A mat cutter is used to cut cardboard mat boards for framing artwork and photos. Frame something new or give an existing framed photo a new look with a freshly cut mat.
What does the Makerplace provide?
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Logan Artist Elite Mat Cutter
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Bevel cutting head
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Straight cutting head
What do I need?
Customers will need to bring their own matboard to cut.
How do I use it?
Bevel Cutting Mat Openings
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Set the mat guide to the desired border width.
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Install or slide the bottom rail stop over guiderail scale and set at the desired border width.
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Place the mat to be cut into the machine, colored side down with the slip sheet underneath and lower the guide rail.
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Using a pencil, mark a line along the full length of the matboard using the guide rail as a guide. Turn the mat 1/4 turn to the right before cutting.
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Attach the 702 bevel cutter to the guide rail by fitting the black nylon guides over the raised edge of the channel.
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Position the cutter so the middle start and stop line lines up with the marked line closest to the top of the machine.
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With left hand, depress the anti-crawl pin and firmly pivot the blade holder down into the mat.
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Release the anti-crawl pin and pull the cutting head towards you until you hit the stop.
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Rotate the blade holder back up to the neutral position, turn the mat 1/4 turn to the right and use the cut line in the back of the matboard to start your next cut. Complete this for the remaining three sides.
Find more instructions for different cuts in the manual at the Makerplace.
What materials can I use?
Matboard, which you can purchased at Michaels, Amazon or Blick.
This equipment is available to use free of charge. Bring your own materials in order to use the machine (all outside materials must be approved by makerspace staff before use).
More Resources
Tips and tricks
Make sure to keep even downward pressure on the Blade Holder as you cut.
Always have the blade depth set so that the slip sheet is only slightly scored.
When cutting a border less than 3/4-inch, mark the mat on the backside using a pencil and do not use a mat guide.
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Problem |
Solution |
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Hooks or Curves |
Blade depth set too deep Blade is dull Blade is catching on previous cut in the slip sheet Uneven pressure being applied to cutting head during cut |
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Overcut on Top Cut |
Blade depth set too deep |
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Mat Borders Uneven |
Mat guide not parallel |
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Ragged Bevel Cut |
Cutting without a slip sheet Slip sheet is worn out Not changing the blade often enough |
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Not Cutting Through |
Machine not on a level surface Not using a slip sheet as least as long as the mat you are cutting Blade depth set too shallow |
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Overcut on Bottom Cut |
If too small – align start and stop indicator slightly below pencil line and cut If too big – align start and stop indicator slightly above pencil line and cut |