Trimmer advice sought

[howardm]

So with my 3800 printer, it seems like I'm going to need a good trimmer, sometimes for large prints, sometimes for mundane things like cutting fine art paper into smaller proof sizes ($$).  I think I've decided on the Dahle Pro series (can't justify the Rotatrim I think) and in that, maybe the 554 which is a 28" max cut vs. the 552 which is a 20" cut.  The 554 is pretty big already w/ a base size of 36x14 (vs. the 552 @ 27x14).  

I have visions of the 20" cut not being enough when I need it but I'm prone to overbuying/oversizing (as most of us are).  I do like pano's though
and they can be up to 38"

Your thoughts?  How has your real usage meshed w/ what you thought when you bought?  Honestly, at no point in the future do I think I'd have more
than a 24" printer (and even thats a stretch)

Thanks.

[vgogolak]

just get the Rotatrim. it just works. Expensive? yes, but the dual rail and overall quality are tops (i've had one forever, and it is like new)
well, a chevy will get you from a to b
so will a mercedes
is it worth it?
to some, yes
Victor

[sesshin]

I have both a Dahle and a Rotatrim professional models and my opinion is the Rotatrim is definitely a much better product. The Dahle will serve as an adequate cutter, its just very light and flimsy compared to the Rotatrim which is solidly built. having a sturdy cutter makes the act of cutting easier also.

[Bob Smith]

Buy the RotoTrim.  It's one of those things where you'll wonder how you did without it.  I bought a Dahle.  Kept it a few months then got a Rototrim.  There's no comparison.  The Rototrim is vastly more precise... and will stay that way through years of use.  I wish I had bought one years earlier.

Bob Smith

[Jeff Magidson]

I have to agree with the above posters. I resisted the expense of the Rotatrim, by first buying a Dahle. Then I upgraded to a monorail Rotatrim only to get frustrated with it during heavy use. I then bought a 24" dual rail Rotatrim and It is a joy to use! My trying to be prudent really backfired. This is a good case of " You get what you pay for ". The dual rail Rotatrim is really worth the extra money.

[namartinnz]

Yes, I have to agree with the others. I used to have a small Dahle trimmer, but then upgraded to a 36" Rotatrim. Only regret was I later bought a 44" Z3100 so needed to buy the 54" version - worth every cent.

[neil snape]

I had other trimmers but none as good as the top of the line Rotatrim I use now. The only thing I should have done is bought one at least one size up as we are all going to get a bigger printer eventually!

[brianrybolt]

It's a no brainer - Rotatrim.  Don't eat for a few days.

Cheers,  Brian

[hjscm]

I feel really dumb for just seeing this thread. Just bought a dahle 36" a week ago.  not to impressed by it.  What is the main difference in the rotatrim?  what would i like better and which one to buy?  I have an epson 7990.  Can it cut poster board?  my dahle doesn't do inches which sucks.  it has it on the side but no lines extend out.
Thanks
chris

[Justan]

I've learned a lot of highly useful things form this site, including recently another member suggested I get a Rotatrim as a paper trimmer. I did some investigation and found that these are pricy little gems. Well, okay, they are not “little,” but my search lead me to a way to search Craigslist (all craigslist where English is used) and found a 36” one in an ad on the east coast. I contacted the seller, who wanted to know how I found them. I told them about the search tool and per his ad, the seller parted with it for $175 and I paid the shipping costs. What a score! It was in good condition when I received it and it makes perfect cuts down to hair-fine thinness.

I would recommend to anyone to use the search tools available and be patient, you’ll end up with a great value and save a lot. Here’s the link that showed me how to search across all Craigslist sites: http://lubethemind.com/2008/07/31/search-a...ce-with-google/

[howardm]

you guys are killing me.  I was really hoping for a 'the Dahle is fine'.  

OK, Ramen noodles it is for a while  

[Bob Smith]

What is the main difference in the rotatrim?  what would i like better and which one to buy?  I have an epson 7990.  Can it cut poster board?

