Cutting Mats

[MNT_Printhead]

I need some new cutting mats, the ones I have came from Grimco about 2-2.5 years ago and the second side is leaving plastic bits all over the place now. I was thinking of buying a matt from yellow tools since I can get a single 20ft piece for my main tables, are the worth the extra money or are they going to turn to dust in two years? I bought my most recent mats from Denco and the one one table that sees less us and has it use seems to be holding up well.

I would like to know what you are suing or have used in the past that works well. I have never had mats turn to dust like these and the only time I have ever replaced one before this job was because rapid removed was spilled on it and tape wouldn't stick after.

 

[Notarealsignguy]

There was a good thread on this somewhere. I checked Grimco for one on friday and they appear to be out of stock with their stupid we dont know when we will have them message up.

 

[Josh Martinez]

I know MultiCam sell a felt/belted material and they do special sizes. I'll attach link below. Hope this helps and good luck.

https://www.multicamgl.com/product/felt-mat-underlay/

 

[VinylWorksLLC]

Rhino Cutting Mat SpeedPress Sign Supply

The Best Deals on Sign Supplies. The super size, self-healing mat is perfect for your production tables. Now you can cut razor straight on this thick, seamless mat.<br> Make a cut, then another cut a hair away, mat doesnt gouge so every cut is flawlessly straight. Sizes from 2 to 4 up to 6 x 12...

www.speedpress.com

 

[Stacey K]

There was a good thread on this somewhere. I checked Grimco for one on friday and they appear to be out of stock with their stupid we dont know when we will have them message up.

Yes, there was, I remember it. Darn...what was it called?

 

[Boudica]

Yes, there was, I remember it. Darn...what was it called?

I think Gino Started it. The thread I mean.

 

[hbb2008]

perhaps this is the other thread, good info and tips

Cutting Mats

Ive been using the self healing mat from Speedpress for a couple years. It works well as a cutting mat but being that I only use Olfas or NT cutters for cutting, it is far from self healing. I just hate spending the $165 plus shipping for a new one every 6-12 months as they are only single...

www.signs101.com

 

[2B]

Production Table Top

Ok I have about had it with our production table. Its just plywood and I'm sick of getting sawdust and wood shavings under my vinyl. We have a cutting mat on a table in the back but its buried and my boss says it sucks because masking tape wont stick to it....haven't tried it so i don't know. At...

www.signs101.com

we have found that PVC sheets are a great sacrifice surface, typically we use a 12mm or thicker surface and "shave-it" to keep it smooth.
then turn it over when there is too much damage.

 

[gnubler]

Awesome idea. Any pluses or minuses of using a darker color PVC? My cutting mat is filthy and makes my shop look run down.

 

[Humble PM]

For the last eight years I've been using light grey (light green) HDPE 8x4 sheets, new ones every few years. 5mm and 3mm, with the rolling benches 10mm lower than the out table of the laminator, so a 2mm drop. When brand new, laminates grip it like crazy, but after a month they're lightly scored, and it works just fine (so new HDPE isn't sat right behind the laminator). We don't run roll to roll, so everything is either webbed up and fed with sheets of print, or lamination happens with sleds. We're low volume. 5mm is strong enough to span a couple of feet between benches when needed.
Surfaces are very regularly mopped down with IPA, which keeps things looking cleanish, and dust free.
I'd like to get a good source of neutral light grey HDPE, as the subtle green cast makes everything look slightly magenta.

Down side of a darker cutting mat is that on thinner materials, the print looks dark... In my dream world, I'd have a glass topped back lit table, with a light neutral translucent cutting mat for preciesely laying prints onto pre cut aluminium. Perhaps I need better dreams.

 

[2B]

Awesome idea. Any pluses or minuses of using a darker color PVC? My cutting mat is filthy and makes my shop look run down.

White is always in stock and cheaper for the needed 60x120 size. So never tried dark, unable to comment.

cleaning is easy, daily spray with "weasel p!ss" and good to go.
for "stains", a light sanding and that is gone

 

[Geneva Olson]

Production Table Top

Ok I have about had it with our production table. Its just plywood and I'm sick of getting sawdust and wood shavings under my vinyl. We have a cutting mat on a table in the back but its buried and my boss says it sucks because masking tape wont stick to it....haven't tried it so i don't know. At...

www.signs101.com

we have found that PVC sheets are a great sacrifice surface, typically we use a 12mm or thicker surface and "shave-it" to keep it smooth.
then turn it over when there is too much damage.

how do you "shave" it?

 

[Humble PM]

With a razor.

 

[2B]

how do you "shave" it?

I personally use a new thin snap-off blade extended fully, flex it so the blade lays flat on the table, and go over the needed areas
Another staffer here uses 80 grit sanding block
and another staff used a hand wood planer

 

[Humble PM]

Held in one of these handy little holder thingies

 

[Geneva Olson]

I personally use a new thin snap-off blade extended fully, flex it so the blade lays flat on the table, and go over the needed areas
Another staffer here uses 80 grit sanding block
and another staff used a hand wood planer

I will be using the sandpaper method. We have a running joke in the shop about my knife weilding abilities. (I should have stock in bandaid)