Trimming Selvage

[Michael Hughes]

What is the best way to trim selvage. I rarely come acros it and the last time I used a metal straight edge and razor. Is there a quicker, more accurate method?

Thank uyou
Michael

[Boston Hangman]

last time I used a metal straight edge and razor. Is there a quicker, more accurate method?

Thank you
Michael

Michael
Are you trimming dry or wet ?

There other ways ,but they all have their own pros and cons.

1. dry trim - with single edge blade by the roll.
using a straitedge to trim along trim marks or pattern

1a. as above but pre cut sheets to fit wall and then trim.

1b. dry trim - with rotary trimmer on straitedge using trim marks or pattern

2. wet trim- pasting the individual sheet ,booking it and trimming along trim marks or pattern with single edge blade and straitedge.

3. Trimming on the wall - doublecutting.
align pattern on the wall overlapping matching pattern . ie: flower on edge overlaps matching flower on opposite edge of selvage . and cutting thru both layers . Protect the wall and have a straitedge to help guide blade.

Are any of them faster or more accurate, well only you can answer that after you try each of them. Most paperhangers have a preferred method that they like and think is fastest and / or more accurate. :eek:

Good Luck ,
Mark W.
Boston NGPP

[Michael Hughes]

Thank you, I guess I will do what I have done in the past. I dry cut one edge to fit and double cut the other on the wall.

[Bill Archibald]

Michael,

As Mark says there are many ways to trim. As a matter of fact for a little article I am in the midst of researching, I have been asking hangers around the country about their preferences and the pros and cons of each method.

I have realized that it would be best to be proficient in each and then choose which is best for the situation.

Double cutting can be the most accurate and achieve some of the tightest seams, but if you are hanging a pulp on liner, then there is a chance of scoring the liner and having popped seams. Or if you double cut on some prep coats, you break the surface, moisture infuses and seams pop. If a pad is put under the cut to protect the walls, it is time consuming and there is a chance of making the seams too "fat" and having a slight pucker.

Most who wet trim do so by measuring in from the edge, this is a great way to trim because the paper has expanded as much as it will. But you had better be sure the pattern does not "wander". And you need to wait for each sheet to expand fully before aligning and trimming. Timing is critical.

Dry trimming has it's benefits especially if you trim the whole bolt because it is quicker, you can do it off site, and the trimmed goods will then fit in those pasting machines that will not handle more than 29" goods. BUT, the pattern better not have heavily inked areas that expand unevenly AND the pattern better not wander. Dry trimming per individual sheet is great to achieve the best "average" pattern match, but again, you need paper that expands evenly when pasted.

I have found that sometimes the decision is not what is the BEST method, but which is the LEAST WORSE method.

Sorry not to give you a definitive "which is best", but over the years I have found there is no answer to that question in any aspect of this business. As one sage once said, "everything depends on everything else".

AND as we all know, ask any three paperhangers one question and get at least four different answers.

-Bill