-
Cutting surface
Hello all,
just curious as to what suface you all use to cut vinyl on once you have weeded and taped. At the moment I’am using the top of an old glass coffee table placed on a solid desk. I shortly have the chance to make a new bench which I shall be placing on wheels a tip a picked up from a previous post.
Regards Russ
-
12 Replies
-
Russ, I used to use a 3mm sheet of foamex on top of an 8×4 sheet of mdf.
it lasted a fair while, but now I use a cutting mat, I got mine from Graphic sign suplies, but cherwell also sell them as I am sure others do, They last longer, but it is depend on how much you do. You can also get “self healing cutting mats” but I think about 6×3 or thereabouts is the largest I have found.
Peter -
Russ, Don’t mean to hyjack your thread , but i’ve got questions of a similar vein !
Peter, how do you get on with the cutting mats ? my concern is that if i’m trying to trim something to an exact line (for whatever reason), that the soft mat might allow it to move off line,
or am i wrong ? i’ve yet to see a cutting matt but think it might be like one of those gel type non slip mats i used to use in electronics manufacture, right or wrong ?
i will also be building my own bench soon, but fixed as there’s nowhere to roll it too anyways !! i was gonna use a glass top, will this be ok in the long run ? i trim with a scalpel ?
i’ve discovered fomica scars relatively easy (will have to replace a secion of kitchen worktop when I leave here !!), and feel any kind of metal will be no good at all,
-
I have a self-healing mat. I haven’t had any issues with the blade going off-line.
-Marek -
quote Drag-On:my concern is that if i’m trying to trim something to an exact line (for whatever reason), that the soft mat might allow it to move off line,it does if you use foamex i used to use 5mm foamex as a worktop..but changed to the self healing mats i think they are 10mm thick, fab best thing i have bought in a long time….. 😛
there is a link on cutting mats somewhere..away to find it for you 😛
nik
-
I never tried glass, but i would think that it will blunt your blades very quickly. and as you tend to cut a lot in the same place, you will make a score in the glass,Thats how glass is cut? could break when you least expect it? Dont know for sure, Over to you.
Peter -
Hi peter,
We have used this piece of glass for approx 5 years without any real problems I suppose We have just got use to it over time, and man has it had some grief at times. Yes blades do leave a slight score but has never affected any work that we have had to carry out on it. Again blades do blunt but I have nothing to compare with as regards there longevity, we use the snap-off type and buy them from the euro store.
The glass top in it’s previous life was only supported by 4 stainless steel up-rights with rubber suckers, it came from my auntie Gertrude’s dinning room, you know the sort I’m sure.
The thing is I think she must want it back by now, what am I to do???
Regards Russ
-
Russ,
I have a glass top bench for 12 years now. I have used 6mm but 10mm toughened glass is ideal, laid on a mdf table top.
I have only ever replaced my tops due to breakage – once when I was moving, the removalists broke it, and one of my staff hammered nails into timber on the glass table. The term ‘idiot’ comes to mind 🙄
My bench is 3660 x 1220 and no one here sells the cutting mats that big.
As far as damaging the top, you will only ever scatch the glass top if your blades are blunt. I replace my blades often, but when the table gets scratched badly, just turn it over.
My present glass top is 6 years old, and has plenty of life in it yet.
I recommend glass to anyone. Most sign shops here use glass too.
Cheers
Shane -
Better have a word with some of my double glazing customers then,
Next time my mat is due for a replacement.
Thanks for the advice Shane
Peter -
No worries Peter.
I forgot to mention that its a good idea to get the edges polished too. Saves any nasty accidents 😳 🙄
-
I have a 3 metre MDF work bench and have a A1 self healing cutting mat on top. There are really good, don’t slip around and never had any problems cutting.
Mark
-
I have just installed a 6mm toughened safety glass worktop, 2000x500mm
with polished edges at a cost of £70:00 works a treat 😀 -
2400 x 1200 flat colorbond sheet turned upside down seems to work just fine for me.
Log in to reply.