find another way to cut it I might have to do that on an as-need basis. Thanks.

[Ken]

Ya well, I sometimes get a deal on 30 inch vinyl for my 24 inch cutter, and that's what I do, cut as needed. Try to keep the end cut square.
Try to find a sign supply place with a slitter-- a table saw, bandsaw will only give problems.
Cheers!
Ken

[Flame]

If you can't find anyone local to do it, it IS possible to cut it with a chop-saw. Just tape the edge, line it up, using a fine tooth blade, just start pushing down and "chop" through it. I've had to do it on a couple rolls of banner material and laminate that I got a deal on, but were the wrong size.

[player]

How do the edges turn out with the chop saw? What blade do you use?

P

[Designer85]

I found a locally owned hardware store with a Plexi-Glass cutter that said they would cut it for me for a small fee. I'm taking it over there today and I'll let you know how it turns out.

[Designer85]

No luck, the Plexi-Glass cutter cannot cut a roll of vinyl. They suggested a carpet store that has carpet roll cutting capabilities. The Carpet cutter has a blade that shears the roll, much like how I need my vinyl roll cut. I'll keep you guys posted if this works. This is a lot of trouble to go through to get a good deal on some oversized banner!
The banner material is from LexJet. Has anyone used this company before? Good pricing, but they don't sell rolls small enough for my Roland SP-300.

[Rudy]

Seems you've already wasted too much time & money trying to get it cut, I would just cut it by hand for now, and next time order the size you need.

[chopper]

if you are going to do this often you need to get a slitter,
maybe your local supplier may have a slitter that is used for cutting down rolls of vinyl say from 30 inch to 24 inch etc.//chopper

[OldPaint]

in an emergency...HACKSAW THE SCHIT....

[grafxxx]

that is what i did i took a hand saw and went to town

[Ken]

Graphx
So, when you went to town, with the hand-saw ..did you manage to cut off a piece? And did you have a burning sensation later?
That's what bargains are made of.
Cheers!
Ken

[John L]

I've done it on my own cause I also had 5 rolls of discount banner fabric that I got at an auction... This is going to sound difficult because of how it is when you type this stuff out for someone, but it only took me a few minutes to do. I don't have pics but will try to convey...

I took 2 pcs of scrap 1x2 pine and cut them to a few inches longer than the width of the banner rolls. I predrilled 2 holes at the ends through the face of the boards (about an inch from the ends of the 1x2's). Using washers as spacers (to space the 1x2's apart from one another about 1/8"), I stacked the 1x2's, layed them flat, and screwed them to the workbench... So I had a 1x2 and washer sandwich, screwed to the bench. I rigged up a piece of conduit with some end holders to hold the roll in front I then drove 2 big spike nails at the entrance and 2 more at the exit of the 1x2 slitter assembly (into the bench) to act as guides to help keep the banner from traveling side to side.

Then I drilled a small hole with a unibit drill bit into the top 1x2 and just starting into the bottom 1x2 at the location that I wanted to slit the materials. I then lightly drove a sharp exacto blade into the wood through this hole. I also put another spike into the bench right behind the exit - right behind the exacto knife blade.

I then rigged a crude takeup reel with an empty core.. started the slit by hand to get the beginning of the roll into my slitter, and then taped the leading ends of the banner to the takeup core.

It worked great for these 5 rolls. I kept the jig but I haven't had a use for it since.

[Pro Image]

That sounds like a good Idea John....................I think you found your awnser there 85....................

[Checkers]

I've used lexjet a lot in the past for my aqueous inkjet media. My largest order in 1 month was about $16k. Great products, good company and reasonable prices. They were a 1 day ground ship from me which helped in the decision process.
If I remember correctly, Lexjet can slit the media for you. If not or the fee is too much, get a slitter or move to a different supplier. Saving $10 on media, only to loose it in labor is just not worth it.

Checkers

[Designer85]

Thanks John! That sounds like my best option so far. I would have gotten LexJet to just cut it for me, but they charge $75 to cut it down and they made it sound like it was going to be really easy for me to find a place to get this cut locally for cheap.

[Ken]

OK, sounds like you've got that worked out..great.
I have to ask..what is the photo you have posted with your avatar all about?
Curious...Ken

[Designer85]

Just an unusual self portrait taken when I was in a photography class... I think it looked pretty cool.