I really like using the
Guillotine type cutters. I have taped out the sizes of
Gel that I need to cut (
Source Four,
Fresnel, and
Cyc). I bought one for my department recently that we have gotten to work well.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016LDV41S/?tag=controlbooth-20
@SamP If you need to cut circular gells for Strong Supertroupers et al, you can get to enjoy cutting circles to perfection with your
guillotine cutter as well, the secret's in the methodogy:
- Begin with an oversize cut, possibly something from your stash of pre-cuts for your
cyc' lights or 5 K fresnels.
- Measure the diameter of the circle you need.
- Divide your measurement in half to determine the radius of your desired circle.
- Measure the radius across from the cutting
edge of your
guillotine.
- Measure a few inches greater than your desired radius down from your guilllotine's upper guide.
- Stick a
sharp push-pin / thumb-tack through the approximate center of your square or rectangular
gel cut and stick it
firmly into the surface of your
guillotine's table at the intersection of your two measurements.
- After you've used this method for a few weeks, you'll have zero trouble locating the hole waiting to receive your push-pin.
Back to cutting
precisely round circular gels.
Make your first chop.
With your free
hand, lightly press down on your
gel and rotate it approximately 90 degrees.
Make your second chop.
Rotate your
gel approximately another 90 degrees to approximately 180 degrees.
Make your third chop.
Rotate your
gel approximately another 90 degrees to 270 degrees.
Make your fourth chop.
Continue to rotate your
gel in ever finer increments with your free
hand while simultaneously rapidly raising and chopping your
guillotine's blade trimming ever smaller slivers of
gel from your circle.
You'll know when you've reached perfection when your significant other hands you vegetables to chop and dice for social occasions.
Yeah, I know it sounds silly. The first IA
road house in which I played assistant LX had four Supers and I got
really good at cutting 24 perfectly circular cuts of
Cinemoid ten minutes prior to curtain.
I've written of this method here before and people snickered then too.
Don't forget to label your cuts.
Toodleoo!
Ron Hebbard