Getting Started

Choosing the right tool for the job:

The Gyro-Cut® JUNIOR tool is the perfect choice for cutting all types of paper, thin card (up to 240gsm), vinyl, thin Mylar/acetate, masking tape, Tamiya tape, Duck tape, model aircraft covering film, photographs and many other thin materials. Supplied with a patented “skin friendly” hardened steel blade for accurate and detailed cuts and exceptionally long blade life. Replacement blade GC-1312 is available separately. We recommend the Gyro-Cut® JUNIOR Starter Set which includes the tool, fitted with a “skin friendly” hardened steel blade, a spare blade and a 50ml bottle of our Sticky Mat® Adhesive.   

The Gyro-Cut® PRO tool offers even greater flexibility and can be fitted with your choice of three different PRO Series blades for cutting a wide variety of materials. See our “Which Blade” section to determine the best blade for your application. We recommend the Gyro-Cut® PRO Starter Set for paper, which includes the tool, a Standard Cut, hardened steel, “skin friendly” paper blade and a 50ml bottle of our Sticky Mat® Adhesive.  Alternatively, we offer a Gyro-Cut® PRO Starter Set for fabric, which includes the tool, a Medium Cut tungsten carbide fabric blade, a 50ml bottle of our Sticky Mat® Adhesive and a 90g bottle of our Fab-Grip, heat-activated, powder adhesive. 

Please note that the blades are NOT interchangeable between the JUNIOR and PRO tools.

Things you will need:

• Gyro-Cut® Junior tool GC-1311 or Gyro-Cut® PRO tool GC-1411
• Self-healing cutting mat (sold separately)
• Sticky Mat® Adhesive GC-1314 (sold separately)
• Fab-Grip® Powder Adhesive GC-1414 (sold separately) if cutting fabric

Preparation and cutting:

• Apply Sticky Mat® Adhesive to the surface of your cutting mat using an old piece of kitchen sponge and allow to dry for approx. 20 minutes (apply 2 coats on new mat). The tacky surface will temporarily hold the paper in place whilst you cut. This enables you to achieve very accurate and intricate cuts as the material will not move.
• Hold the Gyro-Cut® tool like a pen, ensuring that the blade is kept vertical and apply firm downward pressure whilst guiding the point of the blade to cut the desired shape. It is important to only cut with the point of the blade and ensure that the blade always remains vertical while cutting. With practice, you will quickly develop the technique of using the tool like a pen and steering the blade in any direction. The amount of downward pressure required depends on the thickness of the material being cut.
• When you have completed your project, carefully remove the artwork from the cutting mat. The surface of your cutting mat will remain sticky for many months before requiring a further coat of the adhesive. Clean any dust or debris off the surface of the cutting mat using a wet microfibre cloth (water only). When the surface has dried, it will be sticky again and ready for use. For heavily soiled mats use our Mat Magic® cleaning fluid, ref. GC-1416 to clean and revitalise the mat surface. Rinse with fresh water before applying any further coats of Sticky Mat® Adhesive.