Logan Mat Cutters - DPChallenge Forums

03/31/2006 04:40:15 PM · #1

I'm thinking about picking up the Logan 450 Mat Cutter. I've used it before and it seems to be up to the task of what I need. I've found it locally for $139. Anybody aware of a better price from a reputable source?

03/31/2006 04:45:23 PM · #2

I got mine for $120. My local AC Moore sells them for $200 but there is a coupon in the weekly papers that give you either 40 or 50% off any single item in the store...

03/31/2006 04:52:59 PM · #3

Thanks John, but no AC Moore in my area. I'm not sure they are a west coast store.

03/31/2006 04:56:22 PM · #4

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Thanks John, but no AC Moore in my area. I'm not sure they are a west coast store.

Michael's does the same thing... do you have those?

03/31/2006 05:03:11 PM · #5

Yes, I'd have to call my local one. I checked there, but they only listed a 24" Logan online. Perhaps the local shop has a better selection.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

03/31/2006 05:04:01 PM · #6

The 450 is a good choice.. it can handle the 40" mat boards...

Telehubbie

Canon EOS-40D

03/31/2006 05:20:29 PM · #7

I've been curious about making my own too. How hard is it, really? It looks easy enough to do, but I know it's probably harder than it looks. Thanks.

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

03/31/2006 07:18:26 PM · #8

Picked it up for $139. No tax. Pretty excited.

Cutting your own mats is no big deal as long as you always follow the old adage, "measure friggin five times, cut once".

LevT

OM System OM-1

03/31/2006 07:48:04 PM · #9

These Logan cutters are designed so well that you only need to measure once... or twice :). Cutting a mat with this cutter is way easier than I though it would be.

You made the right choice with 450. I've got 301S version (up to 32") and it is too small. Even though I have never made mats bigger than 20" (short side), I have to pre-cut standard 32x40" mat boards into two 32"x20" pieces at the store, because the damn thing would not fit in my cutter.

03/31/2006 09:06:31 PM · #10

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Picked it up for $139. No tax. Pretty excited.

Cutting your own mats is no big deal as long as you always follow the old adage, "measure friggin five times, cut once".

Let me know when you get ready to cut your first double mat.. I can give you some pointers that aren't on the video. As far as I remember, the video doesn't cover double mats anyway...

03/31/2006 11:15:49 PM · #11

fire away. I just cut my first one, but, er, measured once. Actually I cut exactly what I was going for, but, duh, forgot to make the opening slightly smaller than the print. Oh well, live and learn.

I'm open ears for what you got to say.

03/31/2006 11:33:15 PM · #12

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Give yourself 1/4" border.. for an 8x10 print, your opening would be 7.5x9.5...

03/31/2006 11:49:47 PM · #13

to cut a double mat with the logan 450:

Example for an 8x10 print...

Your inside mat opening will be 7.5x9.5 and your outside mat opening will be 8x10. We will also assume a 2" wide mat.

We will be cutting the outside (top) mat first. Cut your mat board to the proper outside dimensions first. Cut a 2nd board 1/2" shorter on each side. Draw your border marks on the back of the first mat board and then cut them. Do NOT remove the piece that you cut out. Use some double sided tape to fasten the slightly smaller mat board to the back of the board we just cut. Since the board is slightly smaller, just center it up on the first mat. It doesn't have to be perfectly straight. Adjust the guide bar on the logan to 1/4" deeper than your original cut. Mark the 2nd mat and cut it. When the 2nd cut is finished, peel the two mat boards apart so that you can remove the 2nd cut out. Don't take it apart completely though. If you leave it partially attached, you can re-fasten it without letting it get crooked...

I hope this makes sense. It seems a little odd without actually seeing what is done. It almost needs a picture tutorial to make it make sense... I could possibly do that if you think it's necessary. I'll be cutting some mats this weekend...

03/31/2006 11:58:48 PM · #14

naw, I get it. The point is that you are using the edge of the larger mat to guide the cuts on the smaller mat, thus making nice and parallel cuts. sounds like a good idea. I'll try it next time.