Cutting oversized on a 48" Fletcher Mat Cutter

Create a Post
libertycustomframes

libertycustomframes

CGF II, Certified Grumble Framer Level 2
Joined
Oct 26, 2011
Posts
203
Loc
Torrington, CT
Hypothetical question, in case the need ever comes up: For those of you who have (or HAD) a 48" Fletcher 2100 or 2200, have you ever been successful at cutting a larger than 48" mat with it? I'm guessing there is no way to do it, but you seasoned pros may have had some tricks up your sleeves. Not ready for a CMC yet, but also not sure if I want to throw $$ at a 60" if I will eventually get a CMC... Thanks for your time.
 
Remove the bar from the cutter and mark the lines on the mat. Now hold the bar in place (best with extra hands) and cut. You may need to scoot the bar farther along in the middle of the cut.
 
Jeff Rodier said:
Remove the bar from the cutter and mark the lines on the mat. Now hold the bar in place (best with extra hands) and cut. You may need to scoot the bar farther along in the middle of the cut.
Click to expand...

Sorry Jeff,

(No offence intended), but this is the last option that I would consider if faced with an Oversized Mat situation as asked by the OP. I discussed this in a couple of PFM Mat Doctor articles... Nov '03 & Oct '12.

Libertycustomframes,

Your 48 Inch F-2100/2200 is designed to accomodate an outside mat dimension of 48 inches, while using the Mat Guide and the Measuring Stops. In truth, the manufacturer fudged on the plus side....if you measure from the Mat Stop (small black protrusion on the Mat Guide) you will find that from that point to the top of the hinge at the top of the cutter, the dimension is more like 48-1/2 inches.

If you were to pencil mark your opening, abandoning the Mat Stop and thus the Measuring Stops, still use the Mat Guide, you would nurse out a board about 49-1/4 inches in length. Go one step further and remove the Mat Guide and the Mat Guide Slide from the machine, (leaving the clamp attached) and you could accomodate a 54-1/2 inch mat and cut away.

For that occasional oversized mat project that comes along where it exceeds what your 48 inch Fletcher cutter will handel, I'm a little hesitant to disassemble the mat clamp simply because holding it down securely becomes a bit of an issue, as it has a designed convex bend in the bar. There is also all of the re-assembly that also has to follow. :faintthud:

If the suggestions above do not solve the problem, then I would recommend farming out the work to a fellow framer (1) or a distributor who offers this service (2). Another option would be to cut this mat with a Alto E-Z mat cutter (3). That machine has no size limitation. When you only have one, two or three O/S mats a year...this is a feasible solution. When this becomes a monthly issue, then you might want to have a 60inch cutter sitting in reserve. :thumbsup:

Regards,

John
 
Thank you all for the answers! I'm going to stick with my 48" cutter and use your tips when the time comes that I need to cut something larger than the cutter can normally handle.
 
I take the bar off mine. Works just fine. I also have an artist friend lined up who has a 40 by 60 esterly that I can use whenever I want or need to use it. It is good to have options :)
 
Create a Post
Back
Top