Mat cutters

[Bogframe]

OK folks, time for an informal poll

What's your favorite and least favorite mat cutter, and why? My all-time fave (and most active in my shop) is my 1980 Keeton...The sliding block give me fluidity on the cuts with just enough drag to give me control. Add that with right-on-the-bar cutting accuracy, and you know why I want to be buried with this machine. Worst cutter? I hate my Fletcher! The ball bearing movement on the head makes it roll just a bit too freely, and the blade is set almost a full 16th of an inch from the bar, making it more prone to hooks, and more difficult to do freehand grooving. Your turn.

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Seth J. Bogdanove, CPF

 

[framer]

I to have fond memories of my 1972 Keeton cutter. But the only cutter that I like better is a fletcher 2100. I used a 2000 for 12 years and could not kill it. It went through a flood, dropped from a truck, fell over 1/2 a doz times and still cut great when adjusted. I produced close to 4 MILLION dollars in framing over 12 years and it never let me down and the head stayed tight.

The new machine was not love at first sight. They had taken out an adjustment on the mat guide but after I found that I could still adjust I don't miss it. I had also bought it with those things to help you lift the bar. First thing thrown out were those lifters. Once those little things were worked though it is the best cutting, most comfortable, most acurate mat cutter that I've ever used. The new head is just great on my hands. It does great V-grooves.

Worst cutter was an early C&H, I also own one. It was GIVEN to me for free, and that's what it's worth. Just for the record I can cut good mats with it but it hurts your hands and if a lot slower.

 

[Scarfinger]

A triple mat. the bottom and middle mats have reverse bevels and the top mat has a forward bevel. I draw no pencil lines. I don't turn the mats as I cut them and I don't move them when I attach them to each other with ATG. Cutting the mats takes 2 min 15 sec. This includes a vee groove and rounded corners which suits the item to be framed. My favorite mat cutter: Fletcher F-6100. I did need another 15 sec to enter the dimensions into the computer.

By the way, while it was cutting I answered the phone.

[This message has been edited by Scarfinger (edited May 26, 2000).]

 

[accent]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Scarfinger:
A triple mat. the bottom and middle mats have reverse bevels and the top mat has a forward bevel. I draw no pencil lines. I don't turn the mats as I cut them and I don't move them when I attach them to each other with ATG. Cutting the mats takes 2 min 15 sec. This includes a vee groove and rounded corners which suits the item to be framed. My favorite mat cutter: Fletcher F-6100. I did need another 15 sec to enter the dimensions into the computer.

By the way, while it was cutting I answered the phone.

[This message has been edited by Scarfinger (edited May 26, 2000).]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>



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