Tips when shopping for a guillotine

There are all kinds of supplies that one needs to use around the office and the guillotine paper cutter is one of them. It’s an office tool that isn’t spoken about a lot, but, it is much needed, especially when a lot of paper cutting is involved.

Now, all guillotine paper cutters serve one purpose – cutting paper and pretty much anything else that can be possibly be cut using these devices. However, there are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to guillotine paper cutters. So, how do you decide which one best suits your needs?

Well, here are a few tips to help you out.

Use

The actual use of the guillotine paper cutter is one of the first considerations to be made. Is it for professional use or personal use?

There are commercial models that can cut up to 40mm of material while others will not go over a 5-page limit.

Additionally, the frequency of use also comes into question. If the usage is infrequent, you can settle for smaller guillotines. However, if you’re going to be cutting stacks of paper on a regular basis, you will need something that’s more professional. Professional or commercial guillotines are built to handle large stacks of paper and have more durable blades. This makes them more efficient and consistent.

Finally, you also need to consider the person who is going to use the guillotine. Guillotines use massive blades to cut the paper and it’s best kept in an environment where there are no children. This shouldn’t be a problem for professional environments because it’s highly unlikely that kids would show up in such a place on a regular basis.

However, if the guillotine is going to be used in a home, it is best to go for smaller ones with limited capabilities. They can be just as dangerous, but, since they are small, it’s easier to store them in a spot that kids can’t reach.

Safety

The second major consideration to be made is safety. There are generally 3 safety components to look for. The first is the blade guard, which is the most important safety feature. So, make sure you’re buying one with a safety guard. The good news is that most of them will have one.

The second safety feature to look for is the blade latch. This locks the blade, preventing it from being tampered with when you’re not using it. It’s a small metal piece that’s connected to the handle at the bottom. Sometimes, it can also be a small wire that simply gets placed over the handle.

Lastly, you need to look for the tension spring. This is found fixed behind the blade and its main purpose is to prevent the blade from falling down with excessive force. In other words, it keeps the blade held down until you apply some external force.

Maintenance

The fancier the models, the more you will spend on maintenance. If you can afford it, well and good; if you can’t, look for something that’s affordable. Guillotines for the home usually cost from R1000-R2000.

Commercial ones, on the other hand, start at a few thousand Rands and can go up to tens of thousands. So look at use, safety, and cost of maintenance to determine how much you really need to spend.