Kitebuilder Online

kitepoor · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2003 12:40 pm Post subject: rotary cutter mats

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.
_________________
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???
_________________
VR/
KiteSquid
AKA TakoIka
AKA Harold
King George VA

P.S. Yet another long winded post by the Squid..... Shocked

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

Steve D · Joined: 02 Sep 2003 Posts: 647 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. Yet another long winded post by the Squid..... Shocked

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

woodpekr · Joined: 25 Nov 2003 Posts: 85 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?
_________________
Rich Durant
Portland, Oregon

Stan · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2003 3:33 pm Post subject:

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 · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2003 4:10 pm Post subject:

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: 647 Location: USA GA Newnan

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

Stan · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2003 5:00 pm Post subject:

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