how to trim gatorboard after print is mounted?

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

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

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.

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.

wildbill said:

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)

Click to expand...

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

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.