Cutting Mats

scyeige

New Member
Hi,

I'm sure most here will have cutting mats, so I'm wondering as time goes by and you've been cutting on/using your cutting mat... when will it be time to change?

Also, what would be the reason for you to change your cutting mat?
 

cchambers47201

New Member
I am already on my second mat, and it is much better than the first one. the first one i replaced when i would try to cut, and it would cut jagged because of all the cuts and no longer smooth. i found when it became too difficult to cut it was time to replace. i am using a Fiskars now self healing mat now and have not had any problems yet. the only time i would think of replacing it is if it got to the point of being too rough to work with. i am thinking of getting a second one, that is a bit larger in size, only because of now setting up a work area just for modeling. if i do, it will be another Fiskars.
 

micahrogers

Moderator "Where am I, and how did I get here?"
Staff member
Moderator
I have two, a small Hobbico 8 1/2" X 12" and a larger Tech Tools 12" X 18"

I never used a cutting mat for actually cutting paper till a few months ago. :mrgreen:
I used them to protect the table I was building on from spills and such. wall1
Who knew they were good for cutting on :thumb:
 

Rhaven Blaack

!!!THE MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN!!!
Staff member
Administrator
Moderator
I think that it depends on the mat that you have. For me, if my mat starts to get really frayed, and little pieces of the mat is starting to flake, I will look at getting a new mat.
 

Jadriancz

Active Member
X-acto self healing mat 12x12 is what I use. Its a very decent mat. Very easy to clean glue off it once dried.
 

Printer

New Member
I use a 12" X 18" C-THRU cutting mat. I get all of my supplies from Graphic Arts Supply Houses or "Paper Houses" for the commercial sector. I have a business license so I can get the manufacturer prices but the professional quality of the products far outweighs what Retail Store items are in price and quality. Many Commercial Paper Supply houses will allow personal sales if you ask. Of course you won't get the commercial discounts but the quality of commercial/professional products is worth the little extra.
 

zathros

*****SENIOR ADMINISTRATOR*****
Staff member
Administrator
Moderator
I have a great collection of scissors. Many curved, left and right cutting, that I have collected over the years. To be honest, I don't use mats much. If find they can stress really small parts if not careful. Scissors can too, but that is why you must keep them sharp, or get new ones. If find that scissors last longer than X-acto blades, overall. I use X-acto blades for repairing things I screwed up, they have no equal for that. To each his own on this, but that Mat I own is an OLFA 18" by 12" mat that has served me well. I have a very small scroll saw that I use for 1 MM or thicker cardboard. Since these are for framing interiors, the edges being a bit "puffed", but accurate, allow the glue to penetrate further, and hold firmer. :)
 

mbauer

Cardstock Model designer
Just read that if you soak your mat in water it will last longer. Suggestion was to soak in a tub of "cold" water overnight, then periodically with a wet towel every couple of months. Maintains the self healing part...

Mike
 

zathros

*****SENIOR ADMINISTRATOR*****
Staff member
Administrator
Moderator
Just read that if you soak your mat in water it will last longer. Suggestion was to soak in a tub of "cold" water overnight, then periodically with a wet towel every couple of months. Maintains the self healing part...

Mike

That's very interesting, I'll have to try that! I usually bathe with mine!! :mooner::noteeth:
 

paper hollywood

Active Member
I'm forever meaning to pick up a larger one, for sure. One thing I try to do with mine is to only use it for cutting paper. I never glue or paint over it as many modelers do. I try to keep it as clean as possible.

I'd say after you finally cut yours in half it will definitely be to find a replacement. Actually, if the surface gets a bit too rough or lined you might a replacement to avoid texturing your paper on the surface, but I've never yet felt the need to do that.
 
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