Using a Logan mat cutter

[Lowner]

I have recently bought a Logan "Freestyle" mat cutter and cannot cut a decent mat with it to save my life.

For those who have not seen one, its a metal thing that has a 45 degree angle on one side that the scalpel blade clamps onto. The whole thing is meant to slide along a metal straight edge held on the cutting line.

Each and every time I start a cut, I get a curve where the blade begins to bite into the card, over a distance of about an inch. As soon as its through the depth of the mat it starts to cut a straight line but by then the mat is ruined.

I've gone back to using a Stanley knife with a straight edge and cutting by eye. I know I can get a good straight clean cut that way and holding the 45 deg angle is easy.

The cutter cost me £18.10 and its rubbish. It annoys me throwing good money away like that.

[canonrebel]

It sounds like you are not pushing the blade through the card first, I use to have the same problem, the blade may need adjusting

[Woolburr]

Definitely sounds like you aren't starting it right....the cutter locks on to the track on the edge of the straightedge. Then you push the blade down until it goes completely through the mat before you ever move it. As long as the mat is tight against the stops and the cutter is on the track, there is no way you can get a curved cut.

[Lowner]

Not starting right is certainly the problem, but I do push it right through the card. I think the scalpel blade is bending and only when I start to drag it along the line, does it straighten up. I'm getting a sort of "S" shape curve at the start of every cut.

[RandyMN]

I have the Logan Framers Edge and it's the easiest thing I have ever used for matting.

I also use a piece underneath that does get cut into occasionally when I use too much pressure. I just figure it will need to be replaced often. I have never received a bent cut, but I do know those blades get dull and need to be replaced often.

[sapearl]

Hi Richard - sorry to hear about your aggravation with the Logan mat cutter. Check out a thread I started a little while back:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=459308

The pictures I posted may help you out a bit. It sounds like you do have the cutter sliding along the rail/track properly , but perhaps the straight edge is sliding on you. It sounds like experiences that I have had :rolleyes: It is necessary to push down on the track sufficiently to keep it in place so it does not slide and create "wavy" cuts.

[sapearl]

Is this the device you're referring to?

http://www.reuels.com/reuels/Logan_Free_Style_Handheld_Mat_Cutter.html

I don't believe the blade should be bending.

Not starting right is certainly the problem, but I do push it right through the card. I think the scalpel blade is bending and only when I start to drag it along the line, does it straighten up. I'm getting a sort of "S" shape curve at the start of every cut.

[Lowner]

Yes, thats the beast, only difference is the colour.

I'm certain that the metal straight edge I use is kept firm for two reasons:

A) The cut comes back onto the "straight and narrow" after about an inch and then does not deviate.

B) I use the same straight edge for cutting with my stanley (craft) knife with no problem whatever.

I have considered cramping the straight edge down, but I'm convinced that's not the problem. Maybe if I made the cut gradually, deepening it on each pass? Seems a pain in the kneck when I'd expected it to make life easier.

[sapearl]

Well, the Logans are designed to make the cut in one pass. It can be done in two - I've done it with aggravation - I can't always get the cut identical and I get unevern razor shavings and a funny cut. Somehow I believe that you or the straight edge is shifting ever so slightly right at the beginning.

I know it's easy for me to spend your money, but have you considered buying one of the more expensive Logans with the whole straight-edge track system and base? I should have done that myself years ago, and only recently bit the bullet last year when I started getting in some shows.

For decades I was cheap and used matt knives, exacto's, metal rulers... I got fairly decent but could not make a beval cut, and it was hard work. I'm making a lot of mats now and life is much easier with a complet system. You could get one of their good ones for photographers for under $100.

Yes, thats the beast, only difference is the colour.

I'm certain that the metal straight edge I use is kept firm for two reasons:

A) The cut comes back onto the "straight and narrow" after about an inch and then does not deviate.

B) I use the same straight edge for cutting with my stanley (craft) knife with no problem whatever.

I have considered cramping the straight edge down, but I'm convinced that's not the problem. Maybe if I made the cut gradually, deepening it on each pass? Seems a pain in the kneck when I'd expected it to make life easier.

[Lowner]

sapearl,

I don't cut enough mats to justify the expense of your kit (I did have a good look at it on your link - thankyou) and my old hand method is at least reliable. I had hoped to make life a bit easier though.

No, I think I'll throw it in the bin and regard it as another lesson learnt the hard way.

[Woolburr]

Now that I see your cutter...I suspect that is the problem...step up a model to the 702...no way will you twist a blade in that...the 702 is only 30 dollars...

[sapearl]

I'll admit that my cutter would be overkill for your needs. Have a look at this one though, which is only $79.95

http://www.framing4yourself.com/tips/tips-09.htm

I saw this one demonstrated at a workshop which convinced me to finally invest in some solid equipment that would stop me from wasting expensive mat board.

sapearl,

I don't cut enough mats to justify the expense of your kit (I did have a good look at it on your link - thankyou) and my old hand method is at least reliable. I had hoped to make life a bit easier though. .......

[Woolburr]

There are also lots of deals on mat cutting systems on ebay....

[Lowner]

Many thanks for the suggestions but once bitten twice shy. I'm happy with my manual method, it produces as good a quality as any computer cut mats I've seen, even if it does take me a long time.

I will take it back to the shop, but I don't expect they will accept it.