I am in need of some Engineering help. There is a tool that is heavily used in my trade called a "Laminate shear". A company called Bullet makes the best ones. The only problem is the one i would really like to have is right around $800.
It is such a simple device, I cannot for the life of me see why it could not be created in a shop for much much less on a one or two time scale type thing.
So, I am trying to figure out what i would need for materials to make a crude, mean, ugly, well working version of this high dollar cutter. It is a simple shear with a big handle. you swing the handle down, and it cuts through the board. Something electric would be even cooler of course, but here again, budget is always a factor.
Would it be cheaper to just buy the premade one? Or maybe pay someone $400 or 500 to make a better version? There are some really cheap laminate cutters on the market, but i really don't think they could stand up to the abuse i would throw at it from just one job.
Anyway... They say the most innovative ideas always come from outside the specific field, so i figured I would ask our resident tool geniuses!!
PS: The idea of the tool is to be able to cut laminate flooring boards without getting up off of the floor where you are installing. The tool has to be a shear type cut as opposed to a spinning blade because it is crucial that it remain dust free. The material is pretty tough, so it takes a sharp, STRONG blade, and some pretty good force, especially with wide or thick material.
Thanks for any advice you might have. I would really like to add something of this sort to my tools because it would save me alot of work in the long run, walking back and forth to the table saw. I don't know how much up and down my poor ole knees can handle.
It is such a simple device, I cannot for the life of me see why it could not be created in a shop for much much less on a one or two time scale type thing.
So, I am trying to figure out what i would need for materials to make a crude, mean, ugly, well working version of this high dollar cutter. It is a simple shear with a big handle. you swing the handle down, and it cuts through the board. Something electric would be even cooler of course, but here again, budget is always a factor.
Would it be cheaper to just buy the premade one? Or maybe pay someone $400 or 500 to make a better version? There are some really cheap laminate cutters on the market, but i really don't think they could stand up to the abuse i would throw at it from just one job.
Anyway... They say the most innovative ideas always come from outside the specific field, so i figured I would ask our resident tool geniuses!!
PS: The idea of the tool is to be able to cut laminate flooring boards without getting up off of the floor where you are installing. The tool has to be a shear type cut as opposed to a spinning blade because it is crucial that it remain dust free. The material is pretty tough, so it takes a sharp, STRONG blade, and some pretty good force, especially with wide or thick material.
Thanks for any advice you might have. I would really like to add something of this sort to my tools because it would save me alot of work in the long run, walking back and forth to the table saw. I don't know how much up and down my poor ole knees can handle.
