Slipsheet choice for mat cutter?

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Rozmataz

Rozmataz

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Joined
Jun 13, 2002
Posts
2,773
Loc
Fingerlakes Region of NYS
I have been having problems with "fuzzy" edges on some of the darker color matboards. They look good til you look real real close and then you see frayed edges with fibers hanging off in one direction or another. (Sorta sounds like Roseanna Roseanna Danna, eh!?)

I have changed blades in some cases, on each side I cut (so I know it's sharp) and I am careful to move my slipsheet so as not to wind up in the same groove...

Then - I got to thinkin' - maybe it is the quality of the slipsheet that is affecting this annoying problem.

Anyone else with similar problems(issues)/solutions!?!! :rolleyes: :confused:

Thanks, Roz
 
Strangely enough, I only used to get this problem when I used rag board for my slipsheet. Try using papermat for your slipsheets and you should see a difference right away. Also, if you're using .015 or thicker blades, try going to an .012.
 
Thanks, Seth. I am using .012 but would a thicker blade be better for any hooking that can occur!?

Roz
 
Rozmataz Rozappa Dappa?

Blade thickness is not as critical on hooking as machine adjustment and alignment of human operator.
Boggy has a good point. The slipsheet should be of a more dense board than the board being cut. The other factor, (lets see, Webster NY, nope) would be the relative humidity in your shop. The higher the RH the softer the surface papers are from expansion and the more likely they are to pill. One of the reasons I don't handle Crescent rag boards is their natural softness is amplified by the RH in my shop, and I can't ever get a clean cut.
 
Wally, You would definitely be in an area of high relative humidity compared to me. But the funny thing, is this has only happened this winter (when it is dryer than normal) not last summer when it was hot, hot, hot! (but then again the air was on since April!!)

Thanks, Roz
 
Rule of thumb for slipsheets. Use the cheapest mat board that you have; it is usually a paper mat. Do not use a dark slipsheet if you are cutting a light colored mat, do not use a light colored slipsheet if you are using a dark colored mat. Other than that, go for it. A more dense mat as a slip sheet is a good idea although I have had good results with all density. Black core mat board is ideal for a slip sheet but it may stain your mat; it is very dense.

Jack Cee
 
Black core mat board is ideal for a slip sheet but it may stain your mat; it is very dense.
Click to expand...
Now I find that black core dulls blades faster. I always suspected that it was due to the large percentage of carbon in the mat. And I have always used papermat for slipsheets, not because they are superior, but because I am cheap, and we have hundreds! San Fernando Gold, anyone?
 
Roz,
It's time for my two cents. I was always instructed (way back when)to use regular mat board for the slip sheet, color side down. Rag does not work well for me, and Alpha is too dense which dulls your blade rapidly.

I'm not sure what kind of cutter you're using but you might want to generously apply some Ronson Lighter Fluid (I promise I don't own stock) onto a tissue and wipe down the the length of the bar or track that you cutter head slides along. It will make the head glide nice and smooth which makes for a clean mat edge. I purchase flaw board especially for slip sheet. Hope this advice helps.

Howard
"Bucks County's smallest gallery...with the largest selection"
 
Perhaps you might consider an alternative. I seldom use the traditional, hack-it-to-death slip sheet.

Acknowledging the necessity of using appropriate colour, I use AlphaRag, RagMat, flawrag,(I do not stock any regular board) cut slightly (about 1/8")undersize to the moulding size and use it under the finish mat for all of my cuts.

After the cutting is done, it serves as part of the filler package.

In this manner, I have a fresh surface every time I cut a line, blade deflection is not an issue, shifting between cuts is unnecessary, crossong old cut lines are not an issue, I have one less filler sheet to cut, I reduce waste, and I save time.
 
Orton, that is pure genius.

I always end up with one or more layers of c/p backing board of some sort in the framing package. I could size it at the same time as the mat blanks, use it for the slip sheet and then still use it in the package. I have a lot of discontinued Alphamats that I use for filler.

That's the best idea I've heard in a long time. (And, no, I'm not just sucking up to the Canadians.)
 
Hi Ron

Thank you for your kind words.

I have just re-read my posting and I am apalled at the spelling and grammatical errors which I've been leaving behind lately - which shows to go you that haste often makes one get behinder

". . . the hurrieder I go the behinder I get ..."


Who are the Grumble Canucks?

[ 03-17-2003, 05:12 PM: Message edited by: Orton ]
 
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