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For those who make their own mat boards, what would you recommend as a good mat board cutter. I am looking for a cutter that will do mat boards (bevel and straight) as well as paper. I have seen the Logan Simplex Elite that seems to meet all the requirements. It is about $600. Thoughts on this or others?

Patrick
I have had a similar Logan System for years. Quality products - and they just get the job done.

I use a Maped cutter which I have used for approx 20 years and still going strong. Just a simple guided rule with 90 and 45 degree cutters. The limitation is that the rule I have is just 60cm long which limits the size of the mats you can cut.

Coincidentally I have been looking at the Logan system today, Logan 750-1 Simplex Elite, with either a 40" or 60" guide, because I have a mat to cut which is beyond the dimension of my current mat cutter. Best price on this model I have seen (AU stockist) is $425 for the 40" version.

OK...this is old time stuff, but...I have always used a Dextor hand held matt cutter, which I still possess. It takes a little practice to get it work properly but once you become confident with it then you can cut any sized matt with a 45 degree bevel....easy peazy. I believe these are still available, (do a google search), and I would recommend one because they don't cost much and learning to master them gives you a brand new skill and the satisfaction that comes with that.

I use a Maped for 90° I have a 1000mm ruler for this and would not consider smaller. The only issue is that the cut is 16mm offset from the ruler, so takes a little care in marking out. You might also consider a good quality box cutter. I use my Olfa for cutting the prints and for mats longer than 1000mm. The Maped ruler has a hardened steel edge which makes this quite precise. I used to use the Olfa with the maped ruler long before I got the specialist cutter. I bought the ruler from an art store in DeeWhy and the cutter at Dymocks in the city. both many years ago.

For 45° cuts I use the Altos system. It does an excellent job but is not readily available here. I have the metric version.

You are welcome to come and try them.

Thanks everyone. Greg, Vanbar stock that Alto cutter locally.

I think I have a FrameCo Matte Master 1060B. FrameCo is from an Australian Company that has also spread overseas and the matte cutter costs $583. I've probably had it for about six years. It's a 40" matte cutter, which is the size of a standard piece of matte board.

Matt. K wrote:I have always used a Dextor hand held matt cutter.

I have one of these stone-age items, still works fine, a bit tricker to get perfect but after some practice it can be done well. I guess couple this with a couple of aluminium straight edges and the size is nearly limitless ?

Just ordered the Logan 750 as mentioned above. Should be delivered in the next day or two. Will do a review once I have had a play.

Reschsmooth wrote:Greg, Vanbar stock that Alto cutter locally.

Actually no. They probably did in the past, but to quote Alto's Website:

We now only sell our products directly from our factory in Washington State.

Congrats on the Logan system. I look forward to your review.

If you are looking at framing as well, The Nobex mitre saw is the one to beat at the budget end of the spectrum. Best coupled with the FrameCo extension bed.
Its what I used until I got my AUD6K Festool Kapex. I'm still not sure it is as accurate as the Nobex, but it is a lot easier and quicker to set up.

Mr Darcy wrote:

Reschsmooth wrote:Greg, Vanbar stock that Alto cutter locally.

Actually no. They probably did in the past, but to quote Alto's Website:

We now only sell our products directly from our factory in Washington State.

I guess Vanbar's website lies.

I look forward to your review.

As do I.

Mr Darcy wrote:.

If you are looking at framing as well, The Nobex mitre saw is the one to beat at the budget end of the spectrum. Best coupled with the FrameCo extension bed.
Its what I used until I got my AUD6K Festool Kapex. I'm still not sure it is as accurate as the Nobex, but it is a lot easier and quicker to set up.

I have made my own frames for many years also, in fact I can't recall the last time I purchased a ready made frame. I have never purchased a custom frame. I used to make all my own mouldings but it's cheaper to purchase it.

For cutting the moulding I do use a Nobex Champion mite saw which is very accurate and cuts an exceptionally square joint, after gluing I use v nails to secure the joint and the art work is fixed with Fletcher framing points.

Framing is another part of the creative process I enjoy.

Glass I normally get cut to size by a local supplier as I don't have anywhere to store the uncut sheets without risk of breakage.