My local hobby shop sells Excel self-healing mats. Plan to pick one up soon.
https://www.amazon.com/Excel-Self-Healing-Cutting-24-Inch-Green/dp/B0006O5KUU
Andy
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Milwaukee native modeling the Milwaukee Road in 1950's Milwaukee.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/196857529@N03/
Here is my mat. I guess I am happy I got 25 years out of it.
BTW - it didn't look anywhere near this bad until the encounter with the MEK!
Rick
I will agree with looking at fabrics and crafts stores if worse comes. The quilting mats are designed to handle rotary cutters which are as sharp as hobby knives.
tloc52 I just checked Amazon. Exacto self healing cutting pad $30.60 free shipping for 18x24" pad available in stock now the 24"x 36" in stock for $39.28 the 12"x 18" will be available Nov. 27 for $17.99 I have not seen the 1/4" markings in a couple years. Gee,mine also disappeared after a MEK mishap TomO
I just checked Amazon.
Exacto self healing cutting pad
$30.60 free shipping for 18x24" pad available in stock now
the 24"x 36" in stock for $39.28
the 12"x 18" will be available Nov. 27 for $17.99
I have not seen the 1/4" markings in a couple years. Gee,mine also disappeared after a MEK mishap
TomO
The one I have has grid lines spaced 1/16" apart with the 1/2" lines bolder. Before I accumulated a variety of tools I used it heavily for cutting, but more recently it has been used for squaring up and measuring. I think I am just going to keep using what I have for the occasional cutting and get a glueing jig and a duplicatling jig. Projects will turn out better that way.
Dahle Vantage Cutting Mat at School Outfitters
Marlon
See pictures of the Clinton-Golden Valley RR
Thanks, but the one I destroyed looks like this. https://www.amazon.com/X-Acto-X7760-Self-Healing-Cutting/dp/B00JFKW9UU
Hi Rick,
I like to use the 12" x 18" X-acto self-healing mats as well (plus I have an unused one that is on standby when the current mat finally goes). My LHS still sells these same self-healing mats ( I saw a couple when I visited them last Friday, Nov 20), and I see that Staples.com has these listed on their website (see their SKU #609016) so you can give that a try.
Regards,
Jeff
Years ago, i bought a small cutting mat from an artists' supply store, and recently got a larger one from Princess Auto at a good price. They seem to last a long time, probably because I don't often have need of them.
Cutting of styrene sheet is score-and-snap, and cutting of styrene strip and shapes is done either on a NWSL "Chopper" or with an X-Acto on my glass work surface.All decal cutting is done on glass, too, as it makes for very precise cuts.
Wayne
For reasons I don't recall, I picked the following Dahle 12" x 18" on Amazon (free Prime shipping) a couple of years ago. It fits nicely atop the larger desk calandar blotter I use on my desk. Just the right size for me. I usually cut against the cardboard back of an 8-1/2 x 11 tablet, so I can't attest to how good the healing properties are.
AmazonSmile: Dahle - 10671-12580 Vantage 10671 Self-Healing Cutting Mat, 12"x18", 1/2" Grid, 5 Layers for Max Healing, Perfect for Crafts & Sewing, Black: Industrial & Scientific
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
Sewing/knitting stores sell cutting mats. Wife has one. A very nice one...I must say. Really nice..... Quite useful, I'm sure.
I use an 18" square chunk of 1/2" MDF. Doesn't matter what gets spilled on it, I have four others sitting around somewhere.
The one I am currently usung says "Gradient" on it. I bought it at a Hobbytown USA in Brandon, Florida a few years ago.
It has held up great, and was not very expensive.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Walthers sells cutting mats from Excel and Faller.
The one I use at this time is labeled "American Crafts" and my wife found it at a Goodwill-type store for $1
Dave Nelson
Alvin available on Amazon for $10
The one I have is Tech Tools. It seems like other sellers they change brands, the last one was a different manufacturer but both are very good quality.I go for the 40% off and I’ve never had a bad cutting mat from Hobby Lobby. Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
RR_Mel Been there done that, I get my 18” x 24” cutting mats from Hobby Lobby. I’m pretty rough on cutting mats, need to replace them every two years or so.
Been there done that, I get my 18” x 24” cutting mats from Hobby Lobby. I’m pretty rough on cutting mats, need to replace them every two years or so.
I was looking at Hobby Lobby. Do you know what brand you have been using?
Been there done that, I get my 18” x 24” cutting mats from Hobby Lobby. I’m pretty rough on cutting mats, need to replace them every two years or so. Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
I used the Alvin 36x60 and 36x72 as drafting mats at one time - I understand they are no longer made but some sizes are still available. At one time I had the big translucent version on the Hamilton lighted-top table but I only used it part of the time as the drafting machine didn't like rolling over the edge.
They worked fine for typical trimming, paste up, and foam/card architectural modelmaking.
I always used a mat on a good flat surface, so I don't know anything about self-healing on irregular surfaces or bumps, which some 'craft' mats are supposed to be able to do. I'm sure others here will know firsthand.
I have been using an x-acto self healing cutting mat for over 20 years. It has grids on it that where the lines are in different sizes making it easy to get things square.
I wound up spilling some MEK on it and most of the lines are now gone. I went looking for a replacement but apparently they don't make the one I have anymore.
Any recommendations on a good one to buy?