The main difference is build quality and precision.  You can predictably make cuts as fine as a hair's width if you need to.  And it will maintain that precision through years of use.

I manage a photo lab in a college fine arts program.  We made a lot purchase of a pile of old darkroom gear last year.  I agreed to the purchase primarily because it contained a 24" Rototrim.   It was obviously numerous years old and well used but it still cuts perfectly.  After a years worth of student pounding, it's still working just fine.

In my business, I print a little on Epson Enhanced Matte Posterboard.  My Rototrim can handle that just fine but that's probably about it's limit.

I have two of the 44" Epsons but my Rototrim is only the 24" model.  The cuts where I need the most precision are generally on smaller prints. I also find the smaller trimmer more convenient for general work.  I have a large (4x8) table covered with a self healing cutting surface.  I use a good straight edge and knife on that for the large cuts.  Someday I'll probably spring for a large Rototrim but I don't feel like I absolutely need it.  On the other hand I couldn't do without my 24" trimmer.

Bob Smith

[abiggs]

Hey guys, I will be selling my Rotatrim 24" in the next few weeks. I need a much larger model for my 44" iPF 8100 printer.

:-/

[howardm]

Andy,

I sent you a message

[hjscm]

Thanks for the reply. which model should i get?  i am thinking of the 30" but i see different models.  the dahle is hard to get close trims cause there is no guide where the cutter is.  i have to eye it and hope that it is where i want it.  how is the rotatrim?  can you put the cut right where you want it?

thanks again

[howardm]

I'm looking at the Rotatrim M24 although apparently, they now have a lower priced line using a single rail

[wtlloyd]

There is an alternate. It is an exact copy of the Rotatrim. It used to be (and the one I have is) called "Kodak Professional M3 Rotary Trimmer". I bought mine at Samy's camera a couple years ago. I compared it in store, side by side, to a Rotatrim. I couldn't see any difference whatsover. It has worked perfectly, allowing a hair trim if needed. It is now sold as "Saunders Professional M3 Rotary Trimmer. It looks identical to mine in the picture here: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/5148...r.html#features

It's also sold at Amazon and elsewhere on the web...here's a product sheet on the trimmer: http://www.tiffen.com/userimages/SaundersM3Trimmer_SS.pdf

It's rock solid, double rail, and still sharp 4 years later. I only use it a few times a month, but it shows no signs of wear as of yet...I have a 24" model, and it is ample for my Epson 4800 use.

Notice that it sells for $100 less than the RotaTrim. I would buy one again over the RotaTrim.

[howardm]

certainly looks very similar.  thanks for the info.

How about blade longevity and replaceability?

[wtlloyd]

I got an email back from Saunders regarding repairs/replacement parts. The phone # for parts is 800-645-2522

certainly looks very similar.  thanks for the info.

How about blade longevity and replaceability?

[dct123]

There is an alternate. It is an exact copy of the Rotatrim. It used to be (and the one I have is) called "Kodak Professional M3 Rotary Trimmer". I bought mine at Samy's camera a couple years ago. I compared it in store, side by side, to a Rotatrim. I couldn't see any difference whatsover. It has worked perfectly, allowing a hair trim if needed. It is now sold as "Saunders Professional M3 Rotary Trimmer. It looks identical to mine in the picture here: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/5148...r.html#features

It's also sold at Amazon and elsewhere on the web...here's a product sheet on the trimmer: http://www.tiffen.com/userimages/SaundersM3Trimmer_SS.pdf

It's rock solid, double rail, and still sharp 4 years later. I only use it a few times a month, but it shows no signs of wear as of yet...I have a 24" model, and it is ample for my Epson 4800 use.

Notice that it sells for $100 less than the RotaTrim. I would buy one again over the RotaTrim.

The other day I saw a $60,000.00 Mercedes parked next to a $30,000.00 Hyundai. They looked exactly the same, except for name and model badges!