Help frame me
January 4, 2009 3:30 PM Subscribe
Recommendations for an affordable mat cutter for home use?
I learned how to cut mats AGES ago (like, 15-20 years ago) and haven't done it since. But now I have quite a few nice prints that I'd like to frame, a basement full of woodworking tools and glasscutting equipment, and more time than money to pay a professional for the amount of things I'd like to frame (which is a LOT of things. I've been saving them up for 5-6 years.)
The largest prints I have are 24" (though it would be cool to do something larger someday, it would be rare). Most are smaller than 18-20" on one edge.
My husband is going to get it for me for a birthday gift. I imagine that something under $200 would be in line with what we're thinking, but I'm willing to hear about a mat cutter that is more if it is really, really worth it.
Any brands or models that the art students of Mefi fancy?
I learned how to cut mats AGES ago (like, 15-20 years ago) and haven't done it since. But now I have quite a few nice prints that I'd like to frame, a basement full of woodworking tools and glasscutting equipment, and more time than money to pay a professional for the amount of things I'd like to frame (which is a LOT of things. I've been saving them up for 5-6 years.)
The largest prints I have are 24" (though it would be cool to do something larger someday, it would be rare). Most are smaller than 18-20" on one edge.
My husband is going to get it for me for a birthday gift. I imagine that something under $200 would be in line with what we're thinking, but I'm willing to hear about a mat cutter that is more if it is really, really worth it.
Any brands or models that the art students of Mefi fancy?
The logan models are really workhorses. Find one you like at a local hobby store, then wait for it to go on sale...you can get them for half off.
posted by notsnot at 4:18 PM on January 4, 2009
posted by notsnot at 4:18 PM on January 4, 2009
If you're only doing occasional matting, you can get by with a good, scratch resistant work surface, some straight edges (think metal yard rule,) clamps (for holding the straight edge,) and a simple hand held mat cutter.
posted by wfrgms at 5:53 PM on January 4, 2009
posted by wfrgms at 5:53 PM on January 4, 2009
Nthing the Logan 450. Besides cutting the mats, I've used it to cut prints and boards (including foamcore down to size with the straight cutter. When I don't need it, I stick it back in the box and put it in the closet. This thing saved my life during art school!
posted by arishaun at 6:40 PM on January 4, 2009
posted by arishaun at 6:40 PM on January 4, 2009
Logan 450 all the way.
posted by EastCoastBias at 7:32 PM on January 4, 2009
posted by EastCoastBias at 7:32 PM on January 4, 2009
I bought the Logan 750 somewhere online (sorry, I can't find the e-mail invoice and I can't remember) a few years ago. I definitely remember I got a pretty good discount from the list price, and I think I spent about $200. Most of the projects I've matted have been around 20"-24" on the longest side. It's been totally worth it.
Not sure about the 450, although it seems like many people like it. Personally, I really like the squaring arm on the 750.
posted by penchant at 11:42 AM on January 5, 2009
Not sure about the 450, although it seems like many people like it. Personally, I really like the squaring arm on the 750.
posted by penchant at 11:42 AM on January 5, 2009
I've used a much earlier iteration of this for about 30 years now; works very well, especially since I upgraded to the improved pivoting cutter. Never tried a Logan, but from the looks of it, you've got to unscrew/screw 2 knobs and recalibrate the position every time you need a new width. The Altos has lift-and-drop presets (limiting you to 1/8-in. increments, never been a problem for me) rather than continuous adjustability, but provides what I'd guess would be a faster, easier switch between sides, definitely appreciated when doing a bunch of identical mats. And I definitely like the Alto's cutter compared to the pix of the Logan one…
I'm an artist not a framer, and I'm no mat-cutter expert, but since I bought the Altos way back when, I've kept limited track of what the more industry-standard tools were like, and its always seemed that little made-this-in-my-garage Altos has been the innovator, with corporate stick-in-the-mud Logan finally playing catch-up with a few Alto's-like features. Maybe I'm wrong, but I like the idea, and supporting the little innovator.
btw, mine is all metal, and I notice that you've got to pay $100 more for a metal version these days. Can't vouch for the plastic version, but I doubt it'd be a problem in a non-production situation.
FWIW; an option worth considering.
posted by dpcoffin at 12:09 PM on January 5, 2009
I'm an artist not a framer, and I'm no mat-cutter expert, but since I bought the Altos way back when, I've kept limited track of what the more industry-standard tools were like, and its always seemed that little made-this-in-my-garage Altos has been the innovator, with corporate stick-in-the-mud Logan finally playing catch-up with a few Alto's-like features. Maybe I'm wrong, but I like the idea, and supporting the little innovator.
btw, mine is all metal, and I notice that you've got to pay $100 more for a metal version these days. Can't vouch for the plastic version, but I doubt it'd be a problem in a non-production situation.
FWIW; an option worth considering.
posted by dpcoffin at 12:09 PM on January 5, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
I did a bunch of research and this is what I found to be best for the price range.
posted by Vaike at 3:48 PM on January 4, 2009