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  • CUTTING MATS – what do you use?

    Posted by Jayson Godridge on 17 May 2012 at 13:40

    Hi All…I did try and search this topic as I guessed this has probably been discussed before, but it the words ‘cutting & mat ‘ bought back 6541 results!! 😮

    Anyway, we have three 8×4 production tables and we have historically always used sacrificial 5mm Foamex panels then flip / replace them when they get worn.

    I cant help but think it is starting to get expensive (after trading for 4 years)

    does anybody use self healing matts (like those green ones you can get from craft shops) and if so where do you get them from at that size and would they last the day to day punishment they would get?!

    I have seen the white ones online from JAG but I heard they still leave horrible groves that can make your knife stray after a while

    Any thoughts/suggestions or shared experiences would be greatly appreciated

    Martin Pearson replied 13 years, 7 months ago 7 Members · 9 Replies
  • 9 Replies
  • Cheryl Smith

    Member
    17 May 2012 at 15:18

    If you get your hands on some good quality lino and turn it over..it works like a healing mat and it costs much less and you could have it as long or wide as you like…
    go to a carpet fitter for any offcuts too…

  • Harry Cleary

    Member
    17 May 2012 at 17:49

    Try searching ‘worktops’ or ‘work benches’…loads of discussion & good ideas on this.

  • David Hammond

    Member
    17 May 2012 at 18:18

    I Did some vans for a window fitter.

    He quoted me under £100 for a sheet of laminated glass to cover my bench that’s I think 3000x500mm

    I use my keencut for most things but have a lip between the top & cutter.

  • Jayson Godridge

    Member
    17 May 2012 at 19:17

    Thanks for the tips guys, never heard of using flooring, may get some offcuts and see how it works.

    A little worried about glass…I would assume even that would score after a while?, isn’t that how glass is cut anyway? scored then snapped?

    will try some different option and post my conclusion!

  • Andrew Blackett

    Member
    17 May 2012 at 20:02

    We bought 2 pieces of 10×5 toughened glass. Good few years on they are scuffed but no deep cuts that catch the blade and drag it off course.

    Andy

  • Cheryl Smith

    Member
    21 May 2012 at 14:36

    glass blunts blades real quick…

  • Martin Pearson

    Member
    21 May 2012 at 15:00

    Cheryl is right Glass does blunt blades very quickly but if you keep a scalpel for use on the bench then you won’t be changing the blade every 2 minutes. Your only trimming graphics most of the time on the bench so a slightly dulled blade still works almost as well.
    Will last for ever as Andy says you may get odd marks on it but nothing that affects the blade like Foam or healing mats will if you get the blade in an old score mark :lol1:

  • Chris Wool

    Member
    21 May 2012 at 17:16

    my 8×4 bit of glass lasted 3 4 years till i dropped a hammer on it
    replaced it with a 6mm toughened.

    other idea is chat up some window fitters as when they replace a french type window complete there is a nice bit of toughened glass that they will smash if you don’t have it

  • Martin Pearson

    Member
    21 May 2012 at 17:46

    I got mine from a double glazing firm in the next unit to me, just make sure you tell them it’s toughened glass you need as not all double glazed units use toughened glass.
    Doors probably do so Chris’s suggestion about patio doors would be OK long as they weren’t to old.

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