mat cutting..
Lakhinder Walia
Greetings.
Having decided to try mat cutting, I went to a local store here, to find
a sort of big (and unwieldy looking) logan 650. It was not cheap. There
was a smaller model also available-- I think logan compact.
I also saw a hand held twenty dollar thingy. Quite a difference from the
logan 650. I am sure you get what you pay. I would like to get
consistent results-- after all those boards are not cheap.
I decided to investigate this issue before buying any such gizmo.
Any pointers to a gadget of your choice ..? Brand/Models..
Any words of wisdom..?
I don't plan to print bigger than 16x20. So I guess I would like to
handle up to 24-30 inches long boards.
Thanks.
Jean-David Beyer
I just use the Dexter hand-held model with a Light Impressions straightedge.
This latter is quite important. With a carpender's square I just could not
cut a straight line. The Light Impressions straightedge has a cork back so
it does not slip, and is thick enough that the cutter does not ride up
over it.
A more important consideration is how many mats you are going to be cutting.
If you only do a few a month (like me), it is hard to justify anything better.
You could get cheap crummy mat board and practice on that. It is much harder
to cut than the good rag stuff. I find it important to change blades
frequently, and to use a mat board underneath (one to be sacrificed).
--
Jean-David Beyer
Shrewsbury, New Jersey
HTodman
I have the Logan Compact Mat Cutter. I have used it many times to cut
matsup to 20x30. This tool comes with its own "cutter" which slides along
the rail. If the largest board that you plan to cut is 16x20, the compact
is perfect. If you get larger, then you need a larger cutter.
Another issue is the depth of the cut. Most mats are 4 ply, however, if
you have ever seen the 8-ply mat in a frame you might fall in love. The
thickness of this mat really enhances the image. The cutters that I have
tried so far have not been able to sucessfully cut this board. This may
not be an issue for you, but I though I would mention it.
Harold Todman
FSPHOTO
Some good sources for information on mat cutting are:
Light Impressions 1 800 828 6216 - great company but somewhat pricey
West Fall Framing 1 800 334 1652
United Manufactuers Supply 1 800 645 7260 great source for everything for
matting and framing
ASW Express 1 800 995 6778 best prices I found for Logan mat cutters
Call Logan and get their product info as well 1 800 331 6232
I have the Logan 700SGM and love it. You can cut full size 32x40 sheets
with no problems and thus enjoy the cost savings of ordering full sheets
Alan J. Rubin
I also have a Logan Compact Mat Cutter. Its a marvelous device, well worth
the price [about $95 to $120 new]. Although I bought mine used [from Midwest
Photo Exchange in Columbus - give them a call] its well worth the price new.
It easy to use and with a little care [and not much experience] you get
perfectly cut mats............Alan
Mike Gaston
>Lakhinder Walia wrote:
>>
>> Greetings.
>>
>> Having decided to try mat cutting, I went to a local store here, to find
>> a sort of big (and unwieldy looking) logan 650. It was not cheap. There
>> was a smaller model also available-- I think logan compact.
>>
>> I also saw a hand held twenty dollar thingy. Quite a difference from the
>> logan 650. I am sure you get what you pay. I would like to get
>> consistent results-- after all those boards are not cheap.
>>
>> I decided to investigate this issue before buying any such gizmo.
>> Any pointers to a gadget of your choice ..? Brand/Models..
>>
>> Any words of wisdom..?
>>
>> I don't plan to print bigger than 16x20. So I guess I would like to
>> handle up to 24-30 inches long boards.
>>
>> Thanks.
I have tried to cut mats by hand and they never looked very good. I’m
sure that with practice and patience, a person could learn to cut good
looking mats with a hand cutter and straight edge. However, the first
mat that I cut using my Logan Compact looked just like it came from a
frame shop. In fact, I think my mats are better than what the average
frame shop cuts.
I highly recommend the Logan Compact mat cutter. The only problem I
have with it is that it will only cut 30". I never cut mats this big,
but it would be nice to be able to cut up sheets of mat board in it.
Since I bought my cutter, Logan has come out with what looks to me
like a longer version of the Compact. It is the 401. It’s $189 from
Freestyle with straight and angle cutters. If I were buying a mat
cutter now, I would get the 401.
Mike Gaston
Manny Bhuta
I recently bought the Logan 650. It is big but it is very well made. I
have no experience with other mat cutters. As far as Logan 650 is
concerned,
I find it very easy to use. With the production stops, it is easy even for
inexperienced person like me to make perfect mats of any size up to 40".
I bought mine for $359.
Manny Bhuta
Randolph, NJ
___________
Lakhinder Walia <lakh...@yagosys.com> wrote in article
<3360E1...@yagosys.com>...
David C. Clark
There are several discount art supply places that regularly sell Logan
mat cutters for 40% off retail. Unfortunately I am in the process of
moving and have all that information packed up.
If nobody here has the 1-800 numbers for you I bet you could find them
on an arts newsgroup.
If you are going to invest in a mat cutter, I would recommend one that:
1) has an 90 degree angle iron to keep the board straight
2) has a bar which firmly locks the board down
3) has accurate stops
4) has a glass cutter attachment available
David
Morton Klotz
Jean-David Beyer wrote:
>
> I just use the Dexter hand-held model with a Light Impressions straightedge.
> This latter is quite important. With a carpender's square I just could not
> cut a straight line. The Light Impressions straightedge has a cork back so
> it does not slip, and is thick enough that the cutter does not ride up
> over it.
>
>I too use a Dexter hand model, but with a carpenter's square to line up a metal yardstick, to the underside of which I glued strips of fine sandpaper to prevent
slipping. I cut from the back side of the mat so I can mark it with a pencil, and I use
a pice of foamcore board underneath. And I agree that you must change blades
frequently--every two or three mats.
--
Morton Klotz, Placerville, CA, USA
"We men of science may be momentarily daunted, but this unending quest
for truth will drive us on to eventual victory."
Terry and the Pirates, January, 1947
Manny Bhuta
Some time back Marc Hult in his posting on mat cutters had suggested
United Mfrs. Supplies (800 645-7250). I bought my Logan 650 from them.
The price was significantly lower than the source I was considering.
Manny Bhuta
Randolph, NJ
___________
David C. Clark <david...@earthlink.net> wrote in article
<336223...@earthlink.net>...
Janne Rapola
Jean-David Beyer wrote:
...(cut)...
> I find it important to change blades
> frequently, and to use a mat board underneath (one to be sacrificed).
> --
> Jean-David Beyer
> Shrewsbury, New Jersey
I also use the Dexter. Couldn't get a sharp edge until I also started to
use a mat board underneath. So by sacrificing one (every once in a while)
underneath, you'll save many spoiled mats. The blades also seem to cut
sharp longer when you use the right stuff underneath. The importance of
this cannot be overemphasized (which doesn't mean that sharp blades are
unimportant).
-Janne
FSPHOTO
Some good sources for scrap mat boards are , frame shops, craft stores,
art supply stores, art schools, basically anywhere that might use or sell
mat board. Also look for places that deal in scrap for arts and crafts, in
my town there is one called the Scrap Exchange, they carry all sorts of
items from various types of industries that are clean safe and can be used
for a variety of ideas. I got 50 pieces of 4x32 mat board for $10.