Have I purchased the wrong mat cutter?

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OregonJay

True Grumbler
Founding Member
Joined
Dec 31, 1969
Posts
51
Loc
Salem, OR, USA
Fellow grumblers

I am now the proud(?) owner of a new C&H 60" straight-line cutter. The cuts have a bit of a 'smile' at the beginning of the cut.

First attempt to get technical help was sort of good; tried the adjustments that were suggested. Better ... but NOT a 10 yet.

Has anyone found the Guru of Matcutters? Have any of you run in to this problem?

suggestions, please.

-OJay
 
Hey Jay, got the same cutter.
The best I can figure from thousands miles away from you is that you are what I call stabing the cut. I don't know the tech term for this but it is when you push the head into the mat rather than dropping the cutter blade in. The blade has to sweep into the cut and not go straight down into the mat. A lot of people I have shown how to use my matt cutter let the mat cutter head move slightly forewards when the blade drops in. This forces the blade to bend slightly in the matt making that smiley hook cut. Make sure the head does not move at all when you sweep the blade into the mat. I could show you quicker than I can explain it. But I hope this helps abit. Good luck and practice, practice, practice.

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If you don't take care of your tools, they won't take care of you.
 
I have to disagree here...Plunging the blade in IS the recommended way to go. "Sweeping" the blade in is a sure recipe for a hook. The key to a clean corner is blade depth. The blade should penetrate your slip sheet no further than the top of the bevel. Readjust your blade to this depth, try it, and let me know how it worked.
PS: Almost forgot...your arm should be parallel to the bar/rod and also keep your wrist locked sometimes wrist movements can cause a hook.
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Seth J. Bogdanove, CPF
21 years framing and still loving it

[This message has been edited by Bogframe (edited March 24, 2001).]
 
Rick, you gave an accurate description. Although I have a Fletcher 2100, the blade sweeping into the mat is the same technique I use. I did find that by pulling my blade out a little further, the sweep is easier. Also, I suggest that the blade be changed frequently to make the flowing sweep. Once you capture the technique and get the feel for it, practice, practice, practice and then practice some more. You'll have it down to a science before long and you'll know as soon as the blade sweeps the mat that it feels right and in turn will look right when you visually check out your cut.

Good luck,
Janet

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How cheap do you want it to look??
 
Jay,

Try the .12 single edge mat blades. They tend to be a bit stiffer than the .15 double edge.

Renne
 
FG's (fellow grumblers)

Thanks for the suggestions!

I'll try stabbing, sweeping, and changing blade depth and blades.

Stay tuned ....


OJay
 
Try all of the above and then look at your stance. Your elbow should come back straight and slide by your waist. Standing to one side or the other can cause "smiles". Good luck.

Cody
 
Jay, you've bought the wrong cutter. Send it back and get a Fletcher, over the long haul you will be glad you did.
C&H cutters are just to problematic for what they cost. You should not have to go thru such a long learning curve when you spend in excess of $1200.00 for a mat cutter. I can see it with a CMC, even those do not require that much time "getting used to it". No way should you have to go thru all that with a straight line cutter.

John
 
If you had bought a Speedmat you would have totally eliminated all those remedies such as 'stabbing, sweeping, plunging, stance, elbow positions etc.'
Sounds more like you are learning ballet or Judo or some other difficult discipline!

It really makes me chuckle to think of a framer learning to drive 'those' matcutters. (C & H, etc.)
 
Boggy - I must agree with you on technique (might not be spelt right but it looks right) had to do a 19 holer this morning and not having a CMC did it on our Fletcher 2000 - blade just through the matt just into the undermatt and it was beautiful - damn near as John Raines showed me in Sydney a few years ago . Now we'll see if he is demonstrating cmc'c at the framing fair in July . You don't know what we could end up with
 
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