Prototyping and constructing visual representations of ideas has to be one of the most popular uses for our makerspace, the Possibility Hub. Along with creating a lot of mess (it’s brilliant). We often have classes in creating 3D models, turning ideas into reality and consolidating their knowledge through trial, error and a visible representation of their idea, whether that’s cells, Rube Goldberg machines or towers to race cars and measure speed. And at lunchtime, students love to bring their ideas to life. They like to trial things, learn, test, and push the limits of what our space, materials and resources allows them.
So, I’ve long needed a tool that can support all that. Withstand hundreds of uses daily and really tough wear and tear. And make all that go fast, smooth, neater and increase students’ capacity to do it all and do it well.
And to my delight, I’ve found it. Introducing the Chompsaw. This is not a paid or sponsored post. I am just seriously impressed with this tool.
The Chompsaw is designed to safely and quickly cut through cardboard. It uses a process similar to a hole punch, very quickly taking little chuncks out of the cardboard. The punch tool is entirely concealed, so it’s safe for students to use without any risk of them cutting themselves. And the way it cuts through cardboard so quickly and easily is amazing. It is neat and so much safer than many of the alternatives.
Students can also achieve the cuts they want for their designs much more quickly.
The tool can also cut paper, cardstock, fabric, felt and leather. Replacement blades are available, which is great, as our machines are getting a big workout. They are also very resilient, and our students have been putting them to the test, cutting everything from wood sticks to googly eyes.
I saw them on Instagram but I wasn’t sure if the promises were true and the hype real. When I saw Martha Bongiorno post about testing them at a conference and being impressed, I knew I had to have one….or two. I ordered two and I am so glad I did.
They arrived quickly, though they had been out of stock for a while. They came beautifully packaged.
They come with a hole punch tool, which I discarded, far too sharp and pointy for our makerspace.
The Chompsaw is compact. It has a removable metal cut plate. And the punch is housed in the middle. There is an easy to flick on/off button on the side, which lights up when on. It also has a little clear plastic draw at the front, that collects the cut pieces, which is like a mix between hole-punch circles and saw dust.
The way it cuts through cardboard, or paper or fabric or leather, is simply delicious and so addictive. Like butter. You have to cut by pushing away from you. Students are quick to understand how it works.
And they are tough, with multiple classes using them each day, plus students at lunchtime really testing them.
They make a whirring sound. It’s not super quiet, but it’s not intrusively loud or needing hearing protection, even when we have two going at once.
At $383.90 each, they are an investment but one that has been well worth it.
They are super safe, and can’t hurt fingers. Cutting cardboard is also so much safer, than using scissors. So much quicker as well.
They are resilient and our students have fully tested them, from matchsticks to googly eyes, they either cut through them or withstand the testing.
You can purchase blade replacements, but we haven’t needed to do that yet. They show no signs of slowing down or becoming blunt.
I highly recommend these tools, I’m super impressed. Our two Chompsaws have been an incredible addition to our makerspace and have done exactly what I wanted in extending the quality of prototyping and building and models in our space.