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Setting up a new work table for vinyl prep. Anyone have any ideas on what to apply to the table top as a cutting mat? I've been looking at the pre-made mats, but am wondering if anyone has found an off the roll material that works fine?
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I forget the exact name, but go in to an art supply store and look for a material that is pea green on on side and off white on the other. It comes in rolls and many different sizes. IT IS GREAT FOR VINYL weeding, cutting and other things like that. Call me at the office on Monday if you have any trouble finding and I can get you the name. We've used them for decades and they can not be beat. Self healing and very easy on your blades. Cody 360-696-1919
-------------------- Cody Reich Columbia Signs Posts: 300 | From: Vancouver, WA | Registered: Aug 2007
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If you can find a company that services/supplies refrigerated warehouses...that transparent material that hang in strips over the doors, that allows the forklifts to drive in and out.
It comes in rolls that they cut to the required length and then into strips. Much cheaper than the ready made mats.
After it gets kinda rough from all the cutting that you do on it, use a piece of plexiglass to scrape it smooth. And when it gets bad enough, just flip it over.
-------------------- Si Allen #562 La Mirada, CA. USA
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Brushasaurus on Chat Posts: 8831 | From: La Mirada, CA, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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If the table is for vinyl prep only, I prefer glass. On other tables, I'll use acrylic or polycarbonate. Old sign faces are great for this.
Havin' fun,
Checkers
-------------------- a.k.a. Brian Born www.CheckersCustom.com Harrisburg, Pa Work Smart, Play Hard Posts: 3775 | From: Harrisburg, Pa. U.S.A. | Registered: Nov 1998
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My favorite is the stuff Cody speaks of. We used to buy it in these rolls that had a wavy edge that covered a 4x8 table and trim them to size with a router. Wish I had that connection again. I think the material is called Olfa and is easy to find in small sheets with stuff printed on it at sewing stores.
-------------------- The SignShop Mendocino, California
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6724 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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My mind wanders. And that's not a good thing, 'cause it's too small to be out there alone. Posts: 3129 | From: Tooele, UT | Registered: Mar 2005
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The cutting mats sold through the sign suppliers like Speedpress are worth the money.I have mine for the past 4 years for a little over a hundred dollars. Go figure.
-------------------- Jerry Starpoli Starpoli Signs... since 1952
845-795-2438 Posts: 446 | From: Milton, NY US | Registered: Jun 2000
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posted
Thanks everybody. I think I will go ahead and get the premade stuff for now. We will be expanding into a larger shop later in the year, and I will try to hunt down the green stuff for those tables.
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