Some Mounting Problems

[claire_atkinson]

Hi There. I recently bought the Logan 525 mounting kit, everything you need to

start mounting photos. This is what it consists of:

 

http://www.logangraphic.com/products/kits/matcutting.shtml

 

However, I am having a problem cutting perfectly straight lines with the

straight edge supplied with it, it is still easy for the cutter to go

wandering off at a tangent leaving me with slightly wonky windows in the mat

board. I was used to using something like this* on my course but it was far

too pricey. This would always give me straight lines, and didnt depend on the

lines I drew myself.

 

* http://apps.webcreate.com/ecom/catalog/product_specific.cfm?

ClientID=15&ProductID=18547

 

I was just wondering if anyone had any tips on how to get perfectly straight

lines using this equipment. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

[Ed_Ingold]

You can get a straight cutter which runs on the guide just like the angled cutter shown. It's much more accurate than the pen-type cutter shown in the link.

 

A simple mat cutter with adjustable guides would be a good investment. The Logan kits are often on sale after the holidays for as little as $60 (normally $100+). Beveled mats are easy as pie with even a basic guide kit. You need a more expensive kit to square up large mats easily, starting at about $250.

 

A good matting and mounting job will cost $30 to $60 (or more) at a framing shop, without the frame. You can figure the payback based on your own needs.

[john_markanich]

When making a bevel (window) cut you have to use a piece of chip board underneath. Chip board is nothing more than another piece of mat board. Make sure your blade is set just deep enough to barely, but completely, cut through the mat. It's the tip of the blade in the chip board that keeps the blade from wandering during the cut. The mat is cut from the back. If your chip board starts to get chewed up your blade is set to deep. Chip board is not needed when making a straight (non-beveled) cut. Also, make your cut in one complete motion without stopping or hesitating. Always use quality mat board and sharp blades.