Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
I have been handling my mounts during selection, cutting, sticking and stamp insertion.
Noting this I started reviewing some of album pages and to my horror noted smudges, fingerprints etc. on my mounts when pages were viewed at certain angles.
So, I went shopping and purchased thin disposable gloves which I used yesterday when mounting some recent Poland acquisitions on my Steiner /Lighthouse album pages.
Result no smudges, fingerprints etc. on my mounts. Further my album pages were much cleaner, with specks of dust and detritus easier to get rid off with the gloves on and of course no fingerprints/smudges etc.
I would be interested to hear how others handle their mounts.
My second issue is with cutting of mounts. I am using a small guillotine which I purchased from a Stationary chain. However I am noting that in some instances strips start to 'fracture' (a better word doesn't come to mind) when I am cutting. Does anyone else experience this issue?
Regards
Richmond
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As far as cutting mounts, I use clear Hawid mounts and cut using scissors. For me, wearing gloves while working on my stamps seems a bit extreme, but I do make sure to wash my hands before working on my stamps and try to only handle them by the edges and/or using tongs.
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I use Scott/Prinz clear mounts and cut using scissors when necessary. I can't say that I am completely satisfied with the scissor based method though as I frequently have to trim edges further to get closer to having parallel lines on each side of the mount. Mostly I have used pre-cut mounts but lately I have been having issues with stamp spaces that just aren't large enough for side by side mounting of stamps in rows.
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I use a small Showgard guillotine. It seems to cut cleanly, and I have not experienced anything like fracturing or tearing.
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I use a Fiskars 12 inch paper cutter to cut my mounts to length, working from the sealed edge upwards. It has a raised lip at the top to align the mount strip squarely, the blades are replaceable and comes with a spare blade.
Think I got it from Michaels the craft shop where it was in the scrapbooking section.
If it needs an improvement it could do with an adjustable end stop to cut large numbers of equal size. Though I guess I could improvise something.
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I use the Fiskars (30cm) as well - I was wondering whether the sliding blade was causing the issues I am having and whether I should upgrade to a 'chopping' style guillotine
Regards
Richmond
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A few years ago, when I was serious about mounting my stamps in an album, I tried a variety of tools, and found that the small Showgard guillotine like Sally mentioned was the only thing that gave a professional, clean cut. (And I had to kind of push in a bit on the handle, so that the blade on the handle struck right up against the blade on the base.)
That was after trying scissors (which I could never get a clean cut with), a good Fiskars paper cutter (which I already had; and it still left a ragged or uneven edge much of the time, even with a new blade), and even a larger, expensive cutter (sold by Lighthouse, if I'm recalling correctly), and nothing performed as well as that little Showgard guillotine cutter.
I even got really good at being able to create mounts of a custom height for souvenir sheets or stamps for which there was not a mount size that fit the vertical height well. I was able to create professional-looking custom mounts only with that Showgard cutter, so I'm a big fan of it.
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I find that using clear Hawid mounts (that are trimmed on 3 sides), a not-so-straight cut is not really noticeable so using scissors works fine for me. If using black mounts, however, a mount cutter is a must.
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Hi sheepshanks;
I use a X-acto 12" x 12" guillotine style cutter. I once used a drafting triangle taped to the cutter bed for a fixed stop, for repeatable cuts. It worked fine for hundreds of cuts.
Another thing that causes bad cuts is movement of the item during the cut. It must be held down firmly, and without fingers getting too close to the sharp edge. This tool is razer sharp a cuts fingers even faster than a speeding bullet.
A good way to get a firm grip on plastic mounts would be to use surgical gloves. Cotton gloves would tend to make it much harder to grip plastic mounts.
still sortin'....
TuskenRaider
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I use Scott-Prinz mounts and cut them with a Prinz guillotine cutter mostly, sometimes with a Showgard cutter where the former is not practical. I also just wash hands before handling stuff, no gloves.
