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Cutting paper with a table saw

17K views 29 replies 23 participants last post by  Dark_Lightning 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I'm an entrepreneur who does woodworking for a hobby (I love to save money!). I keep stacks of used paper and currently use a heavy duty paper trimmer to cut stacks of paper into quarters then bind the edges with glue to use as notepads - the office loves them.

I recently picked up a 13-amp Delta table saw (I love it!) and am curious if my saw could cut stacks of paper. I don't know how a stack of paper compares density wise to wood and I don't want to blow something up…

Any tips?
 
#4 · (Edited by Moderator)
I wouldn't try it. The saw will likely cut it just well, the edges will be fairly rough but the bigger problem will be controlling the paper for the cut. Unless you find a way to secure it to a sled that will be very tough to do. If you insist on cutting it on a saw, try a bandsaw.
 
#7 ·
Yes you can cut paper on your table saw using a fine blade. Take a stack about as thick as you can go and use packing tap to bind the bundle then cut through it. I haven't done this in years but if I remember correctly the majority of the paper is cut good. Also if you have a scroll saw bind up your little pads the same way drill a small hole insert the blade and you can cut out little pictures or monograms. And for everyone's information you can cut cardboard quite well, cut plexiglass and even aluminum and brass sheet with the right blades.
 
#8 ·
I buy my shop towels in huge rolls that I cut down. I use my bandsaw, and have enough trouble doing that. It tends to clog the blade and shorten the lifespan.
I would not even think about putting paper through my table saw. A ream of paper will get caught, dragged down, who knows what happens then…
 
#17 ·
Wow… This is one hell of a community - I'm blown away by all the responses!

I have quite a bit of paper so my paper slicer will take too long. I think I'm going to build a MDF sled that will allow me to sandwich a stack of paper and tighten it down as needed. Then I'm going to take it oh so very slowly. It's still just scratch paper so if it shreds and makes a mess then it's not the end of the world!

I'll do my best to document it all, but I'm backed up at work so it may not happen right away.

Thanks again!
 
#22 ·
Congratulations on being an entrepreneur. Great job on saving money (I hope you are taking the amount saved and investing it for retirement). I have been doing the home-made notepad thing for about 30 years - when I started my co-workers made fun of me but they all used my notepads, and when I left for another job they complained that they had to start buying notepads from the office supply store.

Now about your question: Google "how to make a book box" instructions on how to cut the pages out of an old book to make a secret compartment box. There are videos that show you how to sandwich the paper pages between cardboard or thin pieces of wood so you can use power saws to cut the paper, leaving a nice clean edge. You should be able to adapt the technique to your situation. Good luck and let us know how it goes.
 
#23 ·
By heavy duty paper cutter, do you mean a stack cutter?

Because if you have one of those, I fail to see how the table saw would be faster or better. They are super quick and easy to adjust and use. Remember that paper and cardboard are also hard on saw blades.

- JAAune
Nope!
More like this
 
#24 ·
Congratulations on being an entrepreneur. Great job on saving money (I hope you are taking the amount saved and investing it for retirement). I have been doing the home-made notepad thing for about 30 years - when I started my co-workers made fun of me but they all used my notepads, and when I left for another job they complained that they had to start buying notepads from the office supply store.

Now about your question: Google "how to make a book box" instructions on how to cut the pages out of an old book to make a secret compartment box. There are videos that show you how to sandwich the paper pages between cardboard or thin pieces of wood so you can use power saws to cut the paper, leaving a nice clean edge. You should be able to adapt the technique to your situation. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

- leafherder
Perfect! Thank you so much (and yes I'm living poor and investing like a wall street exec!).
 
#25 ·
By heavy duty paper cutter, do you mean a stack cutter?

Because if you have one of those, I fail to see how the table saw would be faster or better. They are super quick and easy to adjust and use. Remember that paper and cardboard are also hard on saw blades.

- JAAune

Nope!
More like this

- mwatson2
Pro Tip:

Stack cutters are the most ingenious devices ever invented for doing small veneer projects. A quality one is like having a mini veneer guillotine in the shop and the price is way lower.

There. I just gave you an excuse to buy a new woodworking tool.
 
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