Ardwulf's Guide to Counter Clipping 

Wulf, as a closet non-clipper you have set me free. Being a relatively new war gamer, I've never quite understood the whole clipping thing - how you were supposed to do it. I've now discarded the chains of ignorance and I remain your humble servant. Cheers.

Love my 2.5 Oregon laminations deluxe... thousands punched over the past several years ans going strong. Works great on all sizes.

Just fill the handle with a 2 part epoxy like JB Weld and it will never break...like, ever. I had one handle "crack" almost 2 years ago, but the JB Weld continues to this day to hold it all together.

I'm impressed you've decided to tackle the counter clipping topic, AND am gobsmacked that you have so many different models. I've been using my trusty 2mm heavy duty model since 2013 (keeping it tight!). I chose 2mm in case I sell or trade the game. They can clip more if they want, but can't take it back if it's too much for them. The spring has broken twice, but I continue to use it without it. I prefer the upside down method, and agree it's very zen. My wife (who just doesn't understand this at all) threatens every next Christmas gift to be stacks of meaningless cardboard for me to clip. I might break down and buy a 2.5mm... YOU, however, have gone the extra clipping mile, bro! BTW, I like to clip the "center piece" side nibs with a straight toenail clipper.

Had a second Deluxe cutter break, and switched over to the all-metal version to avoid plastic fatigue. Thanks for this video -- I ran into the same alignment issues you went through here, and it was good to know the cutter wasn't broken, just required a little more careful technique.

Measuring the width of the wooden handle (at 5:35) with a counter was such a war gamer pro move! Appreciated that you're using counters instead of bananas (the other internet favored tool of measurement).

I have a deluxe 2mm one from Oregon Laminations, and I bought a second one in case the one I have breaks, but so far so good! My first one is still going strong. I use the silicone based lubricant Derek Case suggested in his product review, only I try to lubricate any and all friction surfaces. Fingers crossed my first one holds out, but I have a backup in place and ready to go! If both of my deluxe ones break, I'll go with the standard ones. Center nibs! Nail clippers! I feel stupid for not thinking about nail clippers for center nibs! Is it nib or nub... I don't know...if I asked a non war gamer that; they'd report me to the mental health authorities. 😐 Great video!

Thanks for all the info!

I myself just bought the 2mm deluxe recently. It came with scotch tape over those 2 holes, but I replaced with better tape. That’s one way to deal with that. The other thing I hear is to not “Gorilla grip and Squeeze” too hard on the down punch. So we’ll see if that works. I was thinking about getting a 2.5mm. I may try the standard one. Not sure yet. Wanted to say though, Always buy these direct from Oregon Laminators...... always cheaper than Amazon! Like almost $20 cheaper!! Thanks for the video, Ardfluff! 😁. Dan Panchorios says Hi 😝

I’ve always used the deluxe but now have ordered the standard 2mm. Also I like tight corners

Thanks for the great tips. Got my deluxe clipper two weeks ago and will try to keep it in good shape. These are not so easy got get her in Germany.

Good video. I am also in the non-deluxe side of preference. I want something that will last and work every time. I saw too many people complaining about the deluxe version breaking on them. Thus, I never purchased a deluxe and went straight to the non-deluxe, super durable version. I definitely don't clip everything, but what I do clip looks real nice now! It took only one game with nail clippers to convince me to get a dedicated corner rounder.

Thx for the detailed review. I’ll choose the regular over the deluxe version.

This guide is so excellent I had to subscribe. Oregon Laminations has them on sale so I got both the 2 and the 2.5 heavy duty.

Cover the whole plate (with the 2 hex bolt holes) with smooth plastic packing tape so the counters don’t catch on them

Super helpful, my deluxe just broke. I'm going to order the standard and try the oak solution for the deluxe. Much appreciated, this was perfect. :)

Great overview! Thank you very much!

My Deluxe cutter broke after about six months of heavy use (as you'd noted), but I simply sent Oregon Lam a pic of the break, and they sent out a replacement. I'm still a Hexasim fan tho... :-)

lol, little stop signs...BTW I use the 2mm non-deluxe one. I like it very much.

how about this for a suggestion.... game companies pre-punch the counters out of the counter sleeves and punch them with rounded corners... I know most people don't want to actually get into the 21st century but isn't it time for wargamers and war game companies to evolve? We discussed this on my last live steam and I will continue to push for change. Do we really need to do things like we did back in the 70's and 80's?

Thanks, great guidance.

My deluxe standing the test so far but been careful with it. Is funny how you talk about this issue with technical detail, is almost as similar as to miniatures and cast flash in the figures :D The pains of the hobbies.

Thanks!

Christ. I’m so glad I didn’t opt to pay the extra for the “deluxe” model. I use the “spin with index finger” no-thumb technique and have gotten very fast.

I broke my 2.5 mm deluxe version. I replaced it with another 2.5 but I have my doubts about it. I use it sparingly. Obviously you are using more force when you are cutting more of the counter. I have not had a problem with my 2 mm deluxe, although I do keep a spare. Great video and very informative.

I am getting my first counter clipper tomorrow, the deluxe model shown here. I realize it's two years later, but a reviewer of the deluxe model suggested the following: "The tool when the handles were squeezed made contact on various areas that if I had continued would have broken the tool. I removed the tape covering the two adjustment screws and adjusted the tool so that it cut cleanly without any improper contact. It now works very well and I have no fear that the toll might break." I am not sure if he was referring to screws under the tape or some other parts. I wonder if you might shed some light on this. Thanks for the suggestion to put something in the handle. Most of my games nowadays are either 9/16 or 5/8 hence wanting the 2.5 mm clippers. As I recall, you were unboxing Flying Colors with the latest thickest GMT brown core counters & you were wondering if your clippers would work on these. Any updates on that? Thanks so much for this video & any help you may offer

dang. I got one and dunno what size it is even. I stupidly thought it was standard size and one size for all chits.

Admittedly I really don't want to go down the route of buying two clippers, especially at £55 each but from what I've seen of the results, there is definitely a distinct difference when applying the different cut radius to different sized counters.

I have the 2.5 and the opening is too thin for the counters in the game. Russia besieged deluxe edition. Any recommendations

I could only find a 2mm rounder - that will have to do

Wargaming is 60% counter clipping, 20% rules reading and 2% game playing.

I have seen pictures and videos of people with clippers that had dice glued inside the handle of the deluxe clipper to keep it healthy for longer, but of course now that I have one, I can't find an example. Does it matter how big the dice are or where they are placed, as long as the full cutting thickness remains available? I love the oak handle, but my woodworking days are behind me. I couldn't possibly cut something like that to a very close tolerance.

Something I was coincidentally thinking about earlier is why publishers don't just produce rounded counters? Is it a commercial decision or a process issue. I know some games do come with rounded counters as is.

OH MY GOD, DUDE! I literally just recorded my own video on the same subject! Did you happen the watch the same video I did where the guy massacred his counters? Sorry for the duplication, but I'm covering similar content in my latest!

I find that GMT's deluxe (brown core) chits don't fit well in the standard model. And the standard model is horribly inconsistent if I don't pay attention.

My deluxe model just snapped after about 3 months of use. Sent OL an email with a picture. I ruined a few of my games experimenting with nail clippers :/

Clip my counters... Why would I want to do that?!? ;)

Just received a 3mm standard model. Used it to "Round" about 40 ASL counters. Meh, not impressed. At least 1 in 4 cuts is really crappy, sometimes 2 or even 3 cuts on a counter. Cuts an angle, not round. For the price I certainly had higher expectations of accuracy.

An 18 minute stream of consciousness video ugh