Lucky
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I use Showgard and Prinz with black background, so a clean cut is important. I just use leftover cardboard from USPS shipments and draw a grid (one horizontal line and several - about 10 - vertical lines) to use as cutting guides. (A small 90 degree square helps here). I can usually get at least 20 cuts out of each vertical line, so each piece of cardboard is good for about 200 cuts.
I use a small steel ruler as a cutting guide. (I'm using a model RR scale ruler, but other 6" steel rulers will do). I make my cuts with an Exacto blade that is replaced whenever the cuts feel "draggy". You will know what that means with a little practice.
Failure to replace after "draggy" leads you to "rippy", and that's not a happy place.
No gloves, but freshly washed (and dried) hands, plus manipulation with tongs as much as possible.
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Showard guillotine here. Can't imagine that any cut with scissors could look consistent. I could be proven wrong but I couldn't do it. The guillotine gives perfect right angle cuts every single time. Tough to beat.
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I just had to cut a couple of mounts, so I took photos. If you don't have a guillotine cutter (I don't because I mostly use pre-cut mounts) then it is still possible to get a nice clean square edge if you have a piece of cardboard, pencil, protractor or small square, metal straight edge, and X-acto knife. Just draw a long horizontal line and one or more vertical lines. (I just drew 2 but usually draw several since each line is only good for about 20 cuts. The more times you draw the blade down the line the deeper the cut becomes and eventually it feels "mushy" trying to cut).
Then line up the bottom edge of the mount strip along the horizontal line and align the metal straight-edge to a vertical line. (I added a "V" mark since I was cutting multiple mounts and wanted them all the same size).
Press down FIRMLY on the straight edge to keep the mount strip from moving and GENTLY drag the X-acto blade along the edge of the metal straight-edge. (And as TuskenRaider says: "Mind your fingers!"). I usually finish with a bit firmer pressure to cut the bottom seam of the mount and make the beginning of a second pass to finish cutting through the top seam. (If you try to cut completely through the first seam initially, you're likely to move the mount).
If someone bought me a guillotine for Christmas I would definitely use it. In the mean time, this produces nice results:
The most important thing is to not be stingy about replacing the blade in the knife. Get a new blade at the first sign of resistance. You'll be glad you did.
And although I've done it (with inexpensive stamps), it's not advisable to cut a mount with a stamp in it!
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Lars, you're a man after my own heart. Geometry, angles, protractors, rulers, X-acto knives... I'm in heaven! I too have used that method for years. Last year I broke down and bought a Showgard guillotine cutter at John Kennedy's Shop in Springfield Virginia:
Like other posters above, it takes some steady pressure of one cutting edge against the other, but I'm about 95% with it now.
Herb at the stamp shop here in Omaha (Tuva), sells used mounts by the large envelope (9.5" x 12") stuffed full for $20. These are the black, split-back types. I've bought four such envelopes so far and have yet to come up short for mounts:
Sometimes I use the split-back mounts as they were intended, open on the two ends and sealed top and bottom, as in this pic (the stamps are a recent purchase):
...and sometimes I use the "top load three sides open" method that Mitchel Ward taught me, as with two stamps on this page:
The mounts for those two stamps are open on the top and two sides, with only the bottom sealed. Yes, the stamps lose their centering faster, but they also are much easier to use (less damage to stamps) and easier to fit/cut to size.
Great discussion. Thanks everyone!
-Steve
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Steve... that's a great looking album page! Wonderful cancels. I think they look great in mounts.
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"I too have used that method for years. Last year I broke down and bought a Showgard guillotine cutter"
Steve,
I probably would have bought one years ago if I didn't collect primarily US where I can use precut mounts. For volume cutting a guillotine seems to be a must have.
"sometimes I use the "top load three sides open" method"
I've done that on occasion, but usually with PNC strips and large format items. I'm more concerned the stamp will be damaged by escaping the mount that I am about the mounting process itself damaging the stamp, but I don't force a stamp into a mount that is too small. From 20 mm to 70mm I have strips of 25 different heights, so finding a roomy, but secure, fit isn't difficult.
Lars
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Geostamps,
No idea you lived in Omaha. I also patronize the Tuva shop.
Small world.
