Curious about how t206's were cut from sheets.

[iwantitiwinit]

I wonder if anyone can shed any light on how cards were cut from sheets down to individual cards (most specifically t206's). How many sheets would they typically cut through at one time and once they were reduced to strips how did they hold the stack of strips securely to cut them to single cards? Did they use a jig with two side walls that the strips were fed through so the strips could not move from side to side and splay out when the singles were being cut? If that type of jig were used I'd expect the top few strips to slide forward once the blade hit them unless they were somehow clamped.

Can anyone elaborate on the process and I apologize if this has been discussed before.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by iwantitiwinit

I wonder if anyone can shed any light on how cards were cut from sheets down to individual cards (most specifically t206's). How many sheets would they typically cut through at one time and once they were reduced to strips how did they hold the stack of strips securely to cut them to single cards? Did they use a jig with two side walls that the strips were fed through so the strips could not move from side to side and splay out when the singles were being cut? If that type of jig were used I'd expect the top few strips to slide forward once the blade hit them unless they were somehow clamped.

Can anyone elaborate on the process and I apologize if this has been discussed before.

Bill Mastro says a exacto knife and metal ruler work best, PSA agrees. Sorry couldn't resist.

[Den*nis O*Brien]

Originally Posted by bnorth

Bill Mastro says a exacto knife and metal ruler work best, PSA agrees. Sorry couldn't resist.

I'm glad you couldn't resist....that is a Hoot !!

[mrvster]

great question! I am curious myself........

I would "assume" sheets were aligned manually on a cutting surface....while mechanically the pre set blades just pounded them out........I'm not well versed in this area......but I am familiar with the basics....

[iwantitiwinit]

Originally Posted by mrvster

great question! I am curious myself........

I would "assume" sheets were aligned manually on a cutting surface....while mechanically the pre set blades just pounded them out........I'm not well versed in this area......but I am familiar with the basics....

Right but that would result in rows of strips wouldn't it? How were the strips then cut into individual cards?

[emmygirl]

Ok, so I spent more than half my working life in a print shop. Here's how the process works to get the little beauties cut with the best results possible for the timeframe of 1909-1911 etc. First the cards are sent to the cutter with an "operators Side Guide Mark' This mark tells the cutter operator how to put the stock into the cutting machine to insure that the "Registration of the printing press is perserved while cutting takes place. Stock is then trimmed four sides, first the operator guage and "Gripper" bottom of sheet goes into the cutter and the "OPPOSITE SIDE is trimmed and you now have (3) three sides in hopefully good registration in TACK. Next the sheets are moved to the other side of cutter known as the cutters BACK Guage. The sheets are not JOGGED here because they are still together from the previous cut. Cut number two cuts the back of the sheet that is probably the most uneven. You now have a clean 4 sided stack ready to cut into stips. The stock is returned to the original position on the cutter with the gripper edge of sheets and operator side guide at square one. Cards are now carefully cut into strips of as many rows as the sheet has let's say 10 rows of 7 cards per strip. After all rows are cut the first strip goes back into the cutter and each additioal strip is carefully "PUSHED/SLID" next to the one before it making it ready to be cut 10 rows at a time. Here is where the need for a really sharp cutting blade is escential. The rows are clamped down with a wieghted bar just before the blade does its work. A dull blade causes "PAPER DRAG" and that causes miscuts. So, sharp blade and knowledge of side guides and great cutting skills will make for more even borders and beautiful T206's etc. Hope this helps and sorry this is so lengthly. Jim