Kitebuilder.com's

kitepoor · Joined: 05 Sep 2003 Posts: 128

The ones that the sewing store sells are huge money. Cutting against cardboard or mdf seems wasteful of a good blade (even if I can sharpen it my self). What are those mats made of and can I buy stips of it from some other industry? I want a 12"x10' and a 30"x72" and don't want to have to give up my kite bucks from now till next fall to do it.
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Randy
How come the nicest kite weather comes
when I have the most work to do

Kitesquid · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2003 12:57 pm Post subject:

They are some sort of laminated plastic. soft on hte outstdes and firm in hte middle. I dont know the type of plastic used.

I want a HUGE one but they are expensive.

What about a replacement one for the XY cutters they use at sign shops.

or call a plastics store in your area.

If you find out what it is, please share it here.

I think South Star carries a large one, but lots of kite bucks will be spent $$$$$$$

What about the stuff that Gary was takiing about from Tandy Leather Craft. are there any stores left in the world or just online???
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VR/
KiteSquid
AKA TakoIka
AKA Harold
King George VA

P.S. The wind is like the air, only pushier.

Steve D · Joined: 02 Sep 2003 Posts: 516 Location: USA GA Newnan

Randy,

If you've got a JoAnn's close get on their mailing list - I think on occasion you'll get a half-off coupon in the mail. Also if you watch their sale flyers that usually come in the newspaper for specials - you can sometimes do better than half-off. I got a 24 x 36 mat, a 45 mm cutter and 2 extra blades (all Fiskars) for about $36 - was 60% off regular price and if I had been able to get there before 9:00am the day after Thanksgiving it would have been 70% off (Thanks again to Gary for that tip).

Kitesquid · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2003 1:01 pm Post subject:

There is no joanns near Randy, but I could shop for him...

from the art industry...
Look here too:

http://www.cuttingmatte.com/

and from the experts:

http://www.olfa.com/Products.asp?C=14&P=87

it is a system of clips to join their mats togeter to make a LAGRE on that is easy to store and move.
_________________
VR/
KiteSquid
AKA TakoIka
AKA Harold
King George VA

P.S. The wind is like the air, only pushier.

woodpekr · Joined: 25 Nov 2003 Posts: 46 Location: USA Oregon Portland

And when it comes to cutting on these mats . . . does a straight blade like an xacto or a scalpel create more wear and tear than a rotary cutter?
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Rich Durant
Portland, Oregon

Stan · Joined: 18 Nov 2003 Posts: 181 Location: So Cal

I have a green self-healing cutting surface on my desk from a graphics supply shop I use for Xacto cutting. They are similar to the Fabric store mats, but may be cheaper. Before these things came along, we used something called drafting linoleum, a light green or beige laminated vinyl sold in rolls at drafting supply stores to cover drafting tables. I haven't been in one of those stores in years...they may have gone the dodo route.
The linoleum holds up well to cutting but eventually wears out.

One of these materials may be cheaper for rotary cutting than a big Olfa mat.

Xacto Stan

Kitesquid · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2003 3:50 pm Post subject:

Stan · Joined: 18 Nov 2003 Posts: 181 Location: So Cal

Kitesquid,

You really think that's why I can't find Leroy pens, linen and pounce?
Wink

(For you youngsters: I used to draw on linen cloth with ink after polishing it with ground pumice stone. I kid you not!)

Fossil Stan

Steve D · Joined: 02 Sep 2003 Posts: 516 Location: USA GA Newnan

Hmmm, we used Rapid-O-Graph pens and various types of velums and papers....a little more recent....

Stan · Joined: 18 Nov 2003 Posts: 181 Location: So Cal

You have a #00 that's working?

It's odd to see drawing tools at the flea market and feeling a twinge of nostalgia. I actually miss making a living with an airbrush and pens, but my skills have diminished to where I can't hardly sign my name. Maybe it's the effect of rubber cement thinner?

Getting old beats not getting old.

Stan

Steve D · Joined: 02 Sep 2003 Posts: 516 Location: USA GA Newnan

Nope, all the ones I used belonged to my company. I still see 'em evry now and then...not sure about an 00 specifically....

Kitesquid · Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2003 9:02 am Post subject:

Stan,

Drafting pens are still avaiable at art supply stores....

I have a set of 7 pens that I dont use.......... I think that only one pen was ever filled with ink.

Do you want it?

Free.......... If I can find em in the KITE CAVE....

I can remember using a 00000 pen for a while, man was that hard work as the tip would cut the paper.
_________________
VR/
KiteSquid
AKA TakoIka
AKA Harold
King George VA

P.S. The wind is like the air, only pushier.

Dorsal · Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2003 11:16 pm Post subject:

Tower Hobbies sells 24 x 36 cutting mats for a pretty reasonable price. Maybe a local hobby shop has them in stock. Smile

_________________
Dennis

kitepoor · Joined: 05 Sep 2003 Posts: 128

I was hoping for some magic thing like floor covering, dairy parlor wall curtains or something else that I could get a 5x12 for $50 roll it up when I am done. Tables are easy, nice cutting deal, is harder.

Thank you all though
_________________
Randy
How come the nicest kite weather comes
when I have the most work to do

Kitesquid · Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2003 8:14 am Post subject:

Randy,

Try to get some scraps of plastics and test em with your rotary cutter..

Let us know what you find out. Very Happy

you are right, there has to be something that will work that is more affordable.

Why dont you call
Specialty Blades, Inc.
right there in Harrisonburg and go to talk to them. IIRC they are the US distribuitor for Olfa Cool

248-2200

I would LOVE to tour their facilities Very Happy

and pick a ton of samples Laughing

they even teflon coat slitter blades!!!!! but I dont think they do anyting to the rotary blades...
_________________
VR/
KiteSquid
AKA TakoIka
AKA Harold
King George VA

P.S. The wind is like the air, only pushier.