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Craig, yest it is a small world. Here's another. I was at the Omaha stamp show (bourse) yesterday, and got to talking with the guy next to me at the table. Turns out he lives in the same small town I do--Plattsmouth. To my knowledge, that now makes exactly two collectors here in our town of 6500! Time to start a club? 
-Steve
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"Wonderful cancels."
Thanks Ernie. I too love the look of a page full of pre-1900-ish stamps with clear, sharp circular date cancels. I also like the "European dot cancels" and the number stampings that I think indicate postal zones. Here's another page from my album that's getting close, Belgium, and it shows all three of those cancel styles.
Ignore the red frames. Those are simply notes to myself when I'm at a stamp show or online shopping and find a replacement stamp. Until I get the energy to get the camera out a shoot a new pic, I just put a digital box there to show me that the picture for that stamp is not current. The saved edit automatically updates to my Google Drive account when I next hit WiFi.
A few of those replacements are to get rid of spacefillers. However, many are to get rid of the undesirable mint stamps (now MH to be sure) and replace them with veteran, experienced stamps with the proper badges of honor.
No mounts on this page though. On that subject I'm again taking Mitch Ward's advice to use $5 CV as a rule of thumb for using mounts instead of hinges, and this is a relatively low CV page.
-Steve
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I have a small guillotine paper cutter, but the Fiskers's paper cutter ia easier and more predictable. Thank you Fiskers, you rock.
And DAVO "Easy" mounts, so no licking involved. And the mounts actually stay on the page.
Wine
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I was watching a video which had been uploaded to the site regarding hinge less albums. I noticed that the person on the video was struggling with mounting his stamps as he was trying to both open the flaps and insert the stamp with tweezers.
I have been handling my mounts during selection, cutting, sticking and stamp insertion.
Noting this I started reviewing some of album pages and to my horror noted smudges, fingerprints etc. on my mounts when pages were viewed at certain angles.
So, I went shopping and purchased thin disposable gloves which I used yesterday when mounting some recent Poland acquisitions on my Steiner /Lighthouse album pages.
Result no smudges, fingerprints etc. on my mounts. Further my album pages were much cleaner, with specks of dust and detritus easier to get rid off with the gloves on and of course no fingerprints/smudges etc.
I would be interested to hear how others handle their mounts.
My second issue is with cutting of mounts. I am using a small guillotine which I purchased from a Stationary chain. However I am noting that in some instances strips start to 'fracture' (a better word doesn't come to mind) when I am cutting. Does anyone else experience this issue?
Regards
Richmond
Login to Like
this post
re: Handling & Cutting Mounts
As far as cutting mounts, I use clear Hawid mounts and cut using scissors. For me, wearing gloves while working on my stamps seems a bit extreme, but I do make sure to wash my hands before working on my stamps and try to only handle them by the edges and/or using tongs.
Login to Like
this post
re: Handling & Cutting Mounts
I use Scott/Prinz clear mounts and cut using scissors when necessary. I can't say that I am completely satisfied with the scissor based method though as I frequently have to trim edges further to get closer to having parallel lines on each side of the mount. Mostly I have used pre-cut mounts but lately I have been having issues with stamp spaces that just aren't large enough for side by side mounting of stamps in rows.
Login to Like
this post
re: Handling & Cutting Mounts
I use a small Showgard guillotine. It seems to cut cleanly, and I have not experienced anything like fracturing or tearing.
5 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
re: Handling & Cutting Mounts
I use a Fiskars 12 inch paper cutter to cut my mounts to length, working from the sealed edge upwards. It has a raised lip at the top to align the mount strip squarely, the blades are replaceable and comes with a spare blade.
Think I got it from Michaels the craft shop where it was in the scrapbooking section.
If it needs an improvement it could do with an adjustable end stop to cut large numbers of equal size. Though I guess I could improvise something.
