Sometime in 2020, I planned to create a big artwork on one of my apartment walls. Since I really like the look of tape art, I decided to order some electrical tape in bulk.
When the tape arrived, I already had an artwork in mind but I realized that I could not create the details accurately with the width of the tape that I got without scaling the artwork up to a size where my wall was just simply too small. The solution to this problem was clearly narrower rolls of tape, but how to cut the rolls I ordered earlier?
After checking what tools I had on my hands, I came across several packages of spare razor blades and I figured that they would do the trick. While trying to clamp them down securely to not cut my fingers, I decided that the only safe way to do this was a custom tool.
The idea was rather simple. A solid block that securely holds one or more razor blades in a way that they cannot slip out, even if a lot of force is applied and which is also narrow enough that the cuts would be as precise as possible.
Thankfully, I was able to quickly sketch this tool up in Blender and started the first print. And the result was just amazing. Straight cuts all around the rolls, down to the cardboard, with the possibility to cut rolls to the widths of 1/3, 2/3 or 50/50.
Here is a timelapse of me, using the tape that I cut to create the Berlin transportation grid:
And a picture of the finished mural:
I later also designed and printed a fitting cover such that I can put the tool away without the danger of later grabbing into the blade and hurting myself.
As a 3D printing gadget developer, I am passionate about creating customized solutions for my clients. If you have a similar project in mind, I would love to discuss it with you. Please get in touch with me via email.
