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Floor protection as rotary cutting mats Anyone used office chair mats for rotary cutting
Anne Frances   Intermediate UNITED KINGDOM Member since 2004 Posts: 140	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 2/4/12 6:21 AM I would really like to have a really large mat for my rotary cutter so that I could cut out, for example, a whole trouser leg without having to shift the mat. Really large mats - say 5 or six feet by 3 - seem to be unobtainable in the UK. And importing from the USA is not feasible either because of size/packaging/shipping. In 2008 a Threads article suggested"go to your local office-supply store and buy a low-cost mat designed to protect floors from office-chair wheels." Has anyone done this? Does it work as a rotary cutter mat? Such mats seem to be available in Polycarbonate, PVC, recycled PET and Polypropelene. Any ideas which, if any, would work? I know I need a hard floor protector and not one with carpet grippers. I would be very grateful for any views from anyone who has used this. (edited for spelling) Anne -- Edited on 2/4/12 6:22 AM --
KensingtonCrab Advanced Beginner SC USA Member since 2009 Posts: 369	Login to reply to this post In reply to Anne Frances Like this post Date: 2/4/12 7:22 AM What a great idea! I will be anxious to hear from someone with experience. Right off the bat, I thought the mat would not 'heal' from the blade but if Thread recommends, it must work. Did you check the Threads website to see if anyone has tried it?
jadamo00 Advanced NY Member since 2006 Posts: 450	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 2/4/12 7:53 AM Great idea! Got me thinking: A piece of black rubber floor/carpet runner just cost me $3 a yard in the hardward store: So I got a yard square of rubber for $3. Way cheaper than the cutting mats and, you're right, a huge cutting surface. It may be that the black rubber doesn't "heal" as well as the cutting mat and would have to be checked to see that we're not cutting thrugh. HOWEVAH... Your suggestion of using the harder "office chair protector surface" might be perfect! j.
annemie   Intermediate ON CANADA Member since 2009 Posts: 43	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 2/4/12 8:37 AM On a different forum I have heard of people using these office mats, but have not done so myself. DH (chem.eng.) says my mats are likely made of polypropelene, some kind of polymer. I think rubber would really dull your blade fast.
PattiAnnJ   Advanced OH USA Member since 2006 Posts: 3190	Login to reply to this post In reply to Anne Frances Like this post Date: 2/4/12 11:31 AM Only if you don't mind dulling the blades. ETA - A rotary cutting mat will "heal" and last many years. They are worth the investment if you are going to do a lot of cutting. When I first used a RC, many years ago before it's heyday, I used piece of melamine from my husband's wood scraps to protect the table top. I am sure I hastened the life of each blade. I did not do much rotary cutting back then as all I did was garments. When I started making quilts and wall hangings, I got the real deal mats with 1"grids and 45 degree angle markings. I have two clipped together that cover my cutting surface. They have lasted for many years. If you do not have a permanent setting for cutting, the mats can be hung with a pants hanger and stored out of sight. I think you will be better off in the long run with a RC mat and not a cumbersome, slippery floor mat. If I buy cheap and then have to replace, I have wasted my money. -- Edited on 2/4/12 11:55 AM --
TerriSewCrazy   Intermediate TX USA Member since 2006 Posts: 298	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 2/7/12 1:49 PM I have used the office mats that you put underneath your rolling office chair in an effort to save money. It got me through until I could get the real rotary cutting mats, but I don't really recommend it. The office mat does not heal from the cuts (leaving gouges which can make it difficult to cut the next pattern you lay in a similar location) and it does dull the blades much quicker. I only sew garments, and I did notice these issues, although I suspect quilters may use their rotary cutters even more. (I am useless in cutting out patterns with scissors.) I bought a set of 3 of the mats online somewhere when they were on sale and they clip together and cover my entire cutting surface (which is permanently set up) - this is as big as a normal cutting board. I absolutely LOVE it, and once I got it, was really upset with myself that I didn't spend the money to start with (I think the office mat was about $30 and I can't remember how much the cutting mats were, but I think I got them when they were 50% off or something). I also think that the idea of hanging them from a pants hanger (those ones with the clips on them) is a great idea if you can't just leave them out all the time. I also have one of those long, wide see-through plastic rulers with the lip which goes right over the edge of the mat - this can be used as a cutting guide or I also use it to get my pattern pieces straight (as long as I put the fabric on it straight). SO much easier than measuring each end with a measuring tape!! I just love being able to slap the ruler down over the end of the board and then see if the grainline of the pattern piece matches up parallel to the lines on the ruler, and pulling on the pattern until they do. FANTASTIC!! So much faster! Good luck, and hope you find what you need! ------ The picture is of my dog, Hailey - I'm usually the one taking the pictures, so have no recent ones of myself! Keep smiling - smiles are free, and make the world a happier place to be! http://tsewcrazy.blogspot.com
hazelnut   USA Member since 2009 Posts: 1764	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 2/7/12 3:39 PM We had two office mats under our chairs when we had carpeting and we kept one for "I don't know what" lol. It has a slight textured surface that I wouldn't think would be very good for cutting or cutting blades. I have a smaller self-healing and a larger Joann's mat. I imagine a lot of things would work in a pinch, but I'd be worried about the nicks/cuts and the blade. The Joann's mat is not self-healing, so I try to used it more sparingly when I use a rotary cutter.
Anne Frances   Intermediate UNITED KINGDOM Member since 2004 Posts: 140	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 2/7/12 4:00 PM Thank you so much for all your thoughts and experiences. I think perhaps I won't try this after all! I have found somewhere where i could get clip-together mats but what I would like will cost me nearly a hundred pounds - about a hundred and fifty dollars - and doesn't go on sale! So it may have to wait a bit! But many thanks for the advice.
AtiyaAfi Expert/Couture NY USA Member since 2010 Posts: 19	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 2/7/12 4:02 PM I remember reading about this tip somewhere also but if I recall the floor mat was the hard plastic type. I tested it out with a rubber mat I already had and no go. It must be the "hard' plastic type and the stationery chains don't seem to carry them. Does any one know where to order - I went online and all I came up with is for the rubber ones usually Rubbermaid. Choices are limited for such things now days especially with big chains like Staples, Office Depot, etc.
margk   Intermediate AUSTRALIA Member since 2008 Posts: 1081	Login to reply to this post In reply to PattiAnnJ Like this post Date: 2/7/12 4:02 PM Quote: PattiAnnJ I have two clipped together that cover my cutting surface. I am also interested in this. Can you tell me (or photo) how they clip together. Do you notice the join when using them? Thanks. ------ Marg Tamworth NSW Australia Bernina 1130, Bernina 810B Elna 614DE Janome Coverpro 1000 CPX

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