Login to Like
this post
re: Handling & Cutting Mounts
I use the Fiskars (30cm) as well - I was wondering whether the sliding blade was causing the issues I am having and whether I should upgrade to a 'chopping' style guillotine
Regards
Richmond
Login to Like
this post
re: Handling & Cutting Mounts
A few years ago, when I was serious about mounting my stamps in an album, I tried a variety of tools, and found that the small Showgard guillotine like Sally mentioned was the only thing that gave a professional, clean cut. (And I had to kind of push in a bit on the handle, so that the blade on the handle struck right up against the blade on the base.)
That was after trying scissors (which I could never get a clean cut with), a good Fiskars paper cutter (which I already had; and it still left a ragged or uneven edge much of the time, even with a new blade), and even a larger, expensive cutter (sold by Lighthouse, if I'm recalling correctly), and nothing performed as well as that little Showgard guillotine cutter.
I even got really good at being able to create mounts of a custom height for souvenir sheets or stamps for which there was not a mount size that fit the vertical height well. I was able to create professional-looking custom mounts only with that Showgard cutter, so I'm a big fan of it.
4 Members
like this post.
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re: Handling & Cutting Mounts
I find that using clear Hawid mounts (that are trimmed on 3 sides), a not-so-straight cut is not really noticeable so using scissors works fine for me. If using black mounts, however, a mount cutter is a must.
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this post
re: Handling & Cutting Mounts
Hi sheepshanks;
I use a X-acto 12" x 12" guillotine style cutter. I once used a drafting triangle taped to the cutter bed for a fixed stop, for repeatable cuts. It worked fine for hundreds of cuts.
Another thing that causes bad cuts is movement of the item during the cut. It must be held down firmly, and without fingers getting too close to the sharp edge. This tool is razer sharp a cuts fingers even faster than a speeding bullet.
A good way to get a firm grip on plastic mounts would be to use surgical gloves. Cotton gloves would tend to make it much harder to grip plastic mounts.
still sortin'....
TuskenRaider
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this post
re: Handling & Cutting Mounts
I use Scott-Prinz mounts and cut them with a Prinz guillotine cutter mostly, sometimes with a Showgard cutter where the former is not practical. I also just wash hands before handling stuff, no gloves.
Lucky
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re: Handling & Cutting Mounts
I use Showgard and Prinz with black background, so a clean cut is important. I just use leftover cardboard from USPS shipments and draw a grid (one horizontal line and several - about 10 - vertical lines) to use as cutting guides. (A small 90 degree square helps here). I can usually get at least 20 cuts out of each vertical line, so each piece of cardboard is good for about 200 cuts.
I use a small steel ruler as a cutting guide. (I'm using a model RR scale ruler, but other 6" steel rulers will do). I make my cuts with an Exacto blade that is replaced whenever the cuts feel "draggy". You will know what that means with a little practice.
Failure to replace after "draggy" leads you to "rippy", and that's not a happy place.
No gloves, but freshly washed (and dried) hands, plus manipulation with tongs as much as possible.
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like this post.
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re: Handling & Cutting Mounts
Showard guillotine here. Can't imagine that any cut with scissors could look consistent. I could be proven wrong but I couldn't do it. The guillotine gives perfect right angle cuts every single time. Tough to beat.
Login to Like
this post
re: Handling & Cutting Mounts
I just had to cut a couple of mounts, so I took photos. If you don't have a guillotine cutter (I don't because I mostly use pre-cut mounts) then it is still possible to get a nice clean square edge if you have a piece of cardboard, pencil, protractor or small square, metal straight edge, and X-acto knife. Just draw a long horizontal line and one or more vertical lines. (I just drew 2 but usually draw several since each line is only good for about 20 cuts. The more times you draw the blade down the line the deeper the cut becomes and eventually it feels "mushy" trying to cut).
Then line up the bottom edge of the mount strip along the horizontal line and align the metal straight-edge to a vertical line. (I added a "V" mark since I was cutting multiple mounts and wanted them all the same size).
Press down FIRMLY on the straight edge to keep the mount strip from moving and GENTLY drag the X-acto blade along the edge of the metal straight-edge. (And as TuskenRaider says: "Mind your fingers!"). I usually finish with a bit firmer pressure to cut the bottom seam of the mount and make the beginning of a second pass to finish cutting through the top seam. (If you try to cut completely through the first seam initially, you're likely to move the mount).
