How can I make my cutting mat have more friction? (cutting styrene sheet)

This topic has 9 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 10 November 2015 at 09:01 by Martin Kyte.

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9 November 2015 at 03:47 #7858
John Smith 47
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@johnsmith47
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9 November 2015 at 03:47 #211201
John Smith 47
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@johnsmith47
Hello

1. I am finding it slightly irritating when cutting styrene sheet – particularly the smaller pieces of styrene – how they tend to slip around under the ruler when I try and cut or scribe over the styrene. Is there anything I can do to make my cutting mat a little bit more grabbing?

Fwiw, my mat is a cheap one from Hobby craft…
(This sort of thing
http://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/hobbycraft-cutting-mat-3-ply-a2/572006-1000 )

2. I have tried scoring using a sharp Xacto knife (#11 bade I think) but I have fine that using a heavy duty laminates cutter works quite well be cause it shaves a bit of plastic off rather than cuts it.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003UHUZ5U/ref=pe_385721_51767431_TE_dp_1

Do you have any other tips for really accurate cutting of styrene (ABS) ?

Background:
I need to cut styrene very accurately for a functional mechanical model/prototype I am making out of styrene.

Many thanks

J
9 November 2015 at 07:25 #211208
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
Use a rubber mat rather than a self healing one to stop the material moving on the mat. Also get a cutting rule, these have a rubber strip set into the back so they don't move so much and also have a steel insert on one edge so the knife will not wear the edge.

A guillotene with stops may be a better bet than knife & rule if the sheet is not too thick.

J

Edited By JasonB on 09/11/2015 07:27:02
9 November 2015 at 09:10 #211217
David Clark 13
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@davidclark13
Double sided adhesive tape might help.
9 November 2015 at 14:58 #211266
John Smith 47
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@johnsmith47
> Use a rubber mat rather than a self healing one …

The problem is that I rather need it to self-heal!
Is it possible to get one that is both?

I do have a cutting rule (with a rubber back to it), but it's measuring edge is aluminium and can easily be accidentally damaged by cutting blades.

> Double sided adhesive tape …
Seems rather extreme. As it would pick up dust & dirt. And would presumably tend to come away with the plastic after use… If all else fails I may try it though! Is that what you use?
9 November 2015 at 15:53 #211271
Brian G
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@briang
I use a cutting plotter (as used for vinyl signs) to cut styrene sheet accurately and use thin cutting mats like this **LINK** to support the sheets. They are not completely self-healing, but take a lot of damage before they need replacing. When new they hold the cut parts in place perfectly, but after while they lose their tackiness and need to be refreshed using repositionable spray mount.

Alternately you could just try the repositionable spray mount on your existing mat. It is a bit of a so-and-so to clean off, but can be removed with soap and water.
9 November 2015 at 16:30 #211278
JasonB
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@jasonb
You don't need to cut right through styrene or ABS sheet just score it with the laninate cutter and then snap so no need for the mat to self heal. Cut plenty of plasticard for model making in my time that way.
9 November 2015 at 19:34 #211325
John Smith 47
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@johnsmith47
Yes, I get you – there is no need to cut all the way through the plastic sheet. It's just that it has a habit of moving and slipping during the scoring process – at least it does on mine.

The point about the mat is that I only want the one mat. And for some things I need it to heal. For plastic cutting I want it to have friction!
10 November 2015 at 02:57 #211373
Hopper
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@hopper
Blu-tac? (The putty like stuff for sticking posters to walls without peeling the paint on removal etc.)
10 November 2015 at 09:01 #211387
Martin Kyte
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@martinkyte99762
Treacle ?
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