Mat Cutter cutting mats ragged

[Wendy & June]

We just bought a used C&H Pro Advantage mat cutter. We were really excited since the one we were using was nearly 30 years old. The problem is sometimes it cuts a perfect mat and sometimes it looks ragged. We tried using a new blade everytime and changing the position of the blade. Sometimes this works and sometimes it doesn't. Anyone else have this problem? This is getting really annoying...someone please help.

 

[framah]

The usual reason(after a dull blade) is that your slip sheet needs to be moved so the blade is cutting into a new area and not recuttung in an old cut.

 

[JFeig]

Are you using a "slip sheet"?

 

[McPhoto]

Make sure your blade is going completely through the mat and slightly (1/32" or 1/16th) into the "slipsheet" (scrap matboard). Sometimes if the blade is plunging too deep into your slipsheet it will wiggle & cause the ragged edge along the bevel. Also make sure you are using the correct blades for the cutter - some framers try to use a cheaper brand of blades and all they do is waste matboard. To correct some ragged edges, try using an emery board (lightly) to clean up the bevel.

 

[Mick11]

Originally posted by McPhoto:
To correct some ragged edges, try using an emery board (lightly) to clean up the bevel.

The emery nail files that femails use are excellent for this