how to trim gatorboard after print is mounted?

[wildbill]

I've got some 3/4" black gatorboard from work that I'd like to dry mount some prints (fiber and type c) to for the hell of it. I'm thinking of mounting the print on a slightly larger piece of the board, then trimming the print and all with my table saw. I'd use a fine tooth plywood blade. Is this a really bad idea?

What I already know:
This stuff is hard to cut with a knife.
I could have someone do it for me.
To work with a scrap print first.
There is rumored to be a special saw blade made for cutting gatorboard, ie gatorfoam. I'm not buyin' it!
I don't plan to put a border or any trim on the edges.
This stuff is expensive to buy.

thanks

vinny

 

[PBrooks]

If I were doing it I would mount the print to museum board first and then mount that to the gator board.
PBrooks

 

[wildbill]

Thanks PBrooks, but that's not going to help me get the finished "image to edge" look and it adds a step. I'm trying to keep this fun and simple.

 

[richard ide]

I have mounted many prints on Gatorfoam. I would normally mount an oversize print and then trim the paper to the Gatorfoam. If you must cut the board after mounting you may not get a clean crisp edge. It would help to cut the print with a knife on the cut line before sawing so you don't have shredded fibers at the edge. You could clean up a fuzzy edge with a sanding block, sanding from front to back. My normal saw blade is an 80 tooth which gives a very clean cut.

 

[KenS]

I've got some 3/4" black gatorboard from work that I'd like to dry mount some prints (fiber and type c) to for the hell of it.(snip)

Hi Vinny,

When working, I used to have to mount photographs for Government Dept's "information/demonstration" purposes.

I cut the Gatorgoard about 1/4 to 3/8 " (overall) smaller than the print.
CAREFULLY tack the print in in place,trying to get an even 'overhang' on all four sides Dry mount the print with a couple of 4 -ply boards between the platten and the print surface.

Remove item and lay face down on some "Seal" release paper on a table top with a weighted board to keep things 'kosher' ( ) until cool.

When cooled, place mounted print face down on a sheet of plate glass, and run an X-Acto knife (a new #11 blade for each print) and trim around the Gatorboard.

I used to cut the Gatorboard to size on a table saw with a 80 tooth Tungsten blade.

Ken

 

[wildbill]

Thanks guys, I had thought of mounting the print to the finished board size before but didn't think I'd be easy on 3/4" board as compared to 1/4".
I'll try it and report back.