Circle Cutter

[Tree Reaper]

I want to buy one, Springfield and Tandy don't carry anything that will cut a circle.

I have used a compass and knife, looking for something quicker.

I'm aware of the mat cutters but not sure which one would be best suited for leather.

Been looking at http://www.misterart.com/store/imagepreview.cfm?group_id=7560

Thanks.

Kevin.

[Jesleright]

Greetings Kevin,

i bought an 'Olfa' brand CMP2 heavy duty circle cutter from Cutting-mats.net. cuts big circles (smallest radius is 3.5cm [about 1 3/4 in.] Best for pre-cutting the circle (with blade extended part of the way), and then finishing with a knife. Don't try to cut all the way through smooth leather with it; pivot tends to move.) the pivot point isn't needle sharp, but it will poke a small dent. and the measurement is metric, so you might need an inch ruler.

i don't cut circles very often; bought it to use as a makeshift strap cutter.

What kind of project are you cutting circles for?

[Tree Reaper]

Hey Jesleright;

I want it to cut coasters.

My carving isn't that great, I'm still learning but slowly improving .

I wonder if the rotary tool wood be better for leather?

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41vo1QfXwkL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

Edited March 3, 2011 by Tree Reaper

[WyomingSlick]

"I want it to cut coasters."

Years ago when I needed to make coasters for the 4-H kids, I simply got a piece of pipe that was the right size, and sharpened up one end, and welded a plate on the the other end. It cut quite a few coasters between sharpenings.

Edited March 9, 2011 by WyomingSlick

[Tree Reaper]

Thanks for the tip, I'm going to try a few things until I find something that works.

Thin wall pipe might be the answer, even better if it works on an arbor press.

I have a hole saw coming that I'll put on the drill press, the leather is glued to a board and the board is held by clamps.

My only concern is some minimal wobble without the drill bit in the center but we'll see what happens.

Another idea is gluing the leather to a round wooden disc and trim it on the router table using a bearing guide on the wood.

Thanks again,

Kevin.

[Billy P]

I want to buy one, Springfield and Tandy don't carry anything that will cut a circle.

I have used a compass and knife, looking for something quicker.

I'm aware of the mat cutters but not sure which one would be best suited for leather.

Been looking at http://www.misterart.com/store/imagepreview.cfm?group_id=7560

Thanks.

Kevin.

Hey Kevin, my best friend in leather and my mentor made the most beautiful leather plates you could imagin. He used that same Lion evr round, with the extender bar to cut out his leather for plates. Sadly he died 2 years ago, this past Christmas. He said that was the best to cut out the leather with, even if sometimes you might have to make several rounds with it. I hope this helps. Billy P

[Tree Reaper]

Thanks for that Billy, very sorry hear you lost your friend.

Kevin.

[Tree Reaper]

Just to let you folks know, the Lion Ev-R-Round works great for cutting clean circles in this 8oz. leather.

[Tree Reaper]

We're spit'n out coasters now!

[Jesleright]

That is nice tooling. Glad that you found the right circle cutter.

[whinewine]

Just to let you folks know, the Lion Ev-R-Round works great for cutting clean circles in this 8oz. leather.

And the cutter arm doesn't creep? (The olfa circle cutter DOES creep, even in lighter weight leather, even chap leathers.

[Tree Reaper]

No creep, no movement at all.

Perfect circles every time.

I'm very happy with this tool, now if someone would make it out of aluminum it would be even better.

Kevin.

And the cutter arm doesn't creep? (The olfa circle cutter DOES creep, even in lighter weight leather, even chap leathers.