Question Small Openings in mats

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TinrSteve

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Dec 1, 2010
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Loveland, Colorado
Hello Everyone,

Just a quick question:
Are smaller openings harder to cut by hand and get them right?

4x6 openings are my most common, and I get nice sharp corners on them.
I recently had to cut 2x2 openings in a mat and wasn't pleased with the way the cut started... (reveal not even - smaller than remainder of cut - hooking?)

Am I missing something, or just need more practice with smaller openings?

Thank You,
Steve

ps:
I'm using a Logan 650 with a new blade installed for these cuts.
 
Small anything in framing is more difficult than moderately sized work. I have to be more meticulous about everything when doing minatures.
 
With the logan cutter isn't the edge of the mat under the mat cutter bar? Meaning that with the Fletcher and C&H the drop is under the mat bar so that the bar is supported by the mat completely, and from what I recalled the logan bar is resting on the border,,,, so it would not be supported and the bar could be tipping, or not level and thus the cut would be screwy. If you are cutting small be sure the mat bar is fully supported and you should get better results...

Or else i am completely wet, know not what I am talking about and in that case feel free to ignore me :)
 
It may be that your machine is loose and cutting inaccurately. For example, an inaccuracy of 1/32" might not be visible in a larger opening, but it would be visible in a smaller opening.

I suggest making sure your machine is well adjusted and tight, and that your slip-sheet is in good condition.
 
In addition to what Jim said, make sure your blade depth is right. When in full "down" position for cutting, the blade should go fully through the board being cut and just deep enough to score the slip sheet without trying to cut it. Too-deep blades can cause wobbly cuts.
:cool: Rick
 
Sorry about the delay in responding to my own thread... :sleep:

Bob - I would not ignore any of you on this board - the knowledge you folks possess and are willing to share is far too valuable. It's a wonderful thing not to have to learn all the lessons the hard way!

The Logan 650 cuts with the window underneath the cutting bar, it's the 301 that has the window on the outside of the cutting bar.

Loose machine... I'll need to double check it, but I haven't noticed a problem with that. The slip sheet I changed after the first try, along with the blade. :shrug:

Blade depth - I hadn't changed that from previous cuts, but should take a look at that as well. It never hurts to review the basics - especially when just beginning! :icon11:
Like Dave said - small anything requires more accuracy!

I'll do some more experimenting... You folks have given me some fresh ideas of what to try....

Thanks,
Steve
 
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To check the blade depth, start your cut off the end of a piece of matboard so you can see how far the tip of the blade is extending past the board's thickness. It should just barely go into the slip sheet.
Also, what kind of blades are you using? I don't know what that model takes, but I always had best results on my C+H with 1200SE single-edge ground blades.
:cool: Rick
 
Remember to start your cuts a little before the opening starts, ie. just run blade lightly before cut.
also, I've noticed paper matts make better slip sheets than rag.
 
1=smaller IS more dificult, generally speaking
2=because it is smaller it's easier to see the flaws
3=your techniques may need fine tuning remember 'practice, practice, practice' ???
4='we' are most ALWAYS our own 'worst' critics! you'd need to hit some people over the head for them to realize there might be anything wrong!
 
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Hello Again,

Rick - I'm using the "Blade Smith" mat cutter blades that came with the cutter when I purchased it used. I'll try one of the logan blades and see if that makes a difference??? (available locally)


CB Art - Oooohhhh running the blade into mat prior to actually starting your cut... I'll have to try that one!
Everything I had seen showed inserting the blade at a single point, then beginning your cut. (I had even made a modification to prevent the blade carriage from moving backward ...)

Bill - My wife say I'm far too critical of my work, I suspect she's right, and I suspect it's a fault I would share with many others...

Practice - The act of teaching the muscles what the mind thinks it knows...

I haven't been cutting long enough to have made things automatic, so keeping after the basics is a must for me! :icon11:

Okay - I have a homework assignment or two! I'd best get to it! :icon19:

Thanks,
Steve
 
Hello Everyone

Basics - Always the Basics! :icon21:

I found an adjusting screw for taking out the slop in the blade. :icon9:
I had neglected to snug it against the blade when I changed it out prior to doing the small openings.

(FYI: I had modified the cutting head of my machine so that it has a screw for fine tuning blade depth... It didn't originally have that adjustment.)

Will also practice gradually inserting blade just prior to full depth....

Thanks for all the help!
Steve
 
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