Blade Life? How Many Mats?

[John Ranes II, CPF, GCF]

Even if you use a CMC for all or the majority of your work, you should still be able to contribute to this survey.

I'm curious as to how many single mats do you cut on a manual mat cutter, before changing blades. Framers constantly ask this question in mat cutting workshops, so I thought it would be interesting to find out what this sizeable group has to say on the subject.

Examine the answers carefully, as we don't really want the blade BRAND, rather the blade TYPE.

[RozR]

John,

On larger mats I may change blade on each edge, whereas on smaller mats I may not change for 3-4 mats... But I figure the cost of a new blade is alot less $$ than a new piece of mat board - worth the small expense.

Roz

[wpfay]

Sorry John, Too many variables. Various hardness of mat (Hard: Rising rag vs. Soft: Crescent rag), and blades (I use 5 different kinds of blades in 3 different manual straight line cutters). The SE1200 will cut only one 12 ply Rising Antique white with a 29x43 opening before being changed. The blades for the Gunnart cut about 50 16x20 openings in Alphamat before they are changed. We determine the need to replace by making a test cut, and when in doubt, replace.

[Curly Grumble]

We base it entirely on the results of the last mat cut. It's something that you'll know when you see it.


I have a theory, though. These CMC manufacturers don't make a dime on the machines. They make ALL their money on the blades! :D

[ 03-15-2003, 02:43 PM: Message edited by: Curly Grumble ]

[B. Newman]

I'm ashamed to say I don't really know what kind of blade it is. I just use what is recommended for my cutter. But as for the cuts, I change after every 3-4, sometimes 5 or so mats depending on size and complexity. If it's a complicated mat, I won't take a chance, I'll change to a new one regardless of how many the last one has cut.

Then there's the "feel". If the blade "slides well" I will always go another mat, but if there's the least bit of resistance, I will change, even if it has only cut one mat!

Betty

[Gerard]

Valiani only makes one blade that I am aware of. They claim you can cut 90 mats with a blade. Mine feel sluggish after about ten mats.

[Susan May]

I have had blades come out of the package looking dull, and others last for about ten mats. All depends on the blade, and the type of mat you are cutting. However, if I am going to be cutting a multi-opening mat, I open a few mats before I start, so that I will be ready to change blades as often as I need to.

Did you know that when you are cutting a 61 :eek: opening mat, on a manual mat cutter, you go through a lot of blades? I used about 8.

[Bogframe]

I only use 0.12 blades; even on 8-ply mats, but if it starts to feel "crunchy" when I plunge the blade in, it's time for a change.

[ 03-16-2003, 05:57 PM: Message edited by: Bogframe ]

[JPete]

I go back to the theory blades are cheaper than mats. Depending on the board and size I may use several blades on one mat. If the blade is cutting clean I may use it on several mats. Nothing really compared to using the old single edge blade on my first C & H cutter. I could cut without a slip but I was never able to get a replacement head for that machine or I'd still be using it.