Anyone Cut mat board? - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

joevm · 07-09-2012, 04:39 PM

I am a semi-pro photographer and I frame my photos with mat board. Would like to know if anyone has used a scroll saw to cut designs in a mat board and if so, what size/type blade would you use?

Bill Wilson · 07-09-2012, 05:01 PM

I'm not a photographer, nor have I ever used mat board, but I'll take a stab at this one anyway.

From what I know about mat board, compared to wood or plywood, it would be pretty soft and offer little resistance to a blade, so I would probably use the smallest, least aggressive blade I had. The most common would be a 2/0 reverse tooth blade. This would allow you to easily cut very fine detail, but may be a little more difficult to follow long straight lines than a larger blade. If the design wasn't all that intricate or detailed, then a larger blade, perhaps a #3 reverse tooth, would work well, but would be somewhat more aggressive, thus a little harder to control, so you will want to turn the speed down (presuming the saw is variable speed) pretty low.

Hope this helps.

wood-n-things · 07-09-2012, 05:26 PM

I might give the Flying Dutchmen superior puzzle blade a try. It is very small and not very aggressive.

Rolf · 07-10-2012, 12:01 PM

I am not sure how soft it is because when you cut it with a knife it has a nice cleanfinish.
I would put a backer under it for support and give it a shot with you favorite blade that gives you the best finish. I think being a cardboard base it will kill the blades.

Ron Standley · 07-12-2012, 05:08 AM

I use a matt cutter. Straight lines or ovals only. I am interested to see how you do with a scroll saw since a matt cut to match elements in the picture might be interesting. Holding a bevel might be a challenge.

Jim McDonald · 07-13-2012, 02:03 AM

I have cut some paper before--not too detailed an image--but had very good luck with the puzzle blade previously mentioned and when I was doing stacks of stuff (3/4" of copy paper for a school project) I got by with a FD#3 Ultra Reverse.

I might try using a sacrificial piece of think cardboard or even thin plywood on top and bottom to reduce fuzzies and give a little better control.

Paladin · 07-13-2012, 07:58 PM

My thought would be the same as Jim's. Sandwich the mat between two pieces of something solid like plywood or hardboard.

07-09-2012, 04:39 PM	#1
joevm Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 12 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Anyone Cut mat board? I am a semi-pro photographer and I frame my photos with mat board. Would like to know if anyone has used a scroll saw to cut designs in a mat board and if so, what size/type blade would you use? Last edited by joevm; 07-09-2012 at 04:42 PM.

07-09-2012, 05:01 PM	#2
Bill Wilson Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Butler, PA Posts: 1,888 Thanks: 2 Thanked 82 Times in 69 Posts	I'm not a photographer, nor have I ever used mat board, but I'll take a stab at this one anyway. From what I know about mat board, compared to wood or plywood, it would be pretty soft and offer little resistance to a blade, so I would probably use the smallest, least aggressive blade I had. The most common would be a 2/0 reverse tooth blade. This would allow you to easily cut very fine detail, but may be a little more difficult to follow long straight lines than a larger blade. If the design wasn't all that intricate or detailed, then a larger blade, perhaps a #3 reverse tooth, would work well, but would be somewhat more aggressive, thus a little harder to control, so you will want to turn the speed down (presuming the saw is variable speed) pretty low. Hope this helps. __________________ Homer : "Oh, and how is education supposed to make me feel smarter. Besides, every time I learn something new, it pushes some old stuff out of my brain."

07-10-2012, 12:01 PM	#4
Rolf Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bellport, LI New York Posts: 5,908 Thanks: 7 Thanked 107 Times in 98 Posts	I am not sure how soft it is because when you cut it with a knife it has a nice cleanfinish. I would put a backer under it for support and give it a shot with you favorite blade that gives you the best finish. I think being a cardboard base it will kill the blades. __________________ Rolf RBI G4 Hawk, Delta SS350 Philosophy "I don't know that I can't, therefore I can" Proud Member of the Long Island Woodworkers Club And the Long Island Scrollsaw Association

07-12-2012, 05:08 AM	#5
Ron Standley Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Auburn, Wa Posts: 236 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	I use a matt cutter. Straight lines or ovals only. I am interested to see how you do with a scroll saw since a matt cut to match elements in the picture might be interesting. Holding a bevel might be a challenge. __________________ Ron My sawdust gallery

07-13-2012, 02:03 AM	#6
Jim McDonald Creek Boy from WAY Back Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: 40.22°N 85.46°W Posts: 1,782 Blog Entries: 9 Thanks: 4 Thanked 17 Times in 16 Posts	I have cut some paper before--not too detailed an image--but had very good luck with the puzzle blade previously mentioned and when I was doing stacks of stuff (3/4" of copy paper for a school project) I got by with a FD#3 Ultra Reverse. I might try using a sacrificial piece of think cardboard or even thin plywood on top and bottom to reduce fuzzies and give a little better control. __________________ Jim "Music takes us places language alone can not"--Glenn Frey "Political Correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end."

07-09-2012, 05:26 PM	#3
wood-n-things Staying Positive Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Hamilton, Montana Posts: 18,571 Thanks: 50 Thanked 382 Times in 282 Posts	I might give the Flying Dutchmen superior puzzle blade a try. It is very small and not very aggressive. __________________ "Montana MIKE" There is a very fine line between “hobby” and “mental illness.” As You Slide Down the Banister of Life, Pray That All The Splinters Are Pointed The Other Way... "Don't worry about old age--it doesn't last that long." Mike's Wood-n-Things

07-13-2012, 07:58 PM	#7
Paladin Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Elburn, Illinois Posts: 195 Thanks: 1 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts	My thought would be the same as Jim's. Sandwich the mat between two pieces of something solid like plywood or hardboard.

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