Cutting Mount Board. What do you use? Recommendations?

theurbanclown

theurbanclown

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I'm looking at getting into cutting my own mounts and framing. I know it can be fairly expensive, but with that price also comes the freedom to present your photos the exactly way you want.

I know tools for cutting mount board can range from stanley knives right up to gadget-y, gizmo-y computer cutters but I don't think either of those options are for me, especially starting out as it'll only be used a handful of times a month.

What I'm looking for is a manual cutter as I think my budget will only cater for that. I have about a £200 budget.

So, what do you use? Can you recommend a good one for a beginner?
 
You might find some good secondhand mat cutters on ebay - generally the more you pay the quicker they are to use, and more accurate in their cuts... but I have seen some very badly cut mounts - and for all the cost I'd personally use someone like cotswold mounts who'll cut them fantastically for very little money...
 
Logan mount cutters are a good brand. I use one and it's well made and accurate in use, I would highly recommend them.
 
snappingsam said:
You might find some good secondhand mat cutters on ebay - generally the more you pay the quicker they are to use, and more accurate in their cuts... but I have seen some very badly cut mounts - and for all the cost I'd personally use someone like cotswold mounts who'll cut them fantastically for very little money...
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Thanks David.

I think I've looked at their site before. The only problem is, they want a minimum order of £20 + postage (£7) + VAT ... so a minimum of £31.

I don't want to spend that and find out the mount isn't right.

I've ordered from picture lizard before and haven't been that impressed with the quality, hence trying it myself so if it goes wrong, I've got nobody to blame :)

18%grey said:
Logan mount cutters are a good brand. I use one and it's well made and accurate in use, I would highly recommend them.
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Thanks, I'll have a look.

Any model in particular?
 
Another vote for the Logan mount cutters :thumbs:

6424149489_f3361936c0_b.jpg


Cant remember the product number
 
Just Dave said:
Another vote for the Logan mount cutters :thumbs:

Cant remember the product number
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Thanks Dave, this is possibly the route I'll take as a tester. Although, I have had a look at a Logan 301-S too and they look quite impressive and reasonably priced.

With the manual hand cutters, is it easy enough to get a straight line? Do you just use a steel rule to keep it straight?
 
theurbanclown said:
Thanks, I'll have a look.

Any model in particular?
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I've got a Compact 301s model which I think has been replaced with a later model now.

I bought mine S/H and only have the bevel cutter, it would be nice to have the straight cutter as well. I must get round to buying one.
So I would recommend purchasing a model with both cutters included.
 
Are you going to Focus on Imaging exhibition @ the NEC in March? I note that DIY Framing are planning to be there once again and they have continuous demonstrations of mat cutters (Logan mainly if not exclusively) and their people are quite helpful about all things framing.

Anthony.
 
I have a framers in my town. I call them up when I need something cut. If it can come out of a sheet I'd expect to pay a tenner.

That's quite a lot over the cost of mount board but it saves me buying a mount cutter and messing it up several times....
 
We use a Keencut Ultimat Gold 48" mount cutter and can't fault it.
Not the cheapest on the market but if you intend to take framing and mounting seriously this is one to consider.

Search Google for Framers Forum where you can obtain more advice and possibly purchase a second hand mount cutter.
 
I'd recommend the Longridge cutters as well. Just remember to measure twice and cut once, and don't be shy about changing blades
 
Got a Logan 301-s. Was about £80 quid at Framers Corner, Bardon, Coalville a year or so back. Once you learn to cut your own you get the exact size you want, positioning on the mount etc.
 
Anthony.Ralph said:
Are you going to Focus on Imaging exhibition @ the NEC in March? I note that DIY Framing are planning to be there once again and they have continuous demonstrations of mat cutters (Logan mainly if not exclusively) and their people are quite helpful about all things framing.

Anthony.
Click to expand...

That sounds great. I'm contemplating going, I've never been before but I'd love to get a better idea of mount cutting so your comment may have just swayed my decision.

JonathanRyan said:
I have a framers in my town. I call them up when I need something cut. If it can come out of a sheet I'd expect to pay a tenner.

That's quite a lot over the cost of mount board but it saves me buying a mount cutter and messing it up several times....
Click to expand...

I like to do things myself as it gives me a bit more freedom, and I love little projects and challenges.

snapalot said:
We use a Keencut Ultimat Gold 48" mount cutter and can't fault it.
Not the cheapest on the market but if you intend to take framing and mounting seriously this is one to consider.

Search Google for Framers Forum where you can obtain more advice and possibly purchase a second hand mount cutter.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I've had a look and there's some great advice. The one you mentioned is way out of my budget at the moment, even if I am going to take it seriously and buy as a future investment.

snappingsam said:
snapalot reminded me that the framers forum has loads of good secondhand kit - this would be a good one for you

http://theframersforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=7963
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Cheers, it appears to be a great forum and place to pick up cheap second hand gear. Although now I think £200 is a little high. Having seen some products that are cheaper and possibly do a very good job! I'll keep my eye out on that forum though.

superpippo said:
I can recommend http://www.longridge.co.uk/

I have got their Duo Midi which cuts the outer edge and the inner bevel and all sorts of shapes in between. They will be at Focus on Imaging in March which is wher i got mine 2 years ago. Good to go there because they demonstrate the system
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Haven't heard of them before, but now having researched, they look good.

