ADVICE NEEDED: Fletcher vs Other Cutters

[Maineguy]

I am a professional photographer and I need to cut 100-200, 8" x 10" to 24" x 30", 8 ply white mats cut a year. The cuts and corners must be of professional quality. Many years ago I owned an Esterly Standard wall mounted cutter with stops, but sold it several years later. I am in the process of finding a used Fletcher 2000, 2100 or 2200 mat cutter because I have heard that they are the best buy for the money and qualtiy and can cut perfect cuts on 8 ply mat board. I will need production stops and have heard that Fletcher is the way to go. I know virtually nothing about table mounted cutters. I would appreciate any advice about Fletcher or any other cutters that are of high quality that may be found on the used market. Any advice on how to locate a used cutter?

 

[MJ The Romaboy]

You're gonna' find that people are pretty loyal to the particular brand of mat cutter they own if they get satisfactory results with it. I've always liked the Fletcher design and prefer it to the C&H/Carithers models (the only other brand I've used and am familiar with). Fletcher cutters feature a stainless steel bases and ball-bearing cutting heads whose tension/resistance can be adjusted. The blades also load into removable magazines which can be pre-set to different depths to accomodate various thicknesses. Measuring stops, a squaring arm and an adjustable v-groove stop are other nice features of these machines. If you keep it adjusted and lubricated properly, I think you'll be very happy with this machine. If you have any local distributors in your area, they sometimes resell used equipment, so you might start by checking with them.

 

[artfolio]

I used a Fletcher 2100 for 15 years or so and only stopped using it when I bought my Wizard. It was, and still is, a superb machine. Good luck with cutting plain white 8 ply matts, though.

 

[Bob Doyle]

Find a framer in your part of Maine. If you tell him/her you want 1-200 mats cut they may work a deal with you. But be sure to order then in quantities that make it worth the framers time. It may be a better deal for you in the long run than cutting them yourself.

I'll cut an artist a discount, but if the artist gets 100 at once they'll get a better price than they would for the promise of quantity.


I like my fletcher, but then I loved my C&H also!

 

[Bogframe]

I personally prefer the C&H, Keeton (if you can find one) or Carrithers Signature to the Fletcher for 8-ply mats. The angle is less acute, so the bevel looks deeper and the little bit of drag that you get from a sliding block vs. ball bearing movement gives you better control. We have a 60" C&H here that my boss may be willing to part with. PM me if you're interested.

 

[johnny]

They are both (Fletcher and C&H) quality pieces of equipment which will last you for decades. Personally, I prefer the Fletcher only because my big paw fits better on the cutting head - it's more comfortable for me to use. With the Fletcher you can also keep different blade cartridges handy which are set to different depths, or with blades installed that you've already gotten your mat cutting use out of that are still good for trimming foam core or backing.

If you came on and said "I got a Logan mat cutter on eBay!" then we'd have a bigger contrast of equipment quality to respond to!

 

[bill t.]

If you came on and said "I got a Logan mat cutter on eBay!" then we'd have a bigger contrast of equipment quality to respond to!

OK, I'm a dork, I mainly use a Logan 60" matte cutter bought on ebay.

I bought it because I thought I would need "just a few" 40 x 60 mattes, nobody around here could (or wanted) to cut them for me. Never thought that would be my bread & butter size, which it now is. My old Fletcher could only handle a little over 40.

Yes, it's, um...somewhat poorly made in many respects. OTOH, the rail system is very rigid, always makes perfectly straight cuts, and the double-sided $0.15 blades stay stunningly sharp for exactly one large matte, after which I put them in the slotted peanut butter jar. No wondering about blade condition, just use 'em and chuck 'em. I dare anybody to find my teensy little overcuts, the cut is that fine.

I have the very upscale version with the cutter head rigidly held by the rail, not the "hold it in the slot" version.

Yeah, the only reliable gauge is the matte width one which can be quite accurately calibrated if you know how. Yeah, it's best to make marks on the back of the matte rather than just setting the stops. But it does have an easily adjusted end stop which is all I really require beyond just a nice straight cut.

And it cuts 8 ply just great, all you have to do is screw in the fiddly little 4-40 hardware screw to position the blade right. It's so down-to-earth!

Long story short, I no longer use the old Fletcher 2000! Maybe if I was doing production mattes, I would.

I know I'm not the only one, come out of the closet you guys and feel the sunlight!