<p>For just about any shape of cut-out, one could use a router bit in a router, but they are typically quite heavy and more powerful than you need for cardboard. More appropriate would be a tool commonly called a Dremel tool. These are rotary multi-feature tools for which one can purchase different attachments and cutting bits.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/jjXcW.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/jjXcW.jpg" alt="rotary tool and accessories"></a></p>

<p>A router head for such a tool is going to be smaller than a full size router. Cutting bits are typically around the 1/8"/3 mm size. There are larger diameters but not as much variety as with a full size router.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/KRfKJ.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/KRfKJ.jpg" alt="Rotary tool router base"></a></p>

<p>The tools are often variable speed and some are cordless, offering even more flexibility for use.</p>

<p>For cutting straight lines, one would want to have a guiding device such as a flat board clamped or taped to the cutting surface. For curves and holes, it's going to be mostly eyeball guidance.</p>

<p>If you are cutting only straight lines, there is available what amounts to a small scale hand-held circular saw, but that loses the ability to change kerf sizes.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/H2pdZ.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/H2pdZ.jpg" alt="small saw"></a></p>

<p>The one shown is again by Dremel, but other manufacturers have similar products.</p>

<p>Last on the list would be an oscillating cutter.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/rOBmv.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/rOBmv.png" alt="oscillating cutter"></a></p>

<p>Many manufacturers, corded and cordless, with multiple tool selections. No kerf adjustment, generally speaking, more easily controlled than a circular cutter but slower.</p>

<p>I did not suggest a hobby level CNC cutter as they are expensive and limited to the bed size, which limits your work piece size as well.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-25T10:59:09.247Z
2017-03-25T10:59:09.247Z
fred_dot_u
<p>Probably a band saw with a thin blade that isn't 'teeth based' kind of like a knife. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-25T00:25:21.873Z
2017-03-25T00:25:21.873Z
Sanskros
<p>Is there a special kind of cutter for cardboard? I know I could use a laser cutter, but I don't want to spend thousands.</p>
<p>I need an automatic shear of some kind, ideally with an adjustable kerf, so that I can control the width of the material removed.</p>
<p>Fabric shears are not heavy duty enough to cut large amounts of cardboard.</p>
<p>In the machining world there are devices called nibblers for nibbling sheet metal. The look like this:</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/34R8Mm.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/34R8Mm.jpg" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>
<p>I could use this, but it is really for sheet metal. I am looking for something more for cardboard with an adjustable cutter. Does that exist?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-02-16T01:07:52.310Z
Corrugated cardboard, or more like cardstock?
Erica
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-02-16T14:20:38.540Z
@Erica corrugated cardboard, as in cardboard box
Tyler Durden
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-02-17T13:16:57.490Z
How thick is the board that you need power tools to cut it? Why not a box cutter and a straight edge?
Matt
<tool-selection>
Machine shear for cardboard?
Tyler Durden
# Machine shear for cardboard?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-02-15)

Is there a special kind of cutter for cardboard? I know I could use a laser cutter, but I don't want to spend thousands.

I need an automatic shear of some kind, ideally with an adjustable kerf, so that I can control the width of the material removed.

Fabric shears are not heavy duty enough to cut large amounts of cardboard.

In the machining world there are devices called nibblers for nibbling sheet metal. The look like this:

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/34R8Mm.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/34R8Mm.jpg)

I could use this, but it is really for sheet metal. I am looking for something more for cardboard with an adjustable cutter. Does that exist?

**Tags:** tool-selection

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Corrugated cardboard, or more like cardstock?  
> **username_0**: @username_1 corrugated cardboard, as in cardboard box  
> **username_2**: How thick is the board that you need power tools to cut it? Why not a box cutter and a straight edge?  

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2017-03-25. Score: 2

For just about any shape of cut-out, one could use a router bit in a router, but they are typically quite heavy and more powerful than you need for cardboard. More appropriate would be a tool commonly called a Dremel tool. These are rotary multi-feature tools for which one can purchase different attachments and cutting bits.

[![rotary tool and accessories](https://i.sstatic.net/jjXcW.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/jjXcW.jpg)

A router head for such a tool is going to be smaller than a full size router. Cutting bits are typically around the 1/8"/3 mm size. There are larger diameters but not as much variety as with a full size router.

[![Rotary tool router base](https://i.sstatic.net/KRfKJ.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/KRfKJ.jpg)

The tools are often variable speed and some are cordless, offering even more flexibility for use.

For cutting straight lines, one would want to have a guiding device such as a flat board clamped or taped to the cutting surface. For curves and holes, it's going to be mostly eyeball guidance.

If you are cutting only straight lines, there is available what amounts to a small scale hand-held circular saw, but that loses the ability to change kerf sizes.

[![small saw](https://i.sstatic.net/H2pdZ.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/H2pdZ.jpg)

The one shown is again by Dremel, but other manufacturers have similar products.

Last on the list would be an oscillating cutter.

[![oscillating cutter](https://i.sstatic.net/rOBmv.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/rOBmv.png)

Many manufacturers, corded and cordless, with multiple tool selections. No kerf adjustment, generally speaking, more easily controlled than a circular cutter but slower.

I did not suggest a hobby level CNC cutter as they are expensive and limited to the bed size, which limits your work piece size as well.


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### Answer by username_4 on 2017-03-25. Score: -2

Probably a band saw with a thin blade that isn't 'teeth based' kind of like a knife.


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