The Mat
Doctors
by John Ranes II, CPF, GCF
Which Mat Cutter?
“I'm opening a new frame shop and am trying to
decide if I should start off with a CMC from day one
or can I get by with a manual machine?” “I'm doing
framing as a start up business from home and have
been looking at several machines on eBay. Is there one
brand you would recommend?” “Which CMC mat
cutter?” “Do I buy used or
new?”
These are familiar questions that have appeared on
numerous occasions over the
years and today appear with
regularity on several of the
online discussion forums.
They get asked at trade shows
from one framer to another and, as might be expected,
they tend to elicit a broad variety of opinions.
Let's step back and examine the huge array of tools
and cutters used to create a mat from the simple artist's
hand cutter, to the D-I-Y mat cutter, to a professional
table top mat cutter, and then onto the pneumatic and
finally, computerized machines. Dexter, Alto, Logan,
C&H, Keeton, Fletcher, Gunnar, Wizard, Valiani,
Keencut—these are all familiar names that represent a
big part of the gamut of simple to complex tools help
to accomplish one simple task—to cut an opening into
matboard. Or, as one U.K. framer playfully described
his job, “I cut holes in cardboard.”
We know that passionate framers are
quick to share with us what their favorite
brand and model are and why they love a
particular brand of equipment. This is not
going be a Consumer Reports article
comparing features or rating the best
Brian Barnett,
machine in each category. Instead, the
Here are some
ideas on how to
decide what type
of mat cutter is
right for your shop
CPF
38 PFM May 2008
nature of the mat cutter itself, not the machine,
and the person who is controlling the use of the
equipment will be discussed. After years of observation, teaching mat cutting workshops and fielding
technical questions, here's what I've learned.
CMC Users
Framers tend to fall into two camps when it comes
to selecting what they think is the best machine for
them to get the job accomplished. The first group
consists of those who embrace the changing
industry, grab the CMC, and never look back.
They use CMCs to cut everything in the shop
from large volume orders to simple single openings
and everything in between. These framers seldom
even look at their manual cutters gathering dust in
a corner of the back room.
The Wizard 8500e includes three sizes of cartidges, software, and exclusive debossing designs created by Brian
Wolf. The ST500 straight line trimmer comes with it.
Tim Franer,
CPF, CMG
John Ranes II, Brian Wolf,
CPF, GCF
CPF, GCF
Tabletop Mat Cutters
The second group of framers includes those that found true
love with an older tabletop mat cutter of 1960-70s vintage.
These cutters seldom involve bearings and with, great pride,
framers using these mat cutters talk about achieving the
perfect mat. This typically involves standing on one leg,
holding their hands in a unique position, and looking to the
left as they cut to achieve a straight cut. Measuring stops are
usually out of the question, as mats are marked with pencil,
and entrance and exit are determined by eye, as in, “Real
framers don't use stops!”
I'm stereotyping these two camps and having fun with
the people who make up life in the framing world. But
leaning in one of these two directions results in “equipment
casualties.” Here is my observation of overlooked tools.
Measuring Stops
Measuring stops—the first casualty. The second group of
framers that hang onto those older straight line mat cutters
typically ignore the advantage of using measuring stops. In
truth the early tabletop cutters did not work as accurately
with measuring stops as do newer models made in the 1980s
on. With robustness and adjustability, measuring stops can
help a framer with efficiency in re-creating clean, precise
corners with close to the speed of a CMC. Too often at
framers around the U.S. and Canada, a tabletop cutter is
being used while the measuring stops are in a drawer. A
shrug of the shoulders and a comment like, “We've never
figured out how to adjust them correctly” follows. (See Mat
Doctors, February 2004 and January 2007.)
Measuring stops typically add $80 to $180 to the
expense of a new tabletop mat cutter. Sometimes they’re
included in the purchase price. They pay for themselves
within months of use.
Pneumatic Mat Cutters
Pneumatic Mat Cutters—the second casualty. The first
group typically leapfrogged over these machines on their
way to using CMCs. I have a CMC in my shop and
wouldn't be without one. However, for many framers this
category of equipment is often overlooked. Granted, pneumatic manual mat cutters only come in two brands. Esterly
Speed-Mat and Valiani MatPro. Both can be efficient tools
for the right application. They are much more popular in
Europe and other parts of the world. Most North American
framers take one glance and either assume they are CMCs
or don't see the value of a more expensive manual option.
These machines typically work like CMCs but
normally produce rectangles, with optional ovals/circles.
Considering that the majority of a framer’s work consists of
rectangular openings, then these machines should be a
consideration. They are very productive and profitable.
While CMCs run $13,000 to $24,000, pneumatic manual
mat cutters are $3,000 to $5,000, and the cost is usually
recovered in two to three years.
The important thing in acquiring equipment is to carefully analyze the volume and needs of your business. Then
carefully select the best tools to meet those challenges. It is
equally important to purchase equipment that will allow
your business to grow in the future. ■
John E. Ranes II, CPF, GCF, is an instructor of workshops
and seminars throughout North America, Europe, South
America, Australia, and New Zealand. He and his wife,
Sarah, own a frame shop and gallery in Appleton, WI, which
has won more than 60 framing awards. John also consults
for The Fletcher-Terry Company.
Wall mounted mat cutters like this one from Speed-Mat can cut 2-ply
to 8-ply mats, including double and triple and V-grooves.
40 PFM May 2008
At The National Conference at the West Coast Art & Frame Show,
students learn how to use the Fletcher 2200 in mat cutting classes.