Rag Cutter for Weaving or Hooking Rugs

[Jeanne]

I have a couple of floor looms and before I went back to teaching I made rag rugs and sold them to shops and at craft fairs.  Hubby and I have cut up old garments into strips as well as cut or ripped new fabric to weave into rugs, tablerunners, and placemats.  For the past 19 years we did very little weaving as demands of family and careers ate up the weaving time.  But now the kids are all gone; we are less than one year from retirement; and have started weaving again.  Some time in the last 19 years or so our hands rebelled against the long hours of cutting and/or ripping.  So we are looking into purchsing a rag cutter, something like a Rigby, or a Fraser.  Do any of you have experience with rag cutters?  Do you recommend one of these over the others?

Thanks for your help.

[Pina]

Jeanne,
Diana from Rugmaker's Homestead answers a question
about CUTTING MACHINES FOR RUGMAKING :
"There are rag "slitters" (fixed razor blades) which really don't work
well,but are cheap ($12 or so).The "real" cutters are a very nice piece
of machinery called Fraser cutters,made by the Harry M. Fraser Co.
(I've used one for years and they are wonderful.)They are however
expensive,running $125 or thereabouts these days."
Please scroll down if you like to read more.

[Jeanne]

Thanks Pina, I plan to pay $150 or more.  We will be cutting many, many yards of fabric including everything from heavy duck and wool to fairly thin cottons and polys.  So I will need something that is a real workhorse as well as able to cut a wide range of fabrics.

I guess I am mostly interested in other rag weaver's experience with specific brands of rag cutters.  I have read really great things about Fraser's customer service even on machines that are fairly old.

[ALY]

I have a Fraser cloth cutting machine. I use it to cut wide strips of fabric for braided rugs and narrow strips for hooked rugs. The fabric is from wool pants and skirts I purchase at thrift stores.  I use it intermittently,  as rug making is a hobby for me not a vocation.  It is easy to set up. The hand wheel is easy to turn. The fabric is pulled into the cutter and you only have to provide gentle guidance to keep it aligned to the cutting wheels correctly, and the cuts are clean. Mine works great and I have never had any problems with it. 

Audrey

[Jeanne]

Thank you, Audrey, for the first-hand report.  I missed getting a rag cutter on my Christams list but believe I will put it on my birthday (Feb.) list.

After we retire in May we will be moving (if we can get this house sold).  For several years I have thrown old bed linens; non-wearable clothing; etc. into a pile in the corner of the sewing room.  I either need to prepare the fabric in that huge pile to be woven or get rid of it before the move.

Thanks again, Jeanne