Logan Mat Cutter

[PuzzledMoose]

Mmm I guess it's a tool, so I'm posting here rather than off-topic ..

After getting fed up of not being able to find mats locally except at an extortionate prices I went and bought a mat cutter. One of these: http://www.logangraphic.com/products.../compact.shtml

If anyone else is thinking of getting one I can highly recommend it - it's idiot-proof ... well I can use it anyhow .. Only slight hiccup was that the blade that came with it had a nick in it which made a mess of the first mat but after that dead easy and quick ...

As far as cost goes it will pay for itself after 25 mats .. and I've already cut 10!

One 11x14 mat with an 8x10 window round here costs 5.99 at Michael's in Halifax - much more to get one cut in town .. I can get a whole 32x40 board for that price which will do 6 11x14s and quite a few smaller mats too ..

[Dusty Buffalo]

Geez, I had a mat custom cut that was a little bigger than the 11 x 14 but I don't remember exactly what size, and it was close to $30. I almost choked.

Ian, I'm close to needing a round mat cut. Maybe we could make deal. I'm sure even with shipping it wouldn't cost nearly $30

[PuzzledMoose]

Originally Posted by Dusty Buffalo

Geez, I had a mat custom cut that was a little bigger than the 11 x 14 but I don't remember exactly what size, and it was close to $30. I almost choked.

Ian, I'm close to needing a round mat cut. Maybe we could make deal. I'm sure even with shipping it wouldn't cost nearly $30

A shop here in town wanted $19 for a custom cut 11x14 mat!

Unfortunately the mat cutter I have only does rectangular windows or I'd gladly do you a deal .. Logan do produce a hand held circle cutter for about $55 http://www.dickblick.com/zz171/18/

I could certainly give you or anyone else a good price on a straight cut mat ...

[stevebuk]

i have had one of these cutters for ages now, bought it when i was showing my photos in competions, they are great, as Ian says, idiot proof, and not expensive either..

[Rolf]

Ian,
My wife bought me the Oval cutter for Christmas, we already had the straight cutter. We wait for the 50% coupons from AC moore saves us a ton of money. Having your own capability to cut matts gives you much more flexibility. Anther thing to get is the 3M™ Scotch® ATG Systems adhesives.
for sticking everything together.

[PuzzledMoose]

Thanks for the info about the 3M, Rolf. I've been looking at the oval/circle cutter but the price in Canada is ridiculous - about twice what it is in the US! There's one or two on e-bay at the moment that I'm watching ..

[Rolf]

Ian,
I believe the price here is about $89 US, that is why the 50% coupons are great.
I buy my 3m stuff from https://www.bindingsource.com/default.asp
It is an interesting and informative web site.

[PuzzledMoose]

Originally Posted by Rolf

Ian,
I believe the price here is about $89 US, that is why the 50% coupons are great.

You're right on the recommended retail price there but it seems they can be got cheaper in the US - this place has them for $55 http://www.dickblick.com/zz171/18/

I was tempted to order from them, but it might not be such a deal once if they add extortionate shipping like some places and I get stung for duty when it crosses the border which seems impossible to predict! I've rarely paid duty on things I've ordered from the US but on a $150 order from Scroller I got stung for C$45 by Revenue Canada - who should be called Robbery Canada.... ouch!

[Rolf]

Ian,
Ouch is right! That is a great site but with our coupon and sales tax it was still cheaper here@ about $48.
What happens if one of your American friends were to buy things for you here and ship it privately? Would you still get hammered by customs?
Just curious. I am by no means trying to beat the government out of its money

[PuzzledMoose]

Originally Posted by Rolf

What happens if one of your American friends were to buy things for you here and ship it privately? Would you still get hammered by customs?
Just curious. I am by no means trying to beat the government out of its money

As far as i know, if it was mailed from a private individual and the customs form said it was a "gift" then there wouldn't be any duty payable. That certainly applies to things I've had sent from England.

I can't see why some things attract duty and not others - I've never had to pay duty for instance on blades I've ordered. Some things i've seen in catalogues such as LL Bean for instance attract a huge about of duty - around 19% ON TOP of the sales tax, which is 14% (6% federal 8% provincial) here .. needless to say I've never ordered from them!