Finishing table protection

[Xavier Elizondo]

Hello everyone,

What material do you use to cover/protect your finishing table?

I use the table mostly for cutting vinil and other medias.

Thank you

 

[Sign Works]

Rhino Cutting Mat from Speed Press.

http://www.speedpress.com/products/2/1

 

[fozzie]

We use 3mm digital sintra. About $23 a sheet. Get about month to 2 months out of it. Naturally use both sides.
Tried a cutting mat several years ago. Didn't last. Maybe they are better now.

 

[Desert_Signs]

Rhino Cutting Mat from Speed Press.

http://www.speedpress.com/products/2/1

Not a fan. Cut through it the first time I tried to cut 6mm PVC. It's far too soft.

So, I switched to 6mm PVC for my table tops.

It's WAY cheaper and lasts about 1/2 as long.

 

[Christian @ 2CT Media]

We use the Image1Impact cutting mat or 1/4" plate glass depending on what we are cutting.

Cutting mat for trimming substrates with a knife and glass for cutting vinyl panels.

 

[player]

Does the glass get scored?

 

[Christian @ 2CT Media]

Not Really... just don't use carbon steel blades or laminated glass.

 

[Sign Works]

Not a fan. Cut through it the first time I tried to cut 6mm PVC. It's far too soft.

So, I switched to 6mm PVC for my table tops.

It's WAY cheaper and lasts about 1/2 as long.

Mine has been in use for over twelve years without any problems. Like any other tool you simply need to apply a little common sense when using it (don't use a utility knife and bear down with all your might to cut through a substrate that is denser that the mat itself). Although most substrates are first cut on panel saw or cutter I've cut or trimmed down a ton of coro, pvc, banner material, etc. over the years on my cutting mat without any issues and would have nothing else on top of my production table.

 

[2B]

+1 for the PVC tops, do not go any thinner than 6mm.
we found the 12MM works the best, especially when you doping heavy scoring on alum / ACP

 

[Biker Scout]

It's WAY cheaper and lasts about 1/2 as long.

Do you mean "twice as long"

Otherwise I don't see the point or benefit to changing out my table tops more often than a well cared for cutting mat.

 

[Desert_Signs]

Do you mean "twice as long"

Otherwise I don't see the point or benefit to changing out my table tops more often than a well cared for cutting mat.

No, I meant half. PVC costs me $21 for a sheet. Same size cutting mat costs 5 times that.

 

[Biker Scout]

Yeah, but I've had a cutting mat last for years before I remembered I could flip it over.

I've had something similar to this: http://shop2012.yellotools.us/Cutting/CuttingMats/CuttingMat-Crystal-66-9-x-1-feet::1435.html

 

[Desert_Signs]

Yeah, but I've had a cutting mat last for years before I remembered I could flip it over.

I've had something similar to this: http://shop2012.yellotools.us/Cutting/CuttingMats/CuttingMat-Crystal-66-9-x-1-feet::1435.html

That looks pretty interesting! I had one set that lasted 2+ years, but I couldn't remember where I got it, so I tried the Rhino mat. That pretty much sucked for me. Just too soft. I might just try what you linked.

 

[StarSign]

1/8" HDPE (the same stuff we make traffic stencils out of) works great!!!