Probably too expensive for what I need though.

mortimerhill said:
I'd recommend the Longridge cutters as well. Just remember to measure twice and cut once, and don't be shy about changing blades
Click to expand...

Cheers for the tips.

BlackCloud said:
Got a Logan 301-s. Was about £80 quid at Framers Corner, Bardon, Coalville a year or so back. Once you learn to cut your own you get the exact size you want, positioning on the mount etc.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I think that's the model I'm considering but will attend the Focus on Imaging event to see newer versions in action and then probably find a second hand Logan if I'm happy with what I see.
 
Have a look at lionpic.co.uk - very wide range of everything and they will be at FOCUS too..
 
theurbanclown said:
..... I'm contemplating going, I've never been before but I'd love to get a better idea of mount cutting so your comment may have just swayed my decision.



......will attend the Focus on Imaging event to see newer versions in action and then probably find a second hand Logan if I'm happy with what I see.
Click to expand...

Go to Focus - I went for the first time a couple of years ago and was wide eyed at the stuff there.
 
+1 for the Logan 301-s, I have been using mine for about 3 years now, and I mount about 20 prints a month. Got mine from Newcastle Arts Centre, they were the cheapest at the time, plenty of replacement blades available on ebay.
 
theurbanclown said:
I'm looking at getting into cutting my own mounts and framing. I know it can be fairly expensive, but with that price also comes the freedom to present your photos the exactly way you want.

I know tools for cutting mount board can range from stanley knives right up to gadget-y, gizmo-y computer cutters but I don't think either of those options are for me, especially starting out as it'll only be used a handful of times a month.

What I'm looking for is a manual cutter as I think my budget will only cater for that. I have about a £200 budget.

So, what do you use? Can you recommend a good one for a beginner?
Click to expand...

I am sure loads of helpful TPle (as always) have given you advice but not trying to discourage you, coming back from a 2 days framing course with DIY Framing a few months ago there is more to framing than meet the eye. Unless you plan to hold the picture(s) just in a mount without bothering about framing them, its all hunky dory.... but once you decide you need to frame it you will need the Saw & the Underpinner too (bare minimum) which could easily cost upto £250 on top of the mount/mat cutter. :gag:

And we thought photography hobby was expensive.... ;)
 
Yes Logan are good or the money I've never had any problems
 
Anthony.Ralph said:
Are you going to Focus on Imaging exhibition @ the NEC in March? I note that DIY Framing are planning to be there once again and they have continuous demonstrations of mat cutters (Logan mainly if not exclusively) and their people are quite helpful about all things framing.

Anthony.
Click to expand...

This will be one of my main interests next Monday......:)
 
I use one of these at work:

Misomex-MP3000-1.jpg


It can't do bevelled edges but it can do almost any shape you want. Radiused corners often look good.


Steve.
 
Steve you are a bit far for me....................:D
 
I have not quite the room at home for something like that...:lol:
 
I have not quite the room at home for something like that...
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Yes it is quite big, underneath the board we also have a "silent compressor" that isn't that silent but does the job. When the air clamps bang down to lock the board it sounds as a car has hit the shop!
 
I wish I could find somewhere local to cut boards for me....:|
 
I've recently got the logan 301, and I'm very happy with it.

It took me an hour to cut my first mount, but now (after doing about 8) it's a 3 minute job :)

The only difficulty I've found is cutting the mountboard to size first... it's easy to not get it exactly perpendicular to the adjacent edge, so getting a very large T square helped.
 
I wish I could find somewhere local to cut boards for me....
Click to expand...

We aren't local but cut and post out mountboard throughout the country every day.
Conatact us and we may be able to help you.
0191 386 4486

(Admin authorised AD)
 
snapalot said:
We aren't local but cut and post out mountboard throughout the country every day.
Conatact us and we may be able to help you.
0191 386 4486

(Admin authorised AD)
Click to expand...

I usually only show A4 size prints, so do you have a minimum order and what would be the cost for say 3...???
 
Thanks for the info, have sent an email.....:)
 
snapalot said:
We aren't local but cut and post out mountboard throughout the country every day.
Conatact us and we may be able to help you.
0191 386 4486

(Admin authorised AD)
Click to expand...

Very good service..................:thumbs:
 
snapalot said:
We aren't local but cut and post out mountboard throughout the country every day.
Conatact us and we may be able to help you.
0191 386 4486

(Admin authorised AD)
Click to expand...

Have received cut photo frames, excellent service and packaging so good it took ages to unpack, thanks guy's............:)
 
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