If someone bought me a guillotine for Christmas I would definitely use it. In the mean time, this produces nice results:
The most important thing is to not be stingy about replacing the blade in the knife. Get a new blade at the first sign of resistance. You'll be glad you did.
And although I've done it (with inexpensive stamps), it's not advisable to cut a mount with a stamp in it!
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re: Handling & Cutting Mounts
Lars, you're a man after my own heart. Geometry, angles, protractors, rulers, X-acto knives... I'm in heaven! I too have used that method for years. Last year I broke down and bought a Showgard guillotine cutter at John Kennedy's Shop in Springfield Virginia:
Like other posters above, it takes some steady pressure of one cutting edge against the other, but I'm about 95% with it now.
Herb at the stamp shop here in Omaha (Tuva), sells used mounts by the large envelope (9.5" x 12") stuffed full for $20. These are the black, split-back types. I've bought four such envelopes so far and have yet to come up short for mounts:
Sometimes I use the split-back mounts as they were intended, open on the two ends and sealed top and bottom, as in this pic (the stamps are a recent purchase):
...and sometimes I use the "top load three sides open" method that Mitchel Ward taught me, as with two stamps on this page:
The mounts for those two stamps are open on the top and two sides, with only the bottom sealed. Yes, the stamps lose their centering faster, but they also are much easier to use (less damage to stamps) and easier to fit/cut to size.
Great discussion. Thanks everyone!
-Steve
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re: Handling & Cutting Mounts
Steve... that's a great looking album page! Wonderful cancels. I think they look great in mounts.
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re: Handling & Cutting Mounts
"I too have used that method for years. Last year I broke down and bought a Showgard guillotine cutter"
Steve,
I probably would have bought one years ago if I didn't collect primarily US where I can use precut mounts. For volume cutting a guillotine seems to be a must have.
"sometimes I use the "top load three sides open" method"
I've done that on occasion, but usually with PNC strips and large format items. I'm more concerned the stamp will be damaged by escaping the mount that I am about the mounting process itself damaging the stamp, but I don't force a stamp into a mount that is too small. From 20 mm to 70mm I have strips of 25 different heights, so finding a roomy, but secure, fit isn't difficult.
Lars
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re: Handling & Cutting Mounts
Geostamps,
No idea you lived in Omaha. I also patronize the Tuva shop.
Small world.
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re: Handling & Cutting Mounts
Craig, yest it is a small world. Here's another. I was at the Omaha stamp show (bourse) yesterday, and got to talking with the guy next to me at the table. Turns out he lives in the same small town I do--Plattsmouth. To my knowledge, that now makes exactly two collectors here in our town of 6500! Time to start a club?
-Steve
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re: Handling & Cutting Mounts
"Wonderful cancels."
Thanks Ernie. I too love the look of a page full of pre-1900-ish stamps with clear, sharp circular date cancels. I also like the "European dot cancels" and the number stampings that I think indicate postal zones. Here's another page from my album that's getting close, Belgium, and it shows all three of those cancel styles.
Ignore the red frames. Those are simply notes to myself when I'm at a stamp show or online shopping and find a replacement stamp. Until I get the energy to get the camera out a shoot a new pic, I just put a digital box there to show me that the picture for that stamp is not current. The saved edit automatically updates to my Google Drive account when I next hit WiFi.
A few of those replacements are to get rid of spacefillers. However, many are to get rid of the undesirable mint stamps (now MH to be sure) and replace them with veteran, experienced stamps with the proper badges of honor.
No mounts on this page though. On that subject I'm again taking Mitch Ward's advice to use $5 CV as a rule of thumb for using mounts instead of hinges, and this is a relatively low CV page.
-Steve
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like this post.
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re: Handling & Cutting Mounts
I have a small guillotine paper cutter, but the Fiskers's paper cutter ia easier and more predictable. Thank you Fiskers, you rock.
And DAVO "Easy" mounts, so no licking involved. And the mounts actually stay on the page.
Wine
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this post