Expert Card Cutter needed - 1960 Hemmets Cassius Clay

Big80s

Hey guys,

I recently bought an entire set of the 1960 Hemmets cards. As many of you know - they come in 4-card sheets. I'm interested in separating the Clay card from the sheet it's on, and having it graded for my collection. If any of you have experience cutting these, please let me know. I don't know what dimensions the cards need to be in order to receive a number grade. I would leave it intact, but the sheet itself is pretty banged up. Luckily the Clay seems to be in good shape.

I'd appreciate any feedback.

Thanks,
Jeff

scashaggy

I don't know about the size but I would trim it as large as possible. Just under the name above Ali, just left of the border right of Ali, etc.

You can always trim more off in the future if need be but you can't add if you trim too much.

emedina1982

Ive cut a few sheets and did some trimming on cards for a friend a few years ago the standard dimensions for a card are 2.5x3.5 topps used to run some cards around 2.5x3.75 so if you get in those dimensions pretty dang close you should be good. I made a template and cut the cards that way so they all fell into the same dimension range . Sorry I couldnt give you much more info.

nonpareil

You could probably call PSA and ask them how big the card is supposed to be or contact a seller on eBay and ask what their card measures.

Big80s

Thanks for the responses guys! These cards are definitely smaller thank your typical 2.5 x 3.5 cards. But I think Alan is on to something - I'll reach out to someone on eBay who has a graded one listed and see if I can get a measurement from them. I don't know if PSA would actually supply me with that - as it might not actually be a measurement they go by - but more an issue of how much border is showing.

If anyone knows of someone with a laser cutter or something along those lines - let me know, as I'm a little worried about trying something like this on my own.

miklia

Hey Jeff, I cut one a couple of weeks ago - haven't got the grade back yet though. From looking at other graded examples, it appears that you need to cut it in a way that uses the entire bottom border of the above card (ljunggren). I cut halfway in between the Clay and Nielsen, and then used that margin as the ideal border length for the other three sides. But again, I haven't gotten my grade back, so I can't say for sure that this is the best way..

Also, I found the photo stock a bit easier to cut (with a very sharp razor and a good square) than the usual cardboard hand-cuts, so it's a reasonable venture. Looks like a very clean sheet though - good luck!

Big80s

Thanks again for the responses.

Now that I know what I'm looking for - does anyone consider themselves a skilled card cutter? I'd be happy to pay for the services, if I can find someone that knows what they're doing and ideally has experience with this issue.

Sean1125

Jeff, I believe it's been posted here before that some one went to staples or a store like that to get the card cut. I've personally never had anything like that done though.

cpamike

Hello Jeff,

That Cassius Clay will look real nice in a PSA holder. Check out this old link. 1st try at box bottoms. Anyone else try cutting them? POPPAGE!!!!

It sounds like their method worked really well. Maybe Tom and/or Nathan would be willing to help you out as they did really well on theirs. The one thing I would definitely do which was already mentioned would be to cut immediately below John Ljunggren's name as well as just off the hole punch to the left. Hopefully someone who already has a graded example can give you good measurements to utilize as well.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

Big80s

Thanks Sean. I'm considering that, but if I can find someone who also knows cards - I think that's ideal.

sportscardtheory

PSA should offer an "at your own risk" professional card cutting service. You send it in, they have it cut, then they grade it.

Big80s

Thanks, Mike! I appreciate the direction. I'll look into it.

Jeff

prthd

<< <i>Thanks Sean. I'm considering that, but if I can find someone who also knows cards - I think that's ideal. >>



Having someone like Staples or Office Max is NOT what you want to do. Think about it, you have some kid in high school workng the counter whos life revolves around chasing tail, video games and if his mom washed his work shirt. The only type of card he is familiar with is his Student ID card.

Just sayin

DCanfield

I would check with a printing company. I would have my local printer cut material for me and the cuts were always great. I'm not talking some kid at Staples but a professional printing co.

TNP777

<< <i>I would check with a printing company. I would have my local printer cut material for me and the cuts were always great. I'm not talking some kid at Staples but a professional printing co. >>

this

Big80s

Thanks again, friends. I'll see if I can't find a printing company to help.

pato1516

I would give Waverly a call.

miklia

hey - did you ever cut yours up? Just got mine back from PSA and got a decent grade (as expected), but then noticed this listing on ebay today:

Fat Bottomed Ali

the bottom margin is way bigger than the rest I've seen that are slabbed. Interesting..

Big80s

What did yours end up grading? I haven't gotten mine cut yet. There's a PSA 8 on eBay that I plan to model my sizes after, if possible.

corvette1340

Call Pristine Paper

hammered

<< <i>I would check with a printing company. I would have my local printer cut material for me and the cuts were always great. I'm not talking some kid at Staples but a professional printing co. >>



I also agree with this. I had a local lithography company cut some Bazooka panels for me a few years ago and they turned out great. i gave the gut a panel that was creased to practice on first.

halosfan

Wow that is a costly 8 ... choose wisely when you get yours cut!

brianwintersfan

<< <i>Call Pristine Paper >>