Cutting Mat or Rotary Cutter?
08-31-2015, 07:08 AM
#32
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Maine
Posts: 1,469
I haven't seen anybody mention Alvin mats yet. They are less expensive than Olfa and as far as I can tell are just as good quality and come in nice large sizes for reasonable prices. I have a very large one that covers most of my cutting table and I LOVE IT! I bought it on Amazon. I own mats made by Alvin, Olfa, Fiskars & Dritz - Alvin is my favorite.
Hydrating your self-healing mat periodically is important, regardless of brand!! If yours is small enough, take it into the shower with you every now and then, and lay it somewhere flat to slowly dry (don't put it in the sun unless you're trying to fix a warp). If your mat is too large for that (like mine), what I do is every now and then I give it a good scrubbing (I just use water & a brush - this is just to remove lint and any caught fibers) and then I lay warm wet towels over it for a few hours.
If you don't do this every now and then, your mat becomes brittle and won't "heal" anymore. My oldest mat (Olfa) got so brittle that the corner of it shattered when I tried to pick it up awkwardly. Now I know better!
This reminds me, I need to soak my travel mat...
Hydrating your self-healing mat periodically is important, regardless of brand!! If yours is small enough, take it into the shower with you every now and then, and lay it somewhere flat to slowly dry (don't put it in the sun unless you're trying to fix a warp). If your mat is too large for that (like mine), what I do is every now and then I give it a good scrubbing (I just use water & a brush - this is just to remove lint and any caught fibers) and then I lay warm wet towels over it for a few hours.
If you don't do this every now and then, your mat becomes brittle and won't "heal" anymore. My oldest mat (Olfa) got so brittle that the corner of it shattered when I tried to pick it up awkwardly. Now I know better!
This reminds me, I need to soak my travel mat...
08-31-2015, 10:41 AM
#33
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Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 15,639
08-31-2015, 02:26 PM
#34
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Nevada
Posts: 6,958
Another thought - what kind of table do you have your mat on? I have a 6' folding table and found that it "gives" a little in the middle and will skip now and then. I have less problems if I put the mat at the end over the legs.
I have had a few brands of mats, but the Olfa lasts years longer. I love the Olfa ergonomic cutters.
I have had a few brands of mats, but the Olfa lasts years longer. I love the Olfa ergonomic cutters.
08-31-2015, 04:34 PM
#35
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,007
My cutting mat DID break along the edge when I picked it up!! That certainly says brittle to me!! I will try however once more to rehydrate it.
Included photos of my cutting table....ironing surface and storage area... this puppy is SOLID as a ROCK! It's on heavy duty wheels and will move but it is mega heavy!
Included photos of my cutting table....ironing surface and storage area... this puppy is SOLID as a ROCK! It's on heavy duty wheels and will move but it is mega heavy!
08-31-2015, 05:36 PM
#36
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Myrtle Beach, SC
Posts: 8,118
Cutting mat that is 12 years old - time to replace.
As for the cutting problem being the cutting mat or the cutter. It could be both!
Sometimes my blade skips threads when cutting. Usually I need to change blades. But sometimes the screw that holds the blade in place is loose. That also causes wavy cuts.
Mat - I notice that I tend to cut in the same place on the mat all the time. Move your fabric to the center of the cutting mat and then cut. You might see a big difference.
As for the cutting problem being the cutting mat or the cutter. It could be both!
Sometimes my blade skips threads when cutting. Usually I need to change blades. But sometimes the screw that holds the blade in place is loose. That also causes wavy cuts.
Mat - I notice that I tend to cut in the same place on the mat all the time. Move your fabric to the center of the cutting mat and then cut. You might see a big difference.
08-31-2015, 07:02 PM
#37
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Utah
Posts: 2,079
I use an olfa mat and cutter. Have tried others and will always stay with Olfa.
One crazy thing we have noticed, is that blades dull very quickly when there's a granite counter top under the mat. Doesn't make sense, but we've seen it over and over at the store.
One crazy thing we have noticed, is that blades dull very quickly when there's a granite counter top under the mat. Doesn't make sense, but we've seen it over and over at the store.
08-31-2015, 07:47 PM
#38
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: kansas
Posts: 6,407
Has anyone used one of the mat renewal tools that look like a scrubber/sander? I have a large Fiskars and have used both sides, but still have some cutting "skip" issues that are really aggravating! I've scrubbed with a Mr. Clean sponge and that helps, but still seems grooved--I will try the warm wet towels on it after I clean cause it's too big for tub.
Wetting the mat with warm water and scrubbing might help, too.
09-02-2015, 05:35 AM
#40
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,522
I had a friend that was using a mat that was so worn from use - I have no idea how she could cut anything decently with a rotary cutter on it. The top layer was missing in places - looked like a potholed road!
If a mat is used a lot - especially if the cuts are usually in the same spots - it will wear out. Age and amount of use do not always go together. It can be six months old and hacked up if used a lot.
If a mat is used a lot - especially if the cuts are usually in the same spots - it will wear out. Age and amount of use do not always go together. It can be six months old and hacked up if used a lot.
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