talkmagic.co.uk

This may seem a bit odd, but does anyone know the size in mm of the corners of a bycicle playing card?
I'm not sure how to go about measuring it either?

I'm looking to buy a guilotine style corner cutter and they come in a variety of sizes hence my question.

cards for magic have done all the work for you, and sell a corner round punch that is just right.

£7.50. search for corner rounder

This is what you are looking at I am sure. Don't know the dimensions but you can take a few cards to a craft store and try them. They are used in scrapbooking.
http://www.wizardcraft.com/accessories.htm

You will have to scroll down a bit on the page as it is a few items down.

The magic number is 3mm or 1/8".

If you are rounding anything other than 90 degree corners, you will want a punch that has an uncovered top or bottom so that you can actually see the cutting mechanism. You will want to line your new corner square per your card's angle rather than square per the cutter's guide.

Thanks everyone
I've been out of the country so sorry for the late reply

The corner cutter from Cards4magic is actually oversized by a mm or two but on the cards that I've cut no one has ever noticed.

I mainly need one to trim down exsisting playing card corners ) I prefer this to short cards) hence the need for corner sizes.
I should just use a craft knife but I dont trust myself,

Hi Jackleg.

I use corner shorts quite regularly and simply trim with a pair of decent scissors. If you think you may cut too much try taking a little bit off at a time. If you have some old cards lying around (who doesnt) try it on them first, then when you get the desired result use it as a template to cut your proper ones.

jim

By dat's description I am assuming that the Cards4Magic punch is a 5mm. I agree with him that the vast majority of specs will not notice the difference IF two or more of the corners are being trimmed. And if you are only trimming two, they need to be on the same short side to not look suspicious. Just trimming one corner makes it stand out like a sore thumb.

I went the Dremel route and failed MISERABLY. I tried various nail files and buffers and had some success but had problems with the card separating. I have gone the curved scissor and nail clipper route and had great success but I am now looking at modifying hundreds of cards.

I searched all over the place and was unable to find a cheap and simple corner punch in the 3mm size. The smallest that I could find was 5mm. I took my search beyond the scrapbooking hobby realm and found big and bulky hand held units that started around $35 +S/H USD and went up from there. I put the project on the back burner for a while. Today was the day to bite the bullet and buy one. I did one last search... and... GOOD NEWS! There's one on eBay from a UK seller. Even though I need it shipped across the pond it is still significantly cheaper than the alternative.

LINK:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Corner-Punch-Mini-3mm-radius-cut-size-NIP-/220645338893?pt=UK_Crafts_Cardmaking_Scrapbooking_DieCutting_Punches_EH&hash=item335f7caf0d


From the limited research that I did, it appears that the manufacturer is European so this may be an item that a local Office Supply or hobby store readily carries, I don't know.

Here is the back up plan should the cheapie above not work. This may or may not be the lowest price out there as I haven't further shopped it. Just an example for reference:

http://cgi.ebay.com/HeavyDuty-PVC-Card-Paper-Corner-Rounding-Rounder-Cutter-/280556731714?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item41527bfd42

Contrary to his description, you'll want the R3 1/8" 3mm rounder- not the R5.


ETA: Better yet, if you go with the bulky unit, you can purchase it from Lybrary.com and give your money to a Magic dealer rather than some guy on eBay:
http://www.lybrary.com/corner-rounder-p-33513.html

I normally trim the bottom left and top right corners on one card and I also prefer this method to a shortened card. The opposing corners always ensures that your thumb will find the card when held in a mechanics grip.

If using a craft knife then use an old card such as a Joker as a template after trimming a illimetre or two from one of the short sides although you do need a very steady hand and a sharp blade.

Rob - sincere thanks for that nice bit of research! and Dat, you and I think alike, that's exactly what i do too!

Just as an aside i recently had an interesting (ahem) debate with a mechanic of the playing card variety who was distraught at my "taking the easy route to control/locate a card"

I had to refer the honourable gentleman to the theory of 'having a dog and barking oneself!'

but seriously, if it does the job and saves me worrying about it, where's the problem???

but seriously, if it does the job and saves me worrying about it, where's the problem???

Exactly!

jackleg wrote:Just as an aside i recently had an interesting (ahem) debate with a mechanic of the playing card variety who was distraught at my "taking the easy route to control/locate a card"

I had to refer the honourable gentleman to the theory of 'having a dog and barking oneself!'

but seriously, if it does the job and saves me worrying about it, where's the problem???

There's very little glory in doing things the hard way when you don't have to - let's face it, only you will know what you've done anyway!!