Want to Buy WTB: Inexpensive Mat Cutter

fretlessdavis

Member

Joined

Dec 28, 2013

Messages

312

Location

Southern AZ

Format

Medium Format

• Nov 30, 2014

• #1

Looking for a decent mat cutter. Won't be cutting anything bigger than a 16x20" mat.

Let me know what you guys have! Or, if there's a new setup under $100 that is recommended, I'd be interested in that, too!

 

StoneNYC

Member

Joined

Aug 5, 2012

Messages

8,345

Location

Antarctica

Format

8x10 Format

• Nov 30, 2014

• #2

B&H Photo sells one for $75 that will do bigger than that, just buy it new from there?

 

MattKing

Moderator

Moderator

Joined

Apr 24, 2005

Messages

53,536

Location

Delta, BC Canada

Format

Medium Format

• Nov 30, 2014

• #3

Look up the Alto's 4501.

 

Fotoguy20d

Subscriber

Joined

Jan 23, 2008

Messages

1,252

Location

NJ

Format

4x5 Format

• Nov 30, 2014

• #4

If you're planning on doing anything production (ie more than one off) try looking at something like the logan 450-1. Otherwise you can get by with one of their straightedges (adapt-a-rule) and cutters for around $50-75.

Dan

 

OP

OP

fretlessdavis

Member

Joined

Dec 28, 2013

Messages

312

Location

Southern AZ

Format

Medium Format

• Nov 30, 2014

• #5

I guess I've been to cheap to price stuff out new lately-- Looks like the Compact Elite is actually within my budget. Anyone here use that?

It will be mostly one-off stuff, which is why I was hoping for used, but I guess I'll take a look at the 'team system' stuff, too.

 

Andrew Johns

Member

Joined

Nov 17, 2012

Messages

27

Location

Puget Sound

Format

Multi Format

• Dec 2, 2014

• #6

I have the Logan 424-1 and it works fine for me. I think I paid $50 for it brand new with a box of 50 extra blades. I started cutting my own mats because I shoot 6x6 and it can be difficult to find square mats in various sizes. Actually, I just recently did a run of 30+ matted and dry mounted silver gelatin prints and this setup performed beautifully. I have very limited work space and simply couldn't accommodate the size or cost of a more sophisticated machine.

 

Last edited by a moderator: Dec 2, 2014

SchwinnParamount

Member

Joined

Nov 29, 2004

Messages

1,774

Location

Tacoma, WA

Format

4x5 Format

• Dec 2, 2014

• #7

I have the Logan 450-1 and paid about 150 zops for it on Amazon. Sure, it is a tad more expensive, but you get some very worthwhile features with it. Accuracy of cut is all but assured with this machine. The inside bevel cut is a breeze. I've had the lower cost Logan mat cutters and I can tell you, the extra $50 is well worth it. If you figure that you will eliminate mat board waste with incorrect cuts, you'll save